New Forecast-Informed Decision-Making Tool Implemented at Lake Mendocino
UKIAH – Leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center of Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) and California Department of Water Resources (DWR) entered a new era in reservoir operations today with the signing of updates to the water control manual for Coyote Valley Dam and Lake Mendocino.
The revised manual redefines the operating rules around flood control schedules for the first time in the dam’s 66-year history by incorporating the principles of modern-day forecast-informed reservoir operations, or FIRO, to enhance the facility’s dual mission of flood risk management and water supply security.
“Before this update, we would inevitably be required to release water to give airspace to the dam for the next storm regardless of the upcoming weather,” said Nick Malasavage, Operations & Readiness Division chief for the USACE San Francisco District. “FIRO allows us to be informed by the forecast and make better decisions.”
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, who represents California’s Second Congressional District, praised the achievement and its national importance.
“Today is a great day in the advancement of drought management, flood control, and fish habitat. With this update, operations will be based on the latest science instead of outdated guesswork. FIRO’s approach is leading the industry and will ensure more sustainable water supplies – something that’s more urgent than ever in our changing climate,” said Rep. Huffman. “I was proud to work in Congress to not only expand FIRO nationwide, but to have the pilot project start right here in Mendocino County. Congratulations to Sonoma Water and to the Army Corps of Engineers on this important partnership that made this all possible!”
Since the Corps completed construction of Coyote Valley Dam in 1959, the water control manual has been updated just twice in its existence – once in 1986, when the City of Ukiah’s hydroelectric power plant was installed, and in 2011, in order to define minimum flow capacity required to maintain downstream aquatic habitats. But with each of these versions, the flood control schedules remained unchanged, until FIRO procedures were evaluated and tested through temporary planned deviations to Lake Mendocino’s Water Control Manual.
“FIRO is now inherently bound into our operating rules,” said Malasavage.
Led by the Lake Mendocino FIRO Steering Committee comprised of members representing USACE, Sonoma Water, Scripps CW3E, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and California DWR, FIRO was first applied to the dam operations at Lake Mendocino in 2017. The program’s goals have been to gain valuable observational data, advance modern-day forecasting technology, apply them to water management decisions, and to eventually update the 1950s-era water control manual for Coyote Valley Dam. The revised water control manual allows for an additional 11,650 acre-feet of water storage into the flood control space at USACE discretion when forecast and advanced decision support tools indicate that it is safe to do so.
Initial FIRO assessments ran virtual trials of the program using modeling, forecasts and hindcasts. The success of the virtual trials led to operators receiving USACE-approved deviations. FIRO was then demonstrated successfully at Lake Mendocino during the course of two very different water years—Water Year 2019 was a relatively wet year, while Water Year 2020 was the third driest year over a 127-year record. In both years, FIRO increased water storage and managed flood risks. In Water Year 2020, FIRO enabled a 19 percent increase in water storage, totaling more than 11,000 acre-feet. These findings were shared in a multi-agency viability assessment.
“Our ability to accurately forecast incoming storms has improved dramatically in recent years. Using this new capability to improve how to efficiently protect communities from flooding and save water for droughts is critical to preparing for California’s hotter and drier future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Lake Mendocino has been the first of many such efforts across California to guide new reservoir operations across the state, and we’re delighted to celebrate in Sonoma County Water Agency’s success.”
Along the U.S. West Coast, atmospheric rivers, weather phenomena that transport large amounts of water vapor in the sky, are the dominant weather phenomenon that can deliver massive amounts of precipitation or create drought in their absence. Forecasting the landfall location and how strong they will be is challenging with traditional sources of meteorological data such as weather satellites, which often cannot measure the key patterns of water vapor, wind and temperature within atmospheric rivers.
Advances in forecasting atmospheric rivers have been enabled by CW3E’s Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Program, a research and operations partnership that collects data on these storms from Air Force and NOAA “Hurricane Hunters,” as well as a network of drifting buoys across the Pacific Ocean and land-based observations. These observations and state-of-the-art weather models tailored to atmospheric river forecasting have significantly improved forecast reliability of precipitation amounts and landfall location.
