Russian River Weekly Update 12/2/24

Lake Mendocino, November 16, 2024 by CJ Watt

<Click to view content on website>

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Lake storage data:
Mendocino: 62,544 AF, +1,453 AF change.
Pillsbury: 57,021 AF, -4,582 AF change.
Sonoma: 254,205 AF, +1,107 AF change.

Lake Mendocino storage data (2017-2024) in acre-feet. Highlights: 2024 is at 62,544 acre-feet on December 2.

Graph showing Lake Pillsbury storage and target scenarios from 2015-2024 in acre-feet. Peak in spring, decline in summer, variable trends.

Graph of Lake Sonoma storage by year (2016-2024) in acre-feet with storage curves; highlights Dec 2, 2024: 254,205 acre-feet.

DEADLINE TODAY:

SB88 Update – New Rulemaking by State Water Resources Control Board

The SWRCB recently released draft proposed regulation text and held a public workshop to present information and solicit public input. These changes are being proposed to clarify the language of the regulation and align the information received in response to it with water rights data modernization efforts. The workshop was recorded and explains the proposed changes to the regulation. Water Right holders are encouraged to review the materials and consider submitting comments by the new extended deadline of December 2, 2024. Learn more at the Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation Rulemaking website

Post Decommissioning Water Supply for Potter Valley Community

“The future of water security in Potter Valley took center stage at a November 14 town hall, where experts and community leaders outlined plans to adapt to life without year-round Eel River diversions. With PG&E’s decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project looming, discussions focused on potential groundwater storage, new infrastructure, and conservation measures—all aimed at ensuring local agriculture survives a drier summer reality.” Read more from the article:

Mendo Fever: Decommissioning Looms: Potter Valley faces urgent water challenges, 11/29/24

Upcoming Diversion Measurement Qualified Individual Training Course in Davis, CA

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Cooperative Extension service will offer a Water Measurement and Reporting course on January 30, 2025. The training will cover water diversion, monitoring, and reporting, as authorized by Assembly Bill 589. The training class is designed for parties who divert (or are authorized to divert) 100 acre-feet per year or more under the Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation (SB-88) and is open for anyone else who is interested. Diverters who complete this class are recognized as Qualified Individuals for measuring their diversions. The training class is in-person and will not be available online. More information and registration

Save the Date for a climate action meeting on Jan 29-30, 2025, in Sonoma County.

Presentations and information sharing: North Coast Tribes, counties, legislators, agencies, NGOs, and other partners
Interactive sessions for prioritizing climate action
Resource fair tabling - share your initiatives with funders and colleagues
Evening reception
NCRP Quarterly Meeting on Thursday afternoon

Generously Hosted and Sponsored by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Registration.

Agenda details to be shared soon – keep tuned in here or join the NCRP mailing list on its webpage.

PPIC Hosts a Conversation with Governor Jerry Brown -2024 Speaker Series on California’s Future: Thursday, December 12, 2024 • 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT

Event check-in and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento
Please register in advance to attend in person or to watch the live stream. In-person registration is limited; lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. more information

California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Virtual Discussion on Cutting Green Tape - Restoring California's Environment Wednesday, December 4 from noon to 1 p.m.

“Protecting and restoring California’s natural places is essential to safeguard our biodiversity and protect our water and other natural resources amidst climate change. In the past, environmental restoration projects have been slowed by permitting requirements designed for very different kinds of development. However, in recent years, state leaders have championed improvements to reduce bureaucracy and delays to complete restoration under the banner of "Cutting Green Tape". Join this discussion to learn where we stand in this ambitious effort. Where have we made progress? What big challenges remain? What opportunities should we focus on now? Together, we’ll explore how to build on these efforts and chart an ambitious path forward.”

What: The Race to Restore Nature: Cutting the Green Tape for California’s Environment

When: Wednesday, December 4 from noon to 1 p.m. Register to join here.

Moderator: Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency

Panelists:

Kellyx Nelson, Executive Director, San Mateo Resource Conservation District, CLSN Steering Committee
Charlton "Chuck" Bonham, Director, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Phil Crader, Deputy Director of Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board
Don Hankins, Co-Lead, Indigenous Stewardship Network
April Zohn, Manager of Environmental Compliance, Ducks Unlimited
Erika Lovejoy, Senior Program Director, Sustainable Conservation

Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency TAC Meeting

The upcoming GSA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting will be held on Wednesday December 11, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.The TAC Meeting will be in person at the County of Mendocino County of Mendocino Conference Room A (adjacent to the County CEO’s office) at 501 Low Gap Road Room 1010, Ukiah, Ca 95482 with a zoom option. The meeting Agenda has been posted to the Ukiah Valley Basin GSA website: https://ukiahvalleygroundwater.org/agenda-minutes/