The petition was submitted due to drought conditions, severely low storage levels in Lake Mendocino, and a hydrologic index for establishing minimum flows not aligning with the watershed conditions. On January 1, 2021, the water supply condition for the Russian River was reclassified as 'Normal' from 'Dry' based on the cumulative inflow into Lake Pillsbury for the water year. The calculated cumulative inflow of 9,539 acre-feet exceeded the threshold criterion of 8,000 acre-feet between the two classifications. This designation of 'Normal' water supply conditions does not accurately reflect the current watershed conditions and the lack of rainfall experienced in 2020 in the Upper Russian River. As measured at Ukiah, recorded rainfall for 2020 was 11.32 inches, which amounts to 31% of the average rainfall (37.01 inches). This was the second lowest rainfall recorded since 1893.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD AND ON BOARD MEMBER REPORTS (Comments are restricted to matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. The Board will hear public comments at this time for up to twenty minutes. Each person is usually granted time at the discretion of the Chair. Any additional public comments will be heard at the conclusion of the meeting. While members of the public are welcome to address the Board, under the Brown Act, Board members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda.)
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