SECTIONS 225-238 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 225-238

225. 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.

226. 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.

227. 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.

228. 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.

229. 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.

230. 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.

231. 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.

233. 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.

234. 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.

235. 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.

236. 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.

238. (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.