Water Quality, Flow, and Water Rights

Russian River Watershed Map

A nicely detailed watershed map of the Russian River is available here.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/russian_river/pdf/150219/141008_russian_river_watershed_map.pdf

2012 Water Quality Assessment Report

Every six years the North Coast Water Board evaluates water quality information and identifies water bodies that do not meet water quality standards and are not supporting their beneficial uses. Those waters are placed on a list of impaired water bodies that identifies the pollutant or stressor causing impairment and establishes a schedule for developing a control plan to address the impairment.

Main program page:

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/303d/

Map of water quality listed segments. (Click on the map tab)

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/tmdl/integrated2012.html

Russian River TMDLs

Several Total Maximum Daily Load strategies are contemplated for the Russian River Watershed for pathogen/indicator bacteria, sediment, temperature, and mercury. A TMDL for pathogen indicator bacteria is being developed by the North Coast Water Board at this time. This site provides staff reports, updates, and additional memoranda developed during the process for that TMDL, and insight and perspective into the other TMDLs.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/russian_river/

Swimming Beach Bacterial Quality Monitoring

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services posts regular monitoring results during the summer recreation season here:

• http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/services/freshwater.asp#russian-river

2008 North Coast Water Board's Sediment TMDL Implementation Work Plan

The Regional Water Board adopted a TMDL implementation policy statement in 2004 and a subsequent work plan in 2008 that details efforts to address sediment impaired water bodies in the region. The section on the Russian River Watershed begins on page 179.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/sediment_tmdl_implementation/

2008 Russian River Biological Opinion for endangered salmonid species

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/rrifr/

Facilities Regulated by the Regional Water Board

This link is an interactive map of permitted facilities in California. You can zoom in to the watershed of your choice and click on a facility to obtain information.

• https://ciwqs.waterboards.ca.gov/ciwqs/readOnly/CiwqsMapServlet?mapName=regulatedFacilityMap

Sanitary Sewer Overflow Incident Map

This link is an interactive map of overflows from sanitary sewers. You can zoom in to the watershed of your choice and click on an incident to obtain information.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/sso_map/sso_pub.html

Roseland Fact Sheet

Groundwater in the Roseland area of Santa Rosa is contaminated from petroleum products and is the subject of a large groundwater cleanup effort. Updates are routinely made available on the Water Board's web site.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/publications_and_forms/available_documents/pdf/151021/Roseland_Fact_Sheet-October2015.pdf

California Environmental Data Exchange Network

This site, maintained by the State Water Resources Control Board, contains water quality and habitat information in a spreadsheet format. It can be a bit confusing to use, so pay careful attention to the instructions. Search on HUC 8 for Russian.

• http://www.ceden.org/

Stream Flow and Stage Height Information

This site is maintained by the California Department of Water Resources and provides up to the minute information on stream flow and height as well as some other parameters. The link below goes to a map of stations in California. Zoom in on the Russian River Watershed and select any site to access the corresponding information

• http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecstation/

Water Rights Database

Statements of water diversion and use, registrations, certificates and water rights permits are accessible on the eWRIMS, electronic Water Rights Information Management System. This link includes a mapping application.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/ewrims/

2000 Review of Water Quality Objectives with Respect to Salmonid Species Listed Under the Federal Endangered Species Act

This project was funded by the Sonoma County Water Agency to review the Water Board's regulations for water quality as regards the level of protection for listed salmonids in the Russian River watershed. It presents life history requirements for those species, compares those requirements to water quality regulations and Russian River conditions at the time, and presents recommendations.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/BP-ESA_Objectives_Review_Aug_00.pdf

1997 Report on Insecticide Residues, California Department of Pesticide Regulation

This report details monitoring efforts for pesticide residues in four California rivers, including the Russian River in 1994 during summer and winter conditions.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/DPR_Pest_Residues_in_4_CA_rivers_1997.pdf

1993 Interim Staff Report on Russian River Water Quality Monitoring, 1972-1993

Russian River monitoring programs and data from 1972 through 1993 are summarized and evaluated in this report, providing historical perspective and graphical presentation of some water quality conditions over time.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/1993_Russian_R_WQ_rpt.pdf

1988 Early Warning Project for the Russian River

The North Coast Water Board conducted a study in association with the Sonoma County Water Agency and a local laboratory to:

• Test and develop macroreticular resin sampling methodology to detect heavy metals and selected organic chemicals at levels below the available methods at the time of the study;
• Test and assess an early warning system based on behavioral analysis of captive water fleas (Daphnia pulex) by video camera on a real-time basis; and
• Recommend implementation of a toxic substances early warning network for the Russian River.

