Russian River Weekly Update 2/17/26

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Lake Mendocino, January 17, 2026 by E Salomone
Lake Mendocino, January 17, 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.
The graph shows Lake Mendocino's water storage levels from 2019 to 2026, with a notable projection for February 16, 2026.
The graph shows Lake Pillsbury's storage levels from 2019 to 2026, illustrating variations against target scenarios A, B, and C.
The chart shows Lake Sonoma's water storage levels from 2019 to 2026, with various trend lines and a February 2026 storage value.

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

Recent articles:

 

PG&E’s Files Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) to FERC for Potter Valley Project

On January 30th, PG&E filed a request for a Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 77. PG&E has requested this temporary variance be approved by FERC no later than May 25, 2026, which would be 2 full months prior to the 2025 approval and implementation.  More information: https://rrfc.specialdistrict.org/2026-pg-e-potter-valley-project-operations

PG&E’s Proposed PVP License Amendment

Currently, PG&E is preparing supplemental information for it license amendment application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As part of that process, PG&E is required to obtain a State Water Resources Control Board water quality certification which was underway. On February 17, 2026, the SWRCB issued a letter to FERC reporting that PG&E has withdrawn its water quality certification application noting “PG&E’s Project requires a FERC license amendment and may result in a discharge to waters of the United States. As such, PG&E will need to submit a new request for certification to the State Water Board for the Project if it intends to seek approval for the pending license amendment request from FERC.” The SWRCB letter goes on to quote the PG&E withdrawal letter including explanation for the request to withdraw.

2026, 2-17 SWRCB let to FERC re PG&E withdrawal for WQ cert.pdf

 

North Coast Resource Partnership Quarterly Meeting – April 17, 2026

North Coast Resource Partnership logo, NCRP

Join us April 17, 2026, 9:00am - 3:00pm in the Eureka area for presentations from partners in the region, updates on NCRP projects and initiatives, and resource fair networking. Registration link

Meeting Topics:

  • Tribal Welcome | County Welcome | Co-Chair Welcome
  • Partner Presentations
  • NCRP Capacity Grant Awards
  • NCRP Project Updates
  • Funding Updates

Resource Fair:
nterested in sharing information about your programs, projects, or initiatives during the NCRP Quarterly meeting? There will be tables available, and time for conversation and sharing resources with attendees during morning social time, continental breakfast, registration and lunch. If interested in tabling at the Resource Fair, click yes on the registration form. NCRP staff will follow up regarding tabling needs.

In the press:

 

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