Water District partners with CSU Chico to enhance Wyandotte Creek monitoring network

During the December 12, 2024, meeting of the City of Oroville, significant strides were made towards enhancing groundwater monitoring in the Wyandotte Creek Subbasin. The city council discussed a comprehensive plan to install new monitoring equipment aimed at addressing critical data gaps in the region's groundwater management.

The proposed initiative includes the installation of a minimum of 15 shallow wells, three multi-completion wells, and five stream gauges. This enhanced monitoring network is designed to better understand the relationship between shallow and deep aquifers, particularly how groundwater pumping may affect surface water and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). The plan is a response to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) findings, which highlighted the need for improved data collection to support sustainable groundwater management.

Council members emphasized the importance of collaboration with state agencies, noting that DWR has already invested in new stream gauges and may take on the operations and maintenance of these sites in the future. This partnership could alleviate some financial burdens from local ratepayers, as grant funding will cover the installation costs.

The meeting also featured a detailed presentation on the existing monitoring network, which currently includes only 13 wells. The proposed upgrades aim to significantly expand this network, focusing on areas where interconnected surface waters exist. The council discussed the implications of these upgrades for local water management, particularly in relation to potential groundwater recharge projects.

As the city moves forward with this initiative, the focus will remain on ensuring that the monitoring network effectively supports the assessment of groundwater resources and the health of local ecosystems. The council's commitment to improving water management practices is expected to yield long-term benefits for the community and the environment.