What We Do
Find out more about IWPC and how we work to protect Mendocino County's water supply.
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Monthly Meetings
Learn more about upcoming IWPC meetings and events or view our latest agendas.
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Potter Valley Project
PG&E is decommissioning the Potter Valley Project, which will bring major changes to how water supplies are stored and delivered. This will significantly impact the environment, economy, and communities throughout Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties.
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IWPC & PVP Updates by Topic
Keeping you informed on water-supply resiliency solutions that respond to PG&E’s planned decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project while protecting Tribal interests and supporting the stewardship of fisheries, water quality, and recreation in the Russian River and Eel River basins.
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Executive Director Recruitment
Salary: $120–$140 per hour
Filing deadline: First review of applications: Friday October 9, 2026
The Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission (IWPC) is seeking an Executive Director. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as IWPC’s chief executive and strategic leader, translating Board direction into action while providing continuity across the organization’s initiatives, partnerships, and regional priorities. This is not a traditional utility management role. Supported by experienced technical, legal, financial, and project management professionals, the Executive Director’s primary responsibility is to provide leadership, vision, and alignment across complex projects, diverse stakeholders, and evolving regional water challenges. This is a part-time executive position, estimated at 20-30 hours per week. The role presents a unique opportunity to make a significant regional impact at a pivotal moment as IWPC advances multiple high-profile initiatives with expanded resources and strong professional support.
A hybrid arrangement is expected with the majority of tasks performed virtually; however, the Executive Director must have a meaningful presence in Mendocino County and be available in-person for some Commission meetings, stakeholder discussions, community engagement, and other activities where face-to-face participation is important. Some evening meetings and regional travel should be expected.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic leader who thrives in complex, technically challenging environments. They are skilled at building relationships, earning trust among diverse stakeholders, and bringing people together around shared goals. Success in this role requires strong judgment, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to balance competing interests while remaining focused on facts, outcomes, and long-term regional priorities. Rather than serving as the technical expert, the Executive Director will excel at leading through influence, fostering consensus, and guiding initiatives that create lasting value for the communities and partners IWPC serves.
Recruiter: Abby Ackers
Senior Executive Recruiter
aackers@cpshr.us
916-471-3422
NEW MODELING CONFIRMS WATER WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH FUTURE NEW EEL-RUSSIAN DIVERSION
Analysis reinforces the region’s path forward with new diversion infrastructure, secured water rights, and expanded storage to protect long term water reliability following PG&E decommissioning of Potter Valley Project. (Ukiah, CA – August 11, 2026). New water supply modeling confirms that water would be available for diversion from the Eel River into the Russian River watershed through the proposed New Eel-Russian Facility, including during drought years. The analysis, completed by Sonoma Water, evaluated how water transfers would have occurred in past years, under the diversion rules that have now been established in the 2025 multi-party Water Diversion Agreement. “The modeling confirms that the New Eel-Russian Facility can work, and that water will truly be available for diversion, every year, including during drought years,” said Dave Koball, Alternate Commissioner for Mendocino County IWPC. “It also reinforces why diversion and storage must be pursued together. Additional storage will allow us to capture more water when it is available and preserve it for the farms, businesses and communities that need it later in the year.”
Refer to the ‘Stay Informed, Updates by Topics’ tab for the full story.
WORK CONTINUES TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW EEL RUSSIAN FACILITY AT THE POTTER VALLEY PROJECT
Engineering work and collaboration on potential storage strategies show progress for protecting long-term water supply reliability. Refer to the ‘Stay Informed, Updates by Topics’ tab for the full story.
CHANGE IS COMING TO THE
Potter Valley Project
The Potter Valley Project includes two dams (Scot Dam and Cape Horn Dam), a powerhouse, and water diversion facilities. The Project provides the mechanism by which water is diverted from the Eel River into the Russian River. But PG&E has decided to abandon the project, which means the facilities will be removed soon.
Water diversion from the Eel River into the Russian River has been occurring for nearly 120 years and has allowed the region to grow. Our homes, environment, fish and wildlife habitat, economy, and agricultural businesses rely upon this water. But the Potter Valley Project decommissioning puts our future in jeopardy.
IWPC is working with partners in the region to find a new solution for water supply management, which will require new infrastructure and a new approach to operations and funding. It is essential that IWPC and other regional interests find an equitable, affordable, and achievable plan for ensuring continued water supplies for both the Russian River and Eel River basins.
