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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-05 TAC Packet - Missing 5a presentationPage 1 of 2 UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting AGENDA County of Mendocino Conference Room B 501 Low Gap Road ♦ Ukiah, CA 95482 To participate or view the virtual meeting, go to the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84136430721 Alternatively, you may view the meeting (without participating) by clicking on the date and name of the meeting at www.cityofukiah.com/meetings, then go to the media tab. March 5, 2025 - 1:00 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Technical Advisory Committee welcomes input from the audience. If there is a matter of business on the agenda that you are interested in, you may address the Committee when this matter is considered. If you wish to speak on a matter that is not on this agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Technical Advisory Committee, you may do so at this time. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than ten (10) minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on audience comments in which the subject is not listed on the agenda. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.a. Approval of the Minutes for the December 11, 2024, TAC Meeting. Recommended Action: Approve the Minutes for the December 11, 2024, TAC Meeting. Attachments: 1. 2024-12-11 Draft UVBGSA TAC Minutes 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.a. Discussion and Adoption Regarding Order of Agenda. Recommended Action: Hold discussion and take action with possible additions or deletions of agenda sections; followed by approving by roll call vote the order of the agenda. 4.b. Presentation Regarding the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) WaterSmart Grant- funded Ukiah Valley Basin (UVB) Project Entitled, "Creating Long-Term Water Supply Resiliency for Ukiah Valley and Upper Russian River". 4.c. Discussion Regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) Process for Solicitation in Support of the Upper Russion River Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem and Interconnected Surface Water. Page 1 of 30 Page 2 of 2 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.a. Annual Report on Water Year 2024 Ukiah Valley Basin Annual Report and Update on Well- Monitoring Study. 6. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND SET NEXT MEETING DATE 7.a. Discussion and Consideration of Future Agenda Items and Scheduling of Next Meeting Date with Meeting to be Held at County of Mendocino Conference Room B at 501 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah, CA 95482, at 1:00 p.m. Recommended Action: Discuss and get consensus to hold the next meeting on May 7, 2025, or another day of the Members' choosing. 8. ADJOURNMENT Please be advised that the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) needs to be notified 24 hours in advance of a meeting if any specific accommodations or interpreter services are needed in order for you to attend. GSA TAC complies with ADA requirements and will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities upon request. Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the GSA TAC Members after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the front counter at the Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Any handouts or presentation materials from the public must be submitted to the clerk 48 hours in advance of the meeting; for handouts, please include 10 copies. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Ukiah City Hall, located at 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California; and at 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482; not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting set forth on this agenda. Kristine Lawler, CMC/CPMC Dated: 2/28/25 Page 2 of 30 DR A F T UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 1 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Draft Meeting Summary December 11, 2024 1.Call to Order and Roll Call Chair Salomone called the meeting to order 9:32. TAC Members Present: Elizabeth Salomone (RRFC), Laurel Marcus (CLSI), Ken Todd (URRWA), Amber Fisette (County of Mendocino), Adam Gaska (Agricultural Representative) Sean White, City of Ukiah; and Joe Scriven, Mendocino County RCD member, Chris Watts (RRFC) TAC Members Absent: None Others Present: Harry Starkey and Sarah Faraola from West Yost; Audra Bardsley, Camille L. and Laura Foglia of Larry Walker & Associates (LWA); Laurel Marcus (CLSI), Marlyana Bourbonnais Duley (County of Mendocino), Monico Nieto (EPA), Madeline Cline (Board of Supervisors) 2.Approval of Agenda Chair Salomone reviewed the day’s agenda and covered the meeting protocol. Member Gaska moved to approve the agenda with no revisions, Member Todd seconded. None opposed. 3.Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda No public comment. 