Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance

Purpose: Senate Bill 122 added Part 4, Section 6700 to the Water Code to create a new program, the Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program, within DWR for the purpose of providing state funding for other dam safety projects at existing state jurisdictional dams and associated facilities that were in service prior to January 1, 2023. Description: Approximately 10 percent of the 1,236 State jurisdictional dams regulated by DWR’s Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) have been assigned a condition assessment classification of less than “Satisfactory” ( they have noted deficiencies that need remediation). In many cases, these dams pose a significant threat to communities downstream. As an interim risk reduction measure, more than 40 of these dams have had reservoir restrictions imposed. The loss of water storage from these reservoir restrictions is about 350,000 acre-feet. Many dam owners, even those with sources of funding, do not have the ability to secure funding for dam remediation or improvement projects. This program will provide much-needed grant funding for the rehabilitation of these critical infrastructure facilities, reduce the unacceptable risks to the public, and regain lost storage capacity that is needed to face California’s climate-related water shortages. Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: Business Individual Nonprofit Other Legal Entity Public Agency Tribal Government To be eligible for DSCR funds, the following conditions must be met: - The dam must be a California State Jurisdictional Dam. - The dam must have a downstream hazard classification, as determined by DSOD, of Extremely High. - The dam owner must be in compliance with DSOD’s dam safety program. - The dam owner must not have any delinquent annual DSOD fees.   Eligible Geographies: Projects must occur in California Matching Funding Requirement: Applicants may propose a reduced local cost-share of up to 50% (making the project 0% local cost share) if the project would cause extreme financial hardship to the grant recipient and the dam poses an unacceptable public safety risk. Important Dates Expected award announcement The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant. February 2026 Period of performance The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized. 2 years Anticipated Open Date September 2026 Funding Details Total estimated available funding The total projected dollar amount of the grant. $228,200,000 Expected number of awards A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display. Dependent Estimated amount per award Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display. Dependent Letter of Intent Required? Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent. No Requires Matched Funding? Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source. 50% Funding Source: The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number. State Funding Source Notes: These Guidelines govern the DSCR solicitation using funds authorized by the California Budget Act of 2025 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 6, Sec. 144.) (Budget Act) and funded by the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Proposition 4; Public Resources Code, § 90000 et seq.).

Purpose: Senate Bill 122 added Part 4, Section 6700 to the Water Code to create a new program, the Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program, within DWR for the purpose of providing state funding for other dam safety projects at existing state jurisdictional dams and associated facilities that were in service prior to January 1, 2023. Description: Approximately 10 percent of the 1,236 State jurisdictional dams regulated by DWR’s Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) have been assigned a condition assessment classification of less than “Satisfactory” ( they have noted deficiencies that need remediation). In many cases, these dams pose a significant threat to communities downstream. As an interim risk reduction measure, more than 40 of these dams have had reservoir restrictions imposed. The loss of water storage from these reservoir restrictions is about 350,000 acre-feet. Many dam owners, even those with sources of funding, do not have the ability to secure funding for dam remediation or improvement projects. This program will provide much-needed grant funding for the rehabilitation of these critical infrastructure facilities, reduce the unacceptable risks to the public, and regain lost storage capacity that is needed to face California’s climate-related water shortages.