Water Supply and Recharge Project - Implemented by Butte County

The Surface Water Supply and Recharge Feasibility Study is a planning effort to identify the best opportunities to use more surface water for irrigation to reduce groundwater pumping, and to add more water back into the ground (i.e. enhance recharge) to strengthen and sustain groundwater supplies. The Study will accomplish this through two coordinated parts:

The Surface Water Supplies Feasibility Analysis
The Recharge Feasibility Analysis

Key Project Tasks:

Develop a conceptual list of water supply projects and conduct an initial screening with a fatal flaws analysis.
Identify the two most promising projects for detailed feasibility analysis, including evaluating water conveyance options, place of use, environmental concerns, financing, and water rights.
Conduct a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis of potential groundwater recharge projects, evaluating factors such as water availability, rights, conveyance costs, recharge potential, zones of benefit, and operation and monitoring costs.
Perform field investigations and pilot tests to assess the suitability of recharging surface-applied water, the potential recharge quantities, and how recharge projects may operate in practice.
Butte County is implementing the study as a project partner of the GSA therefore project presentations and decision-making is made through the Butte County Water Commission and the Butte County Board of Supervisors.

Implemented by: Butte County

Consultant: Geosyntec
Project Partner: Agricultural Groundwater Users of Butte County
Total Project Budget: $725,000

Surface Water Supplies Feasibility Analysis

The Surface Water Supplies Feasibility Analysis focuses on reducing the reliance on groundwater for water uses in the subbasin by identifying and refining two promising surface water supply projects. Through detailed feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement, this analysis will develop preliminary project designs aimed at increasing surface water use. These efforts will directly contribute to groundwater sustainability and support the reduction of groundwater dependence in the Vina Subbasin.

The grant funds are sufficient for completing feasibility analysis for two water supply projects. In order to focus the bulk of the effort on the two most promising projects, the following approach was taken: 1. Develop a list of potential water supply projects under consideration, 2. Identify four projects of greatest interest and complete Fatal Flaw Analysis, 3. Select two of the four projects for completion of a Feasibility Analysis report.

The study began with stakeholder meetings and research to develop a list of potential projects. On August 7, 2024, the Butte County Water Commission (Commission) discussed general priorities for water supply projects and formed an adhoc committee comprised of Commissioners Washington, Arvonen, and Raymond. Nine potential projects were presented to the Commission on December 4, 2024 and four projects were selected to proceed to fatal flaw analysis. The adhoc committee met on March 17, 2025 with other interested parties and the consultant team to discuss and provide feedback on initial findings of the draft Fatal Flaw Analysis. At its April 2, 2025 meeting, the Commission recommended two projects advance to feasibility analysis. On May 27, 2025, the Butte County Board of Supervisors made the final selection of the two projects to be evaluated by the feasibility analysis.

The Fatal Flaw Analysis report identifies potential challenges that could prevent a project from being implemented. It includes an intermediate level of project information to refine projects and eliminate the more constrained alternatives. The Feasibility Analysis report will describe in greater detail the critical facets of each project, provide reconnaissance-level designs, develop cost estimates to quantify a dollar per acre-foot cost, and will be developed to assist with future grant applications for implementation.

Documents:

Coming Soon…Final Feasibility Analysis Report (expected by February 2026)

Water Commission Meeting and Slides (October 2025).pdf Board of Supervisors Meeting and Materials (May 2025).pdf Water Commission Meeting and Materials (April 2025).pdf Water Commission Meeting and Slides (December 2024).pdf Water Commission Meeting and Slides (August 2024).pdf

Recharge Feasibility Analysis

The Recharge Feasibility Analysis complements the surface water supply efforts by identifying potential groundwater recharge sites in the Vina Subbasin. Building on prior studies such as the Evaluation of Restoration and Recharge (ERR) Study and the Sand Creek Study, this component will assess site feasibility, explore multi-benefit opportunities, and evaluate legal and regulatory considerations. Additionally, it will develop preliminary designs for up to two sites.

Read the latest Project Newsletter for an update on activities of the project.

Documents: