SAFCA Levee Accreditation Program

In order to maintain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accreditation and to meet the State’s Urban Level of Flood Protection (ULOP) criteria, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) identified several needed improvements to levees along the Lower American and Sacramento Rivers and their tributaries in the North Sacramento area. These improvements will reduce flood risk and allow the community to maintain low-cost flood insurance.

In support of this program, Blackburn Consulting provided quality assurance materials testing as part of the construction management team. During cutoff wall construction at the North Area Streams project site, Blackburn field representatives observed, sampled, and tested soil bentonite and slag-cement-bentonite slurry and backfill. Blackburn also performed hydraulic conductivity and sieve analysis laboratory tests. During levee reconstruction, BCI performed compaction testing on sub-grade clay cap, and clay core, and embankment fill.  BCI also performed testing for aggregate surface course, ramps, concrete, relief wells, pipe crossings, and pump stations.

Blackburn’s field representatives made the CM team’s job easier through their responsiveness and professional conduct. When the contractor had trouble mixing controlled low strength material (CLSM) that met specification, we made suggestions for mix adjustments that helped meet specification. Blackburn’s cross-trained field representatives, combined with engineering support, reduced construction delays and helped the project move forward.