4.Representative Monitoring Network During the meeting, Audra (LWA) provided an update on groundwater level (GWL) monitoring. The board approved funding for five representative monitoring points (RMPs) with identified sustainable management criteria (SMCs). Water level sensors and telemetry instruments were installed at three wells (UV-1, UV-32, UV-27 replacement) to improve basin characterization and reduce the need for in-person monitoring. The status of other wells was discussed: UV-36 is integrated into Ukiah’s SCADA network, while the Redwood Valley DWR site is pending. Sarah Faraola emphasized that communication with landowners should be handled by DWR, and Adam volunteered to contact the Redwood Valley landowner. Audra outlined the next steps, including identifying a non-RMP well to add to the network. GSA Administrator Starkey inquired about the long-term vision for the monitoring network, and Laura Foglia explained the need to analyze data from the seven monitored wells over 4-5 years to develop sustainable management criteria. Sean White suggested using publicly owned sites to avoid future landowner issues, though Amber Fisette noted that initial outreach to schools for monitoring did not receive feedback. Laura mentioned that LWA is developing an automated QA/QC process for state data. Audra also updated on the network's status, noting that some wells were no longer responding to AGENDA ITEM 3a Page 3 of 30 DR A F T UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 2 telemetry systems, prompting LWA to install new telemetry and integrate it into their sensor network. DWR will take over four sites and coordinate with LWA. 5.Russian River Telemetry Project Audra (LWA) provided an update on a project that falls outside the scope of the work being conducted for the GSA. LWA was approached to offer input on this project, and they reviewed the draft recommendation document, providing comments. They clarified that the GSA is only interested in groundwater levels, not pumping data, and emphasized the importance of accurately representing the monitoring network. Laurel Marcus then outlined the potential objectives of the telemetry project, which include regulating water rights. She also highlighted a lack of understanding from the project team regarding the level of effort required for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). 6.Interconnected Surface Water Study Audra (LWA) provided an update on the newly awarded CDFW grant. The ISW-GDE study will identify areas within the basin to address data gaps and understand the timing and interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater. The full requested amount of the grant was received from CDFW. The scope of work includes tracking spatial and temporal trends and preparing for the 2027 Periodic Evaluation. Chair Solomone led a discussion on forming an ad hoc committee within the TAC to develop recommendations for the RFP criteria. GSA Administrator Starkey noted that West Yost has not started developing the RFP and will begin after the CDFW grant agreement is approved at the January 11, 2025, Board meeting via resolution. Sean White suggested forming an ad hoc committee to review the RFP and advise West Yost’s GSA staff. Sean, Adam, and Amber will form the ad hoc committee and provide comments on the draft RFP developed by West Yost. 7.TAC Business Chair Solomone states that the TAC will return to a more formal setting, similar to pre-COVID times, to create a more effective 'working group' meeting environment. There will be a discussion on the necessary frequency of meetings to advise LWA, GSA Staff, or the Board, with potential dates including mid to late February, late spring, and autumn. Additionally, the meeting will cover the potential transition of GSA administration from West Yost to the City of Ukiah, with the intent to streamline roles and responsibilities for future operations. The City has provided a draft contract to the County, and the only anticipated impact is on the scheduling of meetings. 8.Consent Items Meeting minutes from the March meeting will be approved at the next TAC meeting. 9.Information Items Chair Salomone provided an update on the SGMA 10-year anniversary and DWR FacilitaƟon Services, which will include updates to the UVBGSA JPA and ByLaws. GSA Administrator Starkey commented on the JPA update, noƟng the disbanding of URRWA, with Sean White clarifying that this will occur in late spring. Amber menƟoned that several items need to be transiƟoned from the County of Mendocino to the City of Ukiah. Audra provided background on the DWR updates on the PMA Module Spreadsheet, highlighƟng Page 4 of 30 DR A F T UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 3 areas where all projects and management acƟons that have been completed need updaƟng. She noted that there are other aspects of projects where LWA does not have the most updated informaƟon. LWA worked with the TAC Chair to collaborate with TAC members to update and/or reach out to a point of contact to update the status of projects. There was also a discussion on assigning various PMA topics. 10. Future TAC Meeting Topics The next TAC meeting will be in August and include the FY 2025 TAC meeting schedule, status of GAS fee along with next steps, and FY 2025 GSA implementation. 