Memorandum
Date: April 7, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors, and the Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District
From: Dr. Pawan Upadhyay, Water Resources Director
Subject: 9:30 A.M. - (Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District) Consideration of Presentation provided by O’Connor Environmental, Inc. regarding the Clear Lake Hitch Hydrology Study
Executive Summary:
O’Connor Environmental, Inc. (OEI) has initiated a hydrologic modeling study titled ‘Clear Lake Hitch Hydrology Study’ in collaboration with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). This presentation is intended to inform and engage the Board and public stakeholders regarding the study’s purpose, approach, and expected outcomes.
The study seeks to develop an integrated hydrologic model of the Big Valley watershed, focusing on understanding interactions between surface water and groundwater, and how these dynamics influence streamflow-a critical habitat element for the Clear Lake Hitch (Chi). While not a direct habitat study, the model will serve as a scientific decision-support tool for identifying water management strategies that balance ecological needs and beneficial water uses.
Data collection began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2026, with model development and analysis to be completed by Spring 2027. The effort includes coordination with tribal environmental departments, agricultural water users, and other stakeholders to incorporate relevant water use, quality, and streamflow datasets.
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Recommended Action: Presentation only.