Why is Flood Control Needed?
History of the Flood Control District
Did you know that much of Alameda County is in a floodplain? Until the 1950s and 1960s, large swaths of the County often flooded. This caused businesses and schools to close, interrupted transportation and utility services, and in some cases cost lives.
In 1949, at the request of Alameda County residents, the state legislature passed Act 205 of the California Uncodified Water Code, creating the Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District. Over the years, numerous cities and unincorporated areas have joined the District in order to protect residents from devastating floods.
As the District’s flood control system expanded, flood-prone areas became safer places to live and do business. Former floodplains are now home to housing and businesses, supported by hundreds of miles of channels, levees, pipelines, and creeks.
In 1977, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, establishing national water quality standards. In response, the District expanded its focus to supporting healthier waterways by reducing pollution before it reaches the San Francisco Bay.
Over the last decade, the District has turned even greater attention to Alameda County’s natural environment by repairing local creeks damaged by erosion; returning channelized waterways to more natural conditions; adding parks, trails, and learning centers; and educating the public about the roles we can all take to create a healthier environment.