Potter Valley Irrigation District Logo

Supporting sustainable food, power, and water for over 100 years

In 1908, a hydroelectric plant was built on the north end of Potter Valley, replacing a coal-fired plant to power the city of Ukiah. Today, roughly 3% of the Eel River watershed is diverted to the Russian River to run the turbines.

Potter Valley Irrigation District provides agricultural water for Potter Valley, in Mendocino County, California, using a portion of the water diverted through the power plant. Potter Valley's family farms produce wine grapes, pears, grass-fed cattle, sheep and other agricultural products valued at over $34 million.

cattle crossingThe Great Green Pumpkin
Barn
Potter Valley Spring Landscape, with sheep
Spring in Potter Valley, April 2012

20th Annual Eel River Cleanup

114 people from Lake and Mendocino Counties attended the 20th annual Eel River Cleanup on Saturday, November 5th.

For the first time, the cleanup expanded into Lake County, covering a total of 26 miles of county roads and 12 miles of river. 27 tires, 10 1/2 cubic yards of trash, and a full pickup load of recyclables were sent to the Potter Valley Transfer Station. The trash collected included mattresses, auto parts, a toilet, discarded foam rubber, appliances, abandoned netting, and all kinds of general packaging and refuse.

See the full report, including pictures of some of the trash, here.

Community help is essential to keep the watershed and our recreation areas clean. Thank you to everyone who participated.


System Status: April 28, 2012

It's the middle of April and we find that our fickle weather has once again returned to near normal. Frost season still short, just the way we like it. Lake Pillsbury is now considered full and will be held at one foot below the top of the gates. The snow pack, though not quite normal, is still sufficient to meet all required flows in the Eel and East Branch Russian Rivers. PVID will receive the normal contract delivery of 50 CFS, and the East Branch Russian River, currently at 35 CFS, will be increased to 75 CFS on May 15th for a total 125 CFS to be released through the powerhouse. Remember, this is water stored in Lake Pillsbury specifically for the beneficial use of more than 500,000 people in the Russian River from Potter Valley to Jenner.

PVID will be completing two construction projects associated with the west main canal by the end of April. We will also be preparing the canal system for the delivery of irrigation water, and will have a full crew as of May 1st.

REMINDER, PVID LAND OWNERS: Please complete the land use status survey and return it as soon as you can. Thanks for your help.

The following is a list of some of the water related issues that PVID is currently involved in.

  1. The Upper Main Stem Eel River Draft Coho Recovery Action Plan. (Public comments accepted through May 4, 2012)
  2. Stewardship Council Land Stewardship Proposal.
  3. Russian River Frost Water Regulations and Dept. of Fish & Game involvement.
  4. Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission.
  5. Eel River Recovery Project Group.
  6. Education and public information about the Eel River and Russian River watersheds.
  7. Quagga and Zebra Mussel monitoring Program development.
  8. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB) Irrigated Lands Discharge Program.

Steve Elliott, Superintendent

Continue to more PVID news.

potter valley panorama