ARTICLE 7. Approval of Plans [8710. - 8723.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 7.
in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8710. Section 8710.

Every plan of reclamation, flood control, drainage, improvement, dredging or work, that includes or contemplates the construction, enlargement, revetment or alteration of any levee, embankment, canal or other excavation in the bed of or along or near the banks of the Sacramento or San Joaquin Rivers or any of their tributaries or connected therewith, or upon any land adjacent thereto, or within any of the overflow basins thereof, or upon any land susceptible to overflow therefrom, shall be approved by the board before construction is commenced.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8710.1. Section 8710.1.

The provisions of Section 8710 shall not apply to any work of interior irrigation or drainage upon reclaimed land, which work is not actually on, through, or adjoining any flood control works under the jurisdiction of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8710.5. Section 8710.5.

Whenever any irrigation, drainage, levee, or flood control district makes application for the approval required by the next preceding section, all of the provisions of Division 15, Part 6, Chapter 2 of the Water Code which relate to works of reclamation by reclamation districts within the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District shall be applicable to the works of such irrigation, drainage, levee, or flood control district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8711. Section 8711.

Any such plan is void until approved by the board, and no work shall be done without the permission of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8712. Section 8712.

No levee along a river or by-pass at any of the places mentioned in this article, nor any levee forming part of any of the plans of flood control adopted by this part or by the board, shall be cut or altered without permission of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8713. Section 8713.

The owner of any existing levee at any of the places mentioned in this article may raise, widen, or strengthen the levee, if before work is commenced, the plans, specifications and method of construction are submitted to and approved by the board, and the work is done subject to the supervision of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8714. Section 8714.

No claim shall ever be made against the board or the drainage district for compensation, through or by assessment or otherwise, for any part of the work under Section 8713 in excess of the requirements of the plan of flood control for that locality finally adopted and approved by the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8715. Section 8715.

Any existing levee may be protected or strengthened in case of emergency during the season of flood water, where it is in danger of injury or destruction from flood water.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8717. Section 8717.

All emergency work shall be subject to the subsequent approval of the board, and the board may require its removal or alteration if not approved.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8718. Section 8718.

No levee, embankment or other structure within any by-pass or overflow channel adopted by the board shall be raised, widened, strengthened or altered without permission of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8719. Section 8719.

The doing of any act or construction of any work mentioned in this article, or permitting the work to remain after such construction, without the permission of the board and in violation of any of the provisions of this article, is a public nuisance, and the board may commence and maintain suit in the name of the people of the State for the prevention or abatement of the nuisance.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8720. Section 8720.

Any person who does any act contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8721. Section 8721.

Any plans or specifications adopted or approved by the board for any work to be done pursuant to this part may be changed or altered, with the consent of the board, at any time before commencement or during progress of the work.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8722. Section 8722.

The board may at any time change or alter the plans or specifications for work undertaken upon its own initiative.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 8723. Section 8723.

The board may refuse to approve any such plan if in the judgment of the board the plan will or may 1. Be injurious to or damage any works necessary to any plan of flood control adopted by the board or the Legislature, or 2. Interfere with the successful execution, functioning or operation of any plan of flood control adopted by the board or the Legislature.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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