The GSP Updates, Data Gaps, and Refinements Project intends to enhance understanding of the hydrogeology and groundwater users in the Subbasin, supporting updates to the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and the successful management of the Subbasin. 

This project addresses gaps in understanding groundwater conditions related to domestic wells, interconnected surface waters, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). Key activities include the installation of multi-completion monitoring wells, shallow monitoring wells, and stream gages, as well as equipping domestic wells with monitoring equipment. These efforts aim to provide critical new data that will improve understanding over time. 

The project also involves preparing the five-year GSP Periodic Evaluation and addressing recommended corrective actions identified by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Newly available data and information will guide potential amendments to the GSP. Public and stakeholder engagement will occur through meetings of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SHAC) and GSA board, public workshops, and regular email updates to interested parties, building on the engagement strategies used during the development of the GSP. 

To implement the project, the team will require access to land for identifying and installing new monitoring sites for wells and stream gages. Monitoring equipment will be deployed in new and existing wells to expand understanding of basin conditions and address data gaps identified in the GSP. Domestic well owners will have the opportunity to participate voluntarily in a community monitoring program, helping to expand the monitoring network. Targeted outreach will be conducted to landowners near proposed monitoring sites to encourage collaboration and participation. 

Key Project Tasks: 

• Expand and improve the groundwater monitoring network by drilling new multi-completion wells, shallow wells, and installing stream gauges. 

• Enhance groundwater monitoring efforts by equipping volunteer household wells with monitoring equipment to establish a community monitoring program. 

• Conduct a detailed inventory of domestic well infrastructure.

• Refine representative monitoring sites within the GSP as needed to better characterize and track conditions in both the upper and lower aquifer zones. 

• Review and amend the GSP to address feedback from the DWR determination letter, incorporate newly available information, and integrate input from the community. 

• Develop a methodology for sustainable management criteria specifically focused on interconnected surface water to ensure compliance with SGMA. 

• Prepare a public review draft of the Periodic Evaluation of the GSP as required by SGMA. 

• Develop approach for interconnected surface water sustainable management criteria 

• Develop approach to assess potential groundwater-dependent ecosystems. 

Consultant: Larry Walker Associates  

Project Partner: Butte County Water and Resource Conservation  

Total Project Budget: $1,978,750 

Project Progress :

Key Accomplishments 

• Wyandotte Creek Advisory Committee Discussion 
  • On November 7, 2024, the Wyandotte Creek Advisory Committee discussed the Draft Proposed Monitoring Network Map. The committee agreed with the proposed approach and locations. 
• Board Approval 
  • On November 21, 2024, the Board reviewed and approved the proposed monitoring network approach and locations. 

Upcoming Tasks 

• Finalize access agreements, designs, and bid documents (January 2025). 
• File Environmental Information Forms for well construction. 
• Issue notice to proceed for well contractors (Spring 2025). 
• Complete new well installations (June 2025).