Understanding the Facts About Lake Pillsbury
Protecting Lake Pillsbury’s Wildlife, Communities and Water Resources
Lake County is working to provide clear information on how dam removal could affect wildlife, the economy and water security for communities throughout the region.
Lake Pillsbury is essential to wildlife and wildfire safety. Threats to Lake Pillsbury’s stability threaten the water supply, wildfire resilience and ecological balance crucial to all those who live in and around Lake, Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties.
Lake County created resources to give residents the facts about what is at stake. “Frequently Asked Questions & Separating Facts from Myths” is a resource dedicated to clarifying facts and answering frequently asked questions about Lake Pillsbury and PG&E’s dam removal plan. The site provides clear explanations to help residents understand the potential impacts affecting dam removal, along with a document library containing official reports that provide context on the issue.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has full authority to deny a surrender proposal. In American Whitewater v. FERC, the Commission found dam removal was not feasible, citing the importance of the structure for municipal water supply and fire protection. The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that decision, reinforcing that dam removal may be rejected when other public interests outweigh environmental benefits.
Dam removal could flush 12 million cubic yards of sediment downstream. There is no realistic plan to restore the Lake Pillsbury basin—site of the former town of Hullville—to pre-dam conditions. PG&E’s Final Application repeatedly references "unavoidable adverse effects" to environmental resources including fish habitat, water quality, wildlife and soils. Many of these impacts are labeled "unavoidable" because PG&E has opted not to fund or evaluate alternative solutions. Wildlife that has adapted to Lake Pillsbury’s habitat for more than a century, including tule elk, bald eagles and ospreys, would lose vital habitat.
Conservation easements and the loss of Lake Pillsbury as a recreational destination could significantly reduce tourism-based revenues. The actual potential loss to County revenues exceeds $1 million annually, including both residential property taxes and PG&E’s own project-related contributions. Temporary construction jobs do not replace long-term economic loss tied to recreation, agriculture and property values.
The dam also facilitates water storage and diversions vital to downstream communities in Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties. Without reliable storage, water security for hundreds of thousands of residents in four counties could be compromised. Lake Pillsbury is also a vital resource for fire suppression, as demonstrated during the Mendocino and August Complex Fires. Both the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District (LPFFD) stressed its importance for access to surface water. This presents potential life-threatening circumstances given the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the region.
Lake County is ensuring that residents understand the severity of dam removal and its damaging effects on the Lake Pillsbury communities and wildlife. These ecological systems are essential to Lake County’s existence—now and for generations to come.