Sonoma County is very fortunate in terms of having a surface water supply. Warm Springs Dam was developed in the Dry Creek Valley to prevent flooding in the lower Russian River corridor. Voted on by Sonoma County residents, the project was approved; the cost of the project would be paid for by Sonoma County property owners only.

Who Gets Lake Sonoma Water?

“The Sonoma County Water Agency’s enabling act Statutes of 1949 contains no limitations on the uses to which water served by the Agency may be put to use. The Agency, under contract with the federal government, has rights to store water in Lake Sonoma for water supply use.

Although the Agency’s enabling act does not limit uses to which the Agency may put water, both the federal contract and the water rights for Lake Sonoma preclude the use of water for irrigation and agricultural use.”

The County of Sonoma must work with the Federal Government and the appropriate agencies to amend the Federal Contract.

Simply put, Sonoma County agriculture and the farmers who make it possible, are not entitled to Lake Sonoma water supplies even though they are among the Sonoma County property owners who, through their property taxes, are still paying for the cost of the bond that made possible the building of the dam.

Water stored in Lake Sonoma is earmarked for growth in the cities of both Sonoma and Marin Counties. The water is primarily for homes not yet built and for people yet to arrive.

It appears no one is looking out for existing Sonoma County residents, business owners, or agriculture when it comes to sustainable water supplies.

I want the job!

Signed,

John E. King