California dam safety regulations are set for a significant update after the California Water Commission approved changes proposed by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Under DWR’s Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), the state proposed additions and modifications to existing dam safety regulations. The Division of Safety of Dams updated Articles Two, Five, Six and Seven to clarify the application process for dam alterations, repairs and removals, as well as time extensions and how unlawfully constructed dams are addressed. The changes also require the State Water Project to cover DSOD labor costs, eliminate hard copies of technical memorandums, allow written hearings and simplify the lien process.

Other infrastructure news:

• KCRA (Sacramento, Calif.): What we know about the deadly tunnel collapse at the Canyon Tunnel Project
• Nevada Appeal (Carson City): TCID issues statement concerning Lahontan Dam after quake
• Los Banos Enterprise (Calif.): $540 million in federal funding announced for California water projects, including Delta-Mendota Canal