Sonoma Water E-News | January 2024 |
|
Welcoming Winter Rains
Passing storms like the recent systems that helped refill our water supply are a welcome sight, especially when they occur sporadically, with some dry days in between. As the season continues, it is important to prepare for rain:
- Clear out leaves and debris from gutters.
- Sweep storm drains at the curb to prevent localized flooding.
- Turn off irrigation systems.
So far, our region has close to an average amount of rain for the season. The graph below shows the latest data on our reservoir storage.
|
|
Tracking Atmospheric Rivers with Innovative Technology |
To monitor potentially hazardous conditions before extreme weather occurs, Sonoma Water has collaborated with leading scientists and federal, state and local agencies to find better ways to track atmospheric rivers so we can better respond to extreme precipitation events. This Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) system uses enhanced weather radar to track precipitation associated with atmospheric rivers across the Bay Area region. This brief video provides more information about this innovative system. |
The Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival is coming Saturday, Feb. 10! |
You won’t want to miss this year’s Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival – the annual free, family friendly celebration of the return of steelhead trout to our local waterways. Now in its 15th year, the festival draws thousands for a day filled with fun and educational activities, good food and drink, live music, a bubble show, arts and crafts and much more.
The event is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature at beautiful Lake Sonoma, too. Sonoma Water co-hosts the event along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Friends of Lake Sonoma with the help of many generous sponsors. All the festivities take place at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center and Don Clausen Fish Hatchery at Lake Sonoma, 3288 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville, rain or shine. See you there!
|
Garden Goals for the New Year |
|
It’s a new year! Is a new yard on your list of goals? Updating your landscape is a big lift, but there are many tools to make your project easier. Now is the time to start planning for spring planting. Get inspired!
Get inspired! Check out inspiring gardens that were featured in the 2022 and 2023 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour. Browse through photos and videos of local home gardens to see what is possible.
Choose a plan! There are eight professionally designed Water Smart Landscape Templates that you can download and use for free! Use one as is or customize it to fit your needs.
Pick your plants! The Water Smart Plant Picker will guide you to the plants that work best for our climate -native plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and more.
|
|
Cleaning out the medicine cabinet? Wondering what to do with your old, unused or expired medicines? Safe Medicine Disposal Boxes are located near you at select CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, Lucky, local independent pharmacies, health centers and police stations.
|
|
Controlled Burns at Lake Sonoma |
|
Recently, crews from both Sonoma Water and Conservation Corps North Bay, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, worked together and conducted controlled burns along Lone Rock Trail Head at Lake Sonoma to remove ladder fuels and dead vegetation. This is the first time we have done this work, which helps protect vital water supply system resources for the region. This is just one example of how Sonoma Water collaborates with community partners for climate adaptation strategies to promote healthy watersheds and build the resilience of our water supply, flood control, and wastewater functions efficiently and cost effectively. |
|
Steelhead in the Classroom |
|
The 2024 Sonoma Water education program is excited to be supporting students and teachers in the K-12 grades in raising steelhead in 87 classrooms with approximately 2100 students this year in both Sonoma and Mendocino County. We provide a 10-gallon tank and specialized equipment for students to raise 50 steelhead eggs over a six-to-eight-week period. That's 4,350 total steelhead eggs!
The eggs are spawned at the Warm Springs Hatchery. Once the steelhead grows to the fry stage the students have a celebration event releasing the steelhead back into the Russian River. The students learn about the steelhead’s habitat and life cycle throughout the spring. Steelhead are listed as a threatened species on the endangered species list. Students gain an appreciation for the journey of steelhead and salmon and how we can care for our local Russian River creeks and watershed. This program is permitted by and officially called the Classroom Aquarium Education Program (CAEP) and is run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Co-sponsors include: Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited, Russian River Fly Fisherman , and Golden West Women Flyfishers.
|
|
Rainfall and Water Storage Update
Current water supply conditions as of 1/8/2024:
Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 80,050 acre-feet
Current Storage: 64,268 acre-feet (80.28% of FIRO Storage Curve)
Lake Sonoma Minor Deviation Curve: 254,500 acre-feet
Current Storage: 238,816 acre-feet (93.84% of Minor Deviation Storage Curve)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/23 –1/9/24)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2023 water years): 13.97"
Current Water Year: 12.69” which is 91% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2023 water years): 14.34"
Current Water Year: 12.62” which is 88% of average
|
|
 |
Upcoming Events
The Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will be facilitated virtually through Zoom and at Board of Supervisors Chambers (BSC) 575 Administration Drive 102A.
• Jan 9 SaraLee and Richard's Barn, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa
•Jan 19 Virtual/Special Closed SessionJan 23 BSC/Virtual
•Jan 23 BSC/Virtual
•Jan 30 BSC/Virtual
•Feb 2 BSC/Virtual/Special Closed Session
•Feb 6 BSC/Virtual
•Feb 27 BSC/Virtual
Board Agendas:
|
|
|
|
Did you know?
How much does a cloud weigh?
Here on Earth, the air around us has invisible water vapor in it. When that water vapor cools and condenses into liquid water droplets or solid ice crystals, visible clouds form. So, clouds are made of water in different states of matter, and that is primarily what contributes to a cloud’s weight. Also, it’s good to keep in mind that the density of water changes depending upon the air temperature. As the temperature changes, the molecules of water will pack closer together or move farther apart. That will change how many molecules fit in a gallon of water and so a gallon of water will vary somewhat in weight.
Read more about calculating the estimated weight of a cloud:
|
Employment Opportunities
Sonoma Water has job openings for people with a variety of skills and experience.
|
|
|
|
Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | SonomaWater.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
