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Mad River

Mad River Slough Crossing

The pipelines and support structure over the Mad River Slough were constructed in 1966. These two essential water lines are part of the regional water transmission system. They supply water for public health and fire-fighting to residents and businesses on the Samoa Peninsula and the Humboldt Community…

Water Our Most Valuable Resource

Drinking water delivered by the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) is drawn from wells located in the Mad River northeast of Arcata, California. These wells, called Ranney Wells, draw water from the sands and gravel of the aquifer under the riverbed at depths of 60 to 90 feet. The gravel and sands…

Barbara and Lloyd L. Hecathorn Turbidity Reduction Facility

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Department of Health Services (DHS) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The District’s source water has…

Beautiful Ruth Lake

R. W. Matthews Dam forms Ruth Lake in southern Trinity County. It impounds runoff from the upper quarter of the Mad River basin, an area of approximately 121 square miles. Its capacity is 48,030 acre-feet (AF).

HBMWD Crew Hard At Work!

HBMWD Crew hard at work maintaining the District's infrastructure system. The system is over 50 years old and thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees, we provide high quality drinking water to over 88,000 customers.

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Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District
Scheduled Maintenance – Tuesday and Thursday, November 18 and 20, 2025

The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District will be performing planned maintenance on our Domestic Water Tank from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18 and Thursday November 20, 2025.

A worker wearing protective gear is welding a large pipe in a trench, surrounded by tools, helmets, and cables.

Pipeline Repair Work is Complete - THANK YOU WATER HEROES!!!

The repair of HBMWD’s transmission pipeline began in the early morning hours of September 9 and were completed approximately 24-hours later on September 10 at approximately 12:15 am. Water…

Humboldt Bay Water District starts seismic upgrades to a 2-million gallon tank, increasing chlorine temporarily for water safety.

Seismic Reliability Project Press Release

Two golden mussels next to a ruler for scale; one larger, one smaller.

PRESS RELEASE - Help Stop the Spread of Golden Mussels

Golden mussels clog a pipe. "Don't Move a Mussel" board meeting on AIS at Humboldt Bay, May 8, 2025.

Don't Move a Mussel - Aquatic Invasive Species

Ruth Lake Level 2645.48 feet Volume 81% (11/20/2025)

Volume is measured as lake level relative to bottom elevation of spillway. When volume exceeds 100%, lake is spilling through spillway.

Association of Californa Water Agencies (ACWA) 10 part Video Series to educate Californians about Critical Water Issues.

1. California H2O: Flowing for the Future

What is a Boil Water Advisory?

What is a Boil Water Advisory? Video

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