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HomeWater CodeDiv. 1Ch. 2Art. 1§ 123 Department Water Authority Transfer

§ 123 Department Water Authority Transfer

Water Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 123 Department Water Authority Transfer

This law says that the Department of Water Resources takes over all the jobs and responsibilities related to water and dams from other state groups. It also says that if California makes a deal with another state about sharing water, this department will be in charge of making sure the deal is followed.

Key Takeaways

  • •The Department of Water Resources is now in charge of all water and dam-related jobs that other state groups used to do.
  • •If California makes a deal with another state about sharing water, this department will make sure the deal is followed.
  • •This includes deals with groups like the California Klamath River Commission and the California-Nevada Interstate Compact Commission.

Example

Imagine California and Nevada want to share water from a river that flows between both states.

This law means that the Department of Water Resources will be the one to make sure both states follow the rules they agreed on for sharing the water.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 123 Department Water Authority Transfer

Except as provided in Section 179, the department succeeds to and is vested with all of the powers, duties, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction in matters pertaining to water or dams vested in the Department and Director of Public Works, the Division of Water Resources of the Department of Public Works, the State Engineer, the Water Project Authority of the State of California, or any officer of employee thereof. The department also succeeds to and is vested with all of the powers, duties, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the Department of Finance under Part 2 (commencing at Section 10500) of Division 6. The department succeeds to and is vested with all of the powers, duties, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction vested in the State Water Resources Board, except as provided in Article 2 (commencing at Section 150) of Chapter 2 of this division. Any commission or other body heretofore or hereafter created by the Legislature to formulate a compact with a similar commission or body from another state relative to the distribution and use of the waters of any interstate streams or bodies of water, including but not limited to the California Klamath River Commission and the California-Nevada Interstate Compact Commission, shall, in formulating a provision in any such compact for the administration of the terms of the compact, provide that the Department of Water Resources shall be the representative of the State of California for the purpose of such administration. (Added by renumbering Section 153 by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

powers, duties, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdictionDepartment of Water Resourcesinterstate streams or bodies of waterCalifornia Klamath River Commission

Related Statutes

  • § 120 Water Resources Director Appointment
  • § 124 Department Water Resources Governance
  • § 1259.6 Climate Change Water Rights
  • § 12640 Water Project County Protection
  • § 135 Water Resources Funding

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 123.
View Official Source