San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study
Draft Plan for Review
Why We're Here
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in collaboration with the City of San Francisco, has reached an important milestone in the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study (Flood Study) - the release of the Draft Plan.
The Draft Plan is part of the Flood Study, which analyzes the coastal flood risk and effects of sea level rise for the 7.5 miles of waterfront within the Port of San Francisco’s jurisdiction, from Aquatic Park to Heron’s Head Park. Learn more about the Flood Study Process .
Reflecting more than six years of community engagement and public input, the Draft Plan proposes to defend the shoreline against sea level rise. It indicates approximately where to build coastal flood defenses and how much sea level rise future coastal flood defenses will manage before they need to be adapted to higher water levels. It includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
The Draft Plan is a critical milestone in San Francisco’s continued, long-term efforts to defend our waterfront against flood risk and sea level rise, while also enhancing the seismic stability of our waterfront’s flood management structures and complementing waterfront improvements. The proposed solutions are estimated to cost $13.5 billion, and, if approved by Congress, the Federal government may pay up to 65% of the construction cost. Cost estimates are preliminary, high-level, and subject to change.
The Draft Plan does not include detailed designs for flood defenses; designs for waterfront streets, open spaces, and infrastructure; timing and sequencing of construction; or a funding plan. These elements will be developed during later project phases with the public, USACE and City Agencies.
Scroll through or navigate via the sections above to learn more about the Draft Plan, the risks it addresses, and the USACE process.
View and download the full list of documents from the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Report and EIS).
Thank you for your comments!
The public comment period on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report / Environmental Impact Statement closed on March 29, 2024. Public comments received on the Draft Report will be used to inform the Recommended Plan and the Final Report.
The Draft Plan
Below, we provide an overview of the Draft Plan. You can also jump directly to a selected neighborhood of interest:
Overview - What's Included in the Draft Plan
The Draft Plan is a milestone in San Francisco’s ongoing commitment to defend our city and waterfront against sea level rise, stormwater flooding, and earthquakes. It proposes flood defenses along the 7.5 miles of waterfront within the Port of San Francisco’s jurisdiction, from Aquatic Park to Heron’s Head Park.
The Draft Plan indicates approximately where to build flood defenses, how high to build flood defenses, and how much space to use. It identifies a combination of different flood defenses, such as floodproofing, seawalls, berms, floodwalls and nature-based features, which could be used to defend our waterfront, bringing together the best ideas and approaches from the Draft Waterfront Adaptation Strategies released for public review in 2022. The Draft Plan also includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
At the highest-level, the Draft Plan proposes a raised shoreline defense that largely keeps San Francisco’s waterfront where it is. It includes coastal flood defenses to manage 1.5 and 3.5 feet of sea level rise as well as extreme storms and tides. The Draft Plan proposes coastal flood defenses designed to withstand a major earthquake, incorporating important seismic safety improvements into how we build our flood defenses.
The Draft Plan responds to community priorities heard over six years of community engagement and public input including:
- Put people first by focusing defense on housing, services, and assets valued by the community
- Prioritize life safety and emergency response
- Enhance and sustain economic and ecological opportunities
- Ensure public access to the waterfront & historic places for an inviting waterfront for all
- Consider racial and social equity and environmental justice
What is Not Included in the Draft Plan
Though the Draft Plan is an important milestone in the Flood Study process, it is important to understand that the Draft Plan is not a design for the future waterfront nor a plan for the Embarcadero Historic District, the Ferry Building and public plazas and roadway, or creek and shoreline amenities. The Draft Plan does not include:
- Detailed designs for flood defenses
- Designs for waterfront streets, open spaces, and infrastructure
- Timing and sequencing of construction
- Funding plan
These elements will be developed during later project phases with the public, USACE and City Agencies. Project plans and implementation strategies will leverage other opportunities, align with other public and private projects, and reflect what the City can afford given other capital obligations.
The Draft Plan Boundaries
The Study Area encompasses the Port's jurisdiction from Aquatic Park to Heron's Head Park.
