Please accept the enclosed Notice to Contractors, Instructions to Bidders, and Contract Documents for the Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal Project. This project will remove a fish passage barrier on Branciforte Creek. The project will be implemented after August 1, 2026, and needs to be completed no later than September 30, 2026. It is estimated that the project will take approximately 15 working days to complete.This project aims to improve fish habitat on Branciforte Creek by removal of a dam which currently impedes fish passage. The project will fully demolish and remove the right-side bank portion of the dam, with all demolished materials hauled offsite for disposal. A pilot notch will be jackhammered into the bedrock shelf of the creek to provide fish passage during low-flow conditions. Maintaining the pool the currently exists beneath the dam is a key project objective and as such this project will install a log structure anchored to ballast boulders to maintain beneficial hydraulic conditions. Unlike the existing dam, the log will not fully restrict flow and allow some water to pass beneath it. In addition, sediment currently stored upstream of the dam will be relocated downstream to help preserve the existing pool habitat.
Please review the cover letter, invitation to bid, RCD construction contract example, and the 90% technical memo and plan set.
Cover Letter Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal
Invitation to Bid Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal
RCD Construction Contract Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal
90% Technical Memo 2026-04-24 Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal
90% Planset-Design 2026-04-24 Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal
Addendums and Associated Attachments
Addendum 1
Addendum 01_Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal Project
Attachment 1: Updated 100% Design Planset, 100% Design Specifications; 100% Design Memo. (42 pages attached)Attachment 2: Updated Schedule of Bid Prices (2 pages attached)Attachment 3: Mandatory Pre-Bid Sign in Sheet (2 pages attached)Attachment 4: Large Wood Detail (4 pages attached)Attachment 5: Species Protection Measures (44 pages attached)
Addendum 2
Addendum 02_Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal ProjectAttachment 1 Cooperator AgreementAttachment 2 Contract
A mandatory pre-bid meeting at the project site is scheduled for 11:00 am on Friday, May 8, 2026. We will meet at the pull-out along Branciforte Drive adjacent to 3875 Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95065 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/svGXr54iGuuprQLu6). Bids will not be considered from Contractors who are not represented at this meeting.
Extended Bid Due Date (Updated 5/28/2026)
Sealed bids are due at the office of the RCDSCC located at 2425 Porter Street, Suite 19, Soquel, CA 95073 by 2:00pm on Monday, June 15th, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact Daniel Nylen or call 530-277-8060.
