UKIAH, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District is launching a three-year general investigation study to explore modernizing Coyote Valley Dam now that a key partnership agreement was signed today during an afternoon ceremony at Lake Mendocino.
At a table set up atop the 67-year-old earthen dam, officials from Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission and Lytton Rancheria of California, the two non-federal sponsors on the study, and the Corps gathered to sign what is referred to as a feasibility cost sharing agreement. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the government and non-federal sponsors in the cost sharing and execution of work.
USACE is partnering with MCIWPC and the Rancheria to cooperatively investigate project alternatives, including potentially raising Coyote Valley Dam, to determine if there is a federal interest in increasing flood risk reduction and water supply for municipal, industrial, agriculture and recreational purposes in the Russian River Watershed. The Corps completed construction of the 160-foot-high dam in 1958, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is 122,400 acre-feet. Water from the reservoir serves approximately 600,000 people.
Last year, Congressman Jared Huffman, who served as keynote speaker at today’s ceremony, helped secure $500,000 in fiscal year appropriations to complete the study. Also joining the ceremony and providing remarks was Mendocino County Supervisor Madeline Cline.
In Their Own Words
“Modernizing Coyote Valley Dam is about more than infrastructure—it is about preparing for a future where our water supply is less predictable and more difficult to manage. This study is a critical step towards building a smarter, more resilient water system in the face of droughts and changes to our historic water supply. Signing the Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement today shows that we, as partners, are committed to being forward thinking. Modernization really means using science and collaboration to improve our water storage and delivery systems to better serve our communities and the environment for generations to come.” — Janet Pauli, Chair, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission
“This agreement marks a critical step toward a more inclusive and sustainable approach to managing our region’s water resources. The Lytton Rancheria is proud to partner in this effort, ensuring that tribal perspectives are part of the conversation as we work together to protect the water supply, restore ecosystems, and plan for the future.” — Andy Mejia, Chairperson, Lytton Rancheria of California
“I am honored to join the Lytton Rancheria and Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission to celebrate this partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for this important first step to raise the Coyote Valley Dam. This will help start the process to provide a more reliable local water supply, increase flood damage reduction, and improve water quality in the Russian River. That’s why I fought to secure inclusion of this project in the Water Resources Development Act and for the initial funding for this study.” — Jared Huffman, U.S. Congressman
“I am confident this study will investigate all of the project alternatives, including raising Coyote Valley Dam, to determine if there is a federal interest and a path forward. The goal is to increase flood risk reduction for community safety and increase water supply, which we can all agree is crucial as extreme weather out here in the West means we have to find new solutions.” — Lt. Col. Timothy Shebesta, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District