ROSEVILLE, Calif. — The water levels are rising in Roseville with Dry Creek pushing its banks in many locations, and peak wind gusts Tuesday where 40 to 45 miles per hour during the day.
A neighbor in the area said he’s using his chainsaw to cut a fallen tree now rather than waiting on the city because he and many other parents will need to pick their kids up from school.
Residents along Cook Riolo Road are also taking matters into their own hands.
Homeowner Derek Correia has found a way to alter water through his property to avoid flooding.
“I can’t change where it comes onto my property or where it goes off, but I can improve my property,” said Correia.“Lined it all off and measured it all. Did elevation checks and just made this meandering stream here.”
It took Correia about a week to make his own creek 18 years ago. Since then, the closest his property has come to flooding was just some water up his driveway. He complained multiple times to the county about standing water on the roadways causing crashes.
“I complained several times because my fence got taken out at least three times by people coming over the rise, then they hit the water and they come through my fence,” said Correia.
The county created a new culvert, which Correia says is an improvement, but the water is ready to come through the drain.
Despite living on a flood plain, Correia said he didn't have flood insurance because it was too expensive.
However, the city of Roseville sees the potential flood as an opportunity. It started its groundwater banking operation last Saturday.
Sean Bigley, the assistant environmental utilities director for the city, said the process is pulling in water, treating it and pushing it back in the groundwater basin.
“We are taking water that we can essentially recharge. We are putting that water away like a savings account for tougher times -- so drier drought periods,” he said.
Through Saturday, Roseville will pull in 44 million gallons, which is enough to provide drinking water to 366 homes for the entire year. During the January storms, they pulled in enough for 1,200 homes.
Roseville’s groundwater program is expanding, adding two new wells that are almost complete. They plan to break ground on two more next month.
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