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Feds Intervene in Potter Valley Dam Removal

Small Voices With a Powerful Message

In the rugged hills of Northern California, where rivers carve through ancient landscapes and communities cling to hard-won water rights, a David-and-Goliath tale unfolded this year. A coalition of farmers, ranchers, and everyday residents—armed not with corporate backing or political clout, but with persistent advocacy and a compelling message about survival—successfully pressured the federal government to intervene and halt the proposed removal of two century-old dams in the Potter Valley Project. This grassroots triumph underscores a timeless truth: small voices, when united by the right message, can accomplish great things, reshaping policies that affect hundreds of thousands.


The Potter Valley Project, centered on Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam along the Eel River, has been a lifeline for the region since the early 1900s. Built for hydroelectric power, the system diverts up to 62,500 acre-feet of water annually to the Russian River basin, sustaining agriculture, municipal supplies, and ecosystems across Mendocino, Sonoma, and Lake counties. Without it, experts warn, water reliability could plummet, exacerbating droughts, hindering firefighting efforts, and devastating local economies worth billions in agricultural output.

Scott Dam aerial immage, Potter Valley, CA - photo openriversfund.org
Scott Dam aerial immage, Potter Valley, CA - photo openriversfund.org

But in 2019, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced plans to decommission the uneconomical project, filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to surrender its license. Environmental groups championed the removal, arguing it would restore natural flows and aid endangered salmon and steelhead. Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed the move as part of his Salmon Strategy, envisioning a "two-basin solution" with alternative diversions like pumps. Rumors were circulating of a "backroom deal" with Newsom promising PG&E that ratepayers would foot the bill for the dam removals. By early 2025, PG&E's application seemed on track, threatening to end the inter-basin transfer that has buffered the region against climate extremes.


Enter the "small voices"—a grassroots chorus of opposition that refused to fade. Farmers facing mid-season water cutoffs, ranchers guarding multi-generational legacies, and communities reliant on Lake Pillsbury for recreation and fire suppression rallied under banners like Save Lake Pillsbury and the Potter Valley Irrigation District. They decried the plan as a "war on agriculture," highlighting irreversible losses: reduced irrigation for vineyards and crops, depleted reservoirs like Lake Mendocino, and heightened wildfire risks in a fire-prone state.


Although there were many speaking out, Chris Coulombe, a Republican congressional candidate, veteran, and Sonoma County business owner, stood at the forefront. Coulombe transformed his campaign into a megaphone for the cause, attending town halls, penning op-eds, and leveraging social media to amplify the message that dam removal wasn't just environmental progress—it was a direct assault on rural livelihoods. Although Coulombe lost his election bid, his voice was not quieted. He continued to rally support with his message - "This isn't about fish versus people; it's about sustaining communities that feed the nation," Coulombe stated in a widely shared interview. His efforts mobilized petitions with over 920 signatures, public comments to FERC, and direct appeals to federal leaders, proving that one determined local can ignite a movement.


Coulombe's voice echoed through X (formerly Twitter), where posts like his April 2024 critique of similar Klamath River dam removals garnered attention: "Sediment disasters and lost water—Potter Valley can't afford this mistake." Videos of affected ranchers, shared via accounts like @americaunwon, went viral, showing families like the Logans grappling with shutoffs: "We're fighting for our future," one clip narrated. These raw, personal stories cut through bureaucratic noise, humanizing the stakes and building a groundswell that reached Washington.


When all this was not enough, Coulombe used his own funds and help from supporters to produce a pointed video to explain the plight of Potter Valley farmers:

Video produced by Luminwood Productions - luminwood.com

The turning point came when this video made its way to Brooke Rollins, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Trump's second term. In September 2025, Rollins met with Potter Valley stakeholders, vowing to champion their cause. "Water is life," she wrote in a December op-ed in The Mendocino Voice, blasting California's "radical leadership" for prioritizing ideology over people. Drawing on USDA's stake in regional agriculture, Rollins filed a formal intervention with FERC on December 19, 2025—the deadline for public comments—halting the decommissioning process. Coordinated with other federal officials, this move safeguarded investments in farms and forests, ensuring the diversion's continuity.



US Dept. of Agriculture - Secretary Brooke Rollins - photo courtesy of USDA.gov
US Dept. of Agriculture - Secretary Brooke Rollins - photo courtesy of USDA.gov

What began as whispers in rural town halls escalated into a federal blockade, illustrating how targeted messaging—focusing on economic devastation, water security, and human impact—can sway power structures. Opponents didn't have lobbyists or billions; they had truth-telling and tenacity. As Coulombe reflected in a recent post, "When small voices speak with conviction, giants listen."


This victory isn't final—FERC proceedings continue—but it stands as a beacon for underdogs everywhere. In an era of top-down decisions, the Potter Valley saga reminds us: great change often starts with the unassuming, proving that the right message, delivered relentlessly, can dam even the mightiest rivers of policy.


Chris Coulombe interview - courtesy of YouTube.com

List of Sources

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