Article 2. Surveys, Investigations, And Distribution Of Water of California Water Code >> Division 1. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 2.

The department may carry on topographic surveys and investigations into matters pertaining to the water resources of the State along the lines of hydrography, hydroeconomics, and the use and distribution of water for agricultural purposes, and to that end, where possible and to the best interest of the State, shall enter into contracts for cooperation with the different departments of the Federal Government. The department, with the consent of the Governor, may maintain and continue such surveys and investigations where there is available money not covered by cooperative contract.

The department, either independently or in co-operation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, may do any of the following:
  (a) Conduct investigations of all or any portion of any stream, stream system, lake or other body of water.
  (b) Investigate either or both surface and underground water conditions.
  (c) Collect records of diversion and use of water.
  (d) Supervise distribution of water in accordance with agreements and court orders therefor.
  (e) Conduct investigations of the rate of use of water for various purposes and considering various soil conditions.

The department may investigate any natural situation available for reservoirs or reservoir systems for gathering and distributing flood or other water not under beneficial use in any stream, stream system, lake, or other body of water. The department may ascertain the feasibility of projects for such reservoirs or reservoir systems, the supply of water that may thereby be made available, and the extent and character of the areas that may be thereby irrigated. The department may estimate the cost of such projects.

The department shall gather and correlate information and data pertinent to an annual forecast of seasonal water crop, including the making of snow surveys, either independently or in cooperation with any person or any county, State, Federal, or other agency.

The department, either independently or in cooperation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, to the extent that funds are allocated therefor, shall investigate conditions of the quality of all waters within the state, including saline waters, coastal and inland, as related to all sources of pollution of whatever nature. The department may recommend any steps which might be taken to improve or protect the quality of such waters. The department shall coordinate its investigations fully with the board.

The department, either independently or in cooperation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, or upon the request of the State Water Resources Control Board, to the extent funds are allocated therefor, shall conduct surveys and investigations relating to the reclamation of water from wastes for beneficial purposes, including but not limited to the determination of quantities of such water presently wasted, and possibilities of use of such water for recharge of underground storage or for agricultural or industrial uses.

The department, either independently or in cooperation with any person or any county, state, federal or other agency, shall investigate and survey conditions of damage to quality of underground waters, which conditions are or may be caused by improperly constructed, abandoned or defective wells through the interconnection of strata or the introduction of surface waters into underground waters. The department shall report to the appropriate California regional water quality control board its recommendations for minimum standards of well construction in any particular locality in which it deems regulation necessary to protection of quality of underground water, and shall report to the Legislature from time to time, its recommendations for proper sealing of abandoned wells.

No plans or proposal for authorization of a project for construction or operation by the State shall be submitted to the Legislature by the Department of Water Resources unless the plans or proposal includes (1) the comments and recommendations, if any, of the Department of Fish and Game and (2) provision for any water or facilities necessary for public recreation and the preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources that the Department of Water Resources determines to be justifiable in terms of statewide interest, and feasible, as a nonreimbursable cost of the project.

The department, either independently or in co-operation with or through any person or any county, state, federal or other agency, is authorized to investigate, excavate, and preserve any historic or prehistoric ruin or monument, or any object of antiquity, situated in areas to be used for state water development purposes.

The department, either independently or in co-operation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, to the extent that funds are allocated therefor, may conduct a program of study, research, experimentation, and evaluation in the field of weather modification, including the production and control of rainfall by artificial means, and it may contract with public and private organizations and persons for research relative thereto.

The department, either independently or in cooperation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, is authorized to collect hydrologic data necessary for river forecasting, to make forecasts of stream flow, to provide for flood warning, and to provide for communication necessary for the collection and dissemination of such information.

(a) The department shall conduct studies of the Sacramento River and the Feather River and their tributaries north of Sacramento, including watershed hydrologic inventories and studies of water sources and supplies to meet local needs, flood control, water quality, seepage and erosion control, fishery restoration, and preservation of riparian habitat. The department shall submit the results of its studies and its recommendations to the Legislature.