As tropical storms and El Niño usher in heavy rains to California, a new report finds that 57 dams across the state are in poor or unsatisfactory condition — posing a hazard to nearby communities, reports CalMatters’ Rachel Becker.
The state auditor’s report, released Monday, said that aging dams “continue to pose a risk to public safety.” The 40 riskiest dams — rated high or extremely high hazard — are located near densely populated coastal regions, such as the Bay Area, and the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
If these dams fail, they could endanger as many as 1.5 million people and inflict more than $265 billion in economic damage, according to the audit.
The audit also revealed that the California Department of Water Resources “has never taken punitive enforcement actions against dam owners that fail to remedy their violations,” despite having the authority to do so. The department can impose penalties such as reservoir restrictions, property liens and fines against dam owners who violate state safety laws. As of April, state engineers have referred owners of 44 dams for enforcement.
Local governments, utilities, water agencies and private landowners and companies that own dams are responsible for maintaining the structures. But most dam owners do not have the money for repairs, and the state cannot step in “before the dam poses emergency-level danger,” said the auditor, leaving “a gap in state law that puts public safety at risk.”
In 2024 a ballot proposition injected $464 million to the state’s dam repair grant program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded California nearly $630,000 in September toward dam repairs.
But that’s not nearly enough to fix all of California’s dilapidated dams, which the audit estimates could cost around $28 billion.
Join CalMatters, AAJA Sac, ABC 10 and The Sacramento Observer for a free VotingMatters event on Oct. 21 in Sacramento. The event enables attendees to learn and discuss the upcoming election and focuses on the ballot propositions and insurance commissioner race. Register here to attend in person.
Other Stories You Should Know
Famous CA beer brands going under
The planned closures of Stone Brewing in Escondido, Prohibition Brewing Company in Vista and other breweries are underscoring how San Diego County’s iconic craft beer industry is declining, writes CalMatters’ Deborah Brennan.
In April Japanese beer-maker Sapporo announced it was selling Stone Brewing, which it acquired in 2022. It’s also closing the brand’s flagship site, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, and is expected to lay off up to 272 employees.
Experts point to less alcohol consumption among younger Americans and market saturation as reasons for the slowdown. Rising costs due to steep U.S. tariffs — such as the increased price of imported aluminum and steel for cans and equipment — are also hurting the industry.
- Kelsey McQuaid-Craig, executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association: “There’s just so much volatility that people can’t plan ahead.”
We’re here, we’re there, we’re everywhere
Dan Hu has reinforcements this week as CalMatters brings our VotingMatters events to you all over California, including the far north where the locals fly those State of Jefferson flags.
We promise a good conversation about all those propositions on your ballot. We have food at most of these events, too.
Today you can find us in Kelseyville; then in Lafayette, Modesto and Eureka on Thursday; in Weaverville on Friday and in Redding on Saturday.
Get the full details on the times and locations here. The link has a calendar with upcoming events in L.A., Stockton, Fresno and more.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: If the state has a legitimate role to play in specific medical research, all potential funding options should be explored — not just a bond proposal like Prop. 38, which would benefit mostly one organization backed by a billionaire patron.
CalMatters contributor Robert Greene: California’s insurance commissioner race is the one statewide campaign in which Democrats are working through their political identity issues — pitting left-leaning Democrats against “lefter-leaning” Democrats.
Other things worth your time:
The evolution of Kimberly Guilfoyle: From CA political ties to ex-US ambassador // The Sacramento Bee (gift link)
The inside story behind the mysterious rift between Pelosi and Wiener // The San Francisco Standard (paywall)
ICE enforcement surge upends CA’s most contested congressional race // SFGate (free)
Latinos want more than a historic first from Xavier Becerra // KQED (free)
UC Berkeley to oppose $70K ICE fee on student work visas // EdSource (free)
A once-in-a-generation opportunity for CA’s ocean // Grist (free)
A ‘charismatic landform’ is being lost in CA // San Francisco Chronicle (gift link)
These CA boat dwellers fear the worse: Life on land // The New York Times (gift link)
Scientists deploy a 24-armed secret weapon to save CA’s kelp forests // The Guardian (free)
