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Topic: Russian River

Overview April 24, 2014

Russian River

The Russian River drains the sparsely populated, forested coastal area that stretches from San Francisco to the Oregon border.

Along the Russian, federally funded dams have created Lake Mendocino (at the Coyote Dam) and Lake Sonoma (Warm Springs Dam). Locally built aqueducts channel water from these lakes into growing Marin and Sonoma counties.

The Russian River is one of the most flood-prone rivers in California, routinely overflowing during wet years. As storm systems approach California, the wet bands of clouds are uplifted by the Coast Range, releasing precipitation first and most intensely on the coastal streams. One flood control dam is on the Russian River and one on Dry Creek, a tributary to the Russian River, which can capture about 20 percent of flood flows.

In addition to flooding issues, the Rus­sian River faces other challenges to balance competing demands for its water. In an area that was once legacy to massive num­bers of salmon and steelhead, restoring the fishery has been a key focus, while water providers must accommodate municipal needs as well as those of grape growers in one of the world’s most prized wine-producing regions.

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Aquafornia news August 4, 2022 Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

Cutback in Eel River diversions expected to prompt new curtailments for Russian River water rights

Federal energy regulators say Pacific Gas & Electric can begin drastically reducing Eel River water diversions bound for Lake Mendocino, which will likely result in additional curtailments of water rights for hundreds of landowners, ranchers and communities in the Russian River watershed. The new flow regime, approved last week after more than two months of consideration by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, authorizes PG&E to divert as little water as it did last year even though there is almost 50% more water in Lake Pillsbury than there was at the same time last year.

Related article:

  • Mendocino Voice: Salmon, steelhead conservation groups plan to sue PG&E, allege ESA violations 
  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news August 1, 2022 Press Democrat

Sonoma County vintner, his business and DA’s Office reach $925K environmental damage settlement

A Sonoma County wine executive and his business have reached a $925,000 settlement with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office following an environmental complaint that accused them of causing significant damage to streams and wetlands while constructing a vineyard in 2018 near Cloverdale, county District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced Friday. Deeply ripping apart the terrain, tearing down trees and pushing them down streams without permits under the county’s Vineyard & Orchard Site Development Ordinance, and lacking permits for grading roads and installing culverts were among acts that Hugh Reimers and Krasilsa Pacific Farms, LLC were accused of in August 2019. 

  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 27, 2022 Capital and Main

A Napa filmmaker looked and found Roundup, the weedkiller tied to cancer, ‘everywhere’

Early one winter morning, as Brian Lilla was riding his bike through Napa, California’s hills and meadows, he spotted farmworkers driving ATVs through rows of vines. They hauled huge canisters of the weedkiller Roundup. As the workers sprayed vines, a chemical smell shot through the air. … In Children of the Vine, the 54-year-old documentary filmmaker explores the use of glyphosate from the time Roundup hit the market in the 1970s to Monsanto’s creation of “Roundup Ready” genetically modified seeds in the 1990s to its present legal woes and shattered public trust. But even now, with at least 20 countries having banned or limited the use of the herbicide, Lilla was shocked to find out how ubiquitous the chemical is in our daily lives, and how trace amounts of glyphosate appears even in certified organic foods and wine (which by definition are grown without pesticides or herbicides). 

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Aquafornia news July 21, 2022 KRON - San Francisco

Toxic algal mats growing in Russian River

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is urging the public who visit the Russian River to be cautious of potentially toxic algal. It was confirmed through testing that toxic algal mats are growing on the bottom of the Russian River. Algae or cyanobacteria can both grow on the bottom of waterways and while floating in water. … Children and dogs are the most at-risk to the health impacts caused by toxic algal mats. Individuals should avoid touching or ingesting algal material in the water.

  • Read more
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Aquafornia news July 20, 2022 Northern California Public Media

Santa Rosa encouraging water conservation through free audits, rebates and expertise

There’s a lot of big ideas for solving California’s perpetual water shortages. Desalinate ocean water. Tow giant bags of water or use a pipeline to pull water out of the mouth of the Columbia River. But there are also less ambitious and perhaps more practical ways too. The city of Santa Rosa is looking to help, one drip at a time. Thomas Hare and Holly Nadeau are water resource specialists from the Santa Rosa’s water department, On a recent Wednesday, in the Oakmont district, they were welcomed to the home of Leslie and Greg Gossage…ready to get down to some detective work.

