Division of Boating and Waterways

Our Mission The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) brings together a body of knowledge as the state’s expert in recreational boating-related matters, including public access, safety and education, marine law enforcement, and consumer and environmental protection. The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) For decades, California’s reputation as a boater’s paradise with an abundance of recreational opportunities has lured millions of visitors to California State Parks and thousands of miles of waterways and coastline. For over 60 years, California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has improved and safeguarded the boating experience for all users – from Mission Bay in San Diego to the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe and along every lake, river and stream in between. DBW is responsible for planning, developing, and improving facilities on state-owned and state-managed properties, including those on State Parks and State Water Project properties. It also provides funding so that local agencies can renew deteriorated facilities or develop new public access. In addition, the Division is heavily involved in furthering environmentally sound boating practices through its clean and green programs. Also, DBW is involved in research on climate change and wave prediction as they relate to navigation and coastal protection. We serve all types of recreational boaters statewide. California has about 2.6 million recreational boats and over 4 million recreational boaters. Recreational boating annually contributes several billion dollars to the state’s economy.