North Richmond’s Lower Wildcat Creek Restoration: $5 Million Plan Targets 5,000 Feet of Sediment and Flood Risk

NORTH RICHMOND, Contra Costa County — October 28, 2026. A proposed $5 million restoration of Lower Wildcat Creek could help address flooding and habitat conditions along a 5,000-foot corridor in North Richmond. Contra Costa County Public Works reports that project design had reached 95% in August 2026, while environmental review and coordination with permitting agencies continued.

Which portion of Wildcat Creek is covered?

According to the county, the work would remove built-up sediment from the creek corridor, starting about 350 feet upstream of Giaramita Street and continuing toward Richmond Parkway. The stated goals are to restore flood-carrying capacity and reestablish passage for fish. Sediment buildup can affect both water movement in storms and aquatic habitat, but the planned work should not be described as a guarantee that nearby properties will never flood.

When would crews begin?

The county currently estimates winter 2027 for advertising and bidding, June 2027 for construction to begin and October 2027 for completion. It lists an estimated 50 working days. These are proposed milestones, not a final construction contract, current road closure or confirmation that work is underway in October 2026.

The funding sources listed are an Environmental Protection Agency grant and local flood-control funds. The county identifies the project as No. 7505-6F8104.

How is this different from the other Wildcat Creek project?

A separate Wildcat Fish Passage Implementation Project began in June 2026 and is associated with replacing a fish ladder and modifying a sediment basin near Pittsburg Avenue and Parr Boulevard. The two efforts both relate to Wildcat Creek, but the county lists them as different projects with different work scopes and schedules. Residents should not mistake this future lower-creek proposal for the already announced fish-ladder construction.

What residents should watch

People near the creek, Giaramita Street and Richmond Parkway may want to follow environmental review, future bid notices and any construction-stage access advisories. The county’s project page names Randolf Sanders as project manager and provides links for project documents and public works contacts.

Official source: Contra Costa County Public Works — Lower Wildcat Creek Restoration Project. Details reviewed October 28, 2026.

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