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Russian River Water Update 5/13/24

An irrigated farm with a message promoting Water Awareness Month, advocating the conservation of water resources.

 Did you know May is #WaterAwarenessMonth?

Due to climate change, California has experienced weather extremes of drought and floods which will continue to occur more frequently. Making water-wise decisions every day will help us better prepare for the next dry year. #WaterAwarenessMonth

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Data table displaying storage information for Lakes Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma, including current storage levels and recent changes.
A graph showing Lake Mendocino storage data over several years, with a highlighted point on May 13, 2024.

Coyote Valley Dam Flood Control Operations

 

North Coast Resource Partnership logo, NCRP

The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) is pleased to offer a request for proposals for NCRP CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot Implementation Projects: restoration and reforestation activities that significantly increase the resiliency of forests in the North Coast while also mitigating climate change, protecting communities from fire risk, strengthening rural economies, and improving water and air quality. Project Applications are due AUGUST 4, 2024. More information available on the website.

 

Sustainable Conservation: Healthy Soils from Coast to Valley, Wednesday, May 15 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM

As we build a more climate-resilient California, it’s important we look at the solutions living beneath our feet. Healthy soils lay the groundwork for sustainable agriculture, thriving ecosystems, and resilient communities. By championing practices and policies that nurture soil health and promote regenerative outcomes, we pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable future. Join us on Wednesday, May 15 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for the second webinar in our Climate Resilience Through Regeneration series, Healthy Soils from Coast to Valley. Our expert panelists will explore soil health practices from the Central Coast to the Central Valley, highlighting their role in enhancing agriculture, safeguarding against drought, and boosting climate resilience statewide. Registration link

 

Free, virtual meet-up with special guests from CWEA, Heal the Bay, and LA Trade Tech

To celebrate Earth Month, CWEA is hosting a series of virtual career info sessions. Visit CAWaterJobs.org for career paths, salary info, training, and hundreds of openings. Promo flyer.

May 16 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Water Jobs and Certs with Women in Water

May 22 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Water Jobs and Certs with Crescenta Valley WD, City of Pomona and Valley College

 

 

A logo featuring an avocado, leaves, and the text "TRIBAL Nature-Based Solutions."

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program

“The California Natural Resources Agency is proud to announce the establishment of the new $100 million Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program. This Program was developed in response to the consultations and input received from California Native American tribes during the tribal consultations on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 (Nature-Based Solutions Executive Order), the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. The California Natural Resources Agency is committed to working towards meaningful partnerships with California Native American tribes in the implementation of our nature-based solutions policies and programs.  The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program and grant funds are part of this commitment and will be available to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions priorities for their communities.” Learn more here.

 

California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC)

Free virtual funding fairs are being held on May 23 and 29, 2024 (see flyer.) The funding fairs provide the opportunity to learn more about available grant, loan, and bond financing options for infrastructure projects from federal, state, and local agencies. Representatives from water industry professionals, public works, local governments, and California Native American Tribes should attend. This includes city managers and planners, economic development and engineering professionals, officials from privately owned facilities, water and irrigation district managers, financial advisors, and project consultants. For more information about CFCC, please visit the website at www.cfcc.ca.gov.  and review the flyer for the funding fair.

 

Eel River Video

PPIC, 2/12/2024.  The Eel River is the third-largest watershed in California—and it once hosted one of the state’s great salmon runs, with as many as a million salmon returning annually. For a century, however, dams have blocked fish from reaching historical high-quality spawning grounds, and today it is estimated that less than 5% of the historical fish population remains in the Eel. In 2023, American Rivers named the Eel River one of the most endangered rivers in America. Video: Eel River—Reconnecting Salmon and People

 

Upcoming Water Supply and Demand Assessment Public Meetings

The Division of Water Rights is developing tools to better understand water supply and demand in select watersheds in California.  These tools include water supply models, cleaned up water use data, and tools that allocate water based on water right priorities.  Division staff will host meetings to discuss the selection of watersheds for this effort.  These meetings will take place in Eureka (May 14), Salinas (May 21), and Sacramento (June 3). The June 3rd meeting will also be available virtually.  See the meeting notice for details on the meeting locations and how to join the June 3rd meeting virtually. 
The June 3rd meeting will be recorded and made available on the Supply and Demand Assessment webpage for those that are unable to attend and would like to review the information. Additional information regarding the watershed selection process for water supply and demand modeling and assessment is provided in a Fact Sheet. The Division will be accepting written comments on the selection of watersheds until 12:00 pm on June 17, 2024. Please submit comments to DWR-SDA@waterboards.ca.gov.

 

In the press:

 

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