Drainage
Drainage Division
The Department of Water Resources is the organization primarily responsible for drainage and flood control within the urbanized and urbanizing portions of unincorporated Sacramento County. The Drainage Division provides drainage services within the Sacramento County Stormwater Utility Boundary. The division is comprised of six sections:
- Design
- Development Review/Hydrology
- Floodplain Management
- Drainage Maintenance Engineering
- Maintenance and Operations.
- Stormwater Quality
The drainage and flood control system operated and maintained by Sacramento County consists of 1,443 miles of storm drain pipe, 400 miles of creeks and open channels, 33 pump stations, and 18 detention basins. Municipalities and local reclamation and flood control districts provide additional drainage and flood control services within their jurisdictions.
Our mission is to protect the community and its waterways:
- through sound planning, construction, repair, and improvement of drainage and flood control systems
- monitoring pollutants in local creeks to protect the water quality
- educating the community on ways to keep creeks and rivers pollution free
The Division also supports the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency in implementing regional flood control projects, serves as the County liaison for coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for floodplain management and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for grant-funded flood risk mitigation programs.
Division programs and activities are funded by three main sources:
Sacramento County Stormwater Utility
Funds storm drainage engineering, operations and maintenance, and stormwater quality management to the urban and urbanizing portions of the unincorporated County. The primary source of revenue is utility service charges.
SCWA Zone 11
Funds the construction of major trunk drainage facilities in a portion of the unincorporated County and the cities of Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and Elk Grove. The primary source of funding is development fees.
SCWA Zone 13
Funds water, flood control, and drainage studies. Zone 13 includes all of Sacramento County except the cities of Sacramento, Folsom, Galt and Isleton and revenue is derived from an annual per parcel assessment on all real property within the Zone.
Key Programs & Initiatives
Stormwater Utility
The County utility service that funds the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the county’s drainage and flood control systems.
Storm Ready
Sacramento County’s Storm Ready hub provides residents with tools, resources, and safety tips to prepare for storms and flooding, including flood insurance guidance, hazard mitigation plans, evacuation routes, and emergency response information.
Stormwater Quality Program
Our Stormwater Quality Program provides resources, regulations, and community guidance to reduce pollution, protect water quality, and promote environmentally responsible stormwater management.
Popular Content
Region's Flooding History
Read about how Sacramento's risk of flooding is the greatest of any major city in the country
Flood Evacuation Routes
View various maps showing hypothetical levee breaks, inundation levels, and rescue and evacuation zones.
Construction and Maintenance Projects
View a listing of current improvement projects
For the Delta, By the Delta
Small Communities Flood Risk Reduction Program (A Partnership with California Department of Water Resources)
