PG&E asks feds to make water cuts on Potter Valley farmers & ranchers permanent
The community has until December 1 to respond.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has asked the federal government to formalize agricultural water cuts in Potter Valley. Back in August, these restrictions blindsided farmers and ranchers who were in the middle of harvest and on the cusp of fire season.
If made permanent, farmers say these water rations will force them to shut down.
When asked how the variance would affect his family’s farm, Ken Foster answered simply: “Devastation.”
Farmer Guinness McFadden already suffered major losses when his water was cut this summer. He had already sold wine grapes to a client. The grapes died.
“With the variance they’re requesting, there’s not enough water to irrigate my crops,” says McFadden. “The variance that was established this year, which is the same one they want to continue with permanently, eliminated the water source. I had no water.”
If the permanent variance is approved, PG&E will slash irrigation to as little as 5 cubic feet per second (CSF) during dry months.
Along with this request, PG&E is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to greenlight their plans to remove two vital dams that supply water to the region.
Residents are working on overdrive to get letters to FERC arguing against both water cuts and dam removal. All comments are due December 1.
At a letter writing event at Headwaters Cafe in Potter Valley, sixth-generation cattle rancher Matthew Delbar explains how these water cuts would affect ranching in the valley.
“It takes about 5 CFS for almost any of my fields that I help irrigate to actually operate,” he says. “It’s going to limit usage of that water to one rancher per time period. It’s really going to throw a wrench into summer irrigation systems and effectively make us unable to irrigate at all.”
“Even if our efforts to save the dams are successful, with these water cuts we’d be out of business anyway.”
As the small town wages a David-and-Goliath fight for their water against a billion-dollar corporation, the water variance feels like a show of strength—a reminder of just who they’re dealing with when it comes to PG&E.
“These water cuts are an end run,” says a local rancher who asked to remain anonymous. “Even if our efforts to save the dams are successful, with these water cuts we’d be out of business anyway.”
The 100 year-old Potter Valley Project was developed to generate power using water from Lake Pillsbury. PG&E took over the project in 1930. It has now become a vital water source, but PG&E is looking to walk away after years of lawsuits from environmental groups who claim the dams hurt fish.
If dam removal is approved, ratepayers will foot the bill—estimated to cost at least $500 million—and more than 600,000 residents will be left without water.
Although it has been reported as a neutral business decision, Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly taken credit for the Potter Valley dam removals as part of his “salmon restoration strategy.” PG&E is one of Newsom’s largest donors.
PG&E claims earthquake risk; state reports say otherwise
In its initial February 2025 request to FERC asking to temporarily reduce flows out of Lake Pillsbury into Potter Valley, PG&E said levels in the lake have been kept low due to alleged “seismic risk.” The company claims the dams are structurally unsound and could endanger downstream residents in the event of an earthquake, though documents published by UNWON show the California Commission of Dam Safety and Inspections rated the dams “safe for continued use” in 2023.
FERC responded on July 28, asking PG&E to provide more information on the dam’s seismic risk.
“On April 28, 2023, the Commission’s Division of Dam Safety and Inspections-San Francisco Regional Engineer’s letter discussed your seismic stability analyses and encouraged you to further refine the estimated seismic risk potential of Scott Dam. Please provide any updates to risk reduction measures currently implemented or proposed since this letter was issued, if available.”
In its September 26 response, PG&E did not appear to give additional information on seismic stability other than to list what has been sent to FERC.
“PG&E believes the interim risk-reduction measures described are sufficient to address the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with continued operation of Scott Dam,” the letter states. “PG&E is no longer considering additional analysis or major remedial projects to reduce long-term risks.”
Viral videos launch Potter Valley farmers into national spotlight
Videos of Potter Valley residents shared by UNWON helped raise the plight of Potter Valley’s farmers into the national conversation.
In September, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met with a group of local stakeholders and promised to take their side in the fight against dam removal.
I started to wonder why the congressman who represents Potter Valley isn't doing more to help, but then I looked up who that is. What a disaster.
Can you provide the best address for sending a letter? This is just outrageous thanks.