Construction of the Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel Flood Protection and Ecosystem Restoration Project was completed in January 2022, with the project reaching full completion in December 2023 after the successful implementation of critical conveyance system improvements. OneShoreline is now dedicated to ensuring the ongoing reliable operation of this infrastructure.
The Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel collect stormwater runoff from the municipalities of Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, and nearby unincorporated areas, thus serving as a vital stormwater drainage system for a predominantly urban, low-elevation area in San Mateo County. For decades, however, high tides have prevented stormwater from draining into San Francisco Bay, leading to frequent flooding—even during minor rainfall events. Local businesses and mobile home parks have endured more than 40 flooding events over the past 70 years, with the most recent flooding occurring in 2017.
In response to this long-standing challenge, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, and San Mateo County came together in 2017 to develop a solution for reducing the frequency and impacts of flooding. When OneShoreline was established in January 2020, it took the lead in advancing the project.
The result was a system of two parallel underground culverts designed to redirect excess water from the Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel into managed ponds within the Ravenswood Complex of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. This project not only reduces flood risks for nearby communities but also improves water quality, supports local ecosystems, and bolsters regional flood protection efforts.
During the wet season of late 2023 and early 2024, OneShoreline collaborated with Redwood City and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep the system operating smoothly. Crews cleared debris from automated trash racks and prepared the structure for subsequent storms, enabling the system to treat and divert 220 acre-feet of stormwater runoff while capturing 14 cubic yards of debris.
Today, OneShoreline continues to partner with Redwood City and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the reliable operation of this critical infrastructure.
