Rainwater in Action at Helen Putnam Regional Park

Rainwater in Action at Helen Putnam Regional Park

Our Water Resources team joined Sonoma County Regional Parks staff at Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma to assess the newly installed rainwater catchment system designed in house by the RCD’s Engineer Jessica Pollitz! 

With two tanks now in place—one near the parking lot restrooms on Chileno Valley Road and another by ranger housing—these systems can store over 45,000 gallons of rainwater collected during the wet season.  

The stored water will be used to water livestock that are part of grazing projects that help manage fuel loads in the park while mimicking natural grazing patterns to promote native plant growth. This innovative solution not only conserves groundwater and reduces reliance on the park’s well but also serves as a backup resource for fire suppression when needed. This project exemplifies how collaboration can address multiple conservation priorities!  

A big thank-you to our partners: Sonoma County Resilience Fund, Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, Supervisor David Rabbitt, and Parks for All – Measure M. We’re thrilled to see sustainable water solutions making a difference. Let’s watch these tanks fill up this rainy season!