Publication May 20, 2014

Layperson’s Guide to Flood Management
Updated 2009

The 24-page Layperson’s Guide to Flood Management explains the physical flood control system, including levees; discusses previous flood events (including the 1997 flooding); explores issues of floodplain management and development; provides an overview of flood forecasting; and outlines ongoing flood control projects.

The 2009 version includes information on California’s new FloodSAFE effort, ongoing and expected levee repairs, and how climate change could affect precipitation and runoff patterns. Order in bulk (25 or more copies of the same guide) for a reduced fee. Contact the Foundation, 916-444-6240, for details.

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Western Water February 28, 2019 California Groundwater Map Layperson's Guide to Flood Management Gary Pitzer

Southern California Water Providers Think Local in Seeking to Expand Supplies
WESTERN WATER SIDEBAR: Los Angeles and San Diego among agencies pursuing more diverse water portfolio beyond imports

Although Santa Monica may be the most aggressive Southern California water provider to wean itself from imported supplies, it is hardly the only one looking to remake its water portfolio.

In Los Angeles, a city of about 4 million people, efforts are underway to dramatically slash purchases of imported water while boosting the amount from recycling, stormwater capture, groundwater cleanup and conservation. Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2014 announced a plan to reduce the city’s purchase of imported water from Metropolitan Water District by one-half by 2025 and to provide one-half of the city’s supply from local sources by 2035. (The city considers its Eastern Sierra supplies as imported water.)

Aquapedia background December 1, 2017 Layperson's Guide to Flood Management

Atmospheric Rivers

Atmospheric rivers are relatively narrow bands of moisture that ferry precipitation across the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast and are key to California’s water supply.

Aquapedia background December 29, 2016 Layperson's Guide to Flood Management

ARkStorm

ARkStorm stands for an atmospheric river (“AR”) that carries precipitation levels expected to occur once every 1,000 years (“k”). The concept was presented in a 2011 report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intended to elevate the visibility of the very real threats to human life, property and ecosystems posed by extreme storms on the West Coast.

Aquapedia background August 30, 2016 Layperson's Guide to Flood Management Dams

Seven Oaks Dam

Completed in 1999, the Seven Oaks Dam is a 550-feet-high earthen dam on the Santa Ana River.

Its construction at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains was a major component of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, costing $464 million and meant to protect the more than 2 million citizens of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties from flooding. To accomplish this, the dam releases only 7,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) of the 85,000 cfs flowing into it, giving it 350-year flood protection. The rest of this flood control project consisted of raising the already existing Prado Dam downstream and building additional channels.

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El Niño/La Niña

California’s seasonal weather is influenced by El Niño and La Niña – temporary climatic conditions that, depending on their severity, make the weather wetter or drier than normal.

El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9 to 12 months, but some may last for years. While their frequency can be quite irregular, El Niño and La Niña events occur on average every two to seven years. Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Aquapedia background February 14, 2014 California Water Map Layperson's Guide to Flood Management California Spent Decades Trying to Keep Central Valley Floods at Bay. Now It Looks to Welcome Them Back

Floodplains in California

Restored floodplain at Dos Rios Ranch Preserve near Modesto

With the dual threats of aging levees and anticipated rising sea levels, floodplains — low areas along waterways that flood during wet years — are increasingly at the forefront of many public policy and water issues in California.

Adding to the challenges, many floodplains have been heavily developed and are home to major cities such as Sacramento. Large parts of California’s valleys are historic floodplains as well.

Aquapedia background February 14, 2014 Layperson's Guide to Flood Management Layperson's Guide to Climate Change and Water Resources California Water Map

Flooding and Flood Management

When people think of natural disasters in California, they typically think about earthquakes. Yet the natural disaster that residents are most likely to face involves flooding, not fault lines. In fact, all 58 counties in the state have declared a state of emergency from flooding at least three times since 1950. And the state’s capital, Sacramento, is considered one of the nation’s most flood-prone cities. Floods also affect every Californian because flood management projects and damages are paid with public funds.

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Yolo Bypass

Yolo Bypass occupies a historic floodplain between Davis and Sacramento, California. The Yolo Bypass is part of a larger engineered system developed on the Sacramento River to provide bypass flood areas, which act as catch basins to deter flooding in communities such as Sacramento and West Sacramento.

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Layperson’s Guide to Flood Management
Updated 2009