Palermo clean‑water consolidation and regional conjunctive‑use projects highlighted; pilot drainage clearing credited with reducing flooding
February 27, 2026 | Oroville, Butte County, California
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Wyandotte Creek GSA staff and consultants briefed the board on a set of implementation projects focused on Palermo and regional conjunctive use during the Feb. 26 meeting.
Staff described the Palermo Clean Water Consolidation Project as a county‑led effort to connect additional parcels to South Feather Water and Power for potable supplies. The project overview noted there are about 110 existing connections and the project proposes connecting roughly 380 more parcels, installing about 40,000 linear feet of mains and laterals and adding meter boxes and hydrants. A completed subproject, the Palermo Dry‑Well Consolidation Project, installed roughly 6,000 linear feet of laterals and already provided water to some homes, staff said.
County staff said South Feather is finalizing a state‑revolving‑loan agreement with the State Water Board to allow use of funds for meter connections; with that funding the county expects to connect homes to existing laterals within a 3–5 year window if not sooner. The board and staff discussed whether listing projects separately in the GSP helps or hinders future funding; consultants said keeping projects in the GSP can increase the chance of future funding but that similar projects can be grouped for grant applications.
The board also heard about a regional conjunctive‑use project that would route excess surface water—either floodwater from Palermo or releases diverted from Lake Oroville through the Palermo Canal—into Wyman Ravine and then about 11 miles downstream to Rice and Manas wetlands and agricultural lands so surface water could substitute for groundwater pumping (in‑lieu recharge). GEI and West Yost consultants are preparing preliminary designs; staff said both consultants will report again at future meetings.
Finally, staff described a pilot clearing of drainage ditches and culverts in Palermo completed in recent months. Clearing roughly a mile of channels cost about $100,000 (including permits and implementation) and, staff said, appears to have reduced flooding in the area during recent storms; modeling and water‑level sensors are being coordinated to quantify benefits.
No formal board action was taken specifically on Palermo project funding at the meeting; staff said funding agreements and design updates will be reported in coming months.
Staff described the Palermo Clean Water Consolidation Project as a county‑led effort to connect additional parcels to South Feather Water and Power for potable supplies. The project overview noted there are about 110 existing connections and the project proposes connecting roughly 380 more parcels, installing about 40,000 linear feet of mains and laterals and adding meter boxes and hydrants. A completed subproject, the Palermo Dry‑Well Consolidation Project, installed roughly 6,000 linear feet of laterals and already provided water to some homes, staff said.
County staff said South Feather is finalizing a state‑revolving‑loan agreement with the State Water Board to allow use of funds for meter connections; with that funding the county expects to connect homes to existing laterals within a 3–5 year window if not sooner. The board and staff discussed whether listing projects separately in the GSP helps or hinders future funding; consultants said keeping projects in the GSP can increase the chance of future funding but that similar projects can be grouped for grant applications.
The board also heard about a regional conjunctive‑use project that would route excess surface water—either floodwater from Palermo or releases diverted from Lake Oroville through the Palermo Canal—into Wyman Ravine and then about 11 miles downstream to Rice and Manas wetlands and agricultural lands so surface water could substitute for groundwater pumping (in‑lieu recharge). GEI and West Yost consultants are preparing preliminary designs; staff said both consultants will report again at future meetings.
Finally, staff described a pilot clearing of drainage ditches and culverts in Palermo completed in recent months. Clearing roughly a mile of channels cost about $100,000 (including permits and implementation) and, staff said, appears to have reduced flooding in the area during recent storms; modeling and water‑level sensors are being coordinated to quantify benefits.
No formal board action was taken specifically on Palermo project funding at the meeting; staff said funding agreements and design updates will be reported in coming months.
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