Area Flooding Will Dry Up in Summer, Geology Firm Says

SANTA CLARITA — Flooding in a four-block area of Canyon Country will dry up by late July or early August if it follows past flooding patterns, a city-commissioned geology firm announced Friday.

BCI Geonetics made its preliminary report to Santa Clarita engineers Friday, confirming earlier assumptions that heavy February rains triggered flooding in the Four Oaks area by raising underground water levels.

The flooding won’t be solved in the next two months by man-made efforts, but rather the passage of time and natural lowering of ground water.

According to Los Angeles County Flood Control and California Department of Water Resources records, similar flooding occurred during 1973 and 1983. In both cases, the problem followed strong storms and disappeared a few months later.

Santa Clarita officials began receiving complaints in mid-April about water in the residential neighborhood bordered by Camp Plenty Road, Langside Avenue, Delight Street and Glasser Avenue. Many residents thought the steady flow was from a broken water main.

While waiting for water levels to drop, Santa Clarita has begun sweeping roads and driveways weekly in an attempt to keep mosquitoes and algae away. City crews are also keeping storm drains clear of debris.

Although the flooding may be temporary, it is causing permanent damage to the streets and, some fear, surrounding property values.

“The roads are coming apart. Any time roads and high water mix, the roads don’t hold up,” said T. Brad Therrien, a city civil engineer. Once the area is dry, city engineers expect the city will have to rebuild much of the flooded streets.

In response to the deteriorating roads, Santa Clarita has limited traffic in the community to vehicles under 4,000 pounds. This has stopped regular garbage truck routes.

Residents say a permanent solution must be found for the 10-year flooding cycle.

“The thing that bothers me is that we have to disclose this when we sell our house,” said Steve McMains, whose Four Oaks Avenue home still has water surrounding its foundation.