California faces rising flood-safety concerns as an approaching El Niño winter threatens heavy precipitation. A state audit released on October 14, 2026, has identified 57 dams in poor or unsatisfactory condition, warning that the most hazardous structures could endanger millions of people. The report highlights aging infrastructure, inadequate repair funding, and critical gaps in state enforcement.
According to the State Auditor, 40 of the riskiest dams carry high or extremely high hazard classifications. These structures are concentrated near densely populated coastal areas, including the Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. If these structures fail, they could collectively threaten as many as 1.5 million people and cause more than $265 billion in economic damage.
Aging Infrastructure and Enforcement Gaps
The California Department of Water Resources oversees the safety of more than 1,220 dams across the state. The audit counted 57 structures in poor or unsatisfactory condition as of May, noting that this total could increase as officials reassess aging facilities built under much softer historical safety standards.
Lawmakers granted the state the power to penalize dam owners who violate safety requirements in 2017, following the Oroville spillway failure that forced the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people. However, the audit revealed that water managers have never taken punitive enforcement actions against dam owners who fail to remedy violations.
“To ensure that the safety of the public is addressed before a dam’s condition results in an emergency, the Legislature should amend state law to allow Water Resources to order the condemnation and decommissioning of a dam when Water Resources’ other means of enforcement are unsuccessful.”
State water managers explained they have struggled to adequately staff an enforcement branch and lack the financial confidence to defend their actions in hearings. The auditor concluded that even with staff and funds, the state cannot act before a dam poses emergency-level danger, leaving a legislative gap that puts public safety at risk.
Financial Hurdles and Repair Costs
Most dam owners-ranging from local governments and utilities to private landowners-lack the financial resources required to fix crumbling concrete, accumulated sediment, and eroding spillways. Repairing the state’s less-than-satisfactory dams is estimated to cost around $28 billion.
While a 2024 ballot proposition delivered a $464 million infusion for a dam repair grant program, and a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant awarded California $629,198 in September, these funds remain a fraction of the total required investment. The audit urged lawmakers to establish strict deadlines requiring high-hazard dam owners to submit comprehensive maintenance and repair plans.
Incomplete Emergency Planning
As the wet season approaches, the state audit also highlighted critical gaps in statewide emergency preparedness. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has not yet approved emergency plans for 245 dams, leaving communities without clear procedures on what to do if a structure fails. Officials noted that dam owners have failed to complete required revisions, and current state law does not mandate strict deadlines for compliance.
Laura Hollender, deputy director of flood management and safety with the Department of Water Resources, stated that the agency worked closely with the State Auditor but disagreed with some of the report’s findings. She emphasized that protecting public safety remains the department’s highest priority as California prepares for El Niño conditions.
