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Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Lake Mendocino’s Coyote Valley Dam General Investigation Study  

“In a significant step toward securing a sustainable water future, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC), the Lytton Rancheria Tribe, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have signed an agreement to investigate further reducing flood risk, incorporating habitat restoration, and increasing water supply storage in the Russian River Watershed. If successful, the study could lead to increased federal infrastructure investments in the watershed.” From IWPC Press Release

• Press Democrat: New momentum in decades-long quest to upgrade Lake Mendocino’s Coyote Valley Dam 4/14/25
• Mendo Fever: A new chapter for Lake Mendocino: Dam-raising study officially underway 4/14/25
• Local News Matters, Bay Area: Raising height of Lake Mendocino dam could benefit water customers, help environment 4/17/25

2025 Potter Valley Project Operations – Comment Period Opened by FERC

On April 16, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opened the comment period on PG&E’s Application for Temporary Variance of Flow Requirements. With this notice, FERC is inviting federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues affected by the proposal, that wish to cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document, if applicable, to follow the instructions for filing such requests.  Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document cannot also intervene. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests is May 16, 2025. More information on how to file comment can be found in the document linked below:

PG&E and PVP

• RRFC's website page on the PG&E Draft Surrender Application & Decommissioning Plan for PVP. (including public comments submitted.)
• PG&E Submits License Amendment
• PG&E Submits 2025 temporary license flow amendment (flow variance.)
• RRFC's website page on the Partnership.

Uploaded recently:

• Mendocino Beacon: Huffman fields questions about water supply, democracy at Ukiah Town Hall 4/10/25
• SF Gate: Northern California farmers urge Trump to prevent PG&E's dam removal 4/165/25
• Mendocino Voice Letter to the Editor: Huffman claims ‘disinformation,’ Lake Pillsbury Alliance calls foul 4/17/25
• SF Gate: Trump administration mulls intervention in California dam removal 4/18/25

State Water Resources Control Board Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Water Measurement and Reporting Regulations (SB88)- Public Hearing April 16, 2025 & Comments due April 23, 2025

The State Water Resources Control Board is proposing (Notice of Proposed Action) to revise the regulations for measuring and reporting surface water diversions. The proposed revisions require diverters to report data in a standardized format, provide an email address, identify measurement locations, and make other minor accompanying changes. The revisions are needed to align regulatory requirements with the Board’s new online water rights data system, California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System (CalWATRS). A detailed explanation of the proposed regulation revisions and rulemaking process are available on the Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation Rulemaking webpage. The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has published the Notice of Proposed Action, beginning a 45-day comment period on the proposed changes.  Comments are due to the Water Board by 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2025.  A public hearing was held on April 16, 2025 and the recording will be made available on the Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation Rulemaking webpage.  

More information: Maven's NOTEBOOK FEATURE: From paper to progress: The $60 million project transforming California’s water rights data 3/27/25

Fresno State: Water Awareness Month: 2025 Water Bootcamp

May is Water Awareness Month and the California Water Institute (CWI) - Research and Education Division at Fresno State is set to host its annual Water Bootcamp, a virtual series aimed at educating people about the complex water system in California. Three of the Water Bootcamp days will be held in English and one of the days will be held in Spanish. Each individual session is about 20-30 minutes long and will also include a Q&A portion. Participants can choose to attend as many sessions as interest them. More information and registration.

Lake Mendocino Festival of Light at South Boat Ramp, May 23 6:30 PM

Join for an unforgettable evening filled with joy, hope, and meaningful moments at beautiful Lake Mendocino. This family-friendly celebration is open to all — friends, neighbors, and even strangers who quickly become part of the shared experience. As the sun sets, watch the lake come to life with hundreds of glowing lanterns, each carrying a personal message, a dream, or a memory. It’s a peaceful, heartwarming event where community and connection shine brightest. One lantern FREE per person (children included) Additional lanterns $5.00 each Lanterns can be decorated onsite prior to a dusk launch onto the lake. Please contact us, if you would like to make arrangements to pick up your lantern ahead of time. RSVP and more information

NCRP Request for Proposals: Technical Assistance for Grant Development to Support On-The-Ground Implementation Projects – Deadline Extended to June 1, 2025

The North Coast Resource Partnership is pleased to offer a Request for Proposals for Technical Assistance to Tribes and economically disadvantaged communities to support grant applications for on-the-ground projects that improve forest health and increase wildfire resilience.

CA Water Data Consortium Webinar: Sharing Data for Drought Resilience, May 7th 12-1 PM

Drought resilience in California depends on open and well-documented data. The May Data for Lunch session will cover how collaboration across state agencies making drought data more actionable for improved water management decisions. More information and registration.

Sonoma – Marin Saving Water Partnership Eco-Friendly Garden Tour: Sat May 10th 1-4

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply someone who enjoys the beauty of nature, this tour will open your eyes to the endless possibilities of sustainable gardening practices and give you some ideas to bring home to your own space. Many of the gardens on the tour will have educational tables, plant/seed giveaways, demonstrations and more! We can’t wait to see the incredible native gardens in our community and celebrate the beauty of eco-friendly landscaping together. RSVP: https://www.savingwaterpartnership.org/eco-friendly-garden-tour/

In the press:

• CA Water Plan eNews 4/16/25
• Maven's Notebook Weekly Edition April 13-18, 2025
• Maven's Notebook Weekend Edition 4/18/25

• YouTube Office Hours with Climate Scientist Daniel Swain on Potential consequences of NOAA, NASA and FEMA cuts 4/14/25
• Marin Independent Journal: Marin Municipal Water District approves $9.7M to advance Sonoma-to-Marin water pipeline 4/16/25
• Circle of Blue: Kansas Farmers Dramatically and Profitably Pare Water for Irrigation; Much lower draw on Ogallala Aquifer has not hindered region’s giant farm economy 4/16/25
• Woodard & Curran: Advancing Aquifer Recharge Potential in California 4/15/25
• Maven's Notebook EOS: Modeling the past, present, and future of drought 4/18/25
• Maven's Notebook UCAR: Looking to the Pacific, scientists improve forecasts of atmospheric rivers 4/18/25