Russian River Weekly Update 9/8/25

Lake Mendocino, November 2024 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 with current storage, curves, percentages, and 7-day change.

Lake Mendocino storage chart (2018-2025) in acre-feet, highlighting a 2025 storage point at 76,380 acre-feet on September 8.

Graph of Lake Pillsbury storage scenarios (2018-2025), with targets and levels in acre-feet.

Graph of Lake Sonoma's water storage by year (2018-2025) showing fluctuations and a storage curve reference.

FERC Approval of the PG&E 2025 Flow Variance, Reducing Water Diversions to the Russian

On August 4, 2025, FERC approved the PG&E 2025 Flow Variance, reducing water diversions to the Russian River basin. More information here.

Water Supply and Demand in the Russian River

The State Water Resources Control Board has developed a tool for water right holders, linked below. At the September 3, 2025 State Water Board meeting, staff provided an update on the Water Supply and Demand Assessment Program in which the Russian River was discussed throughout.

State Water Resources Control Board Supply and Demand Assessment tool for the Russian River

PG&E Files Final Surrender Application for Potter Valley Project

On July 25, 2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed its Final Surrender Application and Final Non-Project Use of Project Lands Application (NPUPL) for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. P-77) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.) If you have any questions regarding this filing, please email Tony.Gigliotti@pge.com. More information here: RRFC webpage on the Future of the Eel River to Russian River Diversion

PVP related articles uploaded recently:

SF Gate: 'Can’t even believe we’re talking about this’: PG&E plan shocks NorCal firemen 9/3/25

📢 State Water Board Announces New Water Rights Reporting System

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. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/upward/calwatrs/
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”

Water Shelf Podcast: David Zetland, Listening with Water Scarcity

David Zetland gives a powerhouse interview on his many decades of writing on water, the commons, and climate change. He discusses his recently reissued book Living with Water Scarcity (2014/2023) — a Water Shelf Top 20 book — which does a wonderful job explaining water economics to the general reader. We also get into why water managers fail and, in his opinion, why academic publishing has lost its luster.

Professor Zetland is a senior university lecturer in political-economy at Leiden University College in the Netherlands. In addition to Living, he has published ⁠The End of Abundance (2011), The Best of Aguanomics (2018)⁠, and ⁠The Little Book of The Commons (2022) — all freely available for download at ⁠kysq.org⁠.

California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Discussion on Biodiversity and the Incredible Life that Thrives in the Golden State Wednesday, September 10, 2025; from noon to 1 p.m.

California is one of 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world, with exceptional richness of life across our varied lands and waters. Join us in celebration of California Biodiversity Week as we geek out with experts on some particularly colorful forms of life that call our state home. There’s never been a more important time to get inspired and energized to protect our natural world! Register in to join here.