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Animal grazing for vegetation management reduces dangerous fire fuels, reduces the risk of wildfire, improves public safety, benefits native plants, reduces herbicide use, and supports local agriculture. This photo shows grazing near water storage tanks at Spring Lake Regional Park. | |  |
- New milestone reached for regional AQPI weather forecast system
- Russian River flows adjusted to safeguard reservoirs and endangered fish
- Back to school with the Water and Energy Education Program
- Steelhead School Tour registration opens on Sept. 2
- Climate Resilience in the North Bay Teacher Workshop
- Community Meeting on Groundwater Resilience Set for August 21 in Cotati
- West County stakeholders to explore regional sewer solutions
- Upgrade your home and save: local rebates and inspiration
- Reservoir update
- Did you know?
- Meetings
- Employment opportunities
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New milestone reached for regional AQPI weather forecast system
We have reached a new radar milestone in our AQPI Project thanks to a powerful federal, state and regional partnership! Partners include federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state Department of Water Resources, universities including Colorado State’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, and Scripps Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, and local water agency partners led by Sonoma Water.
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Five X-Band Radars around the Bay: as of this month, there are now five X-Band radars keeping watch over the Bay Area. These information-gap filling radars will track winter storms, including large atmospheric rivers, as they move into the Bay Area.
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Sawyer Ridge site: the newest addition on top of Sawyer Ridge in San Mateo County with views over the Bay and the Peninsula is the newest radar, deployed in July 2025; all equipment is expected to be ready before the rainy season starts.
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Why it matters: in 2024, throughout the United States, there were 27 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each. (NOAA: www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions) The new radars and the data communications systems that link the radar will provide better information more quickly to Bay Area water agencies and other storm watchers. The time savings and better data give communities more time to prepare for potential problems.
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Filling the gaps: standard weather radars often can’t “see” well over California’s mountains, where the heaviest rain often falls. AQPI’s radars provide a clearer picture.
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Protecting people and infrastructure: better data helps manage reservoirs, protect neighborhoods from flooding, operate stormwater systems, and guide emergency response.
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Part of a bigger picture: AQPI combines radar data, rain and stream gauges, storm forecasts and coastal flood modeling to keep the region safer and more resilient.
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Coming soon: the largest radar to be added to the system, a C-Band Radar to be installed in Marin County. This radar will “see” from the Pacific all the way to the middle of San Francisco Bay.
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When complete: AQPI will cover most Bay Area watersheds, with additional radars feeding into the system for even better coverage.
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Russian River flows adjusted to safeguard reservoirs and endangered fish
The State Water Resources Control Board issued an order at the end of June to approve temporary urgency change petitions filed by Sonoma Water. The petitions requested that the water supply condition in the Russian River, which sets the minimum instream flow requirements in the Upper and Lower Russian River, be determined based on storage thresholds in Lake Mendocino rather than cumulative inflow into Lake Pillsbury in the Eel River watershed.
The petitions also requested the minimum instream flow requirement on the Upper Russian River be reduced from 185 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 125 cfs and on the Lower Russian River from 125 cfs to 70 cfs as required by the 2025 Russian River Biological Opinion. The temporary order is in effect for 180 days and reflects reduced water diversions from the Eel River and the need to set minimum instream flow requirements based on watershed and reservoir conditions in the Russian River watershed. Read the full press release
| | Back to school with the Water and Energy Education Program | | |
We’re excited to kick off another inspiring school year with the Water and Energy Education Program at Sonoma Water! These programs help students and teachers explore the vital role of water and energy in our daily lives.
From hands-on classroom visits and engaging field trips to teacher workshops, student contests, school supplies and grant opportunities — we’re here to support environmental learning through fun, inquiry-based experiences. Let’s make this year one of discovery, stewardship and science!
Learn more and register at sonomawater.org/education.
| | Steelhead School Tour registration opens on Sept. 2 | | |
This 90-minute guided tour of the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery begins at the Lake Sonoma Visitor Center. A collaborative partnership between Sonoma Water’s education team and United States Army Corps of Engineer volunteers, this tour is a fun and engaging complement to the Steelhead in the Classroom program and suitable for all grade levels!
