Igo-Ono Stream Gage Installation and Reactivation - CalSIP
Summary
SCH Number
2026031233
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Igo-Ono Stream Gage Installation and Reactivation - CalSIP
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/27/2026
Document Description
As part of the California Stream Gage Improvement Program, DWR is proposing to install and reactivate stream gages at five locations along the N.F. Cottonwood Creek and its tributaries. A radar water level sensor would be installed on the Foster Road bridge over N.F. Cottonwood Creek (40.396975, -122.527889) and above the Igo Ono Diversion tunnel outlet (40.487506, -122.680412). A bubbler stream gage would be installed on Jerusalem Creek at Kelly Rock (40.48937, -122.72399) and two flow meters attached to the Rainbow Lake outlet pipes (40.499679, -122.697561). The existing stream gage on Moon Fork Cottonwood Creek (40.499046, -122.700183) would be reactivated with a bubbler stream gage.
A steel enclosure would be mounted outside the channel at each location to house a data logger, battery, and radio equipment with an antenna and solar panel attached above the enclosure. Conduit would be routed from the steel enclosure to the toe of the stream channel, radar water level sensor, or flow meter. At each location a staff gage would be attached to the existing bridge or tunnel structures or galvanized angle iron driven into the stream channel. See attached Project Locations / Proposed Activities for a detailed description of proposed activities at each location.
Contact Information
Name
Brian Humphrey
Agency Name
California Dept. of Water Resources
Job Title
Sr. Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Ono
Counties
Shasta
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Foster Road, Rainbow Lake Road
Parcel #
045-200-008-000; 044-030-001-000; 041-320-001-000; 041-010-001-000
Waterways
N.F. Cottonwood Creek, Jerusalem Creek, Moon Fork Creek, Igo Ono Diversion Tunnel, Rainbow Lake
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304. Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed installation of conduit, steel posts to mount the steel enclosure, and staff gage will result in minor ground disturbance. The Project was designed to minimize environmental disturbance and avoid sensitive resources to the greatest extent feasible. The proposed stream gage installations at North Fork Cottonwood Creek at Foster Road, Igo Ono Diversion Tunnel Outlet, Rainbow Lake Outlet Tunnel, and Moon Fork Cottonwood Creek would use existing infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, outlet pipes, staff gages, and conduit. This approach minimizes ground disturbance, avoids excavation, minimizes the need for working in sensitive natural communities and aquatic resources, and eliminates the need for vegetation removal. Any stream gage components that require in-water work would only use hand tools and minimize foot traffic within the active channel. Proposed activities qualify for categorical exemptions 15304. Minor Alterations to Land. Proposed activities will not result in a significant impact to the environment and none of the exceptions described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15306. Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
The California Stream Gage Improvement Program (CalSIP) proposes to improve stream gage infrastructure and bridge data gaps to have reliable, real-time information about the conditions and amount of water flowing into our rivers and streams to better manage water resources for public safety, water supply and the conservation of freshwater species. CalSIP aims to improve California's stream gage network by upgrading and reactivating existing gages and installing new gages on waterways across California.
The proposed project is funded by CalSIP to provide real-time data and monitor hydrologic conditions within North Fork Cottonwood Creek and its tributaries. Proposed activities qualify for categorical exemptions 15306. Information Collection. Proposed activities will not result in a significant impact to the environment and none of the exceptions described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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