AREA IMPACTS
Lake Mendocino
For Lake County and the century-old Lake Pillsbury community, there are no readily identifiable benefits arising from the draining of Lake Pillsbury. However, the negative consequences are profound.
Lake Mendocino Water Supply
Potter Valley Project diversion flows provide approximately 70% of the water that fills Lake Mendocino.
The proposed decommissioning plan will not only permanently eliminate Lake Pillsbury but will also result in Lake Mendocino being dry during fire season, an estimated six out of every ten years.
A Region Vulnerable to Wildfire
This region has proven to be extremely vulnerable to massive, deadly wildfires.
During just the past eight years, two of the three largest wildfires in California’s history (the Mendocino Complex Fire and the August Complex Fire, which consumed a total of 1.5 million acres) occurred here, and water provided by these lakes was critical for the eventual containment of both.
Lake Pillsbury, in particular, was heavily utilized in both instances by fixed-wing air tankers, helicopters, and ground crews to protect lives, homes, critical infrastructure, natural resources, and public lands.
Two Reservoirs at Risk
Thus, with the planned decommissioning of the PVP, the two principal reservoirs relied upon to provide fire protection in this extremely vulnerable area will be simultaneously eliminated from use the majority of time when needed most.
