On the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland, there's a joke about seeing the "back side of water." But for two days, that's essentially what I've done. Seeing the Russian River from the perspective of water managers, environmentalists, local agencies, businesses and utility companies really has been very enlightening. The tour started at the headwaters of the Russian River in Mendocino County. 

PG&E runs a hydroelectric plant in Potter Valley, where the Eel and the Russian become one, and we heard about the balancing act to protect the fish, create hydropower, and adjust flows for upstream and downstream uses. A lot of trial and error over the years, to try and respond to all the competing interests. More of an art, than a science.  

From there, we followed the river downstream to Lake Mendocino and Coyote Dam, which built in the late 1950s for flood control, water conservation, hydroelectric power, and recreation. Then to the second reservoir on the river, Lake Sonoma, and Warm Springs Dam and the fish hatchery. One of the ways that the local water agencies are stretching the most out of their water supplies is with some innovative use of recycled water.  This winery, De la Montanya, is one of the pioneers in this effort, using recycled water to irrigate some of its vineyards.