“The implementation of FIRO takes advantage of strong skill in predicting atmospheric river storms,” said Marty Ralph, research meteorologist and founding director of CW3E. “This skill is founded upon, and has been recently improved upon, through scientific knowledge, specialized observations, advanced weather models and custom forecast tools. This marks a major milestone to implement science-based decision support tools to inform water management, reduce flood hazards and increase water availability. These enable society to better deal with the large swings between drought and flood that are characteristic of this region.”
Sonoma Water is the local cost-sharing partner for Lake Mendocino and determines the amount of water released from the reservoir when levels are in the water supply pools. The lake depends on annual rainfall as well as diversions from the Potter Valley Project to fill. Lake Mendocino is a key drinking water source for approximately 650,000 people in Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties. Releases from the lake are essential for meeting minimum instream flow requirements in the Russian River and providing critical habitat for threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
“Updating the water control manual to include FIRO is a historic step for the watershed,” said Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma Water Board of Directors and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Since FIRO viability studies began at Lake Mendocino, these innovative techniques have saved water equivalent to a second Lake Mendocino without pouring a single ounce of concrete, providing critical reliability to water users downstream.”
Over the past three years, FIRO has saved nearly 30,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mendocino. Lake Mendocino is one of two major reservoirs which supports a complex drinking water system for more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties, including 150,000 residents in the upper Russian River watershed, such as residents in the Ukiah Valley that receive water under contract from the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Conservation District.
About FIRO
Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) is a flexible water management approach that uses data from watershed monitoring and improved weather forecasting to help water managers selectively retain or release water from reservoirs for increased resilience to droughts and floods. FIRO applies emerging science and technology to optimize water resources and adapt to climate change without costly changes to infrastructure. Learn more about FIRO at Lake Mendocino by visiting: https://www.sonomawater.org/firo.
ACWA-Supported Forest Act Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The ACWA-supported S.1462, the Senate version of the Fix Our Forests Act, passed out of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Oct. 21 with a bipartisan vote of 18-5.
1462 was introduced in May by Senator John Curtis (R-UT), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO). Committee passage of S.1462 is an important step in the legislative process.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed its version of the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) with a strong bipartisan vote. H.R. 471 was co-authored by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), who is Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
ACWA has aggressively advocated for policies that address catastrophic wildfire issues and improve watershed conditions. ACWA supports both S. 1462 and H.R. 471 and is dedicated to working with bill sponsors to reconcile differences in the bills to ensure forest health and headwaters issues are addressed in a manner that benefits California’s water providers.
The Fix Our Forests Act would improve forest management activities and increase wildfire resiliency by: improving federal agency collaboration; authorizing targeted environmental streamlining authorities; providing litigation reform; expanding good neighbor authorities; and investing in research and technology aimed at improving forest health.
WVWD Garners Two Wins at CAPIO STAR Awards for Stand‑Out Media Efforts
Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to announce that at the CAPIO STAR Awards on October 2, 2025, the District earned top honors in two competitive categories, underscoring its commitment to creativity, community engagement and clear public communication.
- 🥇1st Place – Social Media Campaign: “Did You Know?” Video Series
- 🥉3rd Place – “Water” (2+ Full Time) Category: “WATER U TRUST” Music Video
“We’re so proud of our team!” said Stephanie Fu, Senior External Affairs and Sustainability Coordinator at Walnut Valley Water District. “These awards reflect our ongoing efforts to keep the community informed, engaged, and – even when serious water‑topics are involved—having a little fun along the way.”
The “Did You Know?” video series delivers short, dynamic insights into water conservation, infrastructure and everyday water savings—tailored for social‑media audiences. Meanwhile, the “WATER U TRUST” music video brought an innovative and upbeat tone to communicating the value of water, trust in service, and community connection.
