Handbook for Assessing Value of State Flood Management Investments

Millions of people and over half a trillion dollars in assets are exposed to flood risk in California (DWR 2013a). This remains the case even as State, federal, and local flood management agencies have worked for decades to reduce the risk and consequences of flooding in the State. The people of California have shown that they understand the increasing flood risk due to population growth, environmental concerns, climate change, and land use practices, and they are willing to invest in flood risk management projects.

This requires the public agencies responsible for California’s flood risk management to demonstrate the value of those investments both before and after they are implemented. This Handbook for Assessing Value of State Flood Management Investments (HAV) supports that effort.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has identified foundational goals that shape the State’s water management investment strategy.

Those goals are:

Improving public safety
Fostering environmental stewardship
Supporting economic stability