Islais Creek Adaptation Strategy

Background

A changing climate will have profound impacts on San Francisco’s communities and its shoreline. To minimize climate impacts, we need to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions while preparing for future climate impacts such as sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Sea levels are anticipated to rise 6-10 feet by 2100 and over the next several decades, coastal flood events are projected to increase in frequency and extent. Addressing this climate risk requires urgent action now and will ultimately help to build a more resilient city.

Sea level rise poses a threat to San Francisco’s neighborhoods and communities, critical shoreline infrastructure and the transportation system. One approach to building community resiliency is to begin the process of identifying vulnerabilities and developing robust strategies that address climate-related risks and vulnerabilities.

These changes will continue to increase flood risk and impact. The Port, San Francisco Planning, and SFMTA are partnering with agencies at the federal and state levels to study risks and needed improvements. Proactive planning will help ensure the safety of citizens and prevent serious damage to vulnerable waterfront communities and city infrastructure over the long term.

Other Resilience Efforts Underway at Islais Creek

The Waterfront Resilience Program encompasses multiple interrelated efforts to understand the severity and progression of climate change impacts, involve the people and communities that could  be potentially affected by flooding or earthquakes, and create ideas and actions to protect communities, the economy, and the environment. These efforts include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Port Flood Study, the Islais Creek Adaptation Study, and the Southern Waterfront Seismic Vulnerability Assessment.

The Islais Creek Adaptation Strategy is one of three projects addressing climate hazards (flooding, seismic risk) in the area. Below are details on the two other projects (see the Timeline tab for more information about phasing). 

Army Corps Flood Study

The United States Army Corps of Engineers and Port of San Francisco have partnered to study flood risk along San Francisco’s eastern shoreline. The study area is within the Port’s jurisdiction, from Fisherman’s Wharf in the north to Heron’s Head Park in the south.

The three year Study will identify challenges and recommend solutions to reduce current and future flood risk and will produce alternatives that will incorporate input from USACE, Port, stakeholder, resource agencies and the public for consideration for Federal investment and implementation.

The Port is excited to share what’s been learned through the Study, considerations for adaptation, and community feedback through 15 Story Maps, an interactive map-based tool that allows you to see how earthquake and flood may impact community spaces, disaster response sites and services to keep us safe in an emergency, utilities that keep the city running, and more. The story focused on Islais Creek is linked here. 

Southern Waterfront Assessment

The Port is leading an effort in the southern part of the Port’s jurisdiction to assess the vulnerabilities, identify the opportunities and develop near, mid- and long-term adaptation strategies for the area. The purpose of the assessment is to fill any gaps in the Port, City and community understanding of the risks and opportunities. The Assessment will draw from, and integrate with, a number of existing efforts, including Islais Creek Adaptation Strategy, the Seawall Program, the USACE/ Port of San Francisco Flood Protection Study, the Citywide Sea Level Rise work.