Increasing Storage Capacity at Lake Mendocino
Background
The Coyote Valley Dam (CVD) General Investigation (GI) Study is a partnership between the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (MCIWPC), Lytton Rancheria of California, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The study is authorized under:
(1) Section 204 of the Flood Control Act of 1950, (P.L. No 81-516), as amended, authorizes a feasibility study of modifications to the portion of the projet for flood control, water conservation, and related purposes, Russian River Basin, California, consisting of the Coyote Valley Dam.
(2) Section 1201(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-322), amends the study authorization to add environmental restoration as a project purpose and to increase water supply and improve reservoir operations.
The Study provides an opportunity to:
- Expand storage capacity and modernize reservoir operations at Lake Mendocino
- Adapt to the loss of Eel River diversions to the Russian River, which have historically made up over 30% of summer water supply to the Russian River watershed.
- Improve vulnerable ecosystems and downstream communities dependent on the Russian River in conjunction with water supply and flood risk management features.
March 30, 2026 Update
The USACE has paused the General Investigation Study, waiting for additional funding. Local sponsors continue coordinating shared messaging and advocacy. Congressmember Huffman has confirmed the study is one of 20 projects he is advancing for funding consideration.
More information in the Progress Reports below:
“State and local politicians, tribal officials and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met Friday at Lake Mendocino to formalize a cost-sharing agreement for the Coyote Valley Dam General Investigation Study.”
“A new partnership between three organizations will explore options for raising the dam at Lake Mendocino to boost the water supply supporting agriculture and recreation.”
- Mendocino Voice: New study by three organizations could boost water supply at Lake Mendocino 4/12/25
- Mendo Fever: A new chapter for Lake Mendocino: Dam-raising study officially underway, 4/14/25
- Press Democrat: New momentum in decades-long quest to upgrade Lake Mendocino’s Coyote Valley Dam 4/14/25
- Local News Matters: Raising height of Lake Mendocino dam could benefit water customers, help environment 4/17/25
- Mendocino Beacon: New study of Lake Mendocino water storage launched 4/24/25