The Port of San Francisco’s Waterfront stretches 7.5 miles - a substantial piece of our City's waterfront and home to some of our city’s most beloved landmarks, public attractions, and open spaces.
The waterfront is also integral to our city’s economic activity, transportation networks like BART and Muni, critical drinking water and wastewater utilities, and disaster response facilities.
What happens along the San Francisco Waterfront will impact San Franciscans in every corner of the city.
The Draft Plan does not include coastal flood defenses for areas beyond the Port of San Francisco’s jurisdiction, including areas south of and north of the Port and along the Pacific Ocean.
Other San Francisco agencies are working to develop strategies to address coastal flood risk.
Just as other San Francisco agencies have contributed to the Draft Plan, the Port is an active partner in these citywide strategies to share its experience with the Flood Study and align its waterfront resilience work with overarching city efforts for a safe and resilient San Francisco.
What did we consider in the development of the Draft Plan?
Where to build flood defenses
Have we located the flood defense in the right place?
How high to build flood defenses
Should we invest in higher levels of protection first or adapt in multiple phases?
How much space to use
More space provides more flexibility but is associated with more disruption. Less space means more abrupt grade changes.
Draft Plan Actions
The Draft Plan consists of five broad categories of actions applied across the 7.5 miles of waterfront.
Phased Actions Adaptable Over Time
The Draft Plan is structured in terms of first actions (completed over the next several decades) and subsequent actions (future adaptations, with their scale and timing dependent on the rate of sea level rise and other factors). It includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
Note: Dates are approximate and subject to change. Projects will occur in phases.
Actions by Neighborhood
The Draft Plan divides the 7.5 miles of waterfront into four geographic sections or neighborhoods (referred to as “Reaches” in the Draft Plan). The flood defenses identified for each neighborhood are tailored to the unique conditions and risks of that location.
Fisherman's Wharf (Reach 1):
The Draft Plan in Fisherman’s Wharf takes advantage of the existing higher ground and uses floodproofing and short floodwalls on piers and wharves to reduce near term damages to lower-lying buildings and assets.
Embarcadero (Reach 2):
In the Embarcadero, the Draft Plan focuses on raising the seawall at the shoreline edge with a gradual transition to connect the shoreline to the existing city elevation across the Embarcadero, maintaining the city’s connection to the waterfront and adapting historic wharves and buildings.
South Beach / Mission Bay (Reach 3):
In South Beach / Mission Bay, the Draft Plan uses a combination of berms/levees, seawalls, nature-based features such as creek enhancements, and closure structures for the bridges. In addition, the Draft Plan proposes adding short floodwalls on piers in this area.
Islais Creek / Bayview (Reach 4):
In Islais Creek / Bayview, the Draft Plan uses a combination of berms/levees, nature-based features such as creek enhancements, and closure structures for the bridges. In addition, the Draft Plan proposes adding short floodwalls on piers in this area.
Explore the Draft Plan for each neighborhood below. In each section you will find:
- Interactive flood risk maps
- Proposed first actions and subsequent actions
- How the proposed actions were shaped by community feedback
- How the Draft Plan ties in with other City resilience efforts
- An opportunity to comment on the Draft Plan
Please note: At this stage of the process, the Draft Plan is conceptual. It does not include construction-ready, detailed physical design or conceptual design of surface features (open spaces, roads, etc.). We will conduct robust public feedback and engagement over the coming years to design the future waterfront.
Draft Plan By Neighborhood
Keep scrolling to explore each neighborhood north to south or jump directly to a neighborhood of interest:
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf begins at Aquatic Park and extends to Telegraph Hill.
Explore Flood Risk along Fisherman's Wharf
Explore the interactive 3D map that shows flood hazards in Fisherman's Wharf by using the navigation buttons to the right. Visit the Waterfront Resilience Story Maps to learn more about the risks in Fisherman's Wharf.
