Russian River Weekly Update 12/15/25
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Reservoir Storage & Operations:
Water supply information provided by Sonoma Water (find more water storage info here).
PG&E’s Final Surrender Application for Potter Valley Project
- RRFC webpage on the Future of the Eel River to Russian River Diversion
- SWRCB Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project webpage
Time Extension on Comments to December 19th
On December 1, 2025, FERC extended the public comment period for PG&E’s application for Surrender of License and Non-Project Use of Project Lands. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests from December 1, 2025 to December 19, 2025 5:00 PM EASTERN TIME (2:00 PM Pacific Time.) Visit RRFC webpage for more information.
2025, 12-01 FERC issued time extenstion for comments on P-77-332.docx
Eel River Project Authority (ERPA)
ERPA issued a summary that provides clarifying information and corrects several inaccuracies that have circulated in recent commentary about the Eel-Russian Project Authority and the Water Diversion Agreement. Contact ERPA with any questions at communications@eelrussianauthority.org.
Recent 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
PVP related articles and resources:
- November 2025: Janet Pauli and Sean White were on the “Like it or Not Podcast” linked HERE, talking about PVP decommissioning.
- November 24, 2025: Potter Valley Project Decommissioning Workshop YouTube Meeting Recording
PG&E License Amendment Application to FERC
Note: All submissions can be found on the FERC eLibrary website, docket number: P-77-318
📢 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.
Groundwater Updates
- CA North Coast Water Availability Tool This tool was developed to help decision makers understand and develop water rights application projects in the North Coast Instream Flow Policy Area. This tool implements water rights application calculations using guidelines from the California North Coast Instream Flows Policy.
- UC Berkeley Law: Recharge Net Metering to Enhance Groundwater Sustainability
In the press:
- CA Water Plan eNews December 10, 2025
- Maven's Notebook Weekly Edition Dec 7-12, 2025
- Maven's Notebook Weekend Edition 12/14/25
- Weather West by Daniel Swain: As warm atmospheric rivers slide gradually southward along Pacific Coast, a return to rain and end to tule fog in NorCal later this week–but don’t expect much mountain snow 12/14/25
- Press Democrat: Developer of 605-home Cloverdale resort project seeks to assure city, public of adequate water supply 12/9/25
- Governor Newsom: Coho salmon are making a comeback in the Russian River for the first time in 30 years 12/11/25
- Mendocino Voice: Juvenile coho salmon found in Mendocino County creek after 30-year absence 12/11/25
- UC Berkeley (via Maven's Notebook): Climate whiplash could push creek side forests past their tipping point 12/12/25
- Nevada Today: Why are meadows important to the climate? 12/10/25
- Cal Matters: California cities pay a lot for water; some agricultural districts get it for free 12/11/25
- PPIC Commentary: California’s Water Partnerships Are Effective—and in Danger 12/15/25
- Mendocino Beacon: Cloverdale accepts Esmeralda developer’s report on water needs as residents press drought concerns 12/14/25