Dam Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

On June 27, 2017, SB 92 became law and set forth new requirements focused on dam safety. As part of this legislation, dam owners must submit an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for review and approval. Additionally, dam owners must submit updated plans and inundation maps every 10 years, or sooner under certain conditions. This legislation set forth additional provisions for emergency action plans including compliance requirements, exercises of the plan, and coordination with local public safety agencies.

What is an EAP?

An EAP is a written document that identifies potential emergency conditions at a dam and specifies preplanned actions to help minimize property damage and loss of life should those conditions occur.  EAPs contain procedures and information that instruct dam owners to issue early warning and notification messages to downstream emergency management authorities. The document must also contain inundation maps demonstrating critical areas for evacuation-related actions. Additionally, EAPs also provide assistance and guidance to local jurisdictions on their emergency planning for a dam failure event and identify local, state, and federal agencies with activities to ensure effective dam incident emergency response procedures and planning.

Who is required to have an EAP?

​Sections 6160 and 6161 of the California Water Code and Government Code Section 8589.5 require owners of state regulated dams to submit EAPs to Cal OES and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD).

Which IRWD dams are required to have an EAP?

IRWD has five jurisdictional dams that require an EAP including San Joaquin Dam, Sand Canyon Dam, Syphon Dam, Rattlesnake Dam, and Santiago Creek Dam. The latest Cal OES-approved EAPs are available below.

Reservoir	Emergency Action Plan
Rattlesnake	Approved March 15, 2023
San Joaquin	Approved May 18, 2023
Sand Canyon	Approved Sept. 7, 2022
Santiago Creek (Irvine Lake)	Approved December 2023
Syphon	Approved March 15, 2023

Inundation Maps

All IRWD dams have inundation maps that have been approved by the DWR Division of Safety of Dams. To learn how inundation maps are prepared, and to understand their purposes and limitations, please read this inundation mapping explainer. To download inundation maps from throughout California, use DSOD's interactive tool.

Emergency Contact

In an emergency, call IRWD Operations Standby at 949-453-5300.