In response to emergency drought conditions persisting throughout the Russian River watershed and insufficient water supply to meet the needs of all water rights holders, on May 25, 2021, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) issued notices of water unavailability to water rights holders in the Russian River watershed upstream of the Dry Creek confluence.
Additionally, the State Water Board is considering adoption of an emergency regulation for the Russian River. The proposed emergency regulation would allow for curtailments of water diversions when natural flows decrease such that water is not available: (1) to meet carryover storage targets in Lake Mendocino; (2) minimum flows for state and federally listed fish in the Russian River; and (3) minimum human health and safety needs.
State Water Board staff will hold a public workshop to provide information and answer questions related to the Notices of Water Unavailability and the proposed emergency regulation.
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