Russian River Weekly Update 1/20/26

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Lake Sonoma releases, January 7, 2026 by Kent Porter, Press Democrat

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

The image shows current water storage data for Lake Mendocino, Lake Pillsbury, and Lake Sonoma, including changes over the week.
The graph shows Lake Mendocino's water storage from 2020 to 2023, indicating seasonal trends and comparisons to water supply curves.
The graph shows Lake Pillsbury water storage levels over several years, with current storage exceeding the target curve as of January 2026.
Graph showing Lake Sonoma's water storage levels over time, highlighting various years and categories like flood control and water supply pools.

Additional storage graphs for same period:

Lake Pillsbury 2026-01-20 113623.pngLake Sonoma 2026-01-20 113634.pngLake Mendocino 2026-01-20 113644.png

 

Eel River to Russian River Trans Basin Diversion (PVP)

PG&E’s Final Surrender Application for Potter Valley Project

Note: The number of comments became too cumbersome to track thoroughly. All submissions can be found on the FERC eLibrary website, docket number: P-77-332 https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search

PVP related articles and resources:

Sonoma Water Announces the Next Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) Meeting

Please join us for a Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) on Wednesday January 21, 2026 from 2:30- 5:00 pm at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 575 Administration Dr. Room 102a, Santa Rosa. The Committee Members will convene in person at the following time and location:

When: Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 2:30-5 p.m.
Where: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 575 Administration Dr. Room 102a, Santa Rosa

The meeting will be available to watch live via Zoom and recorded for later viewing.
To join the Zoom webinar: https://qrco.de/bgZ3Qc Passcode: 046196

More information can be found online at: https://www.sonomawater.org/ppfc

2025 Russian River Biological Opinion

YouTube: 2025 Russian River Biological Opinion

2026 Speaker Series on California’s Future - The Year Ahead for the California Legislature, 1/21/26, 12-1 PM

How can California legislators work across the aisle to solve our state’s most pressing issues? Join PPIC president and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye for a wide-ranging conversation with Assembly Republican Leader Heath Flora and Democratic Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Jr. Learn more here.

 

CA Water Plan Update at January 21st Water Commission Meeting

At the January 21, 2026, meeting of the California Water Commission, Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff will brief the Commission on the new era of the California Water Plan (Water Plan), which is being modernized following the passage of Senate Bill 72 in 2025. The final agenda and meeting materials are available on the Commission’s January 21, 2026 meeting webpage. Information on how to participate can be found here.

Senate Bill 72 (Caballero) directs DWR to consult with the Water Commission on the establishment of an advisory committee to inform the development of the 2028 update to the Water Plan. The 2028 update will usher in a new emphasis on setting and meeting quantifiable water supply goals. This builds on California’s Water Supply Strategy (2022), which outlined necessary actions for the state to adapt to a hotter, drier future where the changing climate leaves less water to meet California’s needs. The Water Supply Strategy included an interim statewide goal of increasing water supply by 9 million acre-feet by 2040. The 2028 update to the Water Plan will take that goal as a starting point.

 

Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency – Public Webinar

To access a recording of the public webinar on the topic of Upper Russian River Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem and Interconnected Surface Water Study, use this link: https://ukiahca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2473/media

Materials can be accessed by visiting the City of Ukiah's Meetings Website: https://cityofukiah.com/meetings/

Comments and questions may be submitted via email to either: Blake Adams, General Manager Badams@cityofukiah.com or Audra Bardsley, Larry Walker Associates Audrab@lwa.com

 

 

📢 State Water Board Announces New Water Rights Reporting System - CalWATRS

CalWATRS, short for California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System, is the State's new-and-improved water rights data system, replacing the legacy eWRIMS platform. With CalWATRS, water right holders will have a streamlined way to view all their water right records, file annual reports, and request water rights services. CalWATRS successfully launched on Oct. 7, as planned. Learn more about CalWATRS and get the latest updates, visit the CalWATRS webpage.

 

In the press:

 

Weather related: 

 

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