Flood Control Planning

The Flood Control Planning Division is primarily responsible for long-range advance planning and coordinating flood control project development and funding with other agencies. 

  • Long Range Planning involves planning investigations and project studies; project prioritization; preparing annual capital improvement reports, special reports and studies; preparing and updating Master Plans of Drainage; documenting flooding events and damages; developing and processing funding agreements; preparing and tracking grant applications; Aerial photos and Historic information archiving and updating District’s maps, exhibits, and displays. 
  • The Division conducts meetings with City Engineers in the respective Flood Zones. The meetings are designed to familiarize City Engineers with flood control projects throughout the planning, development, and construction phases. District budget studies are also discussed. 
  • The Federal Projects Section of the Division is responsible for coordinating the development of federally sponsored flood control projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Some of the past federally sponsored projects in our County included the construction of the Seven Oaks Dam and the San Timoteo Creek Basins and Channel.
  • The Division coordinates Water Spreading Activities with local water agencies that use District facilities to recharge underground aquifers. 

Master Plans of Drainage/ Comprehensive Storm Drain Plans 

Flood Control Planning Section reviews hydrology models for Master Plan of Drainage (MPD) studies and/or Comprehensive Storm Drain Plan (CSDP) studies for large areas. Comprehensive Storm Drain Plans (CSDPs) and Master Plans for Drainage (MPDs) are planning tools developed to guide flood protection efforts within the County. Their primary goal is to minimize the right-of-way footprint of drainage facilities through the application of hydraulic design methods, while meeting specific engineering and environmental criteria. 

Master planning documents provide a comprehensive engineering assessment of entire drainage systems, including watersheds, cities, and drainage basins. They identify deficiencies within the system, such as undersized storm drains, channels, or culverts, and estimate the costs of necessary improvements. Additionally, MPDs prioritize these enhancements based on their needs. Comparatively, CSDPs share a similar structure and purpose with MPDs but focus on much larger areas that may span multiple jurisdictions. CSDPs include detailed hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, assessments of system conditions, infrastructure mapping, and analyses of both current and future stormwater scenarios. 

Importantly, MPDs and CSDPs are not design documents. They are planning level documents intended to support decision-making related to project sequencing, scheduling, budgeting, and funding. They provide a strategic foundation for implementing the County’s long-term flood protection goals.  

System Number Index (Redbook) 

The San Bernardino County Flood Control District System Numbers Index Book and Flood Control Redbook Facilities Map are updated periodically to reflect all facility system numbers currently in use within the Flood Control District. These numbers serve multiple functions, including facility identification, operation charge codes, correspondence, and map filing. 

To accommodate these varied uses, the index includes listings not only for existing Flood Control District facilities but also for proposed facilities, overall systems, and facilities constructed, operated, or maintained by other entities. Wherever possible, distinctions between these categories have been clearly noted. 

The primary purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the District’s filing system. Therefore, any information regarding maintenance, ownership, or other operational details should be verified directly with the Flood Control Planning Division. 

DISCLAIMER: The documents referenced within this book and layers within the GIS map are provided strictly for informational and filing purposes. They do not represent official records of the San Bernardino Flood Control District and may not precisely correspond to the information contained in the official records. Users are strongly advised not to rely solely upon the documents contained herein and are urged to consult the original or official source documents to verify accuracy and obtain authoritative information. 

Aerial Imagery  

Flood Control Planning Division maintains the District aerial photos. There are hundreds of photo flights that cover all different parts of the County and span years, with the oldest flight dating back to 1937. 

Aerial Photo Review is available to the public on an appointment basis. Our staff are available to explain the filing system, direct customers to the right resources, answer questions, and provide copies.  Photocopies in either black & white or color are available for a fee. Additionally, we have made these photos available online through our Aerial Imagery Viewer. 

Due to liability concerns, the District does not accept requests for aerial photos made over the phone or via email.  To search for or acquire aerial information, please use the online viewer or send a representative to the District office.  Sorry for any inconvenience. 

For an appointment, please call our office at (909) 387-8120. 

Seven Oaks Dam 

Location: 
On the Santa Ana River, at a narrowing of upper Santa Ana Canyon, about 1 mile upstream from the canyon mouth, just north of Greenspot Road. 
Address: 32330 Santa Ana Canyon Road, Highland, CA. 

Project: 
The dam is a major feature of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. 

Dam Details: 

  • Type: Earth and rock fill dam 
  • Height: 550 feet 
  • Crest length: 2,980 feet 
  • Construction Cost: $450 million (part of the $1.7 billion total project cost) 

Benefits: 

  • Provides flood protection for over 2 million people across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties 
  • Protects about 160 square miles of urban development, mostly in Orange County 
  • Annual benefits valued at approximately $140 million 
  • Without the project, estimated potential damages could be about $15 billion 

Tours: 
The county offers free tours of Seven Oaks Dam. For more information or to schedule a tour, call: 909-387-8128 

Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 

The Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is a countywide strategic tool that identifies and reduces risks from natural and human-made disasters. This plan enhances public awareness, guides emergency planning, meets both state and federal requirements, and fosters coordination among local governments. The primary goal of hazard mitigation is to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property. The MJHMP must be updated every five years, reflecting the hazards faced by San Bernardino County.