To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Marcus Trotta 707-547-1978
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Hydrologic Characterization, Coupled Watershed, and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute a joint funding agreement with United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior, in a form approved by County Counsel, for watershed hydrological analysis, groundwater flow modelling, and water resources investigations through December 31, 2023, in the amount of $15,088 (Sonoma County Water Agency’s share is $12,077; United States Geological Survey’s share is $3,011), and, consistent with other agreements, authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to amend or terminate this agreement with approval of County Counsel.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) have a mutual interest in the continuation of the cooperative water resources program (Program), including additional analyses of the Russian River Watershed (RRW), and continued development of a coupled watershed and groundwater-flow model of the RRW. The Program will refine the understanding of the RRW and facilitate improved management of the region’s water resources. Specifically, data analyses and modeling will quantify past, present, and potential future surface water and groundwater conditions throughout the RRW, including natural (e.g. unimpaired flows, groundwater and surface water interaction, and riparian evapotranspiration) and managed (e.g. reservoir operations, groundwater pumping, and stream diversions) processes. The modeling platform will be used to assess current and future challenges to the RRW, including available flow for fisheries, extreme events due to climate change, increasing water supply demands, decreasing water availability, changes in land use, and changes to inter-basin transfers (e.g. from the Potter Valley Project).
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Most water users in the Russian River watershed currently rely on a combination of Russian River water and groundwater to meet demand. The primary uses of water in the Russian River watershed include agricultural irrigation, municipal supplies, rural domestic uses that are outside of municipal system (i.e., private wells and mutual water companies), and commercial uses (e.g., wineries).
Sonoma Water, USGS, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) are developing an updated assessment of surface water and groundwater conditions and a modeling platform to simulate current and future challenges to the RRW, facilitate the integrated management of water resources, and assist in complying with potential future regulatory requirements.
Sonoma Water is participating in this effort because this Program provides an integrated and collaborative assessment of available data, critical hydrologic processes, and management decisions in the RRW. These data and processes will be integrated into the modeling platform to facilitate improved cooperative management of the region’s water resources.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, USGS will work cooperatively with Sonoma Water and the SWRCB to develop the RRW model and attendant scenario simulations. Model development and analysis of simulations will be documented in a USGS report or journal article(s), and the model will be made available to Sonoma Water. USGS will provide quarterly progress reports and will provide an opportunity for Sonoma Water to review and provide input for model scenarios, USGS report(s), and journal article(s) prior to publication.
The total agreement amount is $15,088. Sonoma Water’s share of cost will not exceed $12,077. The agreement covers services rendered from October 15, 2022, to December 31, 2023.
REQUEST FOR SONOMA WATER GENERAL MANAGER AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION AUTHORITY
Staff recommend that the Board authorize Sonoma Water’s General Manager to amend or terminate the agreement with approval of County Counsel.
County Strategic Plan: N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment:
Water Supply and Transmission System, Goal 1: Protect drinking water supply and promote water-use efficiency.
Water Supply and Transmission System, Goal 2: Maintain and improve the reliability of the Water Transmission System.
The RRW modeling platform will provide critical insight and aid water management decision-making into current and future water supply challenges, including climate change impacts, drought, increasing water-supply demands, changes in interbasin transfers, and potential regulatory changes.
Prior Board Actions:
03/07/2017: Approved joint funding agreement between Sonoma Water and United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior for Russian River watershed hydrological analysis and groundwater flow modeling. Cost $816,809 (Sonoma Water share $489,500, USGS share $127,309, local participants’ share $200,000); term end October 31, 2020.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$12,077 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$12,077 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$12,077 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$12,077 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $12,077 is available from FY 2022/2023 appropriations for the Russian River Projects fund. No additional appropriation is required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None