• Russian River "Early Warning" Project

1985 Report on organic chemical and heavy metal monitoring in the Russian River

The Russian River was sampled at 15 sites up to seven times from September of 1983 to April of 1984 for selected organic chemicals (including pesticides) and heavy metals. The data and evaluation are presented in this report.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/Russian_OrgsMetals_1983-4.pdf

1981 Memorandum on Sonoma County mercury mines

This memo was prompted by concerns about mercury sources in the Russian River Watershed and presents the status of 13 mines in the Sonoma County portion of the Watershed that were under 1969 waste discharge requirements. The original location maps are hard to read and have been updated.
Original memorandum

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/Son_Co_Mercury_Mines_1981.pdf

Updated maps

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/Updated_maps_SonCoHgMines.pdf

Landscape Information

2005 N. Coast Water Board Watershed Initiative Chapter, Russian/Bodega WMA

The North Coast Region developed a Watershed Initiative Chapter as part of the State Water Board's Watershed Management Initiative that provides an overview of that watershed, a description of its water quality concerns and issues, past significant Regional Board activities in the watershed, activities as of 2005, near-term activities that would benefit the Watershed, and activities which may happen on a longer time-scale.

• http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/wpc/06rrbbsec2.pdf

Circuit Rider and NOAA Fisheries Joint GIS Project

These sites provide GIS layers for the Russian River Watershed, "… a set of standardized, spatial data in support of recovery planning for three threatened salmonid species…"

• http://www.worldcat.org/title/russian-river-watershed-gis/oclc/53089554
• https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/5517108

Laguna de Santa Rosa Historical Ecology Project

The San Francisco Estuary Institute is partnered with a number of local agencies and groups in research on the historical ecology of this valuable wetlands area.

• http://www.sfei.org/projects/laguna-de-santa-rosa-historical-ecology-initiative#sthash.MEg8iae5.dpbs

California Geographic Information Portal

This portal has a search engine for the portal itself and ArcGIS online. Information and GIS layers can be accessed for a variety of data, including hillshade, vegetation, rivers, contours, stream fish habitat by reach, stream inventory reports, and CalWater 2.2 maps.

• http://portal.gis.ca.gov/geoportal/catalog/main/home.page

CalFire Fire and Resource Assessment Program

This site contains a wealth of information on the amount and extent of forest and rangelands along with analysis of conditions. Maps, projects, and assessments are available on the site, including GIS layers for timber harvesting, vegetation, and other resources.

• http://frap.fire.ca.gov/

U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service Geospatial Data Gateway

Environmental and natural resources GIS files are available at this site, along with an interactive national map viewer.

• https://gdg.sc.egov.usda.gov/

Watershed Condition Information

Laguna de Santa Rosa Webpage

This page provides information and links for the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed.

• Laguna de Santa Rosa

California EcoAtlas

This website provides access to information on wetlands, including integration of some water quality information.

• http://www.ecoatlas.org/regions/ecoregion/klamath-north-coast

2008 Case Study of Watershed Restoration in the Russian River Basin

This paper discusses restoration efforts in light of ecological and political implications of projects on a basin scale.

• http://hydroreform.org/sites/default/files/Christian-Smith%20Merenlender%20Restoration%20Ecology%202008.pdf

Watershed Groups, Partnerships, and Collaboration

The Russian River Watershed is richly populated with watershed groups, interest groups, and advocacy groups. The links below represent a sampling of those groups. We apologize for any omissions and suggest that if you know of an active group that is not listed to please contact volunteer, Bob Klamt, robert.klamt@waterboards.ca.gov.

