State officials say federal staffing cuts threatened river forecasting; DWR seeks funding to backfill and hire experienced staff

Department of Water Resources officials told the subcommittee that federal staffing losses have left gaps in river forecasting and snow measurements that are essential to flood response and reservoir operations.

Laura Hollander, Deputy Director for Flood Management and Dam Safety at DWR, said the state has relied on a long partnership with federal agencies for forecasting and that recent reductions in federal staffing left the state vulnerable. "This proposal is intended to address those gaps," she said, arguing that forecasting informs evacuations, pre‑positioning of equipment and reservoir operations.

DWR representatives and Natural Resources Agency staff described plans to hire staff and invest in forecasting and snow survey capacity. DWR said it will also share its data publicly under the California Open and Transparent Water Data Act and that some laid‑off federal employees are candidates for newly funded state positions.

Stakeholders and water districts urged additional funding for airborne remote sensing (Airborne Snow Observatory) to improve snowpack accuracy. LAO and water agencies argued that improved remote sensing yields high returns in flood damage mitigation and reservoir management.

Committee members pressed for clarity on the magnitude of risk and timelines; DWR said the proposal meets a high bar for health and safety and that restoring the capacity is a near‑term priority.