The original North Fork Ditch Company served water through its irrigation ditches and pipes to both Orangevale, Sylvan before it incorporated as Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks. Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights Water District 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – Enjoy a “splashback” and learn the fascinating history of water and the origins of today’s Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) as the Citrus Heights Historical Society (CHHS) invites the public to attend a free, public presentation, “The History of Water in Citrus Heights” at City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Drive at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7.

The story of CHWD’s water supply is rooted in pre-1914 rights to surface water from the North Fork Ditch Company of the American River, said Larry Fritz, CHWS president.

In his slideshow presentation, retired CHWD District General Manager Bob Churchill will take guests back in time to the Gold Rush era in 1856 when the original North Fork Ditch was first built to pull water from the high Sierra Nevada traveling through the North Fork of the American River.

Beginning in 1888, the North Fork Ditch Company served water through its ditches and pipes to the Orange Vale Colonization Company, later extending service to the Fair Oaks and Citrus Heights Irrigation Districts.

Churchill will also be joined in his talk by Jason Aliviar of the California American Water Company and Dan York, general manager of the Sacramento Suburban Water District (SSWD).

Today, the Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) operates more than 250 miles of water pipes and maintains a system of wells and pumping facilities that deliver high-quality water meeting or exceeding all state and federal drinking water standards.

CHWD serves a population of about 70,000 in five communities, including approximately two-thirds of the City of Citrus Heights, and portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville, California.

Visit the CHWD office at 6230 Sylvan Road and you can’t miss the large decorative round oranges situated just outside the front entrance. A large poster just inside the front entrance also celebrates the agency’s rich history.

Water was once needed to separate gold from earth, but it was the vision of many who saw that the region’s fertile flatland soil that would ultimately lead to sustainable growth.

Most of the urban development that took place within the CHWD’s current service territory now in the city of Citrus Heights occurred between the period of 1960-1985 prior to its incorporation.

Back then, water mains in the community of Sylvan were installed primarily by private developers. These water mains then became donated assets to the CHWD, and it then became their responsibility to operate, maintain and replace them.

The Citrus Heights Water Irrigation District, the predecessor of the Citrus Heights Water District, was established on October 25, 1920, to meet the needs of a growing young community of Sylvan, serving 4.7 square miles and some 225 rural farms in the area. Much has changed since then.

In 1948, the Citrus Heights Irrigation District and other area retail agencies serving the communities of Orangevale and Fair Oaks formed the San Juan Water District (SJWD) acquire the pre-1914 surface water rights of the North Fork Ditch Company and to then serve as their wholesale water supplier.

In time, the directors of Citrus Heights Irrigation District, Fair Oaks Water District, and Orangevale Water Company coordinated to help establish San Juan Water District (SJWD), which has provided wholesale water provider to the area since 1955.

SJWD acquired the North Fork Ditch Company water rights and facilities and is contracted with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for additional water from Folsom Lake.

SJWD treats the Folsom Lake water to drinking water standards at its water treatment plant near the southeastern edge of Folsom Lake in Granite Bay. The treated water is then delivered to the CHWD and other water agencies within the SJWD service area.

“The History of Water in Citrus Heights,” a special free evening presentation of the Citrus Heights Historical Society will be held at Citrus Heights City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Drive at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7. Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to attend.

Members of the Citrus Heights Historical Society (CHHS) all share a love of local history and the people, places and experiences which reflect the community we call home. Learn about how to join the CHHS and upcoming events at: https://citrusheightshistory.org/.