Haystack Channel Project Update

Upcoming Community Meeting

A community meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Palm Desert City Hall Council Chamber to discuss the upcoming Haystack Channel capital upgrades. This is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from our Capital Project and engineering teams, ask questions, and learn more about the improvements planned for the area. We look forward to your participation.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: Palm Desert City Hall Council Chamber, 73510 Fred Waring Drive

Storm Damage Repair - August 2024

On July 14, 2024, a severe storm caused significant damage to the Haystack Channel between Heliotrope Drive and Portola Avenue. The storm led to soil erosion near the Heliotrope culvert and soil build-up at the Portola overpass, posing a potential flooding risk to nearby properties in future rain events. The erosion near the Heliotrope culvert has also critically threatened its stability, making it possible that the crossing could become impassable for cars and pedestrians if the soil wash-away continues.

To address these issues, the City's Public Works team will commence repairs on the channel starting the week of August 5th, with work expected to last until mid-September. Soil will be removed from the area near Portola Avenue and placed at the erosion site near the Heliotrope culvert. The City's arborist has instructed the workers to preserve the smoke trees and palo verde plants wherever possible.

This repair project is separate from the upcoming capital project upgrade. A community meeting regarding the capital project will be held this autumn, and details about the event will be posted on this page as soon as the date is confirmed.

Project Timeline - Schedule Modified on 9-12-2024 to Include Two Additional Weeks

Week One (8-05-24 to 8-09-24)
The project will begin with the mobilization of equipment, followed by the demolition and removal of eroded or damaged sod in the designated work area. All removed material will be exported to a dump facility. The construction team will then furnish and install the entrance/track-out system and pre-water the site. Access ramps will be built, rough grading will be performed, and the culvert outlet area will be reshaped. Additionally, fill material will be generated and stockpiled for future use.

Week Two (8-19-24 to 8-23-24)
The second week will focus on rough grading, stockpiling fill material, and rebuilding eroded slopes in the wash area. Imported boulders and rocks will be managed, stockpiled, and placed as part of the slope restoration effort.

Week Three (8-26-24 to 8-30-24)
During the third week, the construction team will continue importing and placing boulders and rocks. Rough grading, backfilling, and compacting fill material over the boulder/rock section will be completed. The team will also continue rebuilding eroded slopes in the wash.

Week Four (9-02-24 to 9-06-24)
In week four, finish grading will be completed to shape the culvert outlet area. Sod will be furnished and installed, and the construction entrance/track-out system will be removed. Final clean-up of the western work area (Haystack/Heliotrope) will take place, with pre-watering and rough grading continuing in preparation for rebuilding the eroded slopes.

Week Five (9-09-24 to 9-13-24)
Prewatering will continue, and rough grading and stockpiling of fill material will focus on the Portola culvert area. Eroded slopes in the wash will be rebuilt on the east end of the site, and the Portola culverts will be jetted with a water truck. The week will conclude with the final clean-up of the site and the removal of equipment.

Week Six & Seven (9-16-24 to 9-27-24)
Weeks six and seven will focus on cleaning the culverts on Portola Avenue and sod the area next to Heliotrope. Once the project is complete, it will take a day to remove the construction ramp track-out system and equipment.

Please note: This timeline is subject to change due to weather conditions or potential delays in construction materials.

Project Information

The Haystack Road Channel Improvement Project has been undertaken for necessary improvements to ensure the channel is optimally functioning, particularly during heavy rain flow events. At the community meeting about the project on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the City requested feedback on the project from residents who live in the Haystack neighborhood as part of the process to ensure an approach to this work that takes all stakeholders into account. Based on the questions and comments heard at that meeting, the City will be going back for more options and a revised work plan. We will be updating this page as we make progress and will come back to the community in the fall for another round of community input. In the meantime, City workers will take steps to shore up the most vulnerable portions of the channel to ensure that it is as safe as possible while we determine a long-term solution.

Planning Commission Documents About this Project:

May 7th - Planning Commission Meeting

Documents presented at the May 7th Planning Commission Meeting are located in the right-hand panel under "Documents."

June 4th - Planning Commission Meeting

Documents presented at the June 4th Planning Commission Meeting are located in the right-hand panel under "Documents."