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Sonoma Water's Smart Tech Saves Millions
22 Apr
Summary
- New forecasting methods save 30,000 acre-feet of water annually.
- Modern weather data replaces outdated 1950s reservoir rules.
- FIRO system is now a national model for reservoir management.
Despite forecasts for rain and full reservoirs, parts of Sonoma Water operate under a technical 'dry water supply' designation, reflecting careful water management strategies. Lake Sonoma is full, and Lake Mendocino is at 85% capacity. However, as of April 16, 2026, Lake Mendocino's storage levels prompted a shift to a dry water supply condition, based on thresholds comparing current levels to historical data.
This situation echoes a 2013 event where early reservoir releases led to shortages. In response, stakeholders developed the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) program. This initiative replaced rigid 1950s guidelines with modern weather forecasting, transferring water conservation responsibility to Sonoma Water. This has resulted in annual savings of approximately 30,000 acre-feet, a figure comparable to building a new reservoir.
The success of FIRO has led to its adoption at reservoirs across the nation. Conservation groups advocate for additional early cutback measures, suggesting that partial reductions are preferable to complete supply loss during droughts. Sonoma Water will continue to monitor and adjust reservoir flows until June 2026, adapting to changing weather patterns.
