In response to the recent Tulare Lake flood emergency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has initiated a comprehensive Flood Diversion and Recharge Enhancement Initiative aimed at improving local flood management and groundwater recharge efforts. This initiative builds on the success of previous emergency measures implemented in 2023, which included extensive outreach to over 50 local agencies to identify challenges and opportunities for diverting floodwaters.

During the 2023 efforts, DWR established six emergency contracts that funded the installation of 30 temporary pumps and one siphon, successfully diverting between 10,000 to 15,000 acre-feet of floodwater and clearing 291 acres of land for future use. These actions not only provided immediate flood risk reduction but also contributed to drought mitigation by recharging local aquifers.

With additional one-time emergency funding secured, the expanded initiative launched in December 2023 aims to enhance local readiness for flood diversions through 2026. The focus will be on shovel-ready projects that provide flood risk reduction, subsidence mitigation, and benefits to underserved communities. DWR has executed 14 new emergency contracts, which include constructing temporary flood basins and improving flood diversion equipment.

Key lessons learned from the 2023 efforts emphasize the importance of early planning and communication with pump vendors to ensure timely access to necessary equipment during emergencies. DWR is actively engaging with flood and groundwater managers to integrate these initiatives into broader flood management strategies.

While current funding for the initiative is exhausted, DWR is gathering interest for future assistance and ideas. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in a future interest survey to express their needs and suggestions for upcoming activities. For more information, resources are available on DWR's website, and a presentation detailing these efforts will be posted on their YouTube channel soon.