Russian River Weekly Update 9/28/26

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Ukiah Valley, November 2024 by E Salomone
Ukiah Valley, November 2024 by E Salomone

 

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Data on lake storage levels for Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma, showing current storage, target curves, and changes over 7 days.
The graph shows Lake Mendocino's storage levels over multiple years, highlighting the trend for September 28, 2026, at 59,848 acre-feet.
Graph showing Lake Pillsbury storage levels and target scenarios from 2019 to 2026, with various target lines for water levels.
The graph shows Lake Sonoma's storage levels over several years, highlighting trends and projections through 2026.

 

GREAT NEWS for Lake Mendocino:

State grant will help Sonoma Water continue invasive mussel prevention at Lake Mendocino, 9/15/26

 

PVP Flow Variance Extends and the Flows Drop October 1st 

PG&E held a Drought Working Group meeting as required by the FERC issued flow variance. As of 9/23/26, Lake Pillsbury storage level is now below 36,000 acre feet, meeting the threshold to remain in the variance until water level exceeds 36,000 acre feet after November 1, 2026. Minimum instream flow requirement will reduce from 25 cfs down to 5 cfs beginning September 30th and for the remainder of variance. Flow change protocol is to decrease the morning of 10/1 by 8 or 9 AM. Median forecast shows possibly late December for exiting the variance. PVID will still have its contract water available from 10/1-10/15, 15 cfs. More information on the RRFC Website here.

 

Russian River Temporary Urgency Change Petition filed by Sonoma Water

On August 31, 2026, Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) filed temporary urgency change petitions (TUCPs) with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Division of Water Rights (Division) requesting approval of temporary changes to water rights related to Lakes Mendocino and Sonoma.

The requested temporary modifications to the Decision 1610 requirements for the Russian River will be established using an alternate hydrologic index based on water storage in Lake Mendocino on the Russian River, rather than the current hydrologic index based on cumulative inflow into Lake Pillsbury on the Eel River.

More information:

2026, 9-17 SWRCB notice of Temporary Urgency Change Petition.pdf2026, 8-28 SCWA TUCP Transmittal-Package.pdf

 

Future of the Eel River to Russian River Trans Basin Diversion (Potter Valley Project)

Related Articles

 

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Opens 30 Day Comment Period – Coyote Valley Dam Discharge

A 30-day public comment period has officially opened for Draft Water Code Section 13267 Investigative Order No. R1-2026-0029 directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit technical and monitoring reports pertaining to discharges from Coyote Valley Dam and Lake Mendocino. The technical and monitoring reports required under the draft order largely mirror the monitoring framework established in the 2025 Biological Opinion. Linked below are the draft order and public notice. The draft order public notice is also available here.

The public comment period runs from September 9, 2026, through October 9, 2026. Written comments may be submitted by emailing NorthCoast@waterboards.ca.gov with the subject line "Comments on draft CVD Order No. R1-2026-0029". All timely submitted comments will be reviewed by Regional Board staff prior to the consideration of a final order.

 

 

 

Expanding Storage Capacity at Lake Mendocino

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, a bipartisan funding bill that would improve ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm protection and other water infrastructure, including the Coyote Valley Dam feasibility study to increase storage capacity at Lake Mendocino.

 

Governor Proclaims State of Emergency, Accelerates Flood Protection Measures Ahead of El Nino Event

Gov Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to launch preventative flood protection actions as California faces a potentially historic El Nino event, widely forecasted to hit California during the 2026-’27 winter. Weather forecasters are predicting a greater than 90% chance of a historically strong El Nino event. For California, that could mean repeated atmospheric river storms bringing heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, mountain snow, landslides, debris flows and large waves flooding coastal areas.

Mendocino Voice: UC climate scientist gives the skinny on Mendocino County’s winter 9/21/26

“…he [Daniel Swain, a University of California climate scientist] put the odds of a wetter-than-average winter on the Mendocino Coast “north of 80 to maybe even 90%,” and the odds of a dry one at roughly 1% to 4%.”

The image shows NOAA's seasonal precipitation outlooks for two periods in 2026, indicating varying probabilities of rain across the U.S.

From 9/28/26 NOAA Drought Seminar Series: Drought, El Nino, and California by Mike Anderson. Recording will be available on the NOAA website soon: www.psl.noaa.gov/drought/seminarseries

2026 Draft Watershed Resilience Grant Program Guidelines and Conservation Implementation Proposal Solicitation Package

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Draft Watershed Resilience Grant Program Guidelines and 2026 Draft Conservation Implementation Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP). DWR will host two public workshops to provide an overview of the program, review key components of the 2026 Draft Guidelines and Conservation Implementation PSP, and to accept public comments. Register for workshops below.  

 

Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission Seeks Executive Director

The Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission (IWPC) is seeking an Executive Director. The role presents a unique opportunity to make a significant regional impact at a pivotal moment as IWPC advances multiple high-profile initiatives with expanded resources and strong professional support. For more information, visit the job listing webpage here.

 

In the press:

 

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