In 1951, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District was created by the California Legislature as an independent special district. Its primary purpose was to seek new water sources and manage them efficiently. Initially, the district had no water rights and operated on a very small budget generated by property taxes. Today, it manages a small hydroelectric plant, two reservoirs, more than 150 miles of canals and laterals, and three dams—including the world’s longest inflatable rubber dam.