Divisions & Offices

BDO plans, facilities, and implements actions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to improve water quality, water supply and reliability, and the ecosystem. Staff develop and conduct studies, implement related actions to meet regulatory requirements for the SWP in the Delta and Suisun Marsh, and develop and maintain computer simulation models to analyze the effects of projects and actions proposed or that we or other agencies undertake. Visit Bay Delta for more information.

BSO provides a range of services including facilities management, office space acquisition and refurbishment, security, property control and moving services; contracting, purchasing, and materials management services; printing, imaging and mailing services; records and content management; and management and organizational studies. BSO works with other State departments and outside control agencies and is our primary liaison with the Department of General Services. Visit Procurement for more information.

CERS handles power contracting issues stemming from the 2001 electrical power crisis in California. Staff oversee management of long-term energy contracts we entered into during the crisis to provide electricity to customers of California’s investor-owned utilities. Visit California Energy Resources Scheduling for more information.

The Delta Conveyance Office (DCO) is responsible for overseeing the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA), the entity established to design and construct a Delta conveyance solution. DCO’s role is to ensure that the project meets DWR’s standards for safety, operation, and maintenance; review and approve budgets, construction bid documents, and as-built plans; and make sure the project complies with the agreement between DWR and the DCA. 

DOE experts perform engineering and construction management on a wide variety of water infrastructure systems and elements. These include dams, reservoirs, bridges, buildings, canals, tunnels, pipelines, roads, pumping and powerplants, flood protection facilities, environmental enhancement projects, and facilities to improve water quality and supply. Visit Engineering & Construction for more information.

The Division of Fiscal Services is responsible for approving and executing fiscal management and developing overall plans to ensure adequate and timely availability of funds to finance construction and maintenance of the State Water Project (SWP). Additional responsibilities include administering local financial assistance programs under various general obligation bond laws, coordinating proposed State bonding programs with the State Treasurer's Office, and managing all other activities having a bearing on our financial management. Visit Financials for more information.

DFM staff prevent loss of life and reduce property damage caused by floods by monitoring weather and river conditions, issuing forecasts, coordinating flood response, managing emergency information, participating in flood control projects, implementing FloodSAFE California, and inspecting and maintaining levees, bypasses, weirs, and other flood control structures. We have experts in flood forecasting, hydrology, meteorology, emergency operations, flood control project development and maintenance, and floodplain management. We also collaboratively develop the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and Statewide Flood Management Plan. Visit Flood Management for more information.

DISE helps us comply with State and federal environmental rules that affect SWP operations and water management programs. Division experts negotiate solutions and develop strategies to avoid or reduce adverse effects on the environment that could result from water management activities. Staff develop criteria for fish protective facilities, coordinate with other State and federal agencies on mitigation programs, and conduct a variety of fish and wildlife studies, including many in the ecologically sensitive Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Visit Environmental Services for more information.

These highly specialized engineers and geologists work closely with dam owners and their consulting engineers to ensure the safety of dams in California, including 1,250 state-regulated dams which are inspected at least once a year. Visit the Division of Safety of Dams for more information.

The Executive Division consists of the director, deputy directors, their staff, and a variety of offices and programs. They oversee the work of all our divisions and offices and provide a variety of services, including: managing the safety system, directing the legislative program, conducting internal audits,  providing legal services, overseeing our federal hydropower license activities, providing fiscal oversight of General Obligation Bond Fund allocations, serving as a central point of contact to ensure effective communication with California Native American Tribes, and ensuring our compliance with State and federal equal employment laws.

HRO administers the State civil service personnel system. Staff verify that every action is correct under State laws and rules and develop and recommend policies and procedures to ensure departmental compliance with the legal requirements of the State's civil service system. On organization and employment matters, these staff are the primary liaison with the Department of Human Resources, Public Employees Retirement System, Public Employees Relations Board, Board of Control, and Merit Award Board. See Careers for more information.

The Legislative Affairs Office, part of the Executive Division, provides administration with legislative approaches for managing California water resources in cooperation with other agencies and provides expert advice on policy, program, and fiscal implications on water and energy-related legislation.

OGC is responsible for a broad range of issues, including water rights, water transfers, energy law, flood management, integrated water management, dam safety, personnel, and state contracting. Staff advise management and oversee 40 attorneys.

DWR’s Security and Emergency Management Program (SEMP) provides guidance on preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of emergencies, disasters, and security threats. SEMP provides this function to both DWR and external partners and stakeholders.

DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management office (SGMO) is the hub of statewide groundwater information and resources. SGMO oversees the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), and various programs including the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) program, California’s Groundwater Bulletin 118, the Dry Well Reporting System and others. SGMO also provides data resources, guidance documents, and technical and planning assistance to support local groundwater management efforts.