Proposed First Actions for Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is located on a higher area that modeling shows will encounter lower flood damages than other areas of the waterfront.
The Draft Plan in Fisherman’s Wharf takes advantage of the existing higher ground and recommends floodproofing and short floodwalls on piers and wharves as first actions to reduce damage to lower-lying buildings and assets.
Floodproofing in Fisherman’s Wharf is anticipated to reduce risk in the near term. The shoreline would be raised through future adaptation actions as sea level rise increases over time.
Actions Deep Dive
Floodproof Select Buildings
Floodproofing is a targeted approach to flood risk reduction. It focuses on reducing risk of a particular asset or building.
Some facilities - like most commercial buildings - could be modified to keep water out entirely. Others - like some industrial facilities - could be modified on the inside to allow water to enter and exit the facility causing little or no lasting damage.
Add Short Floodwalls to Piers
Build up to two-foot walls around piers to manage flood risks & defend against intermittent high water.
Subsequent Actions
The Draft Plan proposes First Actions (explained above) which will be completed over the next several decades and Subsequent Actions which are potential future actions. The scale and timing of these is dependent on the rate of sea level rise and other factors. The Draft Plan also includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
Subsequent actions could include:
How Community Feedback Shaped the Draft Plan
In Fisherman’s Wharf these actions are recommended because they:
- Minimize disruption, from construction, especially to public transit and businesses until higher flood risks are evident
- Provide a more cost-efficient way to reduce near-term damages where there are lower flood risks based on sea level rise modeling
- Defend and preserve historic and maritime resources
- Ensure public access to the waterfront and historic places and an inviting waterfront for all
- Enhance and sustain economic opportunities
Tying into other Resilience Efforts
The Port has other resilience projects already underway that are not part of the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study. These Early Projects are led by the Port through the Waterfront Resilience Program and are designed to address urgent flood and seismic risk and stem from the voter-approved Proposition A Seawall Safety Bond. The Draft Plan will build on these investments.
Wharf J9 Replacement and Resilient Shoreline Project
Wharf J9 forms part of the unique working industry character of Fisherman's Wharf. The shoreline here has high earthquake risk while sea level rise is an emerging threat. This project will replace an at-risk seawall and wharf with a resilient shoreline structure, provide ADA accessible berthing for commercial fishing boats, and improve public access along the shoreline. Phase 1 will construct a new float and phase 2 will replace the seawall and wharf.
Explore other neighborhoods:
Embarcadero
The Embarcadero includes a portion of the Embarcadero Historic District, from Telegraph Hill to the Bay Bridge.
Explore Flood Risk along the Embarcadero
Explore the interactive 3D map that shows flood hazards in the Embarcadero by using the navigation buttons to the right. Visit the Waterfront Resilience Story Maps to learn more about the risks in the Embarcadero.
Proposed First Actions for the Embarcadero
The Draft Plan focuses on raising the seawall at the shoreline edge to defend against 3.5 feet of sea level rise.
A gradual transition, coupled with seismic ground improvements related to the flood defense project, would connect the shoreline to the existing city elevation across the Embarcadero, maintaining the city’s connection to the waterfront.
The Draft Plan proposes to raise buildings along the water’s edge, including the Ferry Building and historic bulkhead buildings, and the Embarcadero Roadway.
Elevating the shoreline presents an opportunity for new waterfront public spaces. Design details for how this transition would work and design of the promenade and roadway will be developed in later project phases.
Actions Deep Dive
Raise the Shoreline
This action will elevate the shoreline at the roadway edge and gradually slope back to existing city elevation. It will also address seismic issues through ground improvements.
Given the significant concentration of infrastructure located on the Embarcadero, including critical disaster response assets and services, the Draft Plan proposes that coastal flood defenses in the first action in this area be built at a higher initial elevation to limit the need for further disruptions in subsequent adaptation phases.
Elevate Buildings and Wharves
Elevate buildings and wharves along the water’s edge, including the Ferry Building and historic bulkhead buildings. Enhance seismic stability for wharves and buildings.
