Completed in 1956 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Folsom Dam and Reservoir is designed to reduce flooding damage and protect Sacramento and surrounding areas that reside in a flood plain. Folsom Dam and Reservoir also produces hydroelectricity, helps maintain water quality in the Bay Delta, and provides recreation and water for local municipal agencies, including Folsom.
City of Folsom staff regularly receives inquiries about dam and reservoir operations, including:
- Who is responsible for water releases at Folsom Reservoir?
- What determines when and how much water is released?
- Why is water still released during drought conditions?
The Bureau of Reclamation answers frequently asked questions with a helpful
fact sheet.
