City of Cloverdale Implores Local Politicians to Preserve Water Supply Amidst Potter Valley Dam Decommissioning
The current MOU to advance a water diversion agreement for a new Eel-Russian Facility forecasts a disastrous aftermath
On behalf of the Cloverdale City Council, Mayor Todd Lands issued the following letter to Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, Supervisor David Rabbitt, and Congressman Jared Huffman:
I am writing on behalf of the City of Cloverdale—a unique community situated on the northern border of Sonoma County. Our town is embraced by wineries, vineyards, lumber mills, the Russian River, and scenic hillsides. Over the past 30 years, our population has grown significantly. Our schools consistently nurture exceptional students, athletes, and future leaders, and we work tirelessly to ensure our community enjoys the quality of life it deserves. We have expanded our Police Department, increased our parks and open spaces, approved hundreds of units of new market-rate and affordable housing, upgraded our wastewater and water systems, and maintained robust vegetation management. Additionally, we have significantly enhanced our fire resilience through initiatives such as Resilient Cloverdale and CloveReady.
Today, I wish to address an urgent issue that lies beyond our City Council’s control but falls within your influence. The Russian River is our primary water source—essential for drinking, hygiene, food production, and, importantly, fire resilience. For over 100 years, the dams in Potter Valley have provided critical water flow for energy production, flood control on the Eel River, and the agricultural development of our region. Initially, water releases from Lake Mendocino were around 150,000 acre-feet. However, in 2007 these releases were reduced to about 75,000 acre-feet, and in 2020 they were further reduced to roughly 39,000 acre feet. In recent years, the City has implemented numerous conservation measures and reduced the community’s overall demand for water.
PG&E’s planned decommissioning of the Potter Valley dams and the Memorandum of Understanding to Advance a Water Diversion Agreement for a New Eel-Russian Facility (“MOU”) will have serious impacts on the health and safety of Cloverdale residents and the surrounding community.
Despite our best conservation efforts, the current proposal poses a serious health and safety risk. During the fire-prone months—from late spring to late fall—our water storage is severely constrained, especially during daytime usage, which leaves us vulnerable in the event of a major fire or even a minor system leak. Furthermore, the economic impacts on the current proposal are too numerous to list in this letter.
While we have invested in expanding our water storage infrastructure, rehabilitating existing wells, and installing new ones, these measures are ineffective if the river’s water supply remains inadequate. As Mayor, I am committed to the well-being of our community, but we need your support to influence the decisions surrounding the Potter Valley Project.
We respectfully request that you advocate for a water flow that meets the health and safety needs of the community. We fully understand that PG&E will be moving forward with decommissioning the current dams, but that does not mean we have to settle for inadequate agreements and mitigation measures. An increased water allocation is critical for our continued growth, addressing the housing crisis, and ensuring our long-term safety and economic vitality. Without adequate water, our community is at risk, and our ability to manage fire emergencies could be severely compromised.
In collaboration with the Cloverdale Fire Protection District, the City of Cloverdale plans to submit formal letters voicing our concerns and to organize a Town Hall meeting for the greater Cloverdale Community. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the Potter Valley Project, review the negotiated MOU, and address the future of our water supply. We officially invite you to participate in this Town Hall; further details regarding the date, time, and location will be provided soon.
If you would like to meet with me or any other city representative to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact my office.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Todd Lands
Mayor
tlands@ci.cloverdale.ca.us
City of Cloverdale
While the Cloverdale Town Hall held on March 20, 2025, has passed, the advocacy to protect our water supply continues.
On April 26, 2025, California Insider interviewed Mr. Chris Coulombe, a panelist who spoke at the March 20 Town Hall. Coulombe ran against Congressman Jared Huffman in the 2024 General Election for California’s 2nd Congressional District. As a military veteran with a background in geopolitics, his campaign was largely influenced by the necessity to protect our natural resources.
Ms. Keely Brazil Covello, UNWON, has provided continual coverage on the looming dam removal.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
-Proverbs 18:4