Russian River Weekly Update 6/22/26
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Reservoir Storage & Operations:
Water supply information provided by Sonoma Water (find more water storage info here).
REMINDER: FERC Approves Potter Valley Project Flow Variance, Effective Friday, May 15th
On May 14, 2026, FERC issued an order approving the 2026 temporary flow variance for the Potter Valley Project flows from the Eel to the Russian River. This means that starting May 15th, flows to the Russian River will remain at 25 cfs and will fluctuate between a range of 5-25 cfs based on Lake Pillsbury storage forecasts and water temperature data. Visit the RRFC Webpage for more information.
Future of the Eel River to Russian River Trans Basin Diversion (Potter Valley Project)
REMINDER: FERC Notice of Scoping Document, Meetings, and Comments
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published a Notice of Scoping Meeting and Request for Comments on the Proposed Surrender, Decommissioning, and Non-Project use of Project Lands (NERF) dated May 22, 2026. Comments are due Friday, July 24, 2026. Two meetings will also be held in Ukiah. Visit the RRFC webpage on the Future of the Eel River to Russian River Diversion for more information.
SWRCB Notice of Availability of the Scoping Report for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project Surrender and Decommissioning Project
On June 9, 2026, PG&E requested an extension of the June 30, 2026, deadline to submit evidence of its Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 401 water quality certification request to the California State Water Resources Control Board for PG&E’s July 25, 2025 application to surrender the license and decommission the Project. See the document linked below for more information. Visit the RRFC webpage on the Future of the Eel River to Russian River Diversion for more information.
2026,64PGE let to FERC re extension of time on lic amendment app.pdf
Recent comments and articles:
- PRESS RELEASE: Two-Basin Solution partners respond to meeting between USDA, Interior, PG&E, and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District regarding Eel River Dams 6/16/26
- Native News Online: Water Agencies, Tribes and Conservation Groups Defend “Two-Basin Solution” Amid Federal Meetings on Potter Valley Project 6/16/26
- Press Democrat: [Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins] ups ante in quest to thwart removal of PG&E’s Eel River dams 6/16/26
- Press Democrat: Cloverdale City Council’s fractious hearing on Potter Valley Project shows rifts among members 6/15/26
- Cal Trout: Two-Basin Solution partners respond to meeting between USDA, Interior, PG&E, and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District regarding Eel River Dam 6/16/26
- RFD TV: Federal Administration Evaluating California’s Potter Valley Project, Signals Support for Existing Dams 6/16/26
- Redheaded Blackbelt: Support Eel River Dam Removal at Upcoming Public Hearings, Urges Friends of the Eel River 6/17/26
- Lost Coast Outpost: Internal Documents From a Southern California Water Agency Outline a Vision to Turn Eel River Water Rights Into a Cash Bonanza — at the Expense of Local Users 6/16/26
- Ukiah Daily Journal: PG&E meets with federal officials regarding Potter Valley Project 6/18/26
- Lost Coast Outpost: Interested in Eel River Dam Removal? Friends of the Eel and the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Urge People to Attend FERC Meetings in Ukiah Next Week 6/16/26
- Mendocino Voice: Tribe with senior Eel River water rights shut out of White House meeting 6/18/26
- Lake County Record-Bee: D.C. plan to save Scott Dam but fate remains uncertain 6/18/26
- Eureka Times Standard: Coalition expresses support for dam removal ahead of federal Potter Valley meetings 6/19/26
- Riverside Press Enterprise: Is Lake Elsinore water district ‘a legitimate buyer’ for 2 Northern California dams? 6/22/26
DWR Releases Onboarding Resources for Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has developed GSA Onboarding Resources including an Onboarding Checklist and a Handbook Template, to support Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) as they welcome new board members and staff into their roles under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). These materials are designed to help orient new team members to GSA governance, local Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) implementation, and key SGMA requirements. More information.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: CUSP Drought Relief Funding
The California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program is designed to facilitate support for small and medium-scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium-scale Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR’s) through technical assistance with business planning and financial and marketing strategies and also provides direct farmer grants for drought relief for those same priority groups. Funding is available for drought impacts dating back to 2017. Applications accepted July 1st - July 31st, 2026. More information. Link to CUSP Drought 2026 Webinar – Basic Info & How to Apply
WEBINAR: Natural Capital as Infrastructure - Climate Risk, Resilience, and Strategic Investments in California, Wednesday June 24 | 12pm PT
As California faces mounting threats from extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire, and sea-level rise, its natural capital—resources such as forests, wetlands, watersheds, and coastlines—play an essential role in the State’s climate resilience. This expert briefing will explore the role of natural capital in policy, planning, and public investment decisions as infrastructure alongside traditional gray infrastructure. Drawing on the framework of Natural Capital Assessment and Accounting (NCAA), the event will equip California policymakers and staff with practical tools for understanding how ecosystem health translates into measurable economic value, risk reduction, and long-term fiscal resilience. Partners and State Support: Held in partnership with the Stanford Natural Capital Alliance, this expert briefing is part of CCST’s Disaster Resilience Initiative. Generously supported by the State of California, the Disaster Resilience Initiative connects science and technology experts and policymakers focused on the overlapping, intersecting, and compounding nature of disasters in California. Register for the Briefing (Zoom)
California Natural Resources Agency Reporting Live from London Climate Action Week 2026, Thursday June 25 12-1
California will step up on the world stage with international partners to advance solutions that reduce pollution and grow the economy while our federal administration is missing in action. Join Secretary Wade Crowfoot to hear from global leaders, business innovators, scientists, and grassroots advocates coming together to build a safer, more resilient future. Registration
Agricultural Field Day: UC Agriculture & Natural Resources at Hopland Research & Extension Center June 30 8:30-11:30
The Hopland REC is hosting a UC ANR Connect Field Day June 30th that will focus on new technologies available for vineyard operators. There will be a wide variety of tech types: irrigation management, plant growth and health, vineyard scouting, drones, autonomous tractors. The day will start with field demos and then move to Shippey Hall where companies can show the data side of their tech. See flyer linked below and feel free to forward the information to others.
Hopland Field Day_CA AgTech Alliance.pdf
In the press:
- DWR: Weekly Water Highlights — June 17, 2026
- Maven's Notebook Weekly June 14-19 2026
- Maven's Notebook Weekend Edition 6/21/26