Related article: 

  • County of Sonoma: Jenner by the Sea to get water system upgrade
  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 15, 2022 Lost Coast Outpost

Conservation groups blast PG&E for ’slow-walking’ dam removal, refusing fish protection measures in Eel River

North Coast conservation groups are offering renewed criticism of Pacific Gas & Electric this week after the utility argued against a request from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) aimed at protecting threatened fish in the Eel River. Three species of fish in the Eel — coho salmon, California Coastal Chinook salmon and Northern California steelhead — are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Their populations have been impacted by PG&E’s Potter Valley Project, a hydroelectric facility that diverts water from the Eel to the Russian River.

  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 13, 2022 Redheaded Blackbelt

Fish fight: Two new developments in the ongoing damming of the Eel via the Potter Valley hydropower project

There have been two developments in the ongoing saga of the Potter Valley hydropower project this week. The 20-year license has expired, but PG&E still owns and operates the project on an annual license. On Monday, PG&E submitted a rough schedule to surrender the license to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In a separate filing, PG&E argued that it should be allowed to continue operating the project under the biological protections that were attached to the license when it was issued in 2002.

Related article: 

  • California Trout: News release - CalTrout & TU statement on PG&E’s Potter Valley Project
  • Read more
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Aquafornia news July 8, 2022 Press Democrat

Signs of blue-green algae at Villa Grand beach just one of many local drought impacts discussed in town hall

Sonoma County health officials posted warnings at a lower Russian River beach on Thursday after finding cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, in the water off shore. Test results from samples collected by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board were not available Thursday evening, so it was unclear if any toxins were associated with the substance found off Patterson Point in Villa Grande. But anyone visiting the beach was advised to be alert to any slimy mats and practice care in recreating. 

  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 5, 2022 Marin Independent Journal

Marin water supplier examines costs of new supply sources

The Marin Municipal Water District took a first look this week at how much water it could receive from new sources such as desalination or expanding reservoirs, and how much they would cost. On Tuesday, consultants with the Jacobs Engineering firm provided the district’s board with an overview of the preliminary cost and water production estimates for several supply options. More expensive options included desalination, dredging existing reservoirs, expanding the recycled water system and building pipelines to connect with other Bay Area water suppliers.

Related article: 

  • Marin Independent Journal: Column – Grand jury’s MMWD critique intensifies need for clarity before election 
  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 5, 2022 North Bay Business Journal

State issues curtailments in the Russian River watershed

State water regulators curtailed 331 water rights in the Russian River watershed effective Friday, ending a weekslong reprieve brought on by late-season rainfall that prevented restrictions from being imposed earlier this summer. The long-expected order means several hundred ranchers, grape growers and other landowners are now prohibited from exercising rights to draw water from the river and some of its tributaries, because of insufficient supplies.

  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Aquafornia news July 5, 2022 Lake County Record-Bee

Concerning cyanobacteria levels detected at Lake Pillsbury

Summer is here, and residents and visitors are flocking to Lake County’s bucolic communities and recreational activities. At this time, regional health and water resource officials would like to remind those enjoying local lakes and streams to maintain awareness of cyanobacterial blooms, and take appropriate caution. As is the case with all large, biologically rich bodies of water, Lake Pillsbury is dynamic in water quality. Recently, during a pre-holiday assessment, water quality technicians observed cyanobacteria in the water column throughout the area, appearing as small grass clippings, strings, and clumps.

Related articles: 

  • CA Department of Water Resources: San Luis Reservoir Algal Bloom Increases to Danger Advisory
  • Tahoe Daily Tribune: Toxic algae prompts danger warning at Indian Creek Reservoir
  • Daily Journal: Toxic algae found in San Gregorio Creek Lagoon
  • Read more
  • View Original Article
Western Water November 21, 2019 California Water Map Gary Pitzer

Can a New Approach to Managing California Reservoirs Save Water and Still Protect Against Floods?
WESTERN WATER NOTEBOOK: Pilot Projects Testing Viability of Using Improved Forecasting to Guide Reservoir Operations

Bullards Bar Dam spills water during 2017 atmospheric river storms.Many of California’s watersheds are notoriously flashy – swerving from below-average flows to jarring flood conditions in quick order. The state needs all the water it can get from storms, but current flood management guidelines are strict and unyielding, requiring reservoirs to dump water each winter to make space for flood flows that may not come.

