Russian River Weekly Update 11/12/24

Lake Mendocino, November 2024, by CJ Watt

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Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

The image shows a data table of storage levels and changes for Lakes Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma.

A graph showing Lake Mendocino storage data with various yearly trends and projections up to November 2024.

Graph showing Lake Pillsbury storage levels over years with targets for future scenarios.

A graph showing Lake Sonoma Storage levels for different years, with a data callout for November 11, 2024.

Russian River Temporary Urgency Change Approved

On August 30, 2024 Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) filed temporary urgency change petitions (TUCPs) with the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights (SWRCB.)

On October 31, 2024, the SWRCB issued an Order Approving Temporary Urgency Change.

Order: 2024, 10-31 SWRCB issued Temporary Urgency Change Order.pdf

More information on TUCPs can be found on Sonoma Water's webpage: https://www.sonomawater.org/tucp

Potter Valley Irrigation District Townhall on Potential Water Storage in Potter Valley

Meeting will share results of the exploration of potential water storage options within Potter Valley

When: Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5 PM

Where: Potter Valley Community Unified School Gymnasium, 10401 Main Street, Potter Valley

SGMA 10 year Anniversary Celebration – November 18th in person/on Zoom

Event banner for the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

Keynote Speaker: Former California Governor, Jerry Brown

Join the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on November 18th to commemorate the 10-Year Anniversary of the historic passing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Hear from local groundwater sustainability agencies, community organizations, state leaders, and others in the SGMA community as they reflect on the progress made over the first 10 years of SGMA, highlight challenges and lessons learned, and look ahead to the next 10 years of advancing sustainable groundwater management. This all-day event will be held in person at the California Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento and online via Zoom. Agenda for SGMA 10 yr celebration 11/18/24

Registration (Free to attend):  https://SGMA10Year.eventbrite.com Virtual attendees will be emailed a Zoom link prior to the event.

The return of the Water Talk Podcast

Join water experts Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval for Season 5 which will broaden the scope to national water issues. Check out seasons 1-4 which primarily focus on California and offer a wealth of knowledge. more information on Water Talk. A new season has started and episode 59 addresses science and civic engagement in conversation with Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith (Union of Concerned Scientists) about the role of scientists in politics and policy.

California Voters Greenlight $10 billion Climate Bond

“California voters approved a bond measure Tuesday that will let the state borrow $10 billion to fund wildfire, flood protection and other climate resiliency projects. Proposition 4 easily passed in a state where devastating wildfires, heat waves and other natural disasters linked to climate change are occurring more frequently. Pollsters say those events — which have driven a homeowners insurance crisis — have led to growing support for climate action across regions and demographic groups. The measure represents California’s latest effort to spend big on climate resiliency and environmental health projects, with billions allocated to prepare for droughts and floods. While the largest portion of the money will go to water infrastructure, Prop 4 also finances new projects to address wildfire protection and sea-level rise. Forty percent of the money is designated to projects in disadvantaged communities.” (CA Water Education Foundation)

Related articles:

CalMatters Prop. 4 passes: Californians approve $10 billion for water, wildfire, climate projects, 11/6/24
KQED (San Francisco): Proposition 4: California Approves $10 Billion Climate Bond
ABC 10 (Sacramento): Prop. 4 passes: Californians approve $10 billion for water, wildfire, climate projects
The Mercury News: Environment, parks and open space measures pass across the Bay Area and California
Inside Climate News: Climate initiatives fare well across the country despite national political climate

WEBINAR - Ecological Drought: What We Learned and Where We Are Going (Recording)

Introducing ecological drought as a scientific concept distinct from other definitions of drought, this webinar will explore recent advances on the topic, including transformational drought, drought vulnerabilities, and understanding the future of low-flows. This is the first webinar is the five-part 2024-2025 National Ecological Drought Webinar Series. Link to watch recordings and register for future events.

A Conversation with Pablo Garza, Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Catch the recording of Pablo Garza from the November 7th discussion which explored post-election insights and strategies for water providers to effectively advance their interests in the California Legislature. Pablo also shared his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing the state’s water supply and wildlife, explored possible policy solutions, and discussed the hurdles to making them happen.