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Video by John Prettyman

How Nature Quickly Returns After Levee Construction

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District

July 7, 2025 | 1:14

After levee construction, nature returns faster than you might think. In just a few years, native trees and plants thrive again—thanks to strategic planting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state and local partners. As Sacramento-area levees receive much-needed upgrades, this video shows that flood risk reduction and habitat restoration go hand in hand. Learn more: https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/Mitigation/ -------------------- Sources & Credits: This video uses a variety of imagery sources to show how quickly nature returns after construction: Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth Pro, showing revegetation at the Lower American River near the Guy West Bridge, Sacramento, California (Lat: 38.562909°, Lon: -121.421626°): - April 30, 2002 – early post-construction condition - July 17, 2006 – vegetation beginning to establish - April 6, 2010 – mature riparian vegetation fully re-established Progression photos from Lower American River Site 4 (Years 1, 4, and 9): - May 21, 2001 – newly completed erosion protection - June 24, 2005 – early vegetation establishment - July 15, 2010 – thriving riparian corridor Aerial video of Lower American River Contract 2, captured December 21, 2023, between the J Street Bridge and Howe Avenue, Sacramento, California: - Shows completed erosion protection and early-stage revegetation - Includes 3D visualizations of projected vegetation growth overlaid onto real aerial footage (produced in Blender by John Prettyman for illustrative purposes only) - The site will be irrigated, maintained, and monitored for performance