Read Up on Lake Mendocino and the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO)

Water Education Foundation WESTERN WATER IN-DEPTH: For years, atmospheric rivers were a mystery. Now, an innovative dam management approach is putting them to work, 6/19/25

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

PG&E and PVP

• RRFC's website page on the PG&E Draft Surrender Application & Decommissioning Plan for PVP. (including public comments submitted.)
• PG&E Submits License Amendment
• PG&E Submits 2025 temporary license flow amendment (flow variance.)
• RRFC's website page on the Partnership.

Uploaded recently:

• PG&E submitted a follow-up technical memo to its February 14, 2025 temporary flow request to reduce Russian River flow requirements on the Potter Valley Project.

• Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, and Friends of the Eel River submitted a letter to FERC urging a quick approval of the PG&E flow variance.

•  Press Democrat (gift article): A to-be-drained lake, a PG&E plan, and the promise and peril of California’s next big dam removal 6/29/25

• MCubed: PG&E already has $300 million to contribute to removing Potter Valley 6/25/25

• FERC has requested further information from PG&E on the temporary flow variance for November 2025 to conduct repairs. More information: 2025 PG&E Flow Variance Request for PVP repairs

Join the Russian River Telemetry Pilot, Keep the Equipment for Free!

 State Water Board staff from the Telemetry Research Unit are seeking volunteers for the Telemetry Study in the Russian River watershed. Any people or entities who own land, operate water monitoring equipment, or collect water monitoring data in or near the Russian River watershed are encouraged to apply. To apply, please complete the Intake Form at waterboards.ca.gov/telemetry. Admission to the study is open now!

Volunteers may receive:

• Free telemetered water monitoring equipment installed at their site. Volunteers have the option to keep equipment at end of study.
• Free maintenance and operation of the equipment during the study.
• Ability to view and download their site’s data during the study and to control privacy of their site’s data.
• Training and technical support for equipment and data transmission during the study.
• Extended reporting deadlines and modified compliance for Senate Bill 88 (SB88) requirements during the study.
• Contribution to shaping future water reporting, management practices, and policies.

Learn more about the project at waterboards.ca.gov/telemetry/russian-river-study.html or email telemetry@waterboards.ca.gov with questions or comments.

📢 State Water Board Announces New Water Rights Reporting System is Coming Soon!

The State Water Resources Control Board is launching a new and improved system called CalWATRS (short for California Water Accounting Tracking and Reporting System) to make reporting water rights easier and more efficient. This system will help the state manage water data better and make it easier for the public to access important information. 

What You Need to Know 

• Early Access Starts in July 2025 You’ll be able to explore and get used to the new CalWATRS system from July through September 2025. This is your chance to try it out before official reporting begins. Look for more information on the CalWATRS website. 
• Official Reporting Begins October 2025 You can start submitting your water rights reports to CalWATRS in October 2025. Reports for the 2024-2025 water year will be due by January 31, 2026. More details and instructions will be shared closer to October. 
• Current System (eWRIMS) Closed June 8, 2025 The current system, eWRIMS, will stop accepting reports on June 8, 2025. You’ll still be able to search for water rights information in eWRIMS after that, but you won’t be able to submit anything new. 
• No Changes to Old Reports from June 8 – September 30, 2025 During the switch to CalWATRS, you won’t be able to edit or amend past reports between June 8 and September 30, 2025. If you need to make changes to old reports, do it before June 8 in eWRIMS, or wait until after October 1 in CalWATRS. 
• CalWATRS Website and Email Updates The CalWATRS website is your go-to hub for the latest news, system updates, and helpful resources. While you’re there, sign up for the CalWATRS email list to receive important announcements and helpful information straight to your inbox. 

"We appreciate your help and patience as we make this big improvement. Like with any new system, there may be a few bumps along the way, but we’re here to support you and make the transition as smooth as possible. More help and guidance will be available soon! For questions or assistance, please email CalWATRS-help@waterboards.ca.gov"

In the press:

• CA Water Plan eNews 6/25/25
• Maven's Notebook Weekly Edition June 23-27, 2025
• Maven's Notebook Weekend Edition 6-29-25
• DWR Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update Highlights Key Trends for Water Year 2024 6/24/25

• DWR Highlights Successful Partnership with California’s Farming Community to Protect Groundwater Supplies 6/24/25
• PPIC: Groundwater Markets 101 6/24/25
• LA Times (free link): CA achieved significant groundwater recharge last year, 6/24/25
• CA Water Education Foundation: California’s Quest to Turn a Winter Menace Into a Water Supply Bonus is Gaining Favor Across the West 6/19/25
• Colorado State University (via Maven's Notebook): Researchers examine six major water conservation strategies for agriculture
• Fast Company: what is precipitation whiplash the new accelerating climate change weather danger 6/27/25
• Sonoma Valley Sun: Sonoma Water Moves Forward with Regional Water Bank Strategy