About the District
For over 70 years, the Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District has worked to ensure a reliable water supply for local farms, communities, and the environment. We manage dams, canals, and groundwater recharge projects that keep water flowing where it’s needed most today and for generations to come.
Our role goes beyond irrigation. We partner with growers, landowners, and residents across Yolo County, providing clear communication, dependable service, and community-focused solutions. From restoring habitat to modernizing infrastructure, we balance agricultural needs with environmental stewardship in a changing climate.
With deep local roots and decades of expertise, we are committed to protecting water as a shared resource—planning ahead, collaborating regionally, and making thoughtful, science-driven decisions that protect our water supply and preserve the long-term resilience of Yolo County.
Oversight for the District comes from the District’s Board of Directors, which consists of five volunteer directors who are appointed by each of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.
Honoring Our Roots, Sustaining Our Future
The District was established in 1951 by the California Legislature at the request of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. Its founding purpose was to secure new surface water supplies, monitor and report on groundwater conditions, and create a reliable system for conjunctive water management.
From modest beginnings with no water rights and a small property tax budget, the District grew significantly after acquiring the Clear Lake Water Company in 1967, gaining control of the Cache Creek and Capay Diversion Dams and much of the regional canal system. The construction of Indian Valley Dam in 1975 further strengthened our ability to deliver water to local growers and recharge groundwater basins.
Today, the District service area covers more than 200,000 acres across Yolo County, including the cities of Woodland, Davis, and Winters, and the towns of Capay, Esparto, Madison, and other Capay Valley communities.
Our Mission:
In the 2000 Water Management Plan, the Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District formalized its mission:
“To plan, develop, and manage the conjunctive use of its surface and groundwater resources to provide a safe and reliable water supply, at a reasonable cost, and to sustain the socio-economic and environmental well-being of Yolo County.” The 2000 Water Management Plan is a comprehensive water resources management plan that describes the District’s history, water rights and facilities, and outlines goals for future surface and groundwater management activities.
The 2000 Water Management Plan is a comprehensive water resources management plan that describes the District’s history, water rights and facilities, and outlines goals for future surface and groundwater management activities.
The full plan can be accessed here.
Oversight for the District comes from the District’s Board of Directors, which consists of five volunteer directors who are appointed by each of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.