Amendment to SWPAO #17021 to Extend the Term and to Update Delivery Mechanisms for Delivery of Butte County’s Non-Project Water to Lake Oroville
Summary
SCH Number
2026010027
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Amendment to SWPAO #17021 to Extend the Term and to Update Delivery Mechanisms for Delivery of Butte County’s Non-Project Water to Lake Oroville
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/2/2026
Document Description
The original Agreement (SWPAO #17021), as subsequently amended, provides for the delivery of up to 3,000 acre-feet per year of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E’s) pre-1914 water (Non-Project Water) to California Water Service (CWS), a member agency of Butte County, through December 31, 2027.
Originally, PG&E’s Non-Project Water was made available to DWR by diversion from the West Branch of the Feather River through the Upper Miocene Canal, into Kunkle Reservoir, and through the Lime Saddle Powerhouse into Lake Oroville. The Non-Project Water was then delivered by DWR to CWS’s turnouts via the Thermalito Power Canal.
However, in 2018, the Camp Fire Emergency destroyed significant portions of the Miocene Canal, and after evaluation PG&E has determined that the Miocene Canal no longer serves a practical purpose.
Therefore, this Amendment (SWPAO #17021-D) allows PG&E to make the Non-Project Water available to DWR in Lake Oroville via measurement at the Miocene Diversion Dam on the West Branch of the Feather River, where it would no longer be diverted into the Upper Miocene Canal. This Amendment also extends the term for the conveyance of Non-Project Water to Butte County from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2037.
Contact Information
Name
Patrick Luzuriaga
Agency Name
CA Dept of Water Resources
Job Title
Section Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Kamie Loeser
Agency Name
Butte County
Job Title
Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Butte
Regions
Countywide
Waterways
Feather River
Other Location Info
West Branch of the Feather River to Lake Oroville
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
a. State Water Project long-term water supply contracts include provisions for conveyance of non-project water to SWP contractors.
b. The project is a water management operation using only existing facilities.
c. The project will not support new development or a change in land use.
d. The project does not establish a new permanent source of water supply.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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