The CAPIO STAR Awards, sponsored by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), recognize excellence in governmental communications across a wide range of formats and platforms, including video programming and social‑media campaigns. These wins highlight WVWD’s emphasis on transparent, relatable messaging and creative outreach.
WVWD Launches New Emergency Notification Platform to Better Serve the Community
Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) announced the launch of a new emergency alert platform in partnership with CivicPlus, designed to deliver real‑time notifications for critical water‑service events and keep residents and businesses informed when it matters most.
Under the new system, anyone living, working or spending time in WVWD’s service area can subscribe, whether or not they hold a water account with the District. From main‑breaks and service interruptions to boil‑water notices or other urgent updates, subscribers will receive alerts via text message, email and phone call in the language of their preference.
Key features of the system include:
- Immediate notifications for emergency water outages, service interruptions and critical updates affecting the service area.
- Easy enrollment:
- Text the keyword “WVWD” to 38276 to subscribe via mobile.
- Visit the online portal to subscribe.
- Open access: you don’t need to be a WVWD customer to sign up. Anyone in the designated geographic area is eligible.
“We want our community to have timely, accurate information whenever there’s a water emergency,” said Sheryl Shaw, General Manager of WVWD. “By partnering with CivicPlus and rolling out this notification platform, we’re giving our customers and neighbors the tools they need to stay informed and take action when necessary.”
WVWD emphasizes that safety, clarity and responsiveness are central to the District’s mission. The alert platform reflects a proactive approach to service reliability and community communication – ensuring that when problems occur, the public is notified quickly, reducing confusion and improving trust.
For more information or to subscribe to alerts now, visit WVWD’s “Water Emergency Alerts” page at walnutvalleywater.gov/water‑emergency‑alerts.
WVWD Partners with Heli-Hydrant to Enhance Emergency and Wildfire Response
Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Heli–Hydrant, to bolster wildfire and emergency response capabilities in the region. Under this first‑of‑its‑kind arrangement for the area, WVWD’s Heli‑Hydrant system is connected to a recycled‑water reservoir – making it both a smart emergency planning tool and a demonstration of the District’s enduring commitment to conservation.
WVWD is the first water agency in the region to integrate a Heli-Hydrant system with a recycled water source, leveraging the District’s Industry Business Center Reservoir, completed in 2022. The connection to the recycled system underscores the District’s aim to protect infrastructure and community safety without depleting potable water supplies or increasing impacts to residential customers.
“Connecting our Heli-Hydrant to a recycled water source ensures we’re maximizing our ability to protect the community while minimizing the impact on our residential customers,” said Sheryl Shaw, General Manager of Walnut Valley Water District. “This partnership shows how innovation, sustainability, and public‑safety planning can work hand in hand.”
The Heli‑Hydrant system provides a quick‑fill water supply for helicopters, enabling rapid aerial firefighting operations. Drawing on best‑practice examples, comparable systems allow helicopters to refill in mere minutes from strategically placed, pilot‑operated tanks — dramatically cutting turnaround times and enhancing wildfire containment efforts.
Situated in the City of Industry, WVWD’s reservoir and Heli‑Hydrant infrastructure stand ready to support the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other first‑responder agencies when wildfire conditions or other emergencies require a rapid aerial water source. At the same time, using recycled water protects the District’s potable supply, helping to maintain service reliability and reduce cost impacts for households.
“This system is a leap forward for community resilience,” said Shaw. “In partnership with the firefighting community and our neighboring agencies, we’re proud to be a leader in resource stewardship and emergency readiness.”
Miller Reservoir Restoration Ensures Water Reliability for Generations
WHITTIER – Orchard Dale Water District (ODWD) proudly celebrated the restoration of the Miller Reservoir, a $3.9 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-supported project that brings 1.5 million gallons of water storage back online.
By securing federal funding, ODWD completed the restoration with minimal cost impact to ratepayers while delivering essential improvements. The result is a stronger system that protects households, businesses, and critical facilities, ensuring that reliable water is available when it is needed most.
