Potter Valley Project: A Northern California Inter-basin Diversion
The Potter Valley Project is an inter-basin diversion from the Eel River to the Russian River. Included in the operation are two Eel River dams (Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam), as well as a powerhouse and water diversion facilities.
The name “Potter Valley Project” has long been used to describe the hydropower generation facilities because this is where they are physically located. However, a more accurate name might be the Northern California Water Project since the water supplied by the Potter Valley Project is used by more than 600,000 people downstream of Potter Valley for beneficial uses in Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin Counties.