Sites Reservoir Project

Proposed Location for Sites Reservoir
Proposed Location for Sites Reservoir
(Image courtesy of Sites Project Authority)

Applicant: Sites Project Authority
Counties: Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, and Yolo
Water Quality Certification Status: Draft Certification Issued for Public Comment. Comments due by 12 noon on June 26, 2026
Waterbodies:Sacramento River, Colusa Basin Drain, Funks Creek and Reservoir, Stone Corral Creek, Antelope Creek, and Grapevine Creek

Project Description: Sites Project Authority is proposing the Sites Reservoir Project (Project), which includes a 1.5 million acre-feet surface water reservoir that would divert water from the Sacramento River. The reservoir would be located on and impound water from two tributaries to the Sacramento River – Funks Creek and Stone Corral Creek.

The reservoir inundation area would be in rural, unincorporated areas of Glenn and Colusa counties, approximately 10 miles west of the community of Maxwell. Other Project-related components, including the Red Bluff Pumping Plant and Glenn Colusa Irrigation District Main Canal Pumping Plant, would be in Glenn, Colusa, Tehama, and Yolo counties. The Project would use existing infrastructure to divert water from the Sacramento River at Red Bluff and Hamilton City to the new Sites Reservoir. New and existing facilities would transfer water into and out of the reservoir, with ultimate release back to the Sacramento River system via existing canals and a new pipeline located near the town of Dunnigan. Water released from Sites Reservoir would be used in northern and southern California for multiple purposes, including irrigation, domestic consumption, and fish and wildlife.

The Project, in part, consists of: geotechnical investigations; construction of two dams, seven saddle dams, and two saddle dikes; development of two recreation areas; road construction and improvements; and construction of pumping facilities and pipelines.

The Project is Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). Additional information on WSIP Projects can be found on the State Water Board’s WSIP Webpage.

Related Documents

The Sites Reservoir Project webpage contains more information and documents related to the Project.

Water Quality Certification

California Environmental Quality Act