Public Safety

State audit flags 57 deficient dams, with clusters near L.A. and San Diego

California auditors say dozens of dams need repairs, including high-hazard sites concentrated around the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas.

Published October 17, 2026

The California State Auditor reported October 13 that the Department of Water Resources had rated 56 dams in poor condition and one as unsatisfactory as of May. The state regulates 1,222 operating dams, most of which were rated satisfactory or fair.

Forty of the 57 deficient dams also carry high or extremely high downstream-hazard classifications. The audit said those sites are clustered around densely populated areas including Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as the Bay Area.

Hazard rating is not a failure forecast

The state’s hazard classification describes the potential loss of life and property if a dam fails; it does not measure how likely a failure is. The audit estimated that failure across the group of 40 deficient, higher-hazard dams could collectively threaten as many as 1.5 million people and more than $265 billion in property.

Auditors said aging infrastructure, older design standards and owners’ difficulty paying for repairs are common factors. Sixteen of the 40 higher-hazard dams had been rated below satisfactory since at least 2017.

Audit calls for stronger enforcement

The report said Water Resources had not fully used its enforcement authority against owners who delayed repairs. It recommended a formal process for violation notices and administrative complaints, adequate funding for enforcement and authority to condemn or decommission a dam when other remedies fail.

Official report: California State Auditor — October 13, 2026 →

Original reporting: Los Angeles Times — October 17, 2026 →