“Increasingly severe weather systems each season have accelerated the deterioration of the state’s levee system to the point where they are now in danger of failing during the next major rainfall or earthquake. This worsening situation creates conditions of extreme peril to the public and property protected by the levees, to the environment, and to the very foundation of California’s economy.”

-- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a letter to President Bush dated February 27, 2006

Welcome to the DWR Levee Repair Website

Throughout the Central Valley, levees provide essential protection for both urban and rural lands, preventing possible catastrophic flooding and loss of life. This site provides a wide range of information on California's levee system and the efforts the State is undertaking to evaluate the stability of the system and implement critically needed repairs designed to protect our communities, farmlands, and infrastructure.

On February 24, 2006, following sustained heavy rainfall and runoff, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a State of Emergency for California's levee system, commissioning up to $500 million of state funds (AB142) to repair and evaluate State/federal project levees. This declaration was a necessary step in preventing possible catastrophic consequences of hurricane Katrina-like proportion.

Following the emergency declaration, Governor Schwarzenegger directed the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to secure the necessary means to fast-track repairs of critical erosion sites. In addition, California's lengthy environmental permitting process was streamlined without compromising the protection of the important aquatic and terrestrial species inhabiting the river's ecosystem.

Repairs to State/Federal project levees are being conducted under the Levee Repairs Program funded by Section 821 of the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 1E).

To date, nearly 300 levee repair sites have been identified, with more than 100 of the most critical sites having already been completed with AB142 funds. Repairs to others are either in progress or scheduled to be completed in the near future, and still more repair sites are in the process of being identified, planned, and prioritized. You may view the specific repair programs and sites identified in your county at the Repair Projects section of this website.

Please browse this website via the links at left to learn more about the history of the levee system, the various levee repair sites (listed by county), and the ongoing levee evaluation efforts to help ensure long-term flood protection.