Smith Canal Gate

Before construction began, the Smith Canal area, located off the San Joaquin River in Stockton, California, was considered a “high-risk” flood zone, triggering mandatory flood insurance requirements and building restrictions for thousands of residents.

The project involved the construction of a gate structure flanked by cellular floodwalls, which connected on the north end to Dad’s Point and on the south end to the Stockton Golf and Country Club. The project also included improvements to both Dad’s Point and the golf course access path.

Shimmick built the gate structure using foundation pipe piles, a sheet pile cutoff wall, and a reinforced concrete structure. It also included stop logs, miter gate leaves and actuators, an access platform, and rock scour protection.

Improvements to Dad’s Point featured a sheet pile floodwall and a seepage cutoff wall, along with new fishing piers, a concrete path, a turf block access road, and landscape enhancements. Upgrades to the golf course included the installation of a sheet pile floodwall, a concrete path, grass pavers, and various landscape improvements.

Upon project completion and certification, the San Joaquin River Flood Control Association (SJAFCA) became eligible to submit accreditation to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to initiate the map revision process and reclassify the area. This project established more secure access to local water resources for the community while simultaneously enhancing its flood protection capabilities.