For more information, please visit lakesonomaeducation.org.
| | Climate Resilience in the North Bay – Teacher Workshop | | In June, 24 elementary school teachers from Sonoma County participated in a five-day workshop offered by Sonoma Water in partnership with Sonoma Clean Power, focused on climate resilience, literacy and environmental stewardship. Each day, educators engaged with a different local organization dedicated to climate mitigation, adaptation, research and education. Through hands-on learning and collaboration, teachers deepened their understanding of local climate challenges and solutions. As a result, these educators are now better equipped to bring climate education into their classrooms and communities, helping to build a more informed and resilient future for the North Bay. | |
Teacher workshop participants pose for a group photo at Sonoma Clean Power | |
Community meeting on groundwater resilience set for August 21 in Cotati
On Thursday, August 21 from 5:30–7:30 PM, community members are invited to Beneath the Surface: 10 Years of Groundwater Basin Stewardship, a public meeting and resource workshop in Cotati focused on groundwater resilience in Santa Rosa Plain and Petaluma Valley.
Hosted by the Petaluma Valley and Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), the event will reflect on the past decade of under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Local experts will share the progress made since the formation of our GSAs and highlight the valuable work underway to understand, protect, and strengthen our groundwater resources in the face of climate challenges.
The meeting will offer an opportunity for community members to ask questions and talk directly with GSA staff. During the workshop, several community-based organizations will be on hand offering practical strategies for groundwater users to implement on their own property to help support a sustainable groundwater future for our local area.
Presentations will be in English, with Spanish language interpretation and bilingual materials provided.
| | West County stakeholders to explore regional sewer solutions | | |
The West County Water Quality and Recycled Water Supply Feasibility Study Stakeholder Committee will meet online on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to continue discussing long-term wastewater solutions for unsewered neighborhoods in west Sonoma County. Sonoma Water is conducting the study on behalf of the Russian River County Sanitation District to explore regional treatment options that could help protect water quality in the Russian River and local creeks. The meeting is open to the public.
Read the full press release here and find a link to the online meeting at sonomawater.org/westcountystudy.
| | Upgrade Your Home and Save: Local Rebates and Inspiration | | |
Looking for ways to save water, energy, and money—while also upgrading your home? Whether you're thinking about swapping out your thirsty lawn, upgrading to a high-efficiency washer, or replacing an old toilet, there's a simple first step: explore the online tools and rebate programs available on the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership website:
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Swap out turf for a low-water landscape that’s easier to maintain and better for the environment. Visit our Eco-Friendly Garden Tour webpage to explore beautiful, climate-friendly design ideas—and see which rebates can help cover the cost.
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High-efficiency washers use less water and energy. Check out rebates from local utilities before you buy—upgrading is easier (and more affordable) than you might think.
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Still using toilets from the '90s or earlier? Modern high-efficiency models use far less water. Rebates are available, and some programs even offer free installation.
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Explore this rebate webpage to find tools, tips, and incentives that make it easy to upgrade your home while saving resources.
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Did you know?
A year of water, delivered! Sonoma Water is a wholesale supplier of water to nine regional contractors, who then distribute water to more than 600,000 people in our region. Do you ever wonder just how much water that is? For fiscal year 24/25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) that was 45,184 acre-feet, or 14,723,251,584 gallons of water!
Find out more:sonomawater.org/water-delivery-data
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Upcoming Meetings
View the agenda packet for July 21, 2025 and the board meeting presentation.
Visit eelrussianauthority.org/meetings for more information.
The Sonoma Water Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and will be facilitated virtually through Zoom and at Board of Supervisors Chambers (BSC) 575 Administration Drive 102A.
August 15 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session
August 26 BSC/Virtual
August 27 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session-Department Head Workplans
August 28 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session-Department Head Workplans
August 29 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session-Department Head Workplans
September 9 BSC/Virtual
September 16 BSC/Virtual
September 19 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session
September 23 BSC/Virtual
Board Agendas:
View upcoming Agenda items
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Employment Opportunities at Sonoma Water
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