11. Adjournment Chair Salomone adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m. Page 5 of 30 Agenda Item 4a ORDER OF AGENDA – SAMPLE ITEMS 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items 3. Approval of Minutes 4. New Business 5. Unfinished Business 6. Member Announcements and Reports 7. Future Agenda Items and Set Next Meeting Date 8. Adjournment Page 6 of 30 Creating Long-Term Water Supply Resiliency for Ukiah Valley and Upper Russian River Laurel Marcus and Chelsea Jimenez Ca. Land Stewardship Institute Agenda Item 4b Page 7 of 30 Area of project is Ukiah Valley groundwater basin Diversions and flows along the Main stem Russian River below Lake Mendocino to the Hopland Gage are being modeled This grant provides four major outcomes: •Partially funds a new well for the City of Ukiah. During the curtailments of surface water the City had to pump all their wells 24/7. A mechanical problem would mean a lack of drinking water. The new backup well will solve this issue. The City is providing all the matching funds for the grant •Installation of continuous recorders in 3 wells •Funds a needed study of the interaction of groundwater use with surface water flows in the Russian River. The current study will provide the modeling and data needed to demonstrate relationships between groundwater use in terms of location in the basin, pumping rates, climatic conditions and flow levels in the Russian River. •The creation of an online Decision Support Tool to improve information available to growers and water districts and improve water management decisions. Page 8 of 30 •We are assuming that the drastic reduction of dry season surface water from the Potter Valley Project (PVP) to fulfill appropriative water rights for agriculture and municipal uses will increase the use of groundwater and RRFC stored water and therefore we need to consider both surface and groundwater use in this project. o Interim period reduction (~2025-2035) & elimination (after 2035 or maybe sooner?) of dry season Eel River water transfers via the PVP o Future climate conditions including prolonged drought and intensified rainfall o Consider future conjunctive use options and strategies like off stream storage ponds filled by winter time PVP transfers and varying pumping rates during the dry season 3 Water Supply Resiliency Project Objectives Page 9 of 30 •Model considers current, future management conditions that will impact water use in Upper Russian River and Ukiah Valley Basin •Incorporates data from: o State Water Board QAQC’d Water Use Reporting from the Water Sharing Program and the priority of right list (Exhibit B/C) o Russian River Flood Control District water use reporting o State Water Rights data base o Water Demand Management Program Frost Protection Reporting o CLSI/ Mendocino Farm Bureau Agricultural Pond Project o Potter Valley Project Draft Final License Surrender Application 4 Data Sources Regulatory and Management Context Page 10 of 30 5 Reported Agricultural Water Diversions along Mainstem Russian River by Water Right Type for May-October WATER RIGHT TYPE 2017 2018 2019 AVERAGE APPROPRIATIVE 3659.5 3158.3 2535.1 3117.6 CONTRACT (RRFC)2011.8 1736 1467.4 1738.4 OTHER (STOCK POND)1.2 3.1 3.1 2.5 RIPARIAN 684.4 543.3 687.1 638.3 TOTAL 6356.9 5440.7 4692.7 5496.7 Reported Municipal Water River Diversions for May-October for City of Ukiah, Millview, Willow, Rogina, RR Estates, RRFC, no stored water included MONTH 2017 2018 2019 AVG MAY 522.99 534.37 423.48 493.61 JUNE 823.15 870.11 641.49 778.25 JULY 1037.13 1089.05 900.34 1008.84 AUGUST 1191.39 1131.97 902.85 1075.40 SEPTEMBER 649.45 944.49 702.69 765.54 OCTOBER 638.91 519.01 536.20 564.71 TOTAL 6880.02 7106.99 6126.05 6704.35 Agricultural diversion data have been limited to the boundary of the Ukiah valley Groundwater Basin but the municipal diversion data are being corrected currently Page 11 of 30 Sum of JUN MEAN_DIV Sum of JUL MEAN_DIV Sum of AUG MEAN DIV Sum of SEP MEAN DIV Sum of OCT MEAN DIV Upper 4,707.7 5,771.0 5,819.3 4,311.7 3,235.7 Post-1949 3,897.6 4,666.1 4,632.5 3,346.7 2,627.6 1950-1952 281.1 208.8 209.3 163.8 48.6 1953-1954 344.5 374.6 299.9 259.3 135.7 1955-1956 274.7 256.2 252.6 231.0 127.0 1957-1959 181.4 85.2 78.5 66.3 41.7 1960-1970 257.0 323.0 267.1 182.5 106.1 1971-1990 419.0 474.1 271.8 210.3 133.1 1991- present 3.9 4.7 5.6 4.2 6.6 Pre-1949 + 1949 146.4 176.1 207.1 150.1 89.2 pre-1914 312.2 407.3 400.9 356.2 309.1 Pre-1949 + 1949 22.0 44.6 46.0 25.9 18.0 Riparian 475.9 653.0 739.8 582.9 281.1 Exhibit B/C Curtailment by priority of right from Water Sharing program In the modeling scenarios we will include several levels of curtailments based on surface water availability including: No curtailments 50% curtailments 100% curtailments. The volume of water removed from use will be determined using this table from the State Water Board water sharing program moving from the most junior rights towards the senior rights. We will work with the Board staff to determine available water to share by climate year In the model riparian rights will be removed from use between April and July depending on the climate year. Curtailments will focus on appropriative rights Page 12 of 30 New diversion to replace the current PVP will only divert water during winter and maybe high flows in spring. Growers