Day After Deadline To Oppose Reset On Russian River Water Levels, What Next

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA —

Sonoma Water wants to keep more water in reserve for communities and migrating salmon by lowering required Russian River flows—a proposal drawing concerns about swimming, boating, and businesses that depend on the river.

The public has until 4:30 p.m. today to file objections with the State Water Resources Control Board.

The board’s notice directs people to submit objections to Ken Emanuel, with the Division of Water Rights, at Kenneth.Emanuel@waterboards.ca.gov, and Grant Davis at Grant.Davis@scwa.ca.gov by Oct. 19.

Although the notice identifies Davis as Sonoma Water’s general manager, the agency announced his retirement on Sept. 14.

New Rules

Sonoma Water supplies drinking water wholesale to cities and water districts serving more than 600,000 residents in Sonoma and Marin counties.

The agency seeks two changes: new rules for determining how much water the Russian River has available, and lower seasonal minimum flows when water supply conditions qualify as normal.

Currently, the rules use water flowing into Lake Pillsbury, in the Eel River watershed, to help determine required Russian River flows.

Sonoma Water wants to use water actually stored in Lake Mendocino, within the Russian River watershed, instead.

The agency says reduced transfers through PG&E’s Potter Valley Project have made Lake Pillsbury inflows an unreliable guide to Russian River supplies.

A transformer bank failure stopped the project’s electricity generation in 2021, along with the additional water transfers associated with generating power.

PG&E announced in March 2023 that it would not replace the transformer, according to Sonoma Water’s petition materials.

Transfers subsequently were limited to required East Fork Russian River releases and deliveries to the Potter Valley Irrigation District.

Earthquake concerns also prompted PG&E to leave Scott Dam’s spillway gates open year-round. That keeps Lake Pillsbury lower and reduces pressure on the dam, but eliminates approximately 6.5 billion gallons of potential storage, according to the petition materials.

With less water available, PG&E obtained federal approval May 14 to lower required releases into the Eel River and East Fork Russian River.

Petition Drive

The public notice anticipates the reductions would last until approximately mid-May 2027, when the order would expire.

The owner of the River's Edge Kayak & Canoe, a Healdsburg business on the Russian River, started a petition campaign challenging the proposal before today’s deadline.

Her template letter supports protecting endangered salmon and steelhead, but argues that Sonoma Water has not adequately evaluated potential effects on residents, riverfront homeowners, tourism, and businesses that depend on summer recreation.

She also questions public outreach and whether lower flows could leave stretches of the river too shallow for recreation.

Lockhart’s letter asks regulators to withhold approval of lower seasonal flows until they assess river depths, boating access, swimming access, safety, water temperatures, and economic effects.

It also calls for evidence supporting Sonoma Water’s conclusion that recreational impacts would be reasonable and for alternatives that protect endangered fish while maintaining recreational uses.

Sonoma Water acknowledges in its petition materials that reduced flows could impair recreation.

The agency argues those effects would be reasonable compared with potential harm to fish if the changes were denied.

Officials say lower flows would reduce water velocities in fish habitat and preserve cold reservoir water for later releases that support salmon and steelhead.

The state board may approve or deny the petitions before the objection period closes. Its notice says it will consider all objections promptly and may amend an order to address them.

State officials have not yet commented on what residents should expect next.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.