Sonoma Water E-News | June 2020
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Message from General Manager, Grant Davis
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The past several weeks have provided us with additional challenges. Nearly three months into the coronavirus pandemic that has tested our patience and resolve, we find ourselves in a social upheaval that has shaken our country at every level. The protests and demonstrations in our own county and throughout the country illustrate a painful and difficult racial disparity that cannot be ignored. We are engaging in an important social discourse about race, justice and culture that will continue, and needs to continue, for a long time.
What does this have to do with Sonoma Water? As a public agency, we have a responsibility to provide drinking water to 600,000 people. We also have a responsibility to represent our county and our communities in the way we do business and the way we reflect all segments of our community in our workforce.
In January of this year, the Board of Supervisors developed an initial framework for a long-term strategic plan, which includes Racial Equity as one of five strategic pillars. Sonoma Water is also committed to becoming a more racially diverse organization. A diversity of opinions, of racial, social and ethnic backgrounds makes us stronger and will allow us to fulfill our mission even more effectively.
I ask that we all strive to find tolerance, kindness and understanding for each other, in particular for those with whom we may not agree. While we may not always be able to share an opinion, we can share our humanity.
Stay safe. Stick together. Be kind.
Grant Davis
General Manager, Sonoma Water
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2020 Temporary Urgency Change Petition
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The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) on 6/8/20 filed a Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) with the State Water Resources Control Board to reduce Russian River minimum in-stream flows this summer.
With the Ukiah region facing its third driest water year on record, Lake Mendocino’s water supply is projected to reach critically low levels due to dry conditions and reduced water transfers from the Potter Valley Project. The reduced Potter Valley Project water transfer is forecasted to put Lake Mendocino’s water supply levels into a critical condition. This critical condition is concerning for communities and agriculture that rely on Lake Mendocino for water their supply and could threaten water quality conditions for endangered fish species migrating in the fall up the Russian River. Minimum in-stream flows requested in the TUCP would help preserve water supplies in Lake Mendocino and protect the fall migration of endangered fish.
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Community Engagement Shifts to Virtual Videos
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Sonoma Water has shifted how it is communicating with our community during shelter-in-place. Virtual video interviews and facility tours are being produced and posted on Sonoma Water’s website and social media sites, such as Facebook and YouTube.
The interviews are being conducted by members of the Sonoma Water Board of Directors and feature projects being implemented in the community, such as the Larkfield sewer installation project, the filing of a Temporary Urgency Change Petition, and a discussion on the importance of saving water this summer and fall. Additional interviews are being coordinated to discuss summer stream maintenance efforts along with virtual tours of water and wastewater facilities.
Sonoma Water is pleased to continue providing proactive and accurate information about its many projects being implemented in our community. To view these and more videos, please go to
www.sonomawater.org/interviews
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Northern California Prescribed-Burning Community
Brings Expertise and Enthusiasm to Aid Protected Lands in Sonoma County
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A huge thank you to our partners in the Lake Sonoma watershed, including Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Fire Forward Program, the Good Fire Alliance, the Mendocino County Prescribed Burn Association, Northern Sonoma County Fire, Anderson Valley Fire, Mendocino County Fire, Sonoma Valley Fire, and many other organizations for conducting successful prescribed burns throughout the region and in the Lake Sonoma watershed in particular.
Conducting low intensity prescribed burns in the watershed that fills Lake Sonoma helps protects the region’s source of drinking water. Way to go!
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Sonoma Water Partners with USDA NRCS
to Rehabilitate Central Sonoma Watershed
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Sonoma Water received a $1.2 million funding award from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a watershed plan and assessment to rehabilitate the Central Sonoma Watershed Project.
The Central Sonoma Watershed project includes facilities on Santa Rosa Creek and its tributaries, which serve as critical flood protection infrastructure serving Santa Rosa and downstream communities. These facilities include Spring Lake, Brush Creek Reservoir, Piner Creek Reservoir, Matanzas Creek Reservoir, and a series of channel conveyance structures in this 163,000 acre watershed. This federally sponsored project, operated by Sonoma Water, is one of 33 in the state that were developed over 50 years ago. The project is in need of rehabilitation and modernization to continue to serve a growing population, as well as adapting to changing climate conditions which include increased flooding and more frequent periods of drought.
This planning effort will address the system’s vulnerabilities and plan for upgrades in a comprehensive way to meet the community’s current and future needs. In addition to this new funding for a system-wide plan, NRCS is also funding the upgrade to the Matanzas Dam spillway to meet current design standards. Sonoma Water is pleased to renew our partnership with NRCS to serve the public’s interest.
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Rainfall and Water Storage Update
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Current water supply conditions as of June 15, 2020
Lake Mendocino
Target Water Supply Curve: 87,544 acre-feet
Current Storage: 65,628 acre-feet (74.97% of Target Water Supply Curve)
Lake Sonoma
Target Storage Curve: 245,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 208,806 acre-feet (85.23% of Water Supply Pool)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/19 – 6/14/20)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2019 water years): 36.36”
Current Water Year: 14.67” which is 40.35% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2018 water years): 30.28"
Current Water Year: 19.14” which is 63.2% of average
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Upcoming Events
Our offices will be closed:
Friday, July 3 for the 4
th
of July holiday.
The Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Upcoming Board meetings:
- June 23, 2020, 8:30 am
- July 7, 2020, 8:30 am
Board meetings currently only available online.
Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board Meetings
July 27, 4:00 pm - Sonoma Valley
August 13, 1:00 pm -Santa Rosa Plain
June 25, 4:00 pm - Petaluma Valley
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Fact of the Month
NASA selected a 13-year-old company, Astrobotic, to deliver a "water-hunting" robot to the Moon's surface in late 2023,
the space agency announced.
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Employment Opportunities
We invite you to explore the career opportunities available with Sonoma Water.
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Public Comment Opportunities
Please click the button below to see opportunities to provide your input and comments.
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Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | sonomawater.org
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