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Russian River Weekly Update 7/7/25

Lake Mendocino south boat ramp parking lot, June 2025 by CJ Watt
Lake Mendocino south boat ramp parking lot, June 2025 by CJ Watt

  

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Storage data for Lakes Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma, showing current levels, target curves, and 7-day changes in acre-feet.
Graph of Lake Mendocino storage data by year (2018-2025) in acre-feet, showing trends and storage curves.
Graph of Lake Pillsbury storage from 2018-2025 with target scenarios A, B, and C, showing acre-feet levels and a data point for 2025.
Graph showing Lake Sonoma Storage from 2018-2025 in acre-feet, with storage curves and a highlighted point on July 7, 2025.

 

PG&E and PVP

Uploaded recently:

  • FERC issued notice of denial from several commenters on the 2025 flow variance due late filing. 
2025, 7-1 FERC denial of late filed Motions on 2025 Flow Variance.pdf2023, 10-18 PG&E Van Arsdale Dam DSOD inspection report.pdf2023, 10-18 PG&E Scott Dam DSOD inspection report.pdf

 

Russian River Water Talk Series- July 14, 2025, 7-8 PM in Geyserville

A news series is being launched to host community conversations about water in the Russian River watershed. See flyer for more information:

Russian River Watershed- Water Talks series.png

 

California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Public Listening Session for Tribal Stewardship Policy and Toolkit
Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 3-5 p.m

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) will host a public listening session to gather community input on the new Tribal Stewardship Policy and Toolkit, a framework designed to strengthen partnerships between California tribes and state government in natural resource management and land stewardship. 

This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting collaborative stewardship efforts by enhancing tribal access, enabling collaboration of management of public lands and natural resources, and advancing the return of ancestral lands to tribal ownership. Register to join here.

 

California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Discussion on Federal Cuts and Impacts on California

“Cutting Through the Noise: Federal Impacts on California and What We’re Doing About It”
Thursday, July 10, 2025, from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Each news cycle sheds new light on how federal cuts and attacks are impacting California: wildfire safety, water supplies, clean energy buildout, environmental protections, and public lands. Amidst abrupt changes and uncertainty in Washington DC, state officials are working with partners in real-time to protect our people and places. Join us for an important discussion about how we maintain progress on our state’s key priorities during these challenging times. Register in advance here.

Speakers:

  • Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
  • Sara Aminzadeh, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs, California Natural Resources Agency
  • Jenn Eckerle, Deputy Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy, California Natural Resources Agency; Executive Director, Ocean Protection Council
  • Meghan Hertel, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat
  • Armando Quintero, Director, California State Parks
  • Karla Nemeth, Director, Department of Water Resources
  • Patrick Wright, Director, California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force
  • Robert Chun, Chief of Staff for Chair David Hochschild, California Energy Commission

 

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.

 

Telemetry Report Now Available

The Telemetered Water Monitoring Project recommendations report, which outlines the CA Water Data Consortium’s recommendations for the Telemetry Study in the Russian River watershed is now available:

Telemetered Water Monitoring Project Part 2

 

📢 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:

 

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