U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren on Monday announced $54.8 million in federal funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, a major investment in flood protection for Watsonville and Pajaro as the region prepares for a potentially strong El Niño winter.
Lofgren presented a ceremonial check on Nov. 2 for the largest of 13 community projects she submitted for the fiscal year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle.
The project is being carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ San Francisco District in partnership with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA).
“With El Niño expected to intensify in the early months of 2027, it’s critical that the residents and businesses along the Pajaro River have necessary flood protection,” Lofgren said. “Last year, I was proud to announce nearly $40 million for levee and floodwall construction in Watsonville, and I’m proud to have submitted this additional $54 million as one of my community projects this year.”
The funding comes as local officials continue work on a flood protection system that has been sought for decades by residents on both sides of the Pajaro River.
The need for improvements became particularly apparent on...