Spring Run Salmon Collapse

Early reports are indicating less than 100 spring run Chinook salmon have returned to Butte Creek this year. With the remains of last year run assaulted by sediment from a PG&E canal failure, It looks like two years in a row with less than 100 returning adults. Although Butte Creek is known for remarkable recoveries, … Read more

It was a Lively Music Event at the End of Normal June 7!

The 3rd Annual Summer Kick-off Party with Butte Creek’s own Dylan’s Dharma, Smokey the Groove and Chico Favorites, The Funnels stoked the 300+ crowd. Nono San Pedro warmed up the crowd at 5:30. Tom Tom’s Island Style, Tacos Puerta Vallarta and Green Paradise served the huge crowd and the usual libations of water, wine, and … Read more

Butte Creek Water Legacy

We have exciting news on our Wildlife Conservation Board grant for the purchase of a water right dedicated to the creek and its’ creatures. The water that was formerly dedicated to agricultural use was no longer needed by the right holder and was transferred to instream flow dedication. We have finished all the apprasial process … Read more

Mourning the loss of Spring Run Salmon

We updated the community (over 100 people showed up) with details of the catastrophic landslide and sedimentation of Butte Creek caused by the failure of a PG&E canal. The situation, August 10-13, was devastating to the creek and the wildlife. We must not let PG&E continue to get away with destroying our watershed. The District … Read more

Herbicides in the Canyon

Last year Butte County used regualar untrained work crews, failed to report the usage and violated the label requirements for the herbicides when they sprayed the roadsides. The Ag Commissioner provided this summary and a complete report. They will be online soon. See for yourself how they have abused their authority. We need to stop … Read more

Emergency Spring Run Salmon Rescue!!!

The BREAKING NEWS just keeps coming. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and NOAA Fisheries began collecting yearling spring run salmon from Deer and Mill Creek this week. On Butte Creek they have captured 300 young of the year salmon for the program. This rescue is very unique as they are taking the fish … Read more

Wild and Scenic Film Festival October 6th at the ARC Pavilion.

Local films on the devastating PG&E canal failure are ready for viewing! Click here It was an evening of inspiration. We all know it takes a CommUNITY to achieve real change. We all learned that only 3.5% of the population can change the world. The takeaway from the Festival was “Be part of the 3.5%”! You … Read more

The Michael Smith Salmon Water Endowment Fund

Long-time board member, close friend and fishing compadre, Michael Smith, passed away November 9, 2021. The void in our hearts is vast, but his spirit is filling it with love. He has literally been on this Friends of Butte Creek journey since the day we first met 26 years ago. I know he sits on … Read more

Friends of Butte Creek now owns a Water Right!

On March 17th, 2023, the Butte County Clerk/Recorder finalized the Grant Deed transfer of a water right on Butte Creek to the Friends of Butte Creek. Thanks to the visions of many, in particular, Huey Johnson, the 33 year process has been completed. Huey, former California Secretary of Resources, founder of the Trust for Public … Read more

2021 Final Report on Adult Monitoring – Bad News!

California Department of Fish and Wildlife releases the bad news about the 2021 Phoenix Butte Creek Salmon. Although an estimated 21,580 salmon returned from brood year 2018 (Camp Fire), 19,773 died before spawning due to elevated water temperature and poor water management. We are running out if time, running out of options and the only … Read more