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Get this newsletter in Spanish at sonomawater.org/e-news

Lake Sonoma Overlook April 2024

Sonoma Water E-News | April 2024

Celebrating 75 Years of Service


It has been the work of Sonoma Water since 1949 to effectively manage the resources in our care for the benefit of people and the environment. With more than 200 dedicated professionals who work for Sonoma Water in a variety of fields ranging from engineering to biology, we strive to look forward, beyond today’s issues, to anticipate ways to advance our mission:


To provide reliable water supply, wastewater management, and flood protection — essential services for a thriving community and a healthy environment. 

earth day event graphic

Celebrate Earth Day with Us


Join us at Santa Rosa’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20 from noon to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square.


This FREE, family-friendly, zero waste festival brings the community together through fun activities, live performing arts, great food, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness including activities with our Water Education team and our four-legged friends at Mussel Dogs who sniff out invasive species of mussels up at Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.

Eco-Friendly Garden Tour - Registration is Now Open

Don’t miss the 14th annual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour on Saturday, May 18! This self-guided tour, hosted by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, focuses on low water use and sustainable landscaping at 26 inspirational gardens throughout Sonoma and Marin counties, including the personal gardens of local landscape designers, architects and garden enthusiasts. If you are interested in landscaping your yard like the pros, or simply looking for fresh ideas for future landscaping projects, the garden tour is the perfect event for you!

Register Here
photo of a happy child playing in a pile of woodchips

Mulch Madness


Get in on #MulchMadness this spring by adding wood chips or yard clippings around plants. It helps soil retain water, reduces the need for watering, inhibits weed growth, moderates soil temperature, and prevents erosion—keeping your yard in winning shape!

Learn more

Hopefully not “Coming to a Door Near You!”

FOG and wipes door hanger

Repeat offenders like fats, oil, grease and wipes can cause big issues when even small amounts are flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain. When our wastewater collection crews observe problems in neighborhood sewer lines, we do some local outreach.


We have designed new door hangers, created to improve the legibility, imagery and bring messaging up to current standards. We are proud of the new outreach materials and we hope very few residents ever have a reason to see them in person.


For more information on what to flush and what to throw away, visit sonomawater.org/pollutionprevention

Pollution Prevention Information from Sonoma Water

Free Saturday Public Tours


Did you ever wonder what happens to wastewater after you flush? Are you curious how Sonoma Water distributes drinking water to 600,000 people in our region every day? Join a public tour to learn about these services and hear from professionals who operate these systems. Tours are offered in both English language, and in Spanish via a partnership with LandPaths. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. 


Mark your calendar for Saturday tours:  

·        April 27, Sonoma Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant (Spanish) 

·        May 18, Russian River Wastewater Treatment Plant 

·        June 1, Water Distribution Tour 

·        June 22, Water Distribution Tour (Spanish) 

Learn more and register for a tour

The Last Coho Photography Show

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation is hosting The Last Coho, a photography exhibit of work by local photographer Kaare Iverson, combining portraiture of endangered salmon with editorial excerpts that collectively illustrate the incredible effort to rehabilitate Coho in the Russian River Watershed. Many of the portraits were shot on large format film using an heirloom land camera which the photographer inherited through a connection to Ansel Adams.

 

The Last Coho by Kaare Iverson will be on display at the Laguna Environmental Center’s Heron Hall, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa from May 4 through August 30, 2024. The public is invited to attend a free opening reception with the artist on May 4, 3 – 5:00 p.m. 

Coho photograph
The Last Coho Information

Rainfall and Water Storage Update

reservoir graphs
Get water supply updates weekly on our website

Current water supply conditions as of 4/8/2024:  


Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 98,905 acre-feet

Current Storage: 98,630 acre-feet (99.72% of FIRO Storage Curve)


Lake Sonoma Minor Deviation Curve: 264,000 acre-feet

Current Storage: 265,404 acre-feet (100.5% of Minor Deviation Storage Curve)


*FIRO is the acronym for Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations


Current rainfall conditions (10/1/23 –4/8/24)  


Ukiah:

Average (1894-2023 water years): 32.63"

Current Water Year: 36.34” which is 111% of average


Santa Rosa (STS):

Average (1950-2023 water years): 32.33"

Current Water Year: 34.24” which is 106% of average


Rainfall Data Source: NOAA's California Nevada River Forecast Center


Raining outside? Keep this number handy: Sonoma Water Flood Forecast Information Hotline 707-526-4768

Visit Sonoma One Rain for Current Rainfall Conditions
glass of water icon

Did you know? A person can live about a month without food, but only about three days without water.

Upcoming Meetings


Eel-Russian Project Authority Board of Directors


View the agenda and video recording of the March 19 Eel-Russian Project Authority Board of Directors Meeting.


For more information visit eelrussianauthority.org/events.


Sonoma Water Board of Directors Meetings


The Sonoma Water 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.


•Apr 16 BSC/Virtual -Water Rate Hearing

•Apr 19 BSC/Virtual/Special Closed Session

•Apr 22 BSC/Virtual/Budget Workshops

•Apr 23 BSC/Virtual/Budget Workshops

•Apr 24 BSC/Virtual/Budget Workshops

•Apr 30 BSC/Virtual

•May 14 BSC/Virtual

•May 17 BSC/Virtual/Special Meeting

•May 21 BSC/Virtual


Board Agendas: 

View upcoming Agenda items

Employment Opportunities


Community Engagement Programs Specialist I 

(closes 04/11/2024)


Water Agency Maintenance Worker I Extra Help 

(continuous)


CAD Design Technician 

(continuous)

View our Careers Webpage
Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | SonomaWater.org
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