Supreme Court of the United States
Central Green Co. v. United States
February 21, 2001531 U.S. 425
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit, holding that the Flood Control Act immunity provision does not shield the United States from liability for damage caused by water flowing through the Madera Canal because the water was not flood water. The Court based its decision on the plain text of §702c, as interpreted in United States v. James, rather than on the broader purpose of the flood control project. The judgment was remanded for further proceedings consistent with this interpretation.