DWR Overview, History, and Programs

Overview and History

On July 5, 1996, the Department of Water Resources observed its 40th anniversary. Here are a few of the milestones in DWR's four decades of service to California.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) was created by the California Legislature in 1956 to plan and guide the development of the State's water resources.

The Department of Water Resources' legacy predates its legislative birth in 1956. Decades before, with the creation of the Office of State Engineer and the appointment of William Hammond Hall in 1878, investigations were conducted of irrigation, drainage and river navigation. Suggestions were made that the water of the Great Central Valley be developed.

During the years and organizational evolutions that followed, the focus remained on delineating the California's water problems, forecasting future water supply needs, evaluating and inventorying existing water resources, and exploring their potential to meet an ever-growing population. All this eventually led to the initial California Water Plan of 1957 and a proposed Feather River Project, a system of dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, and pumping and power plants now known as the State Water Project.

In the meantime, the Department added new responsibilities: flood control, design and construction of water facilities, and dam safety. The employee ranks in turn grew from 450 in 1956 to more than 4,500 in 1967.

Today, with a staff of approximately 2,700 and a $1 billion annual budget, the Department administers increasingly complex programs involving flood control for the Central Valley, dam safety for more than 1,200 dams statewide, local assistance projects, water management strategies, water quality improvement, and water supply data collection and studies. DWR staff provides technical and financial assistance to local water communities, works with a number of governmental and wildlife agencies on environmental issues and projects, manages SWP and Reclamation Board lands, educates the public about California's water resources, and operates and maintains the State Water Project, one of the largest water development and distribution systems in the nation.

By the year 2020, it is estimated that nearly 50 million people will live in California. More water will be needed to meet growing urban and industrial demands, sustain the State's agricultural production, and maintain stream flow for fish, recreation, water quality, salinity control, and navigation.