1900–1925 California Department of Water Resources

in response growing political , legal contests limited water resources, water commission act of 1913 established water commission oversee permits associated rights use surface water. water commission act became effective on december 19, 1914. landowners or water users had established water usage prior 1914 became senior water rights users in many of more accessible watersheds in state. appropriative water rights processed division of water rights, under state engineer, , subsequently under department of water resources, state water rights board, , finally, state water resources control board.

in 1919, col. robert b. marshall, chief surveyor u.s. geological survey, proposed plan federal government build series of diversion dams, , 2 grand canals along sides of sacramento , san joaquin valleys, consequently irrigating california s central valley. though national interest in marshall s plan limited, there interest in california pursuing proposed project.