Natomas Central Mutual Water Company is one of four mutual water companies formed around 1920 by the Natomas Company of California (NCC) to deliver appropriated water from the Sacramento River to the lands in area known as the American Basin. These lands were deeded to the NCC as a result of their “reclamation” efforts, i.e., construction of levees and the maintenance of drainage facilities to prevent annual flooding of the lands from the Sacramento River overtopping its banks. NCC’s plan for the American Basin was simple: 1) use their dredging equipment to construct a series of levees around an area prone to annual flooding, 2) construct drainage canals and pumping facilities to prevent future flooding 3) subdivide the properties into saleable parcels 4) market the parcels for a quick sale and 5) produce a return on the investment. NCC was successful with the first three steps of their process, but sale of the parcels was limited by the stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent depression of the 1930’s. In an effort to enhance the salability of the properties, NCC invested additional capital in infrastructure such and roads and irrigation facilities, e.g., the creation of the four mutual water companies.

The four original mutual water companies were named after the area served on the 1921 NCC subdivision map. Each water company constructed their distinct diversion facility and obtained individual water permits from the State of California. The Natomas Elkhorn Mutual Water Company (Elkhorn) was formed first, around 1918. The Natomas Riverside (Riverside), The Natomas Central (Central) and The Natomas Northern Mutual Water Company (Northern), were formed later, around 1921. Operating independent and distinct water companies was expensive and the Boards of Directors and management, in an effort to benefit from “economies of scale,” decided to combine all of the water rights and facilities through a series of mergers. The final merger in 1963 set the stage for the American Basin to be represented by one governing body during very important negotiations with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) concerning its Central Valley Project (CVP).

In 1964 the re-formed Natomas Central Mutual Water Company (Natomas), along with hundreds of other Sacramento River water rights holders (diverters), signed a Sacramento River Settlement Contract with USBR to purchase water from the CVP. In exchange for the right to purchase water, the diverters agreed to limit their diversions from the Sacramento River to a monthly allocation which represented a good faith estimate of their historical use. This marked the first time Natomas was forced to pay for the right to use water in the Sacramento River.

The 1960’s brought other changes to Natomas, including the construction on the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport in the middle of its Elkhorn service area. The Airport removed many sections of gravity system canals and replaced them with pumps and pipelines to circumvent the airport runways, terminals and parking lots. Further disruption of the Natomas system was caused when Interstate Highway #5 was constructed, forcing modifications to other sections of the service area. Apart from the Airport and I-5, most changes brought about by urbanization did not begin to occur until the 1980’s and construction in North Natomas. Most development was postponed in the late 1980’s, for approximately twenty (20) years, due to a construction moratorium and the requirement for upgraded flood control systems. The moratorium has since been lifted and Natomas is once again being asked to modify their irrigation facilities to accommodate urbanization in the North Natomas area of the City of Sacramento.

On a positive note, the 1980’s brought recognition to Natomas in the form of kudos for construction, maintenance and operation of the largest agricultural tail-water re-circulation system in Northern California. Unlike most agricultural water purveyors who use water once and let it be drained away, Natomas constructed a “closed system” where drainage water (tail-water) is re-used continuously during the irrigation season and only discharged back into the Sacramento River at the conclusion of the season. The re-use of water has been recognized by the City of Sacramento as helping to prevent water quality problems in their domestic water supply. In 2000, the State Water Resources Control Board recognized the Natomas re-circulation system as a water conservation activity, which results in saving over 17,000 acre feet of water per year. This savings is equal to over 20% of Natomas’ average annual water use.

As the new millennium begins, Natomas is once again trying to adjust to a changing environment. Natomas is proceeding with a $30 million project to construct fish screens for its river diversions and eliminate the potential of harming endangered fish species. The Natomas Board of Directors is considering the merits of supplying M&I water to the Sacramento International Airport and Metro Air Park in Sacramento County, industrial development in Sutter County and the anticipated expanded urban development north of the City of Sacramento. Natomas is also working closely with the Natomas Basin Conservancy to facilitate the conversion of agricultural land to managed marsh, wetlands and uplands for the propagation of the Swainson’s hawk, giant garter snake and other endangered and listed terrestrial species.

Natomas is also involved in the protection and management of the region’s water resources, including being on the Board of the Northern California Water Association (NCWA) and the Sacramento Groundwater Authority (SGA) and as a signatory to the Sacramento County Water Forum Agreement. In cooperation with these entities, Natomas is working with other agricultural and M&I water purveyors to assist in improving the water quality of the Bay-Delta, provide drought assistance to the region, and improve the utilization of all water resources within Natomas through the development of a conjunctive use program.

In 2001, Natomas celebrated 80 years of service to the agricultural community in the American Basin. During its 80 years of service, Natomas has supplied agricultural water to approximately one million acres of rice, and thousands of acres of tomatoes, wheat, corn, alfalfa, safflower and a multitude of other crops. Natomas it is looking forward to the next 80 years.