A watershed is all of the land that drains to a single water body. Watersheds are often named after the water body that they drain into, and the Russian River watershed is named after the Russian River. Watersheds are divided from each other by elevated land features such as hills and mountain ridges. Watersheds vary in shape, size, climate, vegetation, and many other physical characteristics, making each one a unique hydrologic system that stores and conveys water.
The Russian River watershed is a rich and diverse region of nearly 1,500 square miles of forests, agricultural lands and urban lands in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. The mainstem of the Russian River flows 110 miles from its headwaters near Redwood Valley and Potter Valley to the Pacific Ocean near Jenner. The watershed is home to approximately 360,000 people, 238 streams and creeks, and 63 species of fish – three of which are listed as threatened or endangered: Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and Steelhead trout. Check out the Interactive Map to learn more.
The Russian River Watershed Association (RRWA) is a coalition of eleven cities, counties and special districts in the Russian River watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement. RRWA was formed in 2003 to create opportunities for our member agencies to expand their stewardship role in the watershed.
Download an RRWA Brochure
Facilitate inter-agency partnerships across the Russian River watershed that promote stewardship of its resources.
The RRWA Board of Directors are elected officials from each of the eleven Member Agencies. This governing and decision making group provides direction and oversight for RRWA according to the provisions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding.
Development and implementation of RRWA projects and programs are supported by the RRWA Advisory Committees: Executive Programs and Initiatives Committee (EPIC) and Technical Working Group (TWG). The EPIC guides work plan development and steers the direction of watershed wide collaborations. The TWG provides project-specific technical direction, specifically with an emphasis on stormwater management and permit compliance. Expertise on the TWG includes engineering, agriculture, conservation, watershed planning and management, infrastructure, Low Impact Development (LID), and education and outreach.
All Board of Directors meetings are noticed in advance and open to the public.
Callahan, M. (2019, August 23). Russian River watershed protection campaign focuses on keeping storm drains for rain only. The Press Democrat.
Turner, E. (2018, September 5). Increased Water Temps In Russian River Prompt Public Experiment. KPX5.
Bailley, H. (2018, April 10). Speak out for Russian River water quality. Cloverdale Reveille.
