Skip to main content

Russian River Water Update 5/6/24

Aerial view of a reservoir with messaging for Water Awareness Month encouraging water-wise decisions.

 Did you know May is #WaterAwarenessMonth?

A logo for "Water Awareness Month" with a stylized blue water drop above the text.

 This month, make sure every drop counts. Did you know most of the water we use every day is used outside? Let’s celebrate water efficiency this #WaterAwarenessMonth by finding and fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and installing California-friendly® landscapes.

New regulations, natural disasters and unpredictable weather patterns are reminders of how important it is to continue to invest in water infrastructure. Learn more this #WaterAwarenessMonth by visiting www.quenchca.com

Due to climate change, California has experienced weather extremes of drought and floods which will continue to occur more frequently. Making water-wise decisions every day will help us better prepare for the next dry year. #WaterAwarenessMonth

 

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

Water supply information provided by Sonoma Water (find more water storage info here).

The Abacela monthly Weather-Climate Summary and Forecast is now available here.

Data table showing storage and changes in acre-feet for Lakes Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma.

 

Lake_Sonoma_Storage_5-6-24.pdfLake_Pillsbury_Storage_5-4-24.pdfLake_Mendocino_Storage_5-6-24.pdf

 

Trans Basin Diversion Update

Lake County News: County of Lake receives $700,000 grant to study Scott Dam decommissioning scenarios, 5/3/24

“The county of Lake said it has received a state grant to help it study the potential impacts of Pacific Gas and Electric’s proposed decommissioning of the Scott Dam. County officials said that the California Department of Water Resources has committed $700,000 in Water Shortage Management Program funding to support the ‘Lake County Resource Assessment, Impact Analysis, and Adaptation Strategy Evaluation Project.’ This project will provide for analysis of the potential effects of PG&E’s proposed decommissioning of Scott Dam and impacts on Lake Pillsbury, including recreation, wildfire suppression, ecosystem, power, sediment, water supply and infrastructure such as roads.”

 

Free, virtual meet-up with special guests from CWEA, Heal the Bay, and LA Trade Tech

To celebrate Earth Month, CWEA is hosting a series of virtual career info sessions. Visit CAWaterJobs.org for career paths, salary info, training, and hundreds of openings. Promo flyer.

May 16 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Water Jobs and Certs with Women in Water

May 22 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Water Jobs and Certs with Crescenta Valley WD, City of Pomona and Valley College

 EPA Announces Online Collection of Environmental Justice Resources

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, a first-of-its-kind online collection of resources related to environmental justice. Directed by President Biden’s Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse will help the public access federal and non-federal resources online as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious environmental justice agenda. EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights will continue to add information to the clearinghouse on a rolling basis and welcomes input and any submissions from the public for review and potential inclusion. Learn more about environmental justice at EPA. Read about the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council and the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to environmental justice. See full announcement here.

California Water Plan Update 2023 Release Webinar Recording

The final California Water Plan Update 2023 has been released. This plan can now be used by water managers, such as water districts, cities and counties, and Tribal communities, to inform and guide the use and development of water resources in the state. Update 2023 focuses on three intersecting themes: addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management.  The California Water Plan Team will provides an overview of the plan in THIS RECORDING.

Merced River Watershed study demonstrates Flood-MAR benefits

A first-of-its-kind study on the Merced River Watershed has examined the effectiveness of flood-managed aquifer recharge (Flood-MAR) to reduce flood risk, improve water supply, and enhance ecosystems. The study was done in partnership between DWR and the Merced Irrigation District in which multiple Flood-MAR strategies were shown to provide some level of resilience under a range of climate change scenarios. DWR is conducting similar studies for the other tributaries of the San Joaquin River to support the design and implementation of local pilot projects. The study report and technical appendices are available under the "Merced River Watershed Flood-MAR Reconnaissance Study" accordion tab on DWR's Flood-MAR webpage.

There will be a presentation on the Merced River Watershed Flood-MAR study during the May 15 meeting of the Sacramento chapter of the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI). Leading the presentation will be Ajay Goyal, the manager of DWR’s Statewide Infrastructure Investigations Branch. He will cover a range of topics, including flood risk reduction, groundwater sustainability, ecosystem enhancement, and water supply reliability for frontline communities..

Data for Lunch to feature CalMatters water and drought tracker

The CalMatters water and drought tracker was featured April’s Data for Lunch event sponsored by the California Water Data Consortium. The tracker will be part of a presentation on the way water data from across the state is used to visualize the wet and dry seasons. More information and recording.

The California Water Data Consortium Data for Lunch  series provides a free venue for water professionals, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to learn about and discuss emerging water-related datasets, technologies, and governance structures that are changing water management in California and beyond. The theme for 2024 Data for Lunch series is Better Decisions come from Better Data.

Sustainable Conservation: health Soils from Coast to Valley, Wednesday, May 15 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM

As we build a more climate-resilient California, it’s important we look at the solutions living beneath our feet. Healthy soils lay the groundwork for sustainable agriculture, thriving ecosystems, and resilient communities. By championing practices and policies that nurture soil health and promote regenerative outcomes, we pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable future. Join us on Wednesday, May 15 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for the second webinar in our Climate Resilience Through Regeneration series, Healthy Soils from Coast to Valley. Our expert panelists will explore soil health practices from the Central Coast to the Central Valley, highlighting their role in enhancing agriculture, safeguarding against drought, and boosting climate resilience statewide. Registration link

California Financing Coordinating Committee Funding Fair

The California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) conducts free funding fairs statewide each year to educate the public and offer potential customers the opportunity to meet with financial representatives from each agency to learn more about their available funding. CFCC members facilitate and expedite the completion of various types of infrastructure projects by helping customers combine the resources of different agencies.

When: May 23, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

When: May 29, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

An advertisement for the 2024 SGMA Implementation Summit & Workshop addressing groundwater management challenges.

June 5 – 6, 2024 at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento. Day 1: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Day 2: 8:30 AM – 12 PM

The popular Annual GSA Summit is getting revamped in collaboration with the ACWA Groundwater Committee and SGMA Implementation Subcommittee. This is a once-a-year GSA and communities of interest get-together to foster progress on SGMA implementation, collaborating with ACWA members and implementers and GRA technical experts. More information and registration

 

Beaver Chronicles

 

A beaver lodge with a perched goose on a calm waterbody surrounded by reeds.

 

In the press:

 

Join our mailing list