Add Short Walls Around the Piers
Build up to two-foot walls around piers to manage flood risks and defend against intermittent high water.
Subsequent Actions
The Draft Plan is structured in terms of first actions (explained above) which will be completed over the next several decades and subsequent actions which are potential future actions.
No subsequent action currently anticipated to be needed to withstand 3.5’ of sea level rise – subject to change depending on actual rate of sea level rise.
How Community Feedback Shaped the Draft Plan
In the Embarcadero, these actions are recommended because they:
- Prioritize life safety and emergency response by defending the Ferry Building, one of San Francisco’s and the Bay Area’s key emergency response sites, and the Embarcadero Roadway, a key thoroughfare for delivery emergency supplies, staff, and services.
- Defend and preserve historic and maritime resources.
- Ensure public access to the waterfront and historic places and an inviting waterfront for all, including future opportunities to increase the connection between the Ferry Building, waterfront, and Market Street.
Tying into other Resilience Efforts
The Port has other resilience projects already underway that are not part of the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study. These Early Projects are led by the Port through the Waterfront Resilience Program and are designed to address urgent flood and seismic risk and stem from the voter-approved Proposition A Seawall Safety Bond. The Draft Plan will build on these investments.
Piers 9 & 15 Seawall Earthquake Safety Project
The bulkhead wharves represent some of the highest earthquake risk along The Embarcadero Seawall. This project focuses on structural retrofits that improve safety at high occupancy locations such as Pier 15 and Pier 9. These retrofits are lower cost investments prior to a subsequent action to replace the seawall and wharf.
Downtown Coastal Resilience Project
The area between Broadway and Harrison Streets, centered on the Ferry Building, has high coastal flood and earthquake risk today. This project focuses on protecting regional transit and waterfront neighborhoods from near-term coastal flooding, maintaining a thriving waterfront as longer-range plans are developed. Improvements include raising bulkheads, flood protection railings, and deployable structures used during storm events. Earthquake safety improvements are also being considered including enhanced capability to move first responders and people after an earthquake.
Further refinement of the Draft Plan will also coordinate with ongoing and future Port plans to adapt and invest in historic piers and public private partnerships such as the proposed developments at Piers 30/32 and Piers 38/40 .
Explore other neighborhoods:
South Beach / Mission Bay
South Beach / Mission Bay extends from the Bay Bridge to the former Potrero Power Station.
Explore Flood Risk along South Beach / Mission Bay
Explore the interactive 3D map that shows flood hazards in South Beach / Mission Bay by using the navigation buttons to the right. Visit the Waterfront Resilience Story Maps to learn more about the risks in South Beach / Mission Bay.
Proposed First Actions for South Beach / Mission Bay
The Draft Plan proposes actions in this part of the waterfront to defend against 1.5 feet of sea level rise.
South Beach / Mission Bay generally has sufficient space available to adapt in phases without disrupting major utility or transportation systems, and includes areas of existing and planned higher ground that proposed flood infrastructure will connect to.
The Draft Plan includes a sea level rise Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
The Draft Plan uses a combination of berms/levees, seawalls, nature based features such as living berms, and closure structures for the bridges.
Berms/levees are areas of raised ground that can help prevent flooding while maintaining waterfront access and are proposed on both banks of Mission Creek and at Terry Francois Boulevard.
Seismic ground improvements are proposed for both banks of Mission Creek and along the Bay shoreline where berms/levees are located.
Actions Deep Dive
Closure Structure on Bridges
Closure structures on Third and Fourth Street Bridges will close gaps in the elevated shoreline to prevent flooding.
It is anticipated that these closures would be infrequent (less than once a year) and used only in anticipation of a large storm or tide event.
Berms/Levees + Nature-Based Features
Berms/levees are areas of raised ground that can help prevent flooding while maintaining waterfront access. They can include public space, such as walking or biking paths, and they can incorporate vegetation that support habitats.
