Here’s the plain‑English version of what’s about to happen — and what it means if you grow grapes or buy fruit in Sonoma County. … FERC just approved PG&E’s 2025 flow variance, which prioritizes holding more water back on the Eel to protect fish and manage dam‑safety risks. Practically, that means lower (and more variable) Potter Valley/Russian River diversions this year, with releases allowed to dip below 25 cfs when needed. … Second, the long‑term geometry of our supply changes from “year‑round trickle” to “catch it in the rain.” ERPA’s New Eel‑Russian Facility (NERF) is a pump station that only runs when the Eel is up — fall through spring — pushing water through the existing tunnel to the East Branch and, ultimately, Lake Mendocino. … [I]n plain terms: load up in winter, live off storage in summer. 

Other Potter Valley Project news:

• The Mendocino Voice (Calif.): Friday workshop in Willits seeks to encourage fast removal of Potter Valley Project dams
• Lost Coast Outpost (Eureka, Calif.): What’s next for Eel River dam removal?