For years, portions of Selma’s storm drainage system relied on discharging runoff into irrigation canals. Valley View Storm Drain Phase 2 provides a dedicated route to the City’s basin, improving the drainage system while putting captured stormwater to beneficial use.

The new pipeline connects existing drainage infrastructure near Todd Street to the Valley View Basin through McCall Avenue and Valley View Street. Its route required crossings beneath State Route 99 and the Consolidated Irrigation District’s Selma Branch Canal, along with coordination around existing underground utilities. Delivering these improvements required close communication among the City, Caltrans, the irrigation district, utility providers, and the construction team.

The basin improvements are an equally important part of the project. Excavation and grading increased storage capacity to approximately 60 acre-feet, creating more room to retain runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the ground. The completed system is anticipated to recharge approximately 210 acre-feet of groundwater annually from stormwater, with additional recharge potential when supplemental water is available through the irrigation district.

Funding presented another challenge. Initial bids exceeded the available project funding, prompting the City to seek additional support before proceeding. Supplemental Proposition 1 funding from the State Water Resources Control Board, together with City matching funds, helped move the project into construction.

Yamabe & Horn supported the City through engineering oversight, project coordination, funding administration assistance, and construction phase services. Working alongside design engineer Gateway Engineering and contractor Sierra Construction & Excavation, our team helped address utility conflicts, agency requirements, and the need to maintain drainage operations during construction.

Construction began in February 2024 and was completed in June 2025. As the second phase of a broader storm drainage improvement program, the project provides infrastructure that supports future improvements while delivering immediate benefits for drainage and groundwater recharge.

The project received the 2026 ASCE Fresno Branch Outstanding Flood Management Project Award.