Subsequent Actions
The Draft Plan is structured in terms of first actions (explained above) which will be completed over the next several decades and subsequent actions which are potential future actions. The scale and timing of these is dependent on the rate of sea level rise and other factors. The Draft Plan also includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
Subsequent actions could include:
How Community Feedback Shaped the Draft Plan
In South Beach / Mission Bay, these actions are recommended because they:
- Prioritize life safety and emergency response by defending the Embarcadero Roadway, a key thoroughfare for delivery emergency supplies, staff, and services.
- Defend and preserve historic and maritime resources.
- Ensure public access to the waterfront and historic places and an inviting waterfront for all, including future opportunities to increase the connection between the Ferry Building, waterfront, and Market Street.
- Safeguard public transit to keep connections throughout the city.
Closure structures on the bridges respond to community feedback to avoid tide gates, which can have a greater impact on Bay life and neighboring communities.
Tying Into Other Resilience Projects
The Port has other resilience projects already underway that are not part of the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study. These Early Projects are led by the Port through the Waterfront Resilience Program and are designed to address urgent flood and seismic risk and stem from the voter-approved Proposition A Seawall Safety Bond. The Draft Plan will build on these investments.
Southern Embarcadero Coastal Resilience Project
The bulkheads between Pier 24.5 and Pier 40 are some of the oldest on the waterfront, have high earthquake risk, and see some of the biggest storm driven waves. This project will begin the process of replacing the wharves and seawall with earthquake resilient structures that can be easily adapted for sea level rise.
Pier 50 Earthquake Improvement Project
Located in Mission Bay, Pier 50 is an important maritime facility housing equipment, supplies, and labor needed for day-to-day operations and waterfront emergencies. Led by the Port, this project will assess existing structural conditions, evaluate earthquake and sea level rise risk, develop an overall resilience strategy, and advance one or more projects to improve earthquake performance and strengthen the City’s capability to respond and recover.
Further refinement of the Draft Plan will coordinate with ongoing and future Port plans to adapt and invest in historic piers and public private partnerships such as the proposed developments at Piers 30/32 and Piers 38/40 . The Draft Plan will connect to existing and planned higher ground at Mission Rock, Bayfront Park, Crane Cove Park, and Pier 70.
Explore other neighborhoods:
Islais Creek / Bayview
Islais Creek / Bayview extends from Warm Water Cove to Heron’s Head Park.
Explore Flood Risk in Islais Creek / Bayview
Explore the interactive 3D map that shows flood hazards in Islais Creek / Bayview by using the navigation buttons to the right. Visit the Waterfront Resilience Story Maps to learn more about the risks in Islais Creek / Bayview.
Proposed First Actions for Islais Creek / Bayview
The Draft Plan proposes actions in this part of the waterfront to defend against 1.5 feet of sea level rise.
This area has sufficient space available to adapt in phases without disrupting major utility or transportation systems.
The Draft Plan includes a sea level rise Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
Draft Plan proposes a combination of berms/levees, nature-based features such as living berms and wetland preservation, and closure structures for the bridges. Closure structures on Illinois Street Bridge close gaps in the elevated shoreline to prevent flooding.
It is anticipated that these closures would be infrequent (less than once a year) and used only in anticipation of a large storm or tide event.
Port cargo facilities would be adapted with raised floodwalls and seismic ground improvements.
Citywide Muni facilities would be defended by a berm connected to a floodwall along the north side of Islais Creek. A berm/levee would be placed on the south side of the creek, raising the shoreline while maintaining waterfront access.
Actions Deep Dive
Closure Structures on Bridges
Closure Structures on Illinois Street Bridge close gaps in the elevated shoreline to prevent flooding.
It is anticipated that these closures would be infrequent (less than once a year) and used only in anticipation of a large storm or tide event.
Add Short Walls Around Piers
Build up to two-foot walls around piers to manage flood risks and defend against intermittent high water.
