County feasibility study outlines two surface‑water transfer options to help Vina Subbasin; recommends phased pilots

Butte County Water Commission members heard the results Oct. 1 of a surface‑water supply feasibility analysis that examined two transfer options intended to provide managed surface water to the Vina Subbasin and reduce groundwater pumping.

The study, prepared by Water and Land Solutions with engineering support, examined (1) a transfer of underused Paradise Irrigation District (PID) water through Butte Creek to agricultural lands in the Vina Subbasin (the “Ridge‑to‑Valley” option) and (2) deliveries using Western Canal Water District supplies to three properties north of Highway 99 (the “Western Canal / South Finite” option). Maddie Munson of Water and Land Solutions led the presentation, with Jenny Shear (now general manager, Western Canal Water District) summarizing the Western Canal option.

The consultants said the Ridge‑to‑Valley option could start with a three‑year pilot of roughly 1,500 acre‑feet per year and potentially scale to about 3,500 acre‑feet once PID storage is increased by the Magalia Dam retrofit. Paradise Irrigation District told the study team it may have between 1,500 and 3,500 acre‑feet available for transfer. The Western Canal option could serve up to about 7,752 acre‑feet across three mapped properties, the presenters said; together the two efforts would cover a portion of the county’s multi‑year target for increased supplies to the subbasin.

Why it matters: Vina Subbasin managers aim to reduce a multi‑year groundwater deficit the presenters described as roughly on the order of 20,000 acre‑feet (average target discussed in the study). The county and the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Vina GSA) are evaluating multiple tools — including recharge, demand reduction and transfers — to stabilize groundwater levels under SGMA.

Legal and permitting considerations: The consultants…