To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kevin Booker 521-1865
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
FY 22/23 Joint Funding Agreement with U.S. Geological Survey
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve and authorize the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for FY 22/23 to maintain stream gages in the Russian River, Sonoma Creek, and the Petaluma River watersheds, in the amount of $669,420.
end
Executive Summary:
This agenda item is to request approval and authorization to execute a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 for the collection and monitoring of flow data used by the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), the USGS, and other local public and private entities/individuals for stream gages in the Russian River, Sonoma Creek, and the Petaluma River watersheds.
Water levels (flow and stage) are measured by multiple stream gages in Sonoma County. The data from these gages is transmitted to USGS computers within one hour of measurement. The data is quality-assured and made available online by USGS to Sonoma Water and other local public and private entities/individuals. Sonoma Water uses the data collected for planning and forecasting for water supply, environmental, and flood management purposes. Other users of the data include emergency responders, water managers, environmental and transportation agencies, universities, utilities, recreational enthusiasts, and consulting firms.
Discussion:
The USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and/or delivery of water-level information for more than 1,700 sites and both streamflow and water-level information for more than 8,500 additional sites (continuous or partial record) throughout the United States. The data is served online-most in near real time, to meet the many diverse needs. Water levels are measured by more than 10,000 gages; the data is typically transmitted to USGS computers within one hour of measurement. The data is quality-assured and made available online to local public and private entities/individuals. Data users include emergency responders, water managers, environmental and transportation agencies, universities, utilities, recreational enthusiasts, and consulting firms. The cost to monitor the various gages has increased due to an increase in USGS staffing costs. Further, Sonoma Water added additional stream gage, groundwater monitoring and water quality monitoring.
Data collected from the stream gages funded by Sonoma Water are used for:
• Planning, forecasting, and warning about floods and droughts
• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
• Monitoring environmental conditions to protect aquatic habitats
• Forecast Informed Reservation Operations (FIRO)
• Assessing water quality and regulating pollutant discharges
• Determining if streams are safe for recreational activities
• Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System (AQPI) radars and National Water Model Water Quality Analysis
Data from these sites, along with Sonoma Water maintained sites act as an early warning monitoring system. In addition, the data is also increasingly critical to the California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through AQPI.
Prior Board Actions:
12/07/2021: Approved and authorized Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for FY 21/22 to maintain stream gages in the Russian River, Sonoma Creek, and the Petaluma River watersheds, in the amount of $662,690.
11/17/2020: Approved and authorized Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute a Joint Funding Agreement with USGS for FY 20/21 to maintain stream gauges in the Russian River, Sonoma Creek, and the Petaluma River watersheds, in the amount of $568,460; Adopted a Resolution Authorizing the Sonoma County Water Agency General Manager to execute future Joint Funding Agreement and/or amendments with the Department of the Interior Geological Survey (USGS) for collecting and monitoring flow data for the gauging stations to maintain stream gauges in the Russian River, Sonoma Creek, and the Petaluma River watersheds pursuant to the standard Agreement with the Department of the Interior, in an amount not to exceed $600,000.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$669,420 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$669,420 |
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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 |
$669,420 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$669,420 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $669,420 is available from FY 2022/2023 appropriations for the Flood Control Zone 1A Fund ($145,740), Flood Control Zone 3A Fund ($58,330), Flood Control Zone 5A Fund ($5,490), Warm Spring Dam Fund ($70,980), and the Russian River Projects Fund ($388,880). 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:
Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.