1.2.2 DWR / DSOD

1.2.2 DWR / DSOD

In California, predominant dam safety relating organization is the Division of Safety of Dams in Department of Water Resources. The California Water Code entrusts regulatory power to the Department of Water Resources which delegates the program to the Division of Safety of Dams. Information regarding the supervision of dams is addressed here to better serve the public, dam owners and applicants.

The Division of Safety of Dams came into existence as a direct result of one of California's worst catastrophes - the failure of the 2-year-old St. Francis Dam in Southern California in March of 1928. The failure of the St. Francis Dam prompted the State Legislature, on August 14, 1929, to create what is today the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), under the California Department of Water Resources.

DSOD engineers and engineering geologists review and approve plans and specifications for the design of dams and oversee their construction to insure compliance with the approved plans and specifications. Reviews include site geology, seismic setting, site investigations, construction material evaluation, dam stability, hydrology, hydraulics, and structural review of appurtenant structures. In addition, Division engineers inspect over 1200 dams on a yearly schedule to insure they are performing and being maintained in a safe manner.

Resource: http://www.damsafety.water.ca.gov/