Resource Conservation Districts

Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are special districts set up under the State Department of Conservation to assist landowners in addressing natural resource and environmental concern through information, collaboration, and grant funding. There are three RCDs in the Russian River Watershed, each with varying levels of involvement in Russian River Watershed land and water issues. Go to their "watersheds" and "projects" tabs for specific information.
Gold Ridge RCD

• http://www.goldridgercd.org/index.html

Sonoma RCD (formerly the Sotoyome and Southern Sonoma County RCDs)

• http://www.sonomarcd.org/index.html

Mendocino Country RCD

• http://mcrcd.org/

Russian River Watershed Association

This organization represents a coalition of cities, counties, and special districts to coordinate water, fisheries, and watershed programs in the Russian River Watershed.  An interactive watershed map is included in this link along with upcoming events, various projects, and informational materials.

• http://www.rrwatershed.org/

Russian River Watershed Protection Committee

This nonprofit group, formed in the mid-1970s, is concerned with issues affecting the Russian River and the Watershed, focused on water quality of the lower river.

• http://www.rrwpc.org/

Russian River Watershed Cleanup Committee

This group has coordinated cleanup on the Russian River for over 20 years and is responsible for removing tons of trash from the river and riparian areas every year.

• http://russianrivercleanup.org/

Russian RiverKeeper

This advocacy organization was formed in 1993 as Friends of the Russian River and is active in many watershed issues.

• http://russianriverkeeper.org/

Friends of the Mark West Watershed

This group is dedicated to conservation of the Mark West Creek Watershed and includes collecting water quality and quantity data and historical information.

• http://www.markwestwatershed.org/index.html

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation

This organization has been active in the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed for over two decades working collaboratively to restore and conserve watershed values. Their programs include education, restoration, conservation, and climate change adaptation through a variety of media, including workshops and outings in the watershed. This site contains a major compilation of information, both current and historical.

• http://www.lagunafoundation.org/

Fish Friendly Farming

This effort began with a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant to the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District for program development. This cooperative effort of environmentally sensitive agricultural land management in the Russian River Watershed is aimed at restoring and improving ecosystem health for the benefit of salmon and steelhead.

• http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/russianriverwatersheds/russianriverwatershed.html

Salmonid Restoration Federation

This nonprofit group was formed in 1986 to assist salmonid restoration efforts in California by promoting "restoration, stewardship, and recovery of California native salmon, steelhead and trout populations through education, collaboration, and advocacy." Their web site contains a wealth of information on salmonids and habitat and stream restoration in California.

• http://www.calsalmon.org/

North Coast Resource Partnership

This coalition of Tribes and counties was initially known as the North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. It is stakeholder driven effort to address water, natural resource, and energy issues through identification, collaboration, and funding of multi-benefit projects. The site provides information on watersheds, projects, and funding opportunities. The "map" tab is an interactive way to focus on a watershed area.

• http://www.northcoastresourcepartnership.org/

UC Davis Information Center for the Environment, Natural Resource Project Inventory

This database provides information on natural resource projects in California, including links to data and information collected by the projects.

• http://www.ice.ucdavis.edu/project/nrpi.html

Fisheries and Wildlife Information

Sea Grant Russian River Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring Program

Information, including research and monitoring updates and results, for salmonid fisheries in the Russian River Watershed is available on this website for the coho salmon captive broodstock program, juvenile and adult population monitoring, coastal monitoring, PIT tag technology, flow and survival research, and habitat enhancement monitoring.

• https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/project/monitoring-salmon-and-steelhead-in-the-russian-river

Russian River Coho Water Resources Partnership

This partnership was formed in 2009 "… to improve streamflow and water supply reliability in five Russian River tributaries:  Dutch Bill Creek, Grape Creek, Green Valley Creek, Mark West Creek, and Mill Creek."  It is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Sonoma County Water Agency and partners with the local Resource Conservation Districts. The site provides information on resources and projects in the five watersheds.

