Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek Stream Gage Installation
Summary
SCH Number
2026031264
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek Stream Gage Installation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/30/2026
Document Description
As part of the California Stream Gage Improvement Program, DWR is proposing to install stream gages at two locations on Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek. Proposed activities include the installation of flow measurement devices on existing bridge structures. A steel enclosure would be mounted to the existing bridge structure 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 along the underside of the bridge structure from the steel enclosure to the flow measurement device. At each location a staff gage would either be painted or attached to the existing bridge columns. See attached Project Description.
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
Chico, Durham, Nelson
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Manzanita Avenue, Nelson Road
State Highways
Highway 32, Highway 99
Railways
Union Pacific
Schools
Pleasant Valley HS, Sierra View Elem. School, Marsh Jr. High
Waterways
Big Chico Creek, Butte Creek
Notice of Exemption
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 stream 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 Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek. The proposed stream gage assembly would be mounted to the existing bridge structures with no anticipated ground disturbance or vegetation removal. 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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