13 months ago
STOCKTON, CA - Four and a half years after a huge levee break in the delta, the repaired levee is leaking again.
Repairs took place on Upper Jones Tract, three miles west of Stockton. But that's where water can be heard gurgling under the heavy rock that went into the repairs.
While state flood officials insist the levee is not at risk of failure, people who work on that delta island are nervous.
"When they say you can't work on a levee when you should be working on a levee, you have a problem," said farmer Jim Defremery. "When you're sitting in the middle of the island and you've already gone under once, you don't want it to happen again."
Heavy equipment is in place to make the levee repairs, but the machinery is silent because of wildlife concerns. Delta work is not allowed during certain times of the year because of possible damage to fish.
"There is a period of time when there are potentially salmon in the area. They need to address the environmental concerns," said Bill Croyle with the Department of Water Resources.
While the work is delayed, business people who rely on a dry and open island are keeping their fingers crossed.
"Our ultimate goal is to open a bar and restaurant. The drawings are done. It's getting worse daily. It's something to be concerned about," said Carl Wenske of Bullfrog Landing Marina.
State officials said once the various permits are secured by the area's reclamation district, levee repairs could begin within 60 days.
News10/KXTV
