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FOLSOM-

The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Bureau of Reclamation invited media and local officials to tour the progress of the Folsom Dam auxiliary spillway project.

The ceremony opened with remarks by Colonel Michael Farrell of the US Army Corps of Engineers. He said now that the majority of concrete work is done, they are getting ready for the technical installation of the giant gates. The first gate arrived to Folsom from Washington State in mid-March.

According to California Representative Doris Matsui of the 6th Congressional District, the $900 million dollar project will be paid for by Federal (65%), State (15%), and local (10%) entities.

All speakers expressed their appreciation of the unique collaboration between the agencies, which ended up saving a significant amount of money.

Despite the current drought situation, representatives said it is never too early to protect ourselves from flood threats.

“It could just be next year that we have an El Nino season,” California Representative Ami Bera of the 4th Congressional District said. “So we have that dual risk of managing incredible flood risk, and at the same time having to understand that drought years happen as well.”

Once the entire project is completed by October, 2017, experts said the Sacramento region would double their flood protection.