Russian River Weekly Update

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Russian River at Riverside Park, January 2026 by CJ Watt
Russian River at Riverside Park, January 2026 by CJ Watt

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

The image shows current storage levels and changes for Lake Mendocino, Lake Pillsbury, and Lake Sonoma as of specified dates.
The chart shows Lake Mendocino's water storage levels from 2020 to 2026, indicating trends and forecasts for different years.
Graph showing Lake Pillsbury storage levels for 2020-2025, with 2026 projected at 161% of Target Storage Curve B.
The graph shows Lake Sonoma's water storage levels from 2020 to 2025, highlighting average and current storage trends.

Additional storage graphs for same period:

Lake_Mendocino_Storage_2-2-26.pdfLake_Pillsbury_Storage_1-30-26.pdfLake_Sonoma_Storage_2-2-26.pdf

 

PG&E’s Final Surrender Application for Potter Valley Project

Recent articles:

Press Democrat: How a California tribe is confronting the Trump administration to claim their historic rights to a river 1/31/26

 

PG&E’s Files Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) to FERC for Potter Valley Project

On January 30th, PG&E filed a request for a Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 77. In 2023, PG&E determined that the seismic risk to Scott Dam is greater than previously understood and a 10-ft elevation restriction was placed on Lake Pillsbury reservoir indefinitely, reducing the water storage capacity from approximately 70,800 acre-ft (AF) to 52,600 AF for safety purposes. This loss of 18,200 AF of potential storage above the spillway further compounds the challenges to meet license-required flows. This has resulted in annual flow amendments/variances that reduce minimum instream flow requirements to the East Branch Russian River during summer months. PG&E is also pursuing a license amendment for long term permanent flow requirement changes. A filing was made a year ago but PG&E provided notification that it would be supplementing the license amendment application, which is underway. PG&E has requested this temporary variance be approved by FERC no later than May 25, 2026, which would be 2 full months prior to the 2025 approval and implementation.

2026, 1-31 PG&E 2026 Flow Variance Request to FERC ( ).pdf

 

 

Combating Climate Change with Stream Restoration Webinar, February 3, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

The image features a banner for the "Stream Stewardship Resource Hour" related to California's Urban Streams Restoration Program.

Join Urban Streams Restoration Program Lead Esther Tracy and Climate Change Scientist Tyler Anthony for an engaging discussion on how stream restoration can help address the impacts of global warming and extreme weather by building resilience to climate change. Visit online for more information and email usrpinfo@water.ca.gov to join the mailing list.

 Microsoft Teams:  Meeting Link Meeting ID: 297 911 706 402 7 Passcode: ui66xs7b

Dial in by phone: +1 916-573-2034,,357516712#  Phone conference ID: 357 516 712#

Schedule for an event: Welcome, talk on climate change in stream restoration, followed by an open discussion forum.

 

North Coast Resource Partnership Capacity Grants Program Applications Due February 20

Technical Advising for Application Development - Applicants who are requesting technical advising for application development are encouraged to submit requests no later than January 30 to ensure that NCRP consultants have time to provide support. Advising will be provided by NCRP consultants and is limited to a maximum of five hours of consultant time. For technical issues with application forms or website, contact Shelly Hughes (NCRP) or Jessele Perez (California Indian Environmental Alliance) Program Webpage

NCRP Capacity Grants Program Question and Request Form

 

2025 SWRCB Annual Water Use Reports Deadline Update

Notice from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB):

The deadline for 2025 annual reports [was] Saturday January 31, 2026. However, if you are still working on your annual report, or if you are working with staff to access your reports in the new CalWATRS system, please continue working on and submitting your reports even if it is after the deadline. There is a 30 day grace period for late reports, you have until March 2, 2026 to file your annual report without penalty. CalWATRS staff will … continue to work with all reporters through the next month. Please visit CalWATRS Main Page for both access to the CalWATRS system and for links to CalWATRS help resources. The Division of Water Rights appreciates everyone's patience working through the first reporting cycle in the new CalWATRS system. 

 

California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Discussion with Black Leaders Connecting Communities to Nature  Wednesday, February 4, 2026 12-1 PM

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week, the California Natural Resource Agency will host a discussion with Black leaders who connect people to nature and create healthier communities. Join Secretary Crowfoot for a conversation with leaders who will share, what makes a movement, how to build trust, grow participation, and turn shared values into action across neighborhoods, parks, coastlines, and public lands. Whether joining an existing movement or helping build one from the ground up, this webinar will show how people power works, and how everyone can be part of it. Registration.  

More information on Secretary Speaker Sessions

 

In the press:

 

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