“This reservoir is a major investment in the safety and security of our region,” said Edward Castaneda, General Manager at Orchard Dale Water District. “By restoring storage capacity and adding critical upgrades, we are protecting families, schools, and businesses while saving ratepayers millions through federal support.”
ODWD led seven years of planning and coordination with FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), schools, and local partners to deliver the facility. With cutting-edge safety and seismic upgrades, the reservoir secures reliable service for generations to come.
The project improves vital storage capacity, strengthens fire protection, and reduces contamination risks. It also adds a new storm drain line, upgraded distribution systems, improved access points, and advanced monitoring technology to ensure a reliable, safe, and resilient water supply.
“The Miller Reservoir restoration is an important step in protecting public health,” said Sean McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Director at the State Water Resources Control Board. “Upgrades like advanced monitoring systems, seismic reinforcement, and improved distribution lines reduce risks of contamination and ensure safe water delivery under even the most challenging conditions.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from ODWD Board leadership and local representatives, such as Senator Bob Archuleta and Assistant Deputy Vincent Morales. More than 50 people attended the event, taking the opportunity to see the upgrades up close.
For more information about Orchard Dale Water District and its ongoing infrastructure projects, visit www.odwd.org.
Calif. Senator Bob Archuleta – (D) Pico Rivera / 30th District
“It took seven years of planning and collaboration with the local officials, FEMA, and the
schools, the community partners, Miller Reservoir is once again ready to serve the community.
The restoration project restores 1.5 million gallons of water storage, enhances safety, seismic
resilience, improves environmental performance and reduces contamination risk, ensuring a
stronger, safer and more reliable water system for generations to come.”
Edward Castaneda – General Manager, Orchard Dale Water District
“At the heart of this project, it brings a peace of mind, knowing that our water supply is secure
and our neighbors are protected, and our families have a resource they need to bring the sense
of comfort and that no construction detail that can’t really capture that kind of sense. This
reservoir is more than an infrastructure. It’s a reassurance that in times of need, we are
prepared. Our community is protected.”
Denise Dolor – Board President, Orchard Dale Water District
“We built a reservoir that will stand strong for years to come, supporting our water needs, fire
protection and drought resilience. This reservoir belongs to the community. It’s a promise that
when we turn on the tap, when our children go to school, or when our firefighters respond to a
call, the water will be there, safe, strong and reliable.”
Sean McCarthy – Assistant Deputy Director, State Water Resources Control Board
“It’s great to show our partnership with the water utilities in protecting public health and
providing the best water quality to all customers. We look at reservoirs and tanks as being the
most vulnerable part of a water infrastructure and distribution system, and it’s critical. They are
critical for providing enough storage for peak demands and emergencies.”
The Pipeline, PWD’s Bilingual Customer Newsletter, Wins PR Award
PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) is pleased to announce that its customer newsletter, The Pipeline, has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles (PRSA-LA) Chapter with a PRism Award of Excellence. At last week’s 61st Annual PRSA-LA PRism Awards, The Pipeline received the award in the OWNED Category – Publications & Newsletters. Published quarterly, the bilingual newsletter is sent to 27,000 PWD residential and business accounts and available on the District’s website and social media platforms. The annual PRSA-LA awards program recognizes the Los Angeles region’s excellence in public relations, strategic campaigns, tactical programs and professional merit. More than 500 top public relations professionals belong to the L.A. Chapter. This year’s winners were selected by an independent panel of judges from the Minnesota PRSA Chapter. PWD Public Affairs Specialist Michelle Trejo and Public Affairs Director Judy Shay are the team that writes, designs, edits, translates to Spanish, and publishes The Pipeline. “Michelle and I are very pleased to have PWD and The Pipeline recognized amongst the tremendous talent in Los Angeles,” Shay said. “We have been a PRSA-LA PRism Awards finalist for the past six years and have won awards five of those years. These honors reinforce our commitment to engaging and informing our customers with creativity and transparency.” The Public Affairs team is responsible for tasks including community outreach, public relations, advertising, social media, graphics, photography, publishing internal and external newsletters, and government relations. “I am extremely proud of our two-person Public Affairs team for their achievements and commitment to our customers,” said General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux. “They are a perfect duo who have done and continue to do great work for our District. The awards are proof of their talent and value to our customers.” Since 1918, the Palmdale Water District has provided high-quality water at a reasonable cost. We pride ourselves on providing great customer care; advocating for local water issues that help our residents; educating the community on water-use efficiency; and leading our region in researching and implementing emerging technologies that increase operational efficiency. For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org.###
IEUA’s 75th Anniversary Celebrated Through Open House and Career Fair
CHINO – On Thursday, October 16, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) hosted an Open House and Career Fair in honor of the Agency’s 75th anniversary. Approximately 350 community members attended the event to take part in festivities that not only engaged attendees on IEUA’s programs and services, but also provided connections to careers at IEUA for all ages.
