Levee repair protects agriculture and water supply for entire state

How do Northern California levees affect Southern California?


We need good, strong levees to preserve our state's farmland, keep our drinking water supply safe and protect our communities from dangerous flooding.

Floods harm communities and the web of life support systems that are woven together statewide and even nationally through agriculture and water supplies.

In February, the California governor declared a state of emergency to fast-track repairs on 29 of our most vulnerable levee sites in Northern California. Four more sites were added, bringing to 33 the total number critically weak levee sites that will be repaired by November 30th.

The Governor coordinated funding and all the necessary federal permits to prepare us for the coming winter and to do it in an environmentally responsible manner.

It's important to remember that we are only one big storm or one big earthquake away from a Katrina-like disaster. We can pay for flood prevention or pay for disaster cleanup. There is no third choice.

SOURCE: Lester Snow, Director, Department of Water Resources