About the Flood Control District
The District is a regional agency responsible for providing flood protection and water conservation. The District was created by the California State Legislature in 1915, after a disastrous regional flood took a heavy toll on lives and property.
The District is governed as a separate entity by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. It covers more than 3,000 square miles, 85 cities, and about 2.1 million land parcels. It operates and maintains regional flood control, water quality, and water conservation facilities including:
- 15 major dams to both prevent flooding and increase available water supply.
- 398 debris basins that store floatable debris, sediment, boulders, and mudflows during storms to prevent flooding and damage downstream.
- 529 miles of open channels and 2,800 miles of underground storm drains to convey water to the ocean and prevent flooding.
- About 77,900 catch basins that collect water from the surface and direct it into underground storm drains.
- 62 pump plants that lift water out of low-lying areas that would normally flood, and deposit it into storm drains where gravity sends it to the ocean. More plants are scheduled to come online in 2012.
- 27 spreading grounds covering 1,989 acres that retain water diverted from rivers and allow it to percolate into the ground where it is naturally filtered.
- 22 miles of sea water barrier projects that prevent the intrusion of seawater into the fresh water supply.
The District also inspects storm drains for illegal connections and discharges.
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