What was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act in 1937?

The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937 primarily focused on the development and maintenance of waterways for navigation and flood control in the United States, particularly addressing the needs associated with river and harbor infrastructure. This Act laid the groundwork for significant water resource projects, including the Central Valley Project in California.

The Central Valley Project was established to manage the water supply for agricultural and urban use in Central California. The initial features authorized by this act included the construction of facilities to divert and distribute water from the Sacramento and Kern Rivers, which were crucial for supporting irrigation and municipal needs. This project ultimately helped to transform California's agricultural landscape and improve water management in the region, making it a critical component of the state's infrastructure.

Other options, such as the construction of dams specifically in Northern California or the establishment of conservation areas, were not directly authorized by this particular legislation. Water quality regulations and conservation areas were addressed in other contexts and legislation that focused more on environmental protection rather than navigation and flood control.