About Water Allocation

Water Rights & Allocation

As early as 1954, the Water Agency applied to the State Water Resources Control Board, which has the authority over water rights, for rights to appropriate Russian River water. Riparian water rights entitle the owner of land containing or abutting a natural stream the right to use natural flows by direct diversions for beneficial purposes without a permit. If water is to be stored for use in another season, owners must obtain an appropriative water rights permit.

As the local project sponsor for the construction of the Coyote Valley and Warm Springs dams, the Water Agency retains rights to some of the water stored in these reservoirs and controls the releases from the reservoirs' water supply pools. The Water Agency also has rights for direct diversion and rediversion of water at the Wohler and Mirabel collectors.

The Water Agency is required to maintain minimum streamflows, according to Decision 1610, at various points on the Russian River and Dry Creek in accordance with its water rights permits.

Follow the flow of water from the Russian River watershed to SCWA customers.