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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2018 was a tough year for Butte Creek and the spring run salmon. Less than 2000 fish were estimated to have spawned successfully. The Camp Fire broke out just as salmon were emerging from the gravel. Massive efforts to protect the creek from toxic runoff most likely helped usher the juveniles out of the canyon … Read more
Fish Flow Forever Fund Friends of Butte Creek is getting an appraisal of the value of a water right of 5 cubic feet per second (cfs) that is dedicated to Butte Creek from April 15 through October 15 and an additional 1.5 cfs dedicated to the stream the rest of the year. The combined volume … Read more
Friends of Butte Creek assisted the Butte Creek Canyon Volunteer Fire Company to apply for a grant to upgrade their fire protection equipment and were successful! The California Fire Foundation awarded the Company $15,000 toward the purchase and installation of a Skid Unit Pumper that fits in the department pickup truck. It carries 300 gallons of water and can … Read more
