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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 (4)
Western Water (2)
Tours (1)
Videos (1)
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Western Water Magazine (1)
Aquafornia news May 19, 2025 MendoFever (Mendocino, Calif.)

Mendocino officials brace for PG&E’s abandonment of the Potter Valley Project

At its May 8 meeting, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC) focused once again on PG&E’s planned withdrawal from the Potter Valley Project and the region’s efforts to secure long-term water supplies. Central to the discussion was the New Eel Russian Facility (NERF), a proposed infrastructure project that would maintain Eel River water diversions into the Russian River after PG&E’s exit. The IWPC, a joint powers authority composed of five local agencies—the County of Mendocino, the Redwood Valley County Water District, the City of Ukiah, the Potter Valley Irrigation District, and the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District—continues to work in partnership with Sonoma County and Sonoma Water through the Eel Russian Project Authority (ERPA). ERPA is leading negotiations with PG&E and planning for the construction of NERF.

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Aquafornia news May 7, 2025 The Ukiah Daily Journal (Calif.)

City of Ukiah may give another $84,000 to Potter Valley Project work

At its next regular meeting Wednesday, the Ukiah City Council is expected to consider approving the contribution of another $84,000 to another local entity for ongoing work related to the Potter Valley Project. According to a staff report on the item prepared for the May 7 meeting, the City Council will be asked to approve a “financial contribution in the amount of $84,000 to the (Mendocino County) Inland Water and Power Commission for consulting and legal services related to the Potter Valley Project, and approve a corresponding budget amendment.” … In an effort to continue the diversions in some form, (Ukiah City Council administrative analyst Seth) Strader notes that the IWPC, along with “the Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Sonoma County Water Agency have submitted a proposal to advance a regional solution for preserving flows in the Russian River and improving Eel River fisheries. 

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Aquafornia news April 29, 2025 The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)

Northern California dam removals stay on track as feds rule out takeover of PG&E’s Potter Valley plant

Despite pleas from leaders of regional farm bureaus, Lake County and communities including Cloverdale and Lake Pillsbury, President Donald Trump’s administration says it has no intention of assuming control of the Potter Valley hydroelectric power plant that’s slated for decommissioning by PG&E. The decommissioning, if approved, is likely at least a decade away and would involve tearing down the Cape Horn Dam in Mendocino County and Scott Dam in Lake County. This would alter the flow of the Eel River to the Russian River, with a new multimillion-dollar diversion facility routing water from both the Eel and Russian watersheds to Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. Many North Coast elected officials and residents strongly oppose the plan, insisting it might not provide the four counties with enough water ― especially during dry, summer months punctuated by fire risk. 

Related article:

  • MendoFever: Opinion: Setting the record straight: Inviting Trump to interfere with the Potter Valley Project
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Aquafornia news April 21, 2025 SFGate

Trump administration mulls intervention in California dam removal

In a major twist, the Donald Trump administration is now reviewing regional appeals to halt PG&E’s plans to dismantle the Potter Valley Project. … In an April 14 letter, the Bureau of Reclamation responded to an inquiry from Aaron Sykes, a board member of the Lake Pillsbury Alliance, which represents the homeowners and stakeholders fighting to keep Scott Dam, the structure that holds back Lake Pillsbury. In the letter, which was reviewed by SFGATE, the federal agency said funding for the project is “undergoing reviews” to ensure it aligns with an executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office that directs the government to explore any “undue burden” on the “use of domestic energy resources” including, oil, coal and hydropower.

  • 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.Bullards Bar Dam in the Sierra Nevada foothills north of Sacramento spills water during 2017 atmospheric river storms. (Source: California Department of Water Resources)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.

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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.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. (Source: California Department of Water Resources)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.

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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
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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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