Berms/Levees + Nature Based Features
Berms/levees with seismic ground improvements are proposed on both banks of Islais Creek.
Berms/levees are areas of raised ground that can help prevent flooding while maintaining waterfront access. They can include public space, such as walking or biking paths, and they can incorporate vegetation that support habitats.
Subsequent Actions
The Draft Plan is structured in terms of first actions (explained above) which will be completed over the next several decades and subsequent actions which are potential future actions. The scale and timing of these is dependent on the rate of sea level rise and other factors. The Draft Plan also includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
Subsequent actions could include:
How Community Feedback Shaped the Draft Plan
In Islais Creek / Bayview these actions are recommended because they:
- Prioritize life safety and emergency response by defending key staging sites.
- Defend and preserve jobs and maritime resources.
- Safeguard public transit to keep connections from Bayview to the rest of the city.
- Ensure public access to the waterfront and important historic and cultural places and an inviting waterfront for all.
Closure structures respond to community feedback to avoid tide gates, which can have a greater impact on Bay life and neighboring communities.
Health impacts from contaminated sites have been identified as a key equity consideration.
The Port recognizes the racial, economic, and social inequity at the root of this environmental injustice. Under USACE regulations, sites with hazardous materials in the project area would be avoided or cleaned up by San Francisco or parties responsible for the existing contamination at no cost to USACE, which may reduce the levels of contamination or minimize impacts to human health and the environment.
In coordination with USACE, the Port has documented recent and past efforts to address contaminated sites in the Study area, including potential vulnerability to ground water rise expected from sea level rise.
In the next phase of the Study, USACE and the City are discussing potential additional site investigations to understand the extent of hazardous materials in the Draft Plan right-of-way.
As work with USACE progresses, the City wishes to:
Explore how USACE and the City can leverage the Draft Plan to minimize hazardous materials risks to human health and the environment; and
Understand how rising ground water could mobilize hazardous materials and how to address this risk.
Tying into Other Resilience Projects
The City has other resilience projects already underway that are not part of the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study. The Draft Plan will complement these investments.
Third Street Bridge
The Third Street Bridge over Islais Creek will be raised and replaced through a separate project led by Public Works that is expected to be constructed from 2026-2028. Because this bridge is designed to be resilient to sea level rise, the Draft Plan does not include gate closure structures for this bridge.
Explore other neighborhoods:
We Hear You
How the Plan Responds to What We Heard
The development of the Draft Plan incorporated over six years of public input and years of rigorous technical analysis. The Port has connected with tens of thousands of community members through over 150+ events to understand community priorities and concerns.
The Draft Plan responds to key feedback heard since 2017 including:
- Put people first, prioritize assets and services
- Focus on life safety and emergency response
- Maintain, expand, and create new connections between the city and the waterfront
- Prioritize nature and healing the Bay
- Consider racial and social equity and environmental justice
Consider Equity and Environmental Justice
Sea level rise risks disproportionately impact historically underserved communities and the Port is working to ensure that the Draft Plan creates opportunities for these communities to engage in decision making and benefit directly through inclusive public engagement, job opportunities, and neighborhood improvements.
Risks We Face
We are experiencing the impacts of global climate change around the world and here in the Bay Area. San Francisco faces coastal flood and earthquake risks today. These risks will increase in the future due to sea level rise and extreme storms.
Model simulations suggest that, without Federal action, 100 to 500 structures and assets will be vulnerable to flooding by 2050. By 2140, damages could be valued up to $23 billion.
To defend San Francisco from current and future flood risk, there is a need to strengthen the waterfront against urgent earthquake risks and adapt shoreline elevations to defend against 1.5 to 3.5 feet of sea level rise.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding
San Francisco’s waterfront location makes it extremely vulnerable to coastal flooding due to sea level rise. An extreme storm (a storm with a 1% chance of happening in any year) would result in flooding across the Embarcadero and along Islais and Mission Creeks. Such a storm could cause hundreds of millions of dollars of physical damage.