“This event helped serve as a critical gateway for the next generation of water professionals,” stated IEUA Board President Marco Tule. “By connecting our community to meaningful career opportunities in the water industry while honoring the legacy and progress of the past 75 years, we can lay the foundation for future innovation and work together towards long-term water reliability throughout the region.”
Following IEUA’s year-long theme of Celebrating 75 Years of Partnership and Progress, the free, family-friendly event featured food trucks, educational activities for kids, touch-a-truck demonstrations, giveaways, networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals, and mock interview opportunities for attendees. Staff throughout the Agency came together to host 15 interactive booths with engaging demonstrations and activities highlighting the wastewater treatment process, including a homemade treatment plant model, Collections operations, Maintenance tools and equipment, IT initiatives, educational programs, ongoing projects, and more.
“IEUA prides itself on providing essential services in a regionally planned and cost-effective manner, while safeguarding public health, supporting community needs, and protecting the environment,” continued Tule. “We are proud to showcase our commitment to public service by celebrating with the same community who has grown with us over the years. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and contributed to the event’s success.”
For more information about our education programs at IEUA, please visit ieua.org/learn-about-water/.
To learn more about career opportunities at IEUA, please visit governmentjobs.com/careers/ieua.
October 17, 2025 ACWA News Available
Read the October 17 edition of ACWA News for informative articles about the association and water industry.
Articles include:
- ACWA Members Elect New Board Leadership for 2026-’27
- Agencies Celebrate Water Professionals Appreciation Week
- Final Status of Key Water Bills in Legislature for 2025
- Members Connect With International Colleagues
ACWA Fellowship Covers Tuition of Water Leaders Program
The Water Education Foundation (Foundation) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Water Leaders program and ACWA members who apply may be eligible for ACWA’s John P. Fraser Fellowship, which covers the program’s tuition and limited travel expenses.
Fellowship applicants must apply through the Foundation’s application process and meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements. In determining the winner of the fellowship, special consideration will be given to applicants from smaller agencies and those with limited budgets for professional development.
Water Leaders is a prestigious, one-year program for early to mid-career participants throughout California who want to deepen their knowledge of water and improve their leadership skills. Each year there are roughly 20 class members who participate in a variety of activities including a one-day orientation in Sacramento, Foundation water tours, the Foundation’s Water 101 Workshop, shadowing and interviewing a mentor, and special meetings to develop a class presentation and written report.
ACWA created the John P. Fraser Fellowship in 2019 to provide financial support to an individual working at an ACWA public member agency to participate in the Water Leaders Class. The fellowship honors ACWA Executive Director John P. Fraser, who passed away in 2018, for his 22 years of service to the association and for his numerous contributions, which include creating the organization that became today’s Water Education Foundation.
For more details about the fellowship, including full requirements and the selection process, visit ACWA’s website.
For more details about the program, including instructions for applying, visit the Water Education Foundation’s website.