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 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.
To date, nearly 250 levee repair sites have been identified, with more than 100 of the most critical
sites having already been completed. 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 Sites 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.
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