Russian River Weekly Update 12/29/25

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Russian River tributary on December 24, 2025, by E Salomone
Russian River tributary on December 24, 2025, by E Salomone

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

The image shows water storage data for Lake Mendocino, Lake Pillsbury, and Lake Sonoma, including current levels and changes.
The graph shows the water storage levels at Lake Mendocino from 2018 to projected 2025, with various lines indicating annual data trends.
The graph shows Lake Pillsbury's water storage levels and target scenarios from 2018 to 2025, with projected targets indicated.
The graph shows Lake Sonoma's water storage levels from 2018 to 2025, highlighting changes in acre-feet over time.

PG&E Announces End of 2025 Flow Variance

At 5:15 AM on Sunday, December 21, Lake Pillsbury reservoir reached 36,000 acre-feet. This ends the current variance, and flows have been adjusted to normal requirements.

2025, 12-22 PGE Flow Variance Termination notice.pdf

 See RRFC Webpage on 2025 Potter Valley Project operations for more information.

 

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.

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

See RRFC's webpage on the license amendment for more information.

 

📢 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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