California Auditor Warns 57 Aging Dams Pose $265B Risk as El Niño Approaches

Key points

• The State Auditor found 57 dams in poor or unsatisfactory condition as of May 2026, with 40 rated as high or extremely high hazard.
• These at-risk dams are clustered near major coastal cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area.
• The California Department of Water Resources has never used its punitive enforcement powers against dam owners, despite referrals for 44 dams.
• Repairing all deficient dams is estimated to cost $28 billion, far exceeding current funding from grants and ballot measures.
• The audit recommends the legislature allow the state to order the condemnation and decommissioning of non-compliant dams.
• The Department of Water Resources disputes some findings, citing a lack of understanding of flood management complexities and noting that some 'deficient' dams merely fail to meet new standards.

Background

This audit arrives as California prepares for a record-breaking El Niño winter, which forecasters predict will bring 150-200% of normal rainfall to many areas. Previous coverage noted that the 2026 El Niño has already broken Pacific temperature records, raising concerns about extreme precipitation and flooding. In 2024, state lawmakers slashed funding for a dam repair grant program, though a subsequent ballot measure provided $464 million, a fraction of the estimated need. The 2017 Oroville spillway failure, which forced the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people, led to the current enforcement laws.

How outlets are covering it

CalMatters and Courthouse News emphasize the state’s failure to enforce safety standards and the massive funding gap, highlighting the auditor’s call for stronger penalties. American Rivers argues that the focus should shift from repairing aging 'gray' infrastructure to investing in 'green' infrastructure, such as river restoration and dam removal, to better manage water extremes. The Department of Water Resources, represented by Director Tom Gleason and Deputy Director Laura Hollender, pushes back against the audit, arguing that some deficiencies are due to outdated standards rather than structural failure and that the agency is actively preparing for the El Niño. Maven’s Notebook highlights the broader context of El Niño preparations across the state, including emergency declarations and infrastructure assessments.

Why it matters

The combination of aging infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a predicted extreme El Niño winter creates a significant public safety risk. If high-hazard dams fail, the economic damage could exceed $265 billion, and up to 1.5 million people could be endangered. The lack of enforcement and the gap in state law regarding dam decommissioning leave communities vulnerable to catastrophic flooding, particularly in densely populated coastal areas.

What to watch

The legislature is urged to amend laws to allow the Department of Water Resources to condemn and decommission non-compliant dams and to require owners to submit maintenance plans. The department is reviewing the audit’s recommendations and preparing for the El Niño winter. Dam owners are expected to face increased scrutiny, though funding constraints remain a major barrier to widespread repairs.