About Us

Formation

The Sand Creek Flood Control District was formed on April 26, 1988.

Location and Size

The Sand Creek Flood Control District covers an approximate 11,600-acre watershed area, with outlets into the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) Main Canal, located about one mile east of the community of Denair. The floodplain is located between the Highline and TID Main Canals. The upper watershed area above the Highline Canal is gently rolling, with an average slope of about 2.5 percent. The soils are predominately sandy loams underlain by soft sandstone. Most of this upper watershed was converted from rangeland to irrigated vineyards and orchards. The lower watershed, below the Highline Canal contains a variety of agricultural uses including cropland, pastureland and orchards.

Governance

The governing board of the Sand Creek Flood Control District consists of 5 directors elected by landowner election to 4-year terms. Directors must hold title to land within the District. Meetings are held quarterly on the third Wednesday (March, June, July, and October), at the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) Conference Room, 333 E. Canal Drive, Turlock.

Personnel

The District relies on its volunteer Board members and contracts for other services as needed, such as secretary/bookkeeper, accountant, and maintenance of the creek.

Support Agencies

The District maintains a positive collaborative relationship with other local, state and federal agencies, as necessary. These agencies may include the: Turlock Irrigation District (TID), State Department of Water Resources (DWR), State Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Funding Sources

The District receives a limited amount of special benefit assessments to fund its services. The special assessments are based upon the degree of benefit received by each parcel within the District boundaries.

District Responsibility

The District provides the following authorized services within its service area:

• Flood prevention, via monitoring of drain ditch lines to prevent overflow and flooding. This includes spraying of weeds to keep the Sand Creek Drain clear from any debris.