Article 1. New Dams And Reservoirs Or Enlargements Of Dams And Reservoirs of California Water Code >> Division 3. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.

Construction of any new dam or reservoir or the enlargement of any dam or reservoir shall not be commenced until the owner has applied for and obtained from the department written approval of plans and specifications.

A separate application for each dam or reservoir shall be filed with the department upon forms to be provided by it, except that only one application need be filed for a dam and the reservoir which will contain the water impounded by the dam.

The application shall give the following information:
  (a) The name and address of the owner.
  (b) The location, type, size, and height of the proposed dam or reservoir and appurtenant works.
  (c) The storage capacity of the reservoir.
  (d) Such other pertinent information as the department requires.
  (e) As accurately as may be readily obtained, the area of the drainage basin, rainfall and streamflow records and floodflow records and estimates.

The department may also require the following:
  (a) Data concerning subsoil and foundation conditions and the materials entering into construction of the dam or reservoir.
  (b) Investigations of, and reports on, subsurface conditions, involving such matters as exploratory pits, trenches and adits, drilling, coring, geophysical surveys, tests to determine leakage rates, and physical tests to measure in place the properties and behavior of foundation materials at the dam or reservoir site.
  (c) Investigations of, and reports on, the geology of the dam or reservoir site and its vicinity, possible geologic hazards, availability and quality of construction materials, and other pertinent features.
  (d) Such other appropriate information as may be necessary in a given instance.

In instances wherein the physical conditions involved and the size of the dam or reservoir are such as to render the above requirements as to drainage areas, rainfall, streamflow, floodflow, and drilling or prospecting of site unnecessary, the department may waive the requirements.

The application shall set forth the purpose for which the impounded or diverted water is to be used.

The application shall be accompanied by maps and plans and specifications of such character and size and setting forth such pertinent details and dimensions as the department requires. The maps and plans and specifications shall be a part of the application.