COYOTE VALLEY DAM, LAKE MENDOCINO
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
PROJECT LOCATION AND Description
Lake Mendocino is located approximately five miles northeast of Ukiah in Mendocino County, California. The Coyote Valley Dam (also known as Coyote Dam) project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944 and completed in 1958 for purposes of flood control, water supply, and recreation. Local agency uses the dam’s non-flood releases for downstream-flow regulation. Congressionally authorized mitigation for effects on the endangered fish cause by the dam was added in the mid 1970’s. Lake Mendocino has a flood storage capacity of 122,400 acre-feet and a total surface area of 1,822 acres. Major facilities include an anadromous endangered and protected fish species egg collection and imprinting facility, visitor center, park headquarters, sponsor-run electrical power plant (hydropower), developed campgrounds (300 sites), primitive boat-in or hike-in campsites (18), a trail system, two boat launch ramps, swimming beach, and picnic areas. Of the park’s 5,110 acres, 689 acres are devoted to wildlife management. This park normally receives over 970,000 visitors a year and annually collects normally run approximately $300,000 to $400,000 in user fees, which are returned to the Treasury.
TOTAL FUNDING:
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TOTAL COST:
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N/A
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FEDERAL COST:
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N/A
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NON-FEDERAL COST:
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N/A
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FISCAL YEAR 2022 ALLOCATION
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$12,433,000
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FY 2023 BUDGET:
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$11,054,000
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COST TO COMPLETE:
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N/A
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FY 22 accomplishments
- Development of the Water Control Manual (WCM) update leveraging Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO). The effort is the culmination of the USACE’s first reservoir to implement FIRO. The new paradigm and associated decision support tools will make permanent multiple techniques developed in R&D and during major deviations. This approach has already shown several efficiencies in the protection of downstream communities (flood risk management) and water security/supply.
FY 23 accomplishments
- Recovery from the damage suffered during the September 2021 Hopkins Wildfire. The construction contract awarded will build back to pre-wildfire performance with several enhancements for sustainability. Enhancements include modern fire rated building materials and the conversation of overhead utilities (i.e. potential fire ignition) to underground service/supply lines.
ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION
- The fish imprinting facility at this project is operated in conjunction with the fish hatchery at Warm Springs Dam (Dry Creek project). The Warm Springs Hatchery supports the last stock of the California Central Coast Coho. If this stock was to perish the subspecies would become extinct. A reconnaissance study and a Continuing Authorities Program study were initiated in FY 2014 to evaluate opportunities to comply with the Russian River 2008 Jeopardy Biological Opinion, including enhancement of nationally and regionally scarce wetlands and riparian habitat. A reconnaissance report was completed in FY 2014.
CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST
- 2nd District, Rep. Jared Huffman
POINT OF CONTACT
- Deputy for Project Management, (415) 503-6593.
Updated on 14 February 2023
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