Newsletters

Wait and See…..Since early this year, as the reservoirs declined and the rain failed to fall, Sonoma County water purveyors suffered a severe case of ‘wait and see’.  Early on, it was ‘wait and see’ if the rain comes and the reservoirs fill, even when limited falling rain was greedily absorbed by vegetation and thirsty soil before reaching the creeks. Then it was ‘wait and see’ how much water was being conserved; as time sped by and reservoirs dropped quickly.  Even then, in June and July, no one seemed ready to panic.  Lowering minimum flows to 35 cfs was also thought to save the day, but that didn’t make much difference in reservoir levels either. More »

While many are now breaking free of COVID and roaring back to their former lives, others are wondering if the Russian River will have any water next fall.   It’s rather disconcerting to talk to people about running out of water if they respond with, “What drought”?  I photographed the approximately one foot deep mid-river flow recently at one spot in Monte Rio, a sure sign we’ll have a problem.  Here’s an update…

Governor declared drought emergency…In late April, Governor Newsom declared a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, triggering emergency measures to address the drought while not yet making them mandatory. (Some mandatory requirements are only now beginning to kick in.) More »

Spring is here and things are popping….
After a very slow winter, things are popping now. Life has gotten busy, and things are ‘a changing…’ In order to keep you informed, we are making this letter a four pager. Drop us a note and share your thoughts with us.
It’s a bad one…..
As if we needed something else to worry about, we now face serious drought that may be the worst since that of 1976-77. It seems strange however, that drought has only been declared for our area. At a news conference on April 21st, when asked whether there would be statewide mandates called for to address water shortages, More »

Change is everywhere….In this COVID-19 age, when it seems like every ordinary mundane activity is turned upside down, and nothing is quick and efficient anymore, we want desperately to believe that things will go back to normal soon.  The effects of unprecedented change can be nerve wracking.  We’re staying at home more, and supposedly having more time to get things done, More »