The Sacramento region will get nearly $87 million in federal flood protection funds after President Obama signed a key water and energy bill Wednesday.

The 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides $63 million for Folsom Dam modifications designed to help decrease flooding risks in the American River watershed. That project is expected to provide 200-year flood protection for much of the area, according to U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, who fought for the funding.

“Sacramento is the most at-risk river city in the country,” Matsui said in a written statement. “We live among one of the most important water projects in America today that provides water and energy to more than 3 million people throughout northern California.

"Without proper protection and levee improvements, a severe storm could cause flooding that would contaminate our water supply and destroy our economy and communities," she said. "These appropriations clearly demonstrate that our flood protection projects are a national priority.”

The legislation also provides $14 million to fight Sacramento River levee erosion, $2.5 million for projects to prevent the Mokelumne-Cosumnes River system and the Morrison Creek watershed from flooding South Sacramento County, $6 million for other flood prevention projects in the American River watershed and $570,000 to raise Folsom Dam reservoir dikes by 3.5 feet.