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…

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…

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…

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 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.