A Great Neighborhood for Fish

I don't think it takes a degree in geology to conclude that the land in Natomas is really smooth and flat for a reason. Like, thousands of years of flooding washing the slate clean on a regular basis.

No worries, we have levees now, keeping all that excess housing inventory straight. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Na-to hater. Not by a long shot. I may not live there, but I appreciate the services offered there and its proximity to downtown. Seriously, it's not so bad.

But, wisely, there might not be more Natomas for awhile:

A building moratorium is likely for Sacramento's fast-growing Natomas basin after federal flood-control officials said Tuesday they will designate the area as having a high risk of devastating flood damage because of inadequate river levees.

Next December, when the new federal flood hazard mapping is finalized, any new building - or substantial reconstruction of an existing building - would have to leave the structure as much as 20 feet above ground, high enough to avoid the most damaging of flood waters. But the cost of building that high up will result in practically banning new construction in Natomas, officials said.

The proposed designation also will require holders of federally backed mortgages to buy flood insurance in December. However, officials today recommended that property owners buy that insurance right away.

It'd be great if, unlike some Southern California communities, Sacramento took the initiative to halt construction in the face of probably natural disaster. Did you see those photos of the Nevada towns drowning in flood waters - and then ice?

Flood insurance is smart! Smart building is smart!

Maybe Natomas's motto can be: "Natomas: We're Not Malibu. In A Good Way!"

(By the way, someone once told me that West Sac levees are six feet higher - or something like that (a less lazy fish would google up the confirmation for that factoid - I am not that fish). So there's a point in its favor. But no SMUD coverage. Oooh, the choices . . . .)