Real-Time Data Direct Grant Program

The Real-Time Data Direct Grant Program was created to enhance California’s readiness to respond to flood disasters as identified in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The program is funded by General Fund and Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018. DWR will use program funds for direct expenditures or directed action activities that fulfill the intent of the funding source used. Direct expenditure projects are proposed by DWR either on its own initiative or in response to a solicitation from a California public agency. Additional projects may be added as funding becomes available.

Reservoir Gaging at Ungated Spillways Project

The first project under the Real-Time Data Grant Program is the Reservoir Gaging at Ungated Spillways (RGUS) Project. It was created to increase communication between dam or reservoir owners and operators and the downstream flood and emergency managers before and during high water events.

The RGUS project plans to install real-time reservoir elevation gages at 20 or more dams that have ungated spillways. The outcomes of RGUS will include:

• Reduced flood risks to communities downstream of dams with ungated spillways
• Improved early notification and warning to these communities
• Improved river and reservoir inflow forecasting
• Improved data to calibrate hydrologic models and develop flood frequency studies
• Improved early warning of potential dam failures
• Expanded real-time reservoir gaging network

Funding

Awards for the RGUS Project will be limited by the available funds of $3.5 million. Dam or reservoir owners who meet the criteria below are encouraged to contact DWR to be included in this directed funding action and future opportunities. Priority will be based on the following criteria:

1. Dams with ungated spillways
2. Dams without real-time (hourly or sub-hourly) elevation data (above and below the spillway) transmitted to California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
3. Dams not owned by the State, federal, or private entities
4. Downstream hazard status of Extremely High, High, or Significant as designated by the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)
5. Dams with reservoir capacity of 5,000 acre-feet or greater, unless recommended by DSOD Area Engineers.