The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) was formed in 1989 to address the Sacramento area’s vulnerability to catastrophic flooding. This vulnerability was exposed during the record flood of 1986 when Folsom Dam exceeded its normal flood control storage capacity and several area levees nearly collapsed under the strain of the storm. In response, the City of Sacramento, the County of Sacramento, the County of Sutter, the American River Flood Control District and Reclamation District 1000 created SAFCA through a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to provide the Sacramento region with increased flood protection along the American and Sacramento Rivers.

SAFCA’s mission is to provide the region with at least a 100-year level of flood protection as quickly as possible while seeking a 200-year or greater level of protection over time. Under the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency Act of 1990, the California Legislature has given SAFCA broad authority to finance flood control projects and has directed the Agency to carry out its flood control responsibilities in ways that provide optimum protection to the natural environment.

SAFCA's activities are funded from development fees and annual assessments imposed on benefiting properties in two overlapping districts in Sacramento and Sutter Counties.  District 1, established in 1990, provides funding for annual operation and maintenance expenses and covers all of the properties in the Natomas Basin, including those lying within Sutter County, and all the properties in Sacramento County lying with the drainage basin of the American River.  The Consolidated Capital Assessment District, established in 2007 replacing two separate assessment districts which were established earlier, provides funding for capital improvements to the levees protecting Natomas and North Sacramento, capital improvements to Folsom Dam, the levees along the American River, and the levees and related flood control facilities along Morrison Creek and its tributaries in South Sacramento County. 

SAFCA is governed by the Board of Directors. Appointed by member agencies, the Board holds regular monthly meetings that are open to the public. Individuals, who wish to address the Board on any matter of interest, are welcome. Minutes, referred to as Action Summaries, are recorded at each monthly meeting and are made available to the public for review.

SAFCA has thirteen permanent staff members and one student assistant headed by the Executive Director. The offices are located at 1007 7th Street, 7th Floor. In addition to the Executive Director, the staff is composed of two Directors of Engineering, a Director of Administration, an Agency Counsel, a Natural Resources Supervisor, and a Natural Resource Specialist. The support staff consists of the Accountant, Accounting Technician, Executive Secretary, and Staff Secretary.