Section 12578 Of Article 3. Declarations Of Policy From California Water Code >> Division 6. >> Part 6. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 3.

. It is hereby declared that the people of the State have a primary interest in the control and conservation of flood waters, prevention of damage by flood waters, the washing away of river and stream banks by floods, and in the determination of the manner in which flood waters shall be controlled for the protection of life and property and the control, storage, and use of the State's water resources in the general public interest.