These risks will increase in the future due to sea level rise and extreme storms, threatening buildings, housing, businesses and industries, jobs, parks and open space, water, gas, electric and sewer infrastructure, and critical transit such as BART and Muni.
To defend San Francisco from current and future flood risk, there is a need to adapt shoreline elevations to defend against 1.5 to 3.5 feet of sea level rise by 2100.
Earthquakes and Shoreline Liquefaction
San Francisco faces urgent earthquake risks across the entire waterfront. A major earthquake can strike at any time.
The Port’s Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment estimated that Port- and Embarcadero-related earthquake losses are a near-term problem with $0.9 billion in losses estimated by 2050.
Up to 40,000 people could be at risk on Port property if an earthquake occurs during the day.
The Embarcadero roadway has significant seismic risk, which could impact disaster response and local and regional transportation.
Under USACE standards, coastal flood defenses will be designed to withstand a major earthquake. This will have the added benefit of shoring up the waterfront to reduce significant earthquake risks. Any effort aimed at long-term sea level rise resilience will also need to strengthen the waterfront against urgent earthquake risks.
USACE Flood Study Process
The release of the Draft Plan marks a significant milestone in the San Francisco Waterfront Flood Study.
On January 26, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of San Francisco published a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Report) which fulfills the National Environmental Policy Act requirements. Learn more about NEPA and the Environmental Impact Statement process.
The Draft Report includes the Draft Plan to build coastal flood defenses. It provides an analysis of the costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of actions proposed in the Draft Plan. If approved by Congress, the Federal government may pay up to 65% of the construction cost. Cost estimates are preliminary, high-level, and subject to change.
How did we develop the Draft Plan?
The Draft Plan is informed by understanding risks, opportunities and constraints, and community input. It evolved from the best ideas and approaches from the Draft Waterfront Adaptation Strategies released for public review in 2022.
A Comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis that Elevates Equity
The Flood Study is the first USACE mega-study on the West Coast, making the Draft Plan part of a landmark investment in the country’s large-scale resilience planning efforts. This work places USACE and San Francisco as national leaders in resilience planning.
For the first time in a study like this, the Draft Plan accounts for social and environmental benefits and impacts in addition to more traditional economic analysis, pioneering a new approach for how USACE evaluates and selects plans like these.
This means environmental justice, social and economic equity, and environmental benefits are factored into evaluation and selection of the coastal flood defense alternatives.
The Flood Study is also innovative in that it has designed alternatives and planned for future actions to address the uncertainty of the rate of sea level rise and includes a range of possible future sea level rise scenarios.
It includes a Monitoring and Adaptation Plan to track evidence of sea level rise and global climate change to understand when future adaptation to plan actions will be required.
The Flood Study and Draft Plan are one piece of the Port’s overall strategy to build a waterfront that is more resilient to flooding and earthquakes. The Port is engaged on multiple fronts to work towards a more resilient waterfront and Port assets. On-going Port efforts include Early Projects (near-term actions, focused on improving life safety and citywide disaster response capabilities) and public-private development partnerships to adapt piers, wharves, and seawall lots.
The Flood Study is a crucial piece of the Port’s resilience puzzle with the potential for significant federal funding for waterfront resilience. It must be coordinated with the Port’s other resilience, economic development, capital improvement, and maintenance activities. The Draft Plan is designed to complement these existing efforts. Learn more about the Port’s other resilience initiatives .
View and download the full list of documents from the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Report and EIS).
Next Steps
Note: dates are estimates and subject to change.
Stay Engaged
The public comment period on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report / Environmental Impact Statement closed on March 29, 2024. Public comments received on the Draft Report will be used to inform the Recommended Plan and the Final Report.
Whether or not you commented during the formal public comment period, there will be additional opportunities to engage in the design of our future waterfront. To track these future engagement opportunities, please sign up for the WRP’s eNewsletter and mailing list by visiting www.SFport.com/signup and selecting Waterfront Resilience Program from the list in the form provided.
