The Los Angeles County Flood Control Act (ACT) was adopted by the State Legislature in 1915, after a disastrous regional flood took a heavy toll on lives and property. The Act established the Los Angeles County
Flood Control District and empowered it to provide flood protection, water conservation, recreation and aesthetic enhancement within its boundaries. The Flood Control District is governed, as a separate
entity, by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.
In 1984, the Flood Control District entered into an operational agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works transferring planning and operational activities to the Department of Public Works. Watershed Management Division is the planning and policy arm of the Flood Control District. Public Works Flood Maintenance and Water Resources Divisions, respectively, oversee its maintenance and operational efforts.
The Flood Control District encompasses more than 2,700 square miles and approximately 2.1 million land parcels within 6 major watersheds. It includes drainage infrastructure within 86 incorporated cities as well as the unincorporated County areas. This includes 14 major dams and reservoirs, 483 miles of open channel, 27 spreading grounds, 3,330 miles of underground storm drains, 47 pump plants, 172 debris basins, 27 sediment placement sites, 3 seawater intrusion barriers and an estimated 82,000 catch basins.