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Russian River Weekly Update 9/3/24

Lake Mendocino 2019 by Bobby Cochran Photography
Lake Mendocino 2019 by Bobby Cochran Photography

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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,

A table with storage data for three lakes—Mendocino, Pillsbury, Sonoma—showing current storage, target storage, percentage of curve, and 7-day change.
A graph showing Lake Sonoma storage data with various yearly water levels plotted over time.
A graph showing Lake Pillsbury storage data with various yearly storage levels and target storage scenarios.
A graph showing Lake Mendocino Storage levels for different years with lines indicating storage capacity and dates.

 

Eel River to Russian River Diversion

FERC published a Notice of Denial of Rehearing by Operation of Law and Providing for Further Consideration re Pacific Gas and Electric Co. under P-77. This is in reference to the City of Ukiah’s request for rehearing. For more information on the flow variance: RRFC.net- 2024 Flow Variance webpage (scroll down for the City’s rehearing request.)

Russian River Flows

On August 22, 2024, Sonoma Water filed temporary urgency change petitions with the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights requesting approval of temporary changes to water right Permits. The petitions seek authorization to implement a hydrologic index based on Lake Mendocino storage values, rather than the current index based on cumulative inflow into Lake Pillsbury, starting November 1, 2024. In the absence of the proposed changes, the applicable minimum instream flow requirements may require releases of water from Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma at levels that would risk significant depletions of storage levels that could cause impacts to human health and welfare and reduce water supplies needed for protection of listed salmon species in the Russian River. Therefore, Sonoma Water proposes alternative monthly storage values, in lieu of cumulative Lake Pillsbury inflow, to define the water supply conditions that determine which minimum instream flow requirements.

 

Agricultural conference on California water users coexisting

An agricultural summit to explore the coexistence of California’s water users will be held in Fresno on Wednesday, Sept. 4. California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot will be among the speakers during the day-long event which will include sessions on water data and building alliances among water groups. The conference, sponsored by The Maddy Institute in partnership with the California Water Institute, will have in-person and virtual attendance options.

 

State Water Board Workshop - Flood Diversions Under Water Code 1242.1 on 10/9/24

Please be advised that the Division of Water Rights will be hosting a virtual staff workshop on October 9, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. The purpose of the workshop is to provide an overview of the function of Water Code 1242.1, along with useful tips for implementation and compliance. Expected topics include flood diversion requirements, definition of terms, how to file reports, report submittal timelines, diversion exclusions, and an overview of requirements specific to the Delta. Workshop announcement with more information.

 

North Coast Resource Partnership Quarterly Meeting logo, NCRP

North Coast Resource Partnership Quarterly Meeting

The next meeting will be Friday, October 18, 2024 9am-3pm in Del Norte County. See the NCRP Quarterly Meeting webpage for more information.

MEETING TOPICS:

  • Tribal Welcome/County Welcome/Co-Chair Welcome
  • Local Project Presentation
  • Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee Presentation
  • Wildfire Resilience: Listening Session
  • NCRP CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot Project proposal suite review and approval
  • NCRP Handbook updates
  • NCRP Shared Priorities/Common Ground

NCRP Capacity Assessment and Regional Capacity Enhancement Strategy

 

In the press:

 

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