Sonoma County Coastal Rainwater & Forbearance Project
Program
In-Stream Flow Enhancement
Primary RCD
Sonoma Resource Conservation District
Lead Implementer
Sonoma Resource Conservation District
Funders
Private party, Wildlife Conservation Board
Other Organizations
Coast Ridge Community Forest, LandSmart
Project Primary Contact
Jessica Pollitz (jpollitz@sonomarcd.org)
Project Stage
Completed
Duration
2018 - 2021
Water Management and Conservation
In-Stream Flow Enhancement
The program will enhance stream flows by working with private landowners to install rainwater catchment tanks and systems on their land, and by landowners fulfilling agreements to forbear streamflow diversions during peak dry season periods (August through October) for 20 years. Rainwater storage during winter rains will allow landowners to meet their nonpotable water use needs during dry summer periods while keeping flows in adjacent streams when they are needed most by Coho and steelhead. The project will mean approximately 290,000 gallons of rainwater captured per year. Over the life of the tanks, this amounts to approximately 5,800,000 gallons of water left to enhance summer flows.
Key Accomplishments
- Summer Water Forbearance: 1 acre-ft
Project Themes
- Wildlife/Endangered Species
Completed 10,000 gallon rainwater system
Credit: Jessica Pollitz
Location
Expenditures
Expenditures by Funding Source to Date: $981,824.42
Prop 1 (WCB): $981,824
Photos
10,000 Gallon Rainwater Tanks (Timing: After)
Credit: Jessica Pollitz
10,000 Gallon Rainwater Catchment (Timing: After)
Credit: Christopher Fohner
20,000 Gallon System and Project Sign (Timing: After)
Credit: Jessica Pollitz
Project last updated 1/10/2023