Russian River Weekly Update 10/26/26

Russian River in October 2026 by E Salomone

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Lake storage levels as of late October: Mendocino 50,531, Pillsbury 32,141, Sonoma 227,333 acre-feet with recent decreases.

The current Water Supply Condition is NORMAL. The current minimum instream flow requirements are:

Upper Russian River: 125 cfs until October 16th when it increases to 150 cfs
Lower Russian River: 70 cfs until October 16th when it increases to 125 cfs
Dry Creek: 80 cfs

There is a small amount of precipitation in the new term forecast, however, Lake Mendocino storage is expected to continue to decline and the water supply condition is projected to switch to Dry on November 1st based on Lake Mendocino storage thresholds. This will result in minimum instream flows requirements reducing to 75 cfs on the Upper Russian River, 85 cfs on the Lower Russian River, and 75 cfs on Dry Creek. The dry threshold on November 1st is 51,000 ac-ft. T

The current Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) expires on November 15th by which time the State Water Resources Control Board may have approved the TUCP filed in August 2026 by Sonoma Water. If the approval is delayed, the water supply condition will revert to NORMAL and releases from the reservoir will be higher. To learn more about TUCPs, visit Sonoma Water's webpage and be sure to tune into the TUCP webinar on Wednesday evening (info below and in link.)

The graph shows Lake Mendocino's storage levels from 2019 to 2026, with a notable value of 50,531 acre-feet on October 26, 2026.

The graph shows Lake Pillsbury's storage levels and target scenarios from 2019 to 2026, highlighting projected changes over time.

The graph shows Lake Sonoma's water storage levels from 2019 to 2026. Current level noted is 227,333 acre-feet on October 26, 2026.

Sonoma Water Webinar on TUCPs

Webinar on water supply conditions with speakers from Sonoma Water. Date: Oct 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Register online.

Don’t miss this upcoming webinar to learn about the Temporary Urgency Change Petitions (TUCP) that address water supply conditions and fisheries requirements in the Russian River.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Register for the webinar: https://qrco.de/tucp2026

El Niño

Announcement: California Water Leaders application window now open for 2027

Are you an emerging leader ready to make a greater impact on California water policy and management? Applications are now being accepted for the Water Education Foundation’s 2027 California Water Leaders cohort, with submissions due Dec. 3. Interested in learning more? Join the executive director, Jenn Bowles, and other members of the Foundation team for a virtual Q&A session at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 10. They’ll provide an overview of the program and share tips for submitting a strong application. Sign up here for the virtual Q&A.

DWR Invites You to Register for the Fall 2026 GSA Forum – The Great Groundwater Balancing Act: Approaches to Managing Demands Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management Office invites you to register for the Fall 2026 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Forum (GSA Forum) to be held virtually on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The theme is The Great Groundwater Balancing Act: Approaches to Managing Demands. Register for the event here.

The GSA Forum will feature interviews with GSA representatives, diving into various topics exploring demand planning strategies and the successes and challenges encountered with those programs. DWR will also discuss the predicted historic El Niño and share updates from the Sustainable Groundwater Management Office (SGMO). A featured update will be about Underrepresented Communities Technical Assistance (URCTA) Program with a Q&A session. There will also be an opportunity at this event for attendees to share experiences and resources through breakout sessions, including a regional breakout session to connect attendees with their neighbors.

Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission Seeks Executive Director

The Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission (IWPC) is seeking an Executive Director. The role presents a unique opportunity to make a significant regional impact at a pivotal moment as IWPC advances multiple high-profile initiatives with expanded resources and strong professional support. For more information, visit the job listing webpage here.