By Guest Author Brett Gray, General Manager of Natomas Central Mutual Water Company
For more than a century, the Natomas Central Mutual Water Company has been committed to delivering reliable agricultural water to the lands of the American Basin. Formed in the early 1900s, the company has grown into a private, not-for-profit mutual water company owned by 280 shareholders—farmers, landowners, the Natomas Basin Conservancy, and other local partners—who each have a direct stake in its future.
Today, Natomas serves more than 33,000 acres north and west of Sacramento, providing water that supports food production, preserves habitat, and sustains local communities. Guided by its elected Board of Directors and operating under some of the most senior water rights on the Sacramento River, Natomas continues to invest in modern facilities to ensure its water is managed wisely and efficiently for generations to come.
Modernizing Pumping Facilities for Farmers and Fish
One of our most significant efforts over the past decade has been the modernization of river pumping plants. Historically, the company operated five stations along the Sacramento River. Through a long-term plan of consolidation and upgrades, those have been reduced to four, each outfitted with modern fish screens and improved infrastructure that protect endangered species while meeting the irrigation needs of the Basin.
- Sankey Pumping Plant (2010-2013): The largest facility, with five vertical turbine pumps and cutting-edge fish screens, delivers 450 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water to farms and wildlife habitat.
- Pritchard Lake Pumping Plant (2014-2015): Replacing older timber-pile facilities with modern steel-pile systems, including cylindrical wedge wire fish screens, sediment jetting systems, and energy-saving siphon technology.
- Riverside Pumping Plant (2023): The smallest of the facilities, yet a critical component of the system. This station serves our southern region of row crops and habitat.
- Elkhorn Pumping Plant (under construction): The final major upgrade, with fish screens being installed this year and full completion anticipated by the end of 2025.
Each spring, divers return to the sites to inspect and clear debris from the fish screens, ensuring uninterrupted and safe operations for both water deliveries and aquatic life.
Integrating Flood Protection and Water Management
The modernization effort has been closely coordinated with partners such as the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), the State of California, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Pumping facilities have been designed to meet the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ levee crossing requirements placing new pipelines up and over the 200-year flood elevation to enhance public safety. These projects are a testament to how agricultural water management and flood protection can go hand in hand to benefit the entire Sacramento region.
Innovation in Recirculation and Reuse
In addition to the large-scale pumping plant replacements, we have also invested in innovative infrastructure to make the most of every drop of water. In 2020, we built a new 120 cfs recirculation pumping station that captures and reuses drain water within our closed system. This facility improves access, boosts recapture capacity, and moves water farther north into the main canal helping to extend supply, reduce waste, and ensure a modern, efficient system.
Each spring, canals are filled in preparation for irrigation deliveries, then drained in December for winter maintenance. This seasonal rhythm, paired with new infrastructure, allows us to keep our system resilient and responsive.
Continuing the Work Together
As these projects near completion, we are building on the foundation of over a century of service in the Natomas Basin. By investing in modern pumping plants, integrating flood protection with water management, and finding new ways to recapture and reuse water, we are working together with our shareholders, partners, and the broader community to ensure this resource remains reliable and resilient.
Our responsibility is both to those who farm and live here today, and to future generations who will depend on these lands and waters. That responsibility continues to guide every step we take at the Natomas Central Mutual Water Company.
For more information, explore these YouTube playlists featuring drone footage of pumps, fish screens, and marsh construction in action.
