Urban Flood Risk Reduction

The Urban Flood Risk Reduction Program works to improve flood protection for urban areas (greater than 10,000 residents) associated with the State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) facilities.  We partner with local flood control agencies, help guide the development of flood risk reduction projects, and use State funds to cost-share on design, real estate, and construction activities.

Flood system improvements in urban areas reduce the occurrence and consequences of flooding to protect life, property, habitat, and other valuable resources.  We implement a multi‐objective management approach for floodplains that includes:

  • Increased flood protection
  • Ecosystem restoration
  • Ecosystem improvement
  • Farmland protection
  • Improved operations and maintenance of SPFC facilities

Funding

Through the Early Implementation Program (EIP) and Urban Flood Risk Reduction (UFRR) program, we have allocated $1.2 billion of Proposition 1E bond funds to provide “worst first” improvements that begin to address the $8.0 billion of urban flood improvements identified in the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. 

Project Types and Partners

Our projects rehabilitate, reconstruct, replace, repair, or improve SPFC facilities in the Central Valley. We work closely with the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide the highest level of flood protection possible to California’s Central Valley, while considering ecosystem components and habitat concerns.

Federal Agency Involvement and Credits

Flood improvements constructed in this program are consistent with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) feasibility studies. These projects would traditionally be constructed by the USACE, but we can implement them on a faster timeline. Costs for these improvements can be used as the State’s cost-share on future USACE projects. State and local investments within this program build federal credits that can significantly minimize additional State and local funds needed to complete the $5.8 billion of identified USACE projects.

Contact Information

Find general contact information in the directory. Or select one of the buttons below to email the Division of Flood Management or join our mailing list.

Email Us

Join Our Mailing List