Lofgren, Panetta Announce Nearly $40M for Levee and Floodwall Construction along Pajaro River

September 29, 2025 Press Release WATSONVILLE, CA – Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers awarded Granite Construction Company a $39,330,400 firm-fixed-price contract for levee and floodwall construction. This construction will be performed along the Pajaro River in Watsonville, California. “The residents and businesses in Watsonville and along the Pajaro River have been waiting far too long for necessary flood protection. This levee and floodwall construction will help save lives and property, and we are encouraged to see that this critical project is moving forward,” said Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta . In early 2023, atmospheric river storms along California’s Central Coast devastated communities, including Watsonville and Pajaro. The Pajaro River levee breech caused severe flooding, displacing families, damaging over 200 homes, and causing at least 20 casualties. This funding was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, for which both Reps. Lofgren and Panetta voted in favor. Construction is estimated to be completed by September 11, 2027. ### Issues : Environment Growing a Strong Economy