Watershed Groups in the Butte
Creek Watershed
There are several organized groups doing watershed
work in the Butte Creek Watershed. Protect our
Watershed was formed in 1994 to
develop a grassroots effort to reduce
runoff and sediment pollution of
Paradise Lake and Magalia Reservoirs.
The Butte Creek Watershed Conservancy
was formed in 1995 and has evolved to
represent primarily lartge landowners and
industry in the watershed. Cherokee
Watershed Group was formed in 1998
and is focused on the Dry Creek tributary of Butte
Creek, often referred to as Cherokee, due to the fact
that mine runoff from the Cherokee area is channeled
into the Cherokee Canal through the valley. Little
Chico Creek Watershed Group was formed in 1998 to
address specific issues of the Little Chico Creek
Watershed, a tributray that connects to Butte Creek in
the valley south of Chico, primarily through what are
now agricultural drains. In high water the creek runs
freely into Butte Creek through Angel Slough. The
Friends of Butte Creek was formed in 2000 to represent
conservation and environmental interests. Formed by
several of the original founders of the Conservancy, the
Friends focuses on enhancing the fishery and ensuring
sportfishing opportunities. They are conducting citizen
monitoring of fish populations and water quality.
Collaborative Efforts Pay
Dividends for Everyone
Working together collaboratively has paid
significant dividends for many interests in the
Butte Creek Watershed. Fears of losing these
magnificient fish and fears of losing water and
property rights brought most parties to the
table. What the agencies, agricultural interests,
environmental interests, and wildlife groups
found was that were many things that everyone
could agree on. With support from private and
public funding sources these activities were
expedited and the results are clear. Fish are
back and we have a catch and release steelhead
fishing season. We can work together and we
can recover threatened and endangered species
and their habitats. The extraordinary
efforts of all groups and the agency
partners has made a difference. That's
what it's all about! A final note to this
is that the current run of salmon
returning to Butte Creek appears to be
another record buster. Stay tuned!