Russian River Weekly Update 2/9/26

<Click to view content on website>

Lake Mendocino intake, January 28, 2026, by E Salomone
Lake Mendocino intake, January 28, 2026,  by E Salomone

Reservoir Storage & Operations:

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

Storage levels for Lake Mendocino, Pillsbury, and Sonoma; includes current storage, targets, and 7-day changes in acre-feet.
The graph shows Lake Mendocino's storage levels over the years, with a specific note for February 9, 2026, at 77,441 acre-feet.
The graph depicts Lake Pillsbury's storage levels and target scenarios from 2019 to February 2026, highlighting fluctuations in acre-feet.
The graph shows Lake Sonoma's water storage levels from 2019 to 2026, with a notable level of 253,260 acre-feet on February 9, 2026.

 

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

Recent articles:

2026, 1-14 RVIT Let to Secretaries Rollins & Burgum re PVP.pdf

 

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. 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.  More information:https://rrfc.specialdistrict.org/2026-pg-e-potter-valley-project-operations

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  and CA State Parks Survey

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and California State Parks invite trail users, community members, advocates, and professionals to join two public webinars this February as part of the California Trails Survey—a statewide effort to improve access, safety, and connectivity for nonmotorized recreational trails across California. 

The webinars will include a presentation introducing the trails assessment process and key outcomes, details on the voter-approved Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) as it relates to trail funding, upcoming updates to the California Recreational Trails Plan, and how you can support the effort by spreading the word about the statewide survey. Each webinar will conclude with a live Q&A. 

Public Webinar Dates and Registration

  •  Wednesday, February 18 (6–7 p.m.) 
  • Tuesday, February 24 (6–7 p.m.) 

Register for either webinar HERE. Both webinars will be recorded and posted at CaliforniaTrailsSurvey.com for those who cannot attend live. 

In the press:

 

Join our mailing list