Press Release: Sonoma County Groundwater August 9, 2022 Sonoma County is Wrestling with State Groundwater Well Permitting Requirements in the Face of Growing Impacts on Existing Water Supplies, Public Health, and the Environment Sonoma County faces a perfect storm of water management challenges during [...]
Harmful Algal Blooms Predicted for Early Return
If you haven't been to the River yet this summer, it probably won't be long before you join the River fun. It has been so HOT lately, and what better way to cool off! Unfortunately, this also means that it is that time of [...]
Potter Valley Project Update
The Potter Valley Project, which diverts water from the Eel to the Russian River, was on track to be taken over by a group of five entities from both watersheds. The federal agency that licenses hydropower facilities recently denied a request from the group [...]
The River Needs Your Help!
The Russian River watershed is in severe drought and the hottest days of summer are still to come. Scant rainfall and alarmingly low reservoirs mean there simply isn't enough water to go around. The State Water Board is considering passing emergency measures to address [...]
No Time – or Water – to Waste
The “new normal” is a phrase we have heard a lot since COVID lockdowns started over a year ago. Now it is time to repurpose that phrase for the next crisis we are facing in our watershed—drought. Historically, California has been known for its [...]
Uncharted Waters for the River This Summer
This past Sunday, while out on the River, we observed the clearest waters we can remember seeing in over 50 years. With 25+ feet of visibility, we could see the bottom of some of the deepest pools—from Geyserville to Healdsburg at Diggers Bend and [...]
Tough News: Drought is Looming
The looming 2021 drought could be the worst yet, and serves as a textbook example of the urgent need for climate adaptation. Doing “business as usual” is what has put the upper Russian River at risk of going dry as water managers are failing [...]
Thank You for Sharing Your Voice!
Thank you to all those that submitted comment letters protesting the reduction of flows to the Russian River this summer! We appreciate the time and effort you put into helping us ensure the long-term protection of our river! As climate change affects our local [...]
Action Alert: Your River Needs Water
Sonoma Water has slashed river flow to 50 cfs above Healdsburg and 60 cfs in the lower river. If river flow is cut that deeply, hot summer weather will likely trigger harmful algae blooms and recreation will come to a halt. We need to [...]