State and federal leaders are highlighting a $96 million project in Stockton to upgrade flood control protections for thousands of residents and property owners in the area of the Smith Canal.The Smith Canal Gate Project is described as the first-of-its-kind flood gate west of the Mississippi that "will provide unprecedented levels of flood protection to an economically disadvantaged area in central Stockton," according to a release announcing Wednesday's ribbon-cutting.The commissioning of the Smith Canal flood gate will impact the current high-cost mandatory flood insurance for approximately 8,500 properties now located within a high-risk flood zone, read the news release.U.S. Congressman Josh Harder and California State Sen. Susan Eggman are scheduled to join area flood control officials to celebrate this project at an event that is not open to the public.This project will ultimately be integrated into the $1.4 billion U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower San Joaquin River Project, which will break ground next year and include 23 miles of levee improvements, according to the release. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

State and federal leaders are highlighting a $96 million project in Stockton to upgrade flood control protections for thousands of residents and property owners in the area of the Smith Canal.

The Smith Canal Gate Project is described as the first-of-its-kind flood gate west of the Mississippi that "will provide unprecedented levels of flood protection to an economically disadvantaged area in central Stockton," according to a release announcing Wednesday's ribbon-cutting.

The commissioning of the Smith Canal flood gate will impact the current high-cost mandatory flood insurance for approximately 8,500 properties now located within a high-risk flood zone, read the news release.

U.S. Congressman Josh Harder and California State Sen. Susan Eggman are scheduled to join area flood control officials to celebrate this project at an event that is not open to the public.

This project will ultimately be integrated into the $1.4 billion U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower San Joaquin River Project, which will break ground next year and include 23 miles of levee improvements, according to the release.