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Los Angeles County Flood Control District
About
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD or District) was established after the Los Angeles County Flood Control Act (Act) was adopted by the State Legislature in 1915, after a disastrous regional flood took a heavy toll on lives and property. The Act established the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and empowered it to provide flood protection, water conservation, recreation and aesthetic enhancement within its boundaries. The District is governed, as a separate entity, by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. In 1984, the District entered into an operational agreement with the Los Angeles County Public Works (Public Works) transferring planning and operational activities to Public Works.
To date, the District is a national leader of integrated water resources management and strives to improve water quality, enhance habitat, create passive recreational opportunities, and increase public access to the region’s iconic waterways. Operation of the District is carried out by several groups within LA County Public Works, each with a specific mission: Stormwater Engineering, Stormwater Maintenance, Stormwater Quality, and Storming Planning.
The Flood Control District encompasses more than 2,700 square miles and approximately 2.1 million land parcels within 6 major watersheds. It includes drainage infrastructure within 86 incorporated cities as well as the unincorporated County areas. This includes 14 major dams and reservoirs, 483 miles of open channel, 27 spreading grounds, 3,330 miles of underground storm drains, 47 pump plants, 172 debris basins, 27 sediment placement sites, 3 seawater intrusion barriers and an estimated 82,000 catch basins.
In 2015, the District celebrated its Centennial. To commemorate this event, a comprehensive reference report was prepared, including photos from our historical collection and a century of LACFCD history in flood risk management and water conservation.
In 2018, a super majority of voters passed Measure W to create the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP). Most of the funding from the SCWP is channeled into regional infrastructure and local municipal programs that directly clean and capture stormwater. 10% of the funding is administered by the LACFCD and reserved for administration, technical assistance, workforce training, and countywide initiatives that benefit everyone.
In addition, as the regional leader, LACFCD funded the development and implementation of the Los Angeles County Water Plan, which was unanimously adopted by the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2023. This Plan leads the Board’s water policy agenda and articulates a shared, inclusive, regional path forward to sustainably and equitably achieve safe, clean, and reliable water resources for Los Angeles County.