Diving robot will be used to search for Vincent Soto in Lake Mendocino today — water flows have been reduced to aid search

MENDOCINO CO., 7/10/19 — It’s been nearly a month since Vincent Soto, went missing after a tragic boating accident took the life of his father, Carlos Soto, and despite extensive searching by Mendocino County Search and Rescue and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the younger Soto still has not been found. This morning, the MCSO will be using an underwater robot to conduct a search, which has been lent by Marin County Sheriff’s Department. Sonoma Water, Sonoma County’s water agency, which controls the flow of water out of Lake Mendocino, has been reducing the amount of water being released from the lake, since Monday through today, in order to facilitate the search effort for Soto. The reductions have been made to slow the currents in the lake, because the special robot can only operate in currents below four knots. These reductions will result in the level of the Russian River appearing unusually low.

The MCSO has used a variety of different search and rescue strategies and equipment in the search for Soto, including sonar scans, underwater divers, dogs, and aerial searches, with volunteers from around the region coming to help. Soto’s family and friends have kept a vigil by the lake since his disappearance, handing out flyers to alert people at the lake of Soto’s disappearance and keeping watch for any signs of him. Theresa Rodriguez, Soto’s cousin, explained in a note that Soto’s family is hoping that Wednesday’s search operation will allow them to get some answers about their missing family member.