State Water Board Drought Year Water Actions - Russian River
DROUGHT-RELATED EMERGENCY REGULATION REQUIRING ENHANCED WATER CONSERVATION AND ADDITIONAL WATER USER INFORMATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF SPECIFIC FISHERIES IN TRIBUTARIES TO THE RUSSIAN RIVER
On June 17, 2015, the State Water Board adopted an emergency regulation to help protect federal-and state-listed anadromous fish in four priority Russian River tributary watersheds (Dutch Bill Creek, Green Valley Creek, portions of Mark West Creek, and Mill Creek). On March 1, 2016, the State Water Board adopted a Resolution to Update and Readopt a Drought-Related Emergency Regulation Requiring Additional Water User Information for the Protection of Specific Fisheries in Tributaries to the Russian River. The updated emergency regulation became effective on March 30, 2016, upon adoption by the Office of Administrative Law. The 2016 Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation renews the State Water Board's authority to continue collecting information from landowners and waters suppliers in the four watershed, including follow up with and enforcement of those who have not complied with the Informational Order. The 2016 Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation does not include the enhanced water conservation measures at this time, because of the improved rainfall so far this year. Collection of a more complete and accurate data set in the four watersheds will help to better inform future actions in the short term, if the drought continues, as well as in the long term as part of the California Water Action Plan instream flow effort.
GREEN VALLEY CREEK
(click images to enlarge)
Pool with minimal hydrologic connection
Disconnected pool with poor water quality conditions
Most Recent Actions (2016-2017)
Follow-Up Outreach Meeting Notice - State Water Board staff held an outreach meeting on August 28, 2017 in Santa Rosa to present information and results obtained under Order WR 2015-0026-DWR: Order for Additional Information in the Matter of Diversion of Water from Dutch Bill Creek, Green Valley Creek, Portions of Mark West Creek, and Mill Creek Watersheds.
- State Water Board Workshop Presentation: Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation Follow up Meeting (August 28, 2017)
Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation Approved by Office of Administrative Law (OAL): OAL Notice of Approval of Emergency Regulation, Form 400, and text of Emergency Regulation (OAL file number 2016-0321-03EE) – March 30, 2016
- The 2016 Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation expired on December 28, 2016
Submittal to the Office of Administrative Law - March 21, 2016
- On March 21, 2016, the State Water Board submitted the proposed update and readoption of the emergency regulation to OAL. The due date for interested parties to provide OAL Public comments on the proposed emergency regulation was March 25, 2016. No public comments were submitted to OAL. The full regulation submittal package is provided below.
- Form 400 with a copy of adopted regulatory text with references and authorities
- State Water Board Resolution No. 2016-0012 adopting the regulation
- Adopted Regulation and Informational Materials (digest), dated March 14, 2016
- March 14, 2016 Notice of Proposed Emergency Rulemaking
- Form 399 and fiscal analysis
Fact Sheets, & Questions and Answers
- Administrative Civil Liability (ACL) Complaints for Failure to Provide Required Information Fact Sheet - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Why is it the State Water Board's Division of Water Rights issuing the ACL Complaints? What is an ACL? Who was issued an ACL Complaint? What are the penalties and options for individuals who receive an ACL Complaint? And other FAQs.
- Fact Sheet on Informational Order - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - What is an Informational Order? Who is required to respond to the Informational Order? Why is the State Water Board issuing the Informational Order? And other FAQs.
- Questions and Answers - Frequently asked questions and answers to clarify elements of the emergency regulation.
Subscribe to the Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation email list to receive updates. (see the "Water Rights" section).
Russian River Tributary Watershed Lookup Tool and Maps
State Water Board Maps and Lookup Tool - The lookup tool allows you to find the coordinates for your groundwater well and determine whether your property falls within the boundaries of the four watersheds covered by the emergency regulation. Note that parcels on the boundary of a watershed should contact State Water Board staff directly to confirm whether or not their property is subject to the emergency regulation.
- Russian River Mapping Lookup Tool
- Russian River Tributaries Overview Map
- Dutch Bill Creek Watershed Map
- Green Valley Creek Watershed Map
- Mark West Creek Watershed Map
- Mill Creek Watershed Map
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Map
Related Links and Studies
- Dutch Bill Creek Streamflow Improvement Plan - March 2017
- Sonoma County Department of Health Services - August 21, 2015 press release on Russian River Blue Green Algae Health Advisory and November 4, 2015 Russian River: Blue Green Algae Status Update
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Russian River Coho – Voluntary Drought Initiative Program
- National Marine Fisheries Service – Voluntary Drought Initiative Program
- United States Geologic Survey Study “Simulation of Groundwater and Surface-Water Resources of the Santa Rosa Plain Watershed, Sonoma County, California” - April 2014
- Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration (CEMAR) Study “Report on the Hydrologic Characteristics of Mark West Creek”- January 2015
- The City of Healdsburg Urban Recycled Water Hauling Program - Recycled Water to pick up and use for irrigation of vegetable gardens and ornamental landscapes
- O’Connor Environmental Study “Integrated Surface and Groundwater Modeling and Flow Availability Analysis for Restoration Prioritization Planning: Green Valley\Atascadero and Dutch Bill Creek Water Sheds, Sonoma County, California”- March 2016
State Water Board Contact Information & Email Subscription
- Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation:
- Phone Number: (916) 322-8422
- Email Address: rr_tribs_emergency_reg@waterboards.ca.gov
Subscribe to the Russian River Tributaries Emergency Regulation email list to receive updates (see the "Water Rights" section).