Facilities Overview
The Reclamation District 777 system consists of about 40 miles of District canals within the District identified on the map which is located in Butte and Sutter counties and is approximately 13,000 acres in size. The canals are inspected, maintained and repaired by the District on a regular basis throughout the year and observed during periods of high water to safeguard against failure.
The District’s operates and maintains a drainage system consisting of 10 miles of the Live Oak Slough, and about 30 miles of drainage laterals. The drainage system collects storm water and drainage and discharges to the State Western Interceptor Canal along Pease Road.
Board Meetings Agendas
Board Meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm at the District Office. Agendas are posted on the front window a minimum of two days prior to the meeting.
History
Reclamation District No. 777 was created by an act of the State Legislature. The purpose was to allow for the reclamation lands surrounding the City of Live Oak for agricultural purposes. The American Basin historically flooded from the Feather River overflowing their banks due to winter rains and runoff giving it the rich fertile soil to support the agriculture which dominated the early years Sutter County. The Act gave the District authority and responsibility for flood control and drainage.
Reclamation of the District began in 1907 with construction of the Feather River levee system and was financed by the sale of bonds. Following completion of the levee, an interior drainage system consisting canals was constructed to collect both storm-water runoff from precipitation that falls within the leveed area as well as agricultural runoff from irrigated farm land. The original system conveyed all the runoff to the Live Oak Slough. The State of California later constructed the Western Interceptor Canal along Pease Road and redirected the water from the District to the Wadsworth canal.
Adapting to Urbanization
The drainage system has for the most part remained in its original configuration. Modifications to the canal alignments have occurred through the years. In the 1970’s through today, the City of Live Oak has continued to develop bringing new residents, businesses and supporting infrastructure. Industrial and commercial development also expanded in the vicinity of the Live Oak to support its growing needs. In each case, the District worked with the appropriate agency to insure the impacts of the development and increased runoff are mitigated and do not overburden the existing drainage system. In most cases, detention basins have been incorporated into new development to temporarily store the increased urban runoff and allow it to be bled back into our system at a rate similar to the pre-development condition. More urbanization is anticipated in Live Oak and the surrounding area.