and possibly water districts will have to have storage ponds to make use of this water. Outside of RRFC customers there will not be adequate summer flow for any appropriative or riparian diversions likely after July 1 most years.Page 13 of 30 Appropriative rights on northern section of Russian River without storage ponds Appropriative rights on northern section of Russian River CLSI and the Mendocino Farm Bureau are working together to determine where new off stream ponds are needed or need to be enlarged to hold winter PVP diversions. Page 14 of 30 Page 15 of 30 Reported diversion volumes with and without storage ponds Reported Volume Diverted Water Right Type 2017 2018 2019 average Appropriative Storage Pond 1478.7 1368.9 1258.0 1368.5 No Storage Pond 2180.8 1789.4 1277.1 1749.1 Contract RRFC Storage Pond 1305.3 1437.1 1141.1 1294.5 No Storage Pond 706.5 298.9 308.1 437.8 CLSI and the Mendo Farm Bureau are completing surveys with growers to determine how they manage their ponds including how many time they refill the pond during the dry season. and to ascertain interest in building ponds for those growers that do not have a pond Page 16 of 30 Critically dry water year Dry water year Normal water year Parameter Notes Occurrence of Spring (March-May) rain no yes and amount or no yes and amount or no coordinate with State Board on amounts Dry season PVP releases interim period 2025-2035 5 cfs 20 cfs 35 cfs current system long term 0 0 0 Lake Mendocino dry season releases for instream flows Measured at Healdsburg gage compliance point 2025-2035 25 cfs 75 cfs 185 cfs 2024 TUCP long term ???working with Sonoma Water Surface water diversions Riparian agricultural diversions - March to June when natural flow is available 0% 0 AF with spring rain 50% 394 AF, without spring rain 0% 0 AF with spring rain 100% 787 AF, without spring rain 50% 394 AF average reported water use May-Oct 2017-2019 + average reported frost water use March-April = 787 AF Appropriative rights agricultural diversions 0% 0 AF with spring rain 50% 1559 AF, without spring rain 30% 935 AF 70% use with spring rain 2183 AF, 50% with no spring rain 1559 AF average reported water use May - Oct 2017-2019 Russian River flood district (RRFC) stored water 50% of contract water 869 AF-4000 with spring rain 100% of contract water used, 1738 average - 8000 AF maximum, without spring rain 50% of contract water 869 AF- 4000 100% of contract water used, 1738 average - 8000 AF maximum average reported water use May- Oct 2017-2019 Page 17 of 30 Critically dry water year Dry water year Normal water year Parameter Notes Occurrence of Spring (March-May) rain no yes and amount or no yes and amount or no coordinate with State Board on amounts Municipal surface water use 5028 AF 5028 AF 6704 AF average reported water use May- Oct 2017- 2019, 25% conservation required in dry and critically dry years State Water Board Curtailments of appropriative rights/water sharing program affect riparian and appropriative rights, no effect on municipal rights and no effect on stored water except in critically dry years no curtailments 50% curtailments ( by priority of right) By priority of right 100% curtailments By priority of right Conservation 75% for lowest priority rights, 25% for senior and highest priority rights 25-75% conservation all rights, senior to junior 25-75% conservation all rights, senior to junior 25% conservation, in effect for averages used Future changes to surface water diversions Winter time PVP releases and off stream storage 2663-4850 AF 2663-4850 AF 5326-9700AF possible diversion from wintertime into off stream ponds (see pond tab), normal year has all existing ponds and potential ponds filled twice. Critically dry and dry have all existing ponds and potential ponds filled once increased municipal demand 0 0 0 Page 18 of 30 13 Data Gaps Coordination with State Water Board staff on curtailment volumes for each climate year Changes to Municipal Diversion numbers to just reflect Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin Estimated increases in municipal water use over next 50 years Water availability from RRFC and method of determining Estimated releases from Lake Mendocino after the interim period by climate year. Releases are listed by flow at Healdsburg gage compliance point. We will need the actual release from the Lake needed to meet the compliance flow Page 19 of 30 14 PRMS: USGS Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System Precipitation, runoff, soil moisture, land use, etc. Surface Water Model Agricultural Water Demand Model MODFLOW: USGS Modular Groundwater Flow Model Subsurface geology, groundwater elevations, percolation, pumping, etc. Groundwater Model IDC: DWR Integrated Demand Calculator Crop type and ET, soil type, weather conditions, etc. Ukiah Valley Integrated Hydrological Model Modeling Approach and Planned Scenarios Page 20 of 30 •DWR has offered pre-publication use of revised climate projections for UVB/URR study area •Cascade of model impacts driven by changing climate, could include o Changes to computed agricultural water demand (IDC) •ET, precipitation •Need for heat and frost protection o Changes to natural water availability (PRMS) •Groundwater recharge •Streamflow generation from watershed •Management Actions also driven by climate projections o Implementation of curtailments; conservation o Increased use of groundwater due to lack of surface water 15 Climate Projections Page 21 of 30 •Surface water diversions revised by o Natural flow availability o Change in transfers from Potter Valley Project o Curtailments and conservation •Level of curtailments and conservation determined by climate year and priority of right o Use of off-stream storage ponds filled during high winter flows •Changes to Lake Mendocino releases influenced by o Minimum flow requirements o Change in transfers from Potter Valley Project and natural inflow •Location, timing, rate of groundwater pumping influenced by o Reductions in surface water availability and corresponding increases in groundwater pumping o Conservation as determined by precip. conditions 16 Management Actions Page 22 of 30 17 Scenario Construction Adjusted Total Water Demand •Sum of agricultural & domestic demand •Reduced by conservation based on water year type Surface Water Availability •Availability reduced based on water year type, occurrence of spring rain and resulting impacts on diverters, curtailments Groundwater Pumping •Determine based on difference between adjusted demand and surface water availability •Increases if insufficient SW to meet adjusted total water demand •Less surface water availability could put increased pressure on groundwater basin •Characterizing climate conditions, Lake Mendocino releases, surface water diversions, groundwater pumping in the integrated model will reveal corresponding impacts on river flow and groundwater levels Page 23 of 30 18 2A. Dry year with spring rain during interim period 2025-2035 with interim PVP flow of 20 cfs instream flow release of 75 cfs from Lake Mendo 50% of riparian rights used 50% of appropriative rights used all RRFC rights used 50% of appropriative rights curtailed 25-75% conservation all rights, senior to junior groundwater makes up rest of water demand 2B. Dry year with no spring rain during interim period 2025-2035 with interim PVP flow of 20 cfs instream flow release of 25 cfs from Lake Mendo 0% of riparian rights used 30% of appropriative rights used 50% of RRFC rights used 70% of appropriative rights curtailed 25-75% conservation all rights, senior to junior groundwater makes up rest of water demand Scenario Examples •Scenario 2B has same conservation as 2A, but less surface water available to meet demand •This will likely result in greater reliance on GW pumping in 2B compared to 2A •Modeling will reveal the resulting impact on GW levels and river flow for 2B vs. 2A Page 24 of 30 •Build up to realistic scenarios that incorporate climate projections and interrelated management actions •Start with model response assessment o Run ‘book ends’ or two extreme examples for each variable o Gauge the impact each variable individually has on the system compared to the status quo of WY 2024 o Determine which variables appear to be the most impactful, to better inform management •Finalize and implement combined variable scenarios o Results will be visualized and summarized in the Decision Support Tool 19 Scenario Implementation Page 25 of 30 •Develop an online Decision Support Tool (DST) o Easy to navigate and interpret dashboard o Summarize key takeaways from modeling of various climate and management scenarios o Displays real time streamflow data, groundwater levels, rainfall totals and other data with recommended water management actions related to each type of water right (riparian, appropriative, groundwater) based on current conditions o Empowers local users (growers, water districts) to make more informed water management decisions 20 Decision Support Tool (DST) Page 26 of 30 21 Wireframes: Model Scenario Comparison Compare different model scenarios at sentinel sites for flow and groundwater level. Show influence of water year type on results with a shaded envelope. Page 27 of 30 22 Wireframes: Single Model Scenario Explorer Scenario list Scenario description Flow and sentinel sites for a single scenario Page 28 of 30 23 Wireframes: Single Model Scenario Explorer Pumping by Management Zone Page 29 of 30 What external, near-real time data sources are valuable to stakeholders? •Sentinel sites for flow: o West Fork Russian River gage: shows when low or dry riparian diversions on the mainstem are disallowed •Sentinel sites for groundwater: o SGMA RMPs, 1-2 per management zone: shows local groundwater conditions and SMC (i.e., MTs, MOs)* •Reservoir supply: o Lake Mendocino releases (CDEC CDM gage): shows when riparian diversion and appropriative rights (not flood control contracts) are no longer available •ET: o Sanel Valley CIMIS: shows nearby ET •RRFC: any limitations on this water source based on lake storage or other parameters •SWRCB curtailments: when climate year is dry or critically dry, curtailments may take place ; list conservation required (link to conservation BMPs) and info on signing up for water sharing program s 24 Data Integration & Information Gathering *Will ensure well owners are aware of and approve level of data sharing Page 30 of 30