Russian River Weekly Update 1/5/26

 

Gibson Creek in Ukiah, January 5, 2026 by E Salomone
Gibson Creek in Ukiah, January 5, 2026 by E Salomone

One day before:

Gibson Creek, January 4 , 2026 by E Salomone
Gibson Creek in Ukiah, January 4, 2026 by E Salomone

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Data on water storage levels for Lake Mendocino, Lake Pillsbury, and Lake Sonoma, including current storage and changes over seven days.
The chart shows Lake Mendocino's water storage levels from 2019 to 2026, with varying trends and a current level of 76,363 acre-feet.
The graph shows Lake Pillsbury storage levels compared to target scenarios from 2019 to 2026, highlighting fluctuations in acre-feet.
The chart shows the water storage levels of Lake Sonoma from 2019 to 2026, with a focus on changes in acre-feet over time.

Sonoma Water TUCP Approved December 23, 2025

The State Water Resources Control Board approved the Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) filed by Sonoma Water in November 2025. For more information see https://rrfc.specialdistrict.org/2025-2026-russian-river-and-lake-mendocino-operations or Sonoma Water’s TUCP webpage: www.sonomawater.org/tucp.

2025, 12-23 SWRCB Temporary Urgency Change Order.pdf2025, 12-23 SWRCB notice of Temporary Urgency Change Order issuance.pdf

 

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

Comments Submitted to FERC on Decommissioning:

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:

 

PG&E License Amendment Application to FERC

Note: All comment period submissions can be found on the FERC eLibrary website, docket number: P-77-318

State Water Resources Control Board released a "DRAFT Water Quality Certification for PG&E's Potter Valley project Article 52 Amendment to Project" to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on draft conditions developed to protect water quality and beneficial uses. The comment period for the draft certification is from the date of this notice until January 16, 2026.

The Project involves changes to minimum instream flows during the interim period between now and PG&E’s surrender of its Hydroelectric Project license. While not required, the State Water Board is providing this opportunity for public review and comment on a draft certification for the Project.

Please note, this draft certification only pertains to PG&E’s Potter Valley Article 52 Amendment Project and does not cover actions associated with FERC license surrender of the Hydroelectric Project. See RRFC's webpage on the license amendment for more information.

2025, 12-22 SWRCB Comment Period Notice-PVP Wat Qual Cert.pdf

 

REMINDER: NCRP Capacity Grants Program RFPs Due February 20, 2026

North Coast Resource Partnership logo, NCRP

The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) is seeking proposals for organizational capacity enhancement from Tribes, counties, NGOs, RCDs, special districts, and other eligible entities in the North Coast region of California. The NCRP Capacity Grants Program will offer at least $2 million in funding to enhance the capacity of partners in the North Coast region to plan and implement large scale, multi-benefit wildfire resilience projects in the North Coast region. Grant awards may range from $35,000 to $200,000.

For application information, to sign up to receive updates on workshops and office hours, and to apply for technical advising for an application, please visit the NCRP Capacity Grants Program webpage.

 

📢 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:

 

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