Water rustling on the rise in Mendocino County

Water rustling is becoming a problem in Potter Valley, where irrigation canals crisscross farmland, sustaining crops and livestock as they carry water from the Eel River to the Russian River.

"Water trucks are basically stealing water from the canals," said Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman.

It's not yet known who is taking the water or where it is going but law officials suspect at least some went to illegal pot gardens that proliferate throughout the county.

"We have our suspicions," Allman said.

Throughout the summer, water trucks can be found rumbling down Mendocino County's dirt back roads, carrying water to areas where there are known marijuana gardens and no other agriculture to speak of.

Those alternative gardeners likely pay someone for the water, but the water can't be bought.

Taking Potter Valley Irrigation District water outside of the valley is illegal, whether or not it's purchased, noted district Supervisor Steve Elliott.

State regulations prohibit water from being used outside of the Potter Valley Irrigation District's boundaries, a rule that applies to all water districts unless they're granted special permits.

And most people in the water purveying business should know that, Elliott said.

Yet there have been a dozen recent reports of water trucks siphoning Potter Valley's canals, then heading out of the valley northeast of Ukiah.

"I'm talking about 2,000 gallon and 3,000 gallon water trucks with no truck identification," Elliott said.

There's no way to know how much water has been trucked out of the valley, he said. Elliott suspects much of it is happening under cover of darkness.

It's not harming the district's ability to provide for its customers' irrigation needs, but it could be a problem for others, especially during the current drought.

"It's an infringement on downstream water rights," Elliott said.

The canals are fed by a water diversion on the Eel River, high above the valley. They, in turn, feed the east fork of the Russian River.

There's little doubt water truck owners and the Potter Valley residents who may be selling them water already know it's illegal.

Potter Valley irrigation district members who illegally sell district water can have their irrigation supply cut off, Elliott said.

But water buyers - who usually pay dearly for the water - may not know it's illegal, he said.

Elliott said he's been getting phone calls from people asking to buy Potter Valley water because they know of others who have done so, Elliott said.

The district and law enforcement officials will meet Wednesday afternoon to figure out what to do about the illegal activities.

"I'm trying to bring it to the public's attention. Maybe they'll find a legitimate way to get the water," Elliott said.

Water theft is nothing new but Allman said he seems to be hearing more complaints about it countywide this year.

So have members of the water district that governs most of the Ukiah Valley's water rights.

"Desperate times are causing desperate behavior," said Sean White, director of the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District.

Most of the Sheriff's Office complaints are from people who suspect their springs and wells are running dry because they're being tapped by neighboring marijuana gardens, Allman said.

Allman said his office won't tolerate marijuana growers who partake in water thievery.

"Illegal water diversion this year is being taken very seriously," he said.