Working Together

DWR's Division of Operations and Maintenance has the main responsibilities to maintain and operate the State Water Project, but all of the other major DWR divisions and offices contribute to the smooth and efficient functioning of the Project.

• State Water Project Planning Office - develops water management strategies and proposed actions that ensure the ability of the SWP to meet future water needs. Also formulates environmentally acceptable projects to increase the Project's delivery reliability, conducts extensive hydrodynamic and hydrologic computer modeling, and plans improvements to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

• Division of Land and Right of Way - clears the way for construction of SWP facilities. Staff conducts surveys; prepares property descriptions, maps, exhibits, and deeds needed to acquire, manage, lease, transfer, exchange, or sell all SWP lands; appraises land and easements; manages State property; and relocates, replaces or acquires facilities such as roads, pipelines, and telephone and power lines.

• Division of Engineering - designs and constructs additions and alterations to the SWP (see sidebar link, “The Repair Side.”) Typical projects involve designing and overseeing the construction of dams, canals, pipelines, pumping and hydroelectric power plants, and associated roads and structures.

• State Water Project Analysis Office - administers both water and power contracts for the Project. Staff negotiates and administers agreements to implement current water policy issues, coordinates project planning activities, secures power resources, facilitates water deliveries and transfers, and allocates $600 million in annual charges among 29 long-term water supply contractors.

• Environmental Services Office - helps the Department comply with an array of State and federal environmental regulations that affect SWP operations and water development programs. Also negotiates solutions and develops measures to avoid or minimize adverse effects that may result from SWP activities or construction of a new facility, develops criteria for fish protective facilities, coordinates with other agencies on mitigation programs, and conducts various fish and wildlife studies.

• Division of Flood Management - works closely with SWP flood control reservoir operations during floods to coordinate releases with other flood control reservoirs to keep flows within the capacity of downstream channels. The division is also responsible for many other flood fight projects and flood control projects.

• Division of Safety of Dams - approves the design, construction, operation, alteration, repair, and maintenance of more than 1,200 nonfederal dams, including SWP dams, in California. Division staff examines existing dams; reviews plans and specifications for new dams and reservoirs; and inspects dam construction and alterations to assure dams will withstand earthquakes, floods and other potential hazards.

• Division of Planning and Local Assistance - including four district offices in Red Bluff, Sacramento, Fresno, and Glendale, works with federal, State, and local agencies including the SWP contracting agencies on a variety of water resources management issues. These include water quality, water supply planning, water conservation, land and water use, groundwater management, water recycling, water transfers, and agricultural drainage. The Division also provides funding for local water conservation, groundwater recharge, and urban stream restoration projects.

• Office of Water Education - educates the public about the importance of water and creates awareness of the Department’s responsibilities and programs, including the SWP. OWE has brochures available on all major SWP facilities that are free to the public and loans videos on the SWP to interested parties.