As California gears up for a potentially severe El Niño winter, numerous reports highlight the urgent need for repairs on dozens of dams across the state. An assessment by the California State Auditor revealed that 57 dams are in poor condition, with 40 categorized as high or extremely high hazard. Alarmingly, many of the state’s riskiest dams are situated closer to major urban areas than previously thought, raising concerns about public safety. Experts emphasize the importance of enhancing natural infrastructure to better manage water extremes and ensure groundwater sustainability as the state prepares for the upcoming weather challenges.