To: Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month and its Associated Program, Countywide.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution declaring October 2026 as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month; and
ACCEPT the following status report from the Public Works Department and the Contra Costa County (County) Flood Control and Water Conservation District (FCD) on the Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program (CCSAP); and
DIRECT the Public Works Department and the FCD to continue with implementation and the annual campaign of a Countywide sustainable CCSAP, including a follow-up report to this Board in one year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Annual notices, outreach, and maintenance of safety features for this year is estimated to cost $50,000 and will be funded by Flood Control Zone 3B. Project No. 7520-6B8311
BACKGROUND:
On March 1, 2011, the Board of Supervisors directed the FCD to develop a sustainable and impactful outreach program to promote creek and channel safety throughout the County, after the drowning of two high school students in the Walnut Creek channel. In response, the FCD formed a CCSAP team that developed a strategy to achieve this goal.
On October 4, 2011, the Board declared October 2011 as the first Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month, accepted the status report from the FCD on the CCSAP, approved the implementation plan, and directed the FCD to continue with implementation and initiation of an annual campaign of a sustainable CCSAP, including a follow-up report to the Board in one year.
Every year since then, the Board of Supervisors has received and accepted a status report on the Annual CCSAP and declared October as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month.
The FCD refreshes warning stencils and signs in our facilities, and ensures gates and fences are secured as needed throughout the year. In fall 2025, the FCD continued its annual outreach to schools, working directly with Walnut Creek Intermediate (WCI) on in-person events. The FCD equipped leadership students with “Stay Out, Stay Alive!” bracelets, art supplies, and a demonstration from the Fire District, which provides for fun team building activities to emphasize the importance and danger of the channel. FCD staff gave a presentation to the leadership students at WCI, including an overview of the Walnut Creek watershed, which includes photos and videos of contrasting channel conditions. Students participating in 7th and 8th grade art classes created colorful posters with the overall message to “Stay Out, Stay Alive!” As in the past, several student posters were selected by the FCD and recognized during a presentation to the entire student body during the lunch hour. At this school-wide event, the FCD and Fire District spoke to students about the purpose of the channel and presented equipment needed for life saving rescues. Copies of selected posters were then displayed along FCD channel fencing in the Walnut Creek area to remind people to “Stay Out, Stay Alive!”
The Chief Engineer, FCD, recommends that the Board declare October 2026 as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month, accept the above report, and direct the Public Works Department and FCD to continue with implementation and the annual campaign of a Countywide sustainable CCSAP, including a follow-up report to this Board in one year.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Resolution is not adopted, members of the public may not receive important information about creek and channel safety.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The FCD will continue to work with the schools and youth-based groups within the County to educate children about safety regarding creeks and flood control channels.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF: Declaring October 2026 as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month, Countywide.
WHEREAS, various regional flood control channels were constructed in Contra Costa County to efficiently drain stormwater and runoff from within the cities and towns; and
WHEREAS, in April 2010, a family lost a husband and son in the rain-swollen Walnut Creek Channel; and
WHEREAS, in February 2011, two young men drowned in the same channel; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2011, the Board of Supervisors directed the County Public Works Department and Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to pursue a sustainable outreach program to educate the public on the benefits and dangers of creeks and channels; and
WHEREAS, continued education of the public about creeks and channels has been determined as the best way to keep citizens safe and avoid future tragedies; and
WHEREAS, the Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program (CCSAP) is now being implemented Countywide with an annual declaration of October as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month to remind the public of the CCSAP.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby declares October 2026 as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month encouraging the public to be informed about the benefits and dangers of creeks and channels throughout Contra Costa County.