However, new tools and operating methods are emerging that could lead the way to a redefined system that improves both water supply and flood protection capabilities.

  • Read more
Western Water October 24, 2019 California Water Map Gary Pitzer

Understanding Streamflow Is Vital to Water Management in California, But Gaps In Data Exist
WESTERN WATER NOTEBOOK: A new law aims to reactivate dormant stream gauges to aid in flood protection, water forecasting

Stream gauges gather important metrics such as  depth, flow (described as cubic feet per second) and temperature.  This gauge near downtown Sacramento measures water depth.California is chock full of rivers and creeks, yet the state’s network of stream gauges has significant gaps that limit real-time tracking of how much water is flowing downstream, information that is vital for flood protection, forecasting water supplies and knowing what the future might bring.

That network of stream gauges got a big boost Sept. 30 with the signing of SB 19. Authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), the law requires the state to develop a stream gauge deployment plan, focusing on reactivating existing gauges that have been offline for lack of funding and other reasons. Nearly half of California’s stream gauges are dormant.

  • Read more
Tour October 9, 2014 Images from the Russian River tour

Russian River Tour 2014
Field Trip (past)

The 2014 tour took place October 9-10.

This 2-day, 1-night tour travels the Russian River watershed, a microcosm of water management issues in the West.

  • David Keller's presentation
  • Joshua Fuller's presentation
  • Matt Brennan's presentation
  • Read more
Video May 27, 2014

A Climate of Change: Water Adaptation Strategies

This 25-minute documentary-style DVD, developed in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources, provides an excellent overview of climate change and how it is already affecting California. The DVD also explains what scientists anticipate in the future related to sea level rise and precipitation/runoff changes and explores the efforts that are underway to plan and adapt to climate.

  • Read more
Maps & Posters May 20, 2014

California Water Map, Spanish

Spanish language version of our California Water Map

Versión en español de nuestro mapa de agua de California

  • Read more
Photo gallery May 15, 2014

Images from the Russian River tour

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Maps & Posters April 17, 2014 California Water Bundle

California Water Map
Updated December 2016

A new look for our most popular product! And it’s the perfect gift for the water wonk in your life.

Our 24×36 inch California Water Map is widely known for being the definitive poster that shows the integral role water plays in the state. On this updated version, it is easier to see California’s natural waterways and man-made reservoirs and aqueducts – including federally, state and locally funded projects – the wild and scenic rivers system, and natural lakes. The map features beautiful photos of California’s natural environment, rivers, water projects, wildlife, and urban and agricultural uses and the text focuses on key issues: water supply, water use, water projects, the Delta, wild and scenic rivers and the Colorado River.

  • Read more
Aquapedia background February 11, 2014

Russian River

The Russian River is one of the major northern streams that drain the sparsely populated, forested coastal area that stretches from San Francisco to the Oregon border.

Other North Coast waterways include the Klamath, Trinity, Eel and Smith [see also North Coast Rivers]. These rivers and their tributaries flow west to the Pacific Ocean and account for about 40 percent of the state’s total runoff.

  • Read more
Western Water Excerpt May 1, 2009 Gary PitzerRita Schmidt Sudman

A Tale of Two Rivers: The Russian and the Santa Ana
May/June 2009

Travel most anywhere in California and there is a river, creek or stream nearby. Some are highly noticeable and are an integral part of the community. Others are more obscure, with intermittent flows or enclosed by boxed concrete flood channels that conceal their true appearance. No matter the loca­tion, each area shares some common themes: cooperation and conflict regarding water allocations, greater water conservation, an awareness of environmental stewardship, and plans that ensure long-term sustainability.

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Western Water Magazine May 1, 2009

A Tale of Two Rivers: The Russian and the Santa Ana
May/June 2009

This printed issue of Western Water examines the Russian and Santa Ana rivers – areas with ongoing issues not dissimilar to the rest of the state – managing supplies within a lingering drought, improving water quality and revitalizing and restoring the vestiges of the native past.

  • Read more

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