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New Eel-to-Russian facility (NERF) explained: how it would work, limits and storage choices
Summary
Panelists described a proposed New Eel-to-Russian facility that would replace the lower dam function with pumps and screens, operate seasonally up to 300 cfs under flow-floor rules, and require substantial new storage and permitting. Presenters detailed six storage alternatives and preliminary cost ranges.
At a Mendocino County workshop, technical presenters described the New Eel'to'Russian facility (NERF) concept and the storage strategies needed to sustain summer deliveries after dams are removed.
David Manning of the Russian Project Authority said the NERF is designed to pump water into the existing tunnel when river flows exceed a prescribed seasonal "floor" meant to protect fish and habitat. "The new industrial facility is being designed to pump between 10 and 300 CFS when water is available," Manning said. Diversion rules described at the workshop call for seasonal floors and ramp rates that allow 20'30% of flow above the floor to be diverted up to the tunnel's 300 cfs capacity.
Modeling examples presented by Don Seymour showed the difference between potential diversion capacity and what can be stored. One example year indicated a theoretical diversion potential of about 86,000 acre-feet to the Russian River system, but storage constraints meant only roughly 24,500 acre-feet would be diverted into storage in Lake Mendocino for later use.
Presenters outlined six broad storage alternatives under study: tributary reservoirs (costs roughly $125M'$250M), an in-valley lower dam (roughly $115M'$220M), expanded pond storage (approx. $15M'$29M), conjunctive groundwater use (estimated yield ~3,500 acre-feet/year, costs ~ $19M'$22M plus piping), pump-back from Lake Mendocino (10-mile pipeline, >$100M, constrained by current Lake Mendocino storage rights), and a potential Army Corps study of raising Lake Mendocino.
The Army Corps feasibility study process was described as multi-year; Eric Nagy said the nonfederal sponsors (IWPC and the tribe) signed a cost-sharing agreement and the study requires annual federal appropriations plus nonfederal match to continue. "The feasibility study process is a really critical part because it's the work that makes the case for federal investment," he said.
Panelists stressed that these are concept-level designs and models: costs, yields, and permitting complexity are still to be refined. They recommended public review of the feasibility and technical studies posted on the project websites and continued participation in upcoming workshops and CEQA/NEPA processes.
The panel said IRPA will run its own CEQA process for the NERF (estimated ~24 months for a program EIR) while PG&E's FERC surrender and NEPA review proceed in parallel; they said the two tracks can occur concurrently but are separately governed.