• http://cohopartnership.org/index.html

Klamath Resource Information System

This system was originally developed as a data repository and analysis and management tool for the Klamath River Watershed. A host of information is available through this site, including maps, water quality data, fisheries data, photographs, and an extensive bibliography of scientific references.

• http://www.krisweb.com/krisrussian/krisdb/html/krisweb/index.htm

Sonoma County Water Agency

The Sonoma County Water Agency staff conducts research, monitoring, and planning in the Russian River Watershed. Their website contains information on their studies. Some interesting links:
Fisheries

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/fisheries/

Russian River Biological Opinion for endangered salmonid species

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/rrifr/

Laguna-Mark West Creek Watershed Planning – 2012

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/files/docs/projects/stormwater-groundwater/Final%20Laguna-Mark%20West%20Project%20Screening%20TM.pdf

Environmental documents – EIRs, management projects, habitat enhancement projects

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/environmental-documents/

Historic Accounts, Recent Abundance, and Current Distribution of Threatened Chinook Salmon in the Russian River, California

This paper provides a good historical perspective on Chinook salmon in the Russian River Watershed, authored by staff at the Sonoma County Water Agency.

• http://www.scwa.ca.gov/files/docs/environment/chinook-in-russian-river-study-2007.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Technical Memorandum on the Historical Occurrence of Coho Salmon in the Central California Coast ESU

This review of historical accounts of occurrence is accompanied by discussion of the implications of inferring the status of the species from occurrence data and implications for future monitoring.

• http://swfsc.noaa.gov/publications/FED/00768.pdf

2002. Russian River Basin Fisheries Restoration Plan - July 2002 Draft

This plan was developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Fish and Game at that time) as a basis for salmonid restoration efforts in the Russian River Watershed. In addition to information on fisheries resources and habitat requirements, this report contains descriptions on sub-basins and limiting factors assessments with recommendations for restoration actions.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/russian_cdfg_coey_2002_draftrestplan.pdf

A History of the Salmonid Decline in the Russian River. 1996. Park Steiner

The decline of salmon and steelhead populations in the Russian River Watershed is documented and examined in this report.

• http://waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/watershed_info/russian_river/pdf/160502/Steiner_1996.pdf

CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Stream Inventory Reports

This California DFW site allows searches by major watershed areas (search on Russian River).

• https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/documents/ContextDocs.aspx?cat=Fisheries--StreamInventoryReports

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA Fisheries is responsible for listing and recovery efforts for anadromous fishes. The recovery plans for coho and Chinook salmon and steelhead contain information on the habitat, population status, stressors and threats, recovery efforts, and recovery strategy.
Coho salmon recovery plan

• http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/salmon_steelhead/recovery_planning_and_implementation/north_central_california_coast/north_central_california_coast_salmon_and_steelhead_recovery_plans.html

Chinook salmon recovery outline

• http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/recovery_planning/salmon_steelhead/domains/southern_oregon_northern_california/cc_chinook_recovery_outline_final_may_2007.pdf

Steelhead trout recovery outline

• http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/publications/recovery_planning/salmon_steelhead/domains/north_central_california_coast/ccc_steelhead_recovery_outline_final_may_2007.pdf

CalFish Cooperative Anadromous Fish and Habitat Data Program

This cooperative agency site provides information on anadromous fish habitat and populations in an interactive environment. The site has numerous links to information libraries and systems in California.

• http://www.calfish.org/

The Nature Conservancy's "California Salmon Snapshots"

This website contains information on salmon populations and resources in California. This link provides information on the Russian River Watershed.

• http://www.casalmon.org/salmon-snapshots/population/russian-river-1

The links and information on this page are provided in an attempt to make a broad range of information available on a watershed basis. While the Water Board has been involved in work within watersheds with a variety of agencies and watershed groups, we cannot vouch for the currency or accuracy of information contained within the internet links we have included. We suggest that you check with the original sources if there is any question regarding currency, accuracy, or origin of information.

Created April 20, 2016
Web page contact : Robert Klamt, robert.klamt@waterboards.ca.gov