Section 236 Of Article 2. Surveys, Investigations, And Distribution Of Water From California Water Code >> Division 1. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 2.

. 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.