Missing Person Search Continues At Lake Mendocino

SONOMA and MENDOCINO COUNTIES, CA — As the search continues for a missing Mendocino County man who hasn't been seen since June 11 when he went fishing with his father at Lake Mendocino, the Sonoma County Water Agency said it began slowing water releases from the lake Monday at the request of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

The body of Carlos Soto, 62, of Laytonville, was found floating on the southeast end of Lake Mendocino the evening of June 11 but Vincent Soto, 40, also of Laytonville, has not been located, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

The recovery of Carlos Soto's body revealed no signs of foul play, according to sheriff's officials. Relatives said the father and son planned a day of fishing on the lake, and that both could swim.

Their boat was found empty and the elder Soto's body was found nearby. Inside the boat, authorities found both men's wallets and the younger Soto's cellphone. Deputies also located the missing persons vehicle with a boat trailer at the North Boat Ramp of Lake Mendocino.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s officials have previously conducted unsuccessful searches for Vincent Soto using divers and sonar devices.

Wednesday morning, authorities plan to search near the base of Coyote Valley Dam using an underwater robot from the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

According to Sonoma Water, the use of the robot requires the current be no more than 4.5 knots near the outlet structure that is located at the bottom of the lake, thus the need for reduced water releases. The structure releases water into a hydroelectric plant within the dam, which then releases water into the Russian River.

"The recovery attempt is expected to take several hours on Wednesday morning," said Barry Dugan, principal programs specialist for Sonoma Water. "Immediately following the search near the outlet structure, releases will be ramped back up to 135-140 cfs by Wednesday evening."

In the meantime, water users along the Russian River between Lake Mendocino and the confluence with Dry Creek can expect a substantial drop in water depths.

Dugan noted Sonoma Water does not anticipate any interruptions in its water deliveries due to the reduced releases of water as it relies mainly on releases from Lake Sonoma to supply its customers.

Sonoma Water officials have notified the National Marine Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the State Water Resources Control Board about the temporary reduction in releases, Dugan said, and Sonoma Water staff will be monitoring the river for possible fish strandings along the Russian River in conjunction with NMFS.

Numerous agencies have assisted Mendocino County Sheriff's Office as the weeks-long search for Soto nears one month.

Vincent Soto is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds. He is Native American and has salt-and-pepper colored hair cut short. He is usually clean shaven and when last contacted by relatives, he was shirtless and thought to be wearing blue denim cargo shorts and possibly red low-top sneakers, possibly made by Nike.

Family members said he has three tattoos; "One Love" on his chest that is multicolored, an English Mastiff on his left shoulder and a Native American with feathers on his right shoulder.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086.