Ann has been in her job for 1.5 years. She speaks to many community groups to help the Water Agency spread the word about its challenges. These include a required 15 year program of habitat restoration on Dry Creek, the connection between Lake Sonoma and the Russian River. The “Biological Opinion” rendered 2 years ago found that high flows in the river and Dry Creek made it difficult for 3 species of fish, steelhead, coho, and Chinook salmon, to survive. Some info:

• The SCWA controls reservoirs and flow for water supply purposes, and the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control.
• Ten years of studies (cost: $12 million) resulted in plans for restoration projects in Dry Creek and a need to prohibit breaching of the sandbar at the mouth of the river every summer to protect young fish.
• Studies examined alternatives for pipelines from Lake Sonoma to the river. SCWA recently decided to drop that project from its current efforts, which prompted a lawsuit from several cities concerned with protecting their supply.
• Last year, the agency provided 54,000 acre-feet of water to its contractors, well short of the current permitted limit on its take from the river of 75,000 acre-feet.
• Besides its primary contractors, they supply 5 other, smaller customers, and in off-peak times, Marin Municipal Water District.
• On groundwater, they’ve worked with the USGS to assess Valley of the Moon underground water supply, as they did already with Alexander Valley, the Joy and Riebli Roads areas, all working with property owners on a voluntary basis. Part of the studies focused on identifying aquifer recharge areas.
• Desalination was discussed, and Ann reported its downsides: great energy use, and a “brine” extract that’s difficult to dispose of.
•  See the Water Agency’s website for loads of information. Click on Water Supply.

Anne E. Seeley