State begins feeding water to Walker Lake to relieve drought

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has approved transferring 13,588 acre-feet of water from the state wildlife management area near Yerington to drought-stricken Walker Lake.

The move was approved by U.S. District Judge Edward Reed in Reno.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said the transfer is a "productive step" as a federal, state and local groups continue negotiating solutions to Walker Lake's diminishing water levels.

"We know this is a temporary transfer, but we are hopeful that continued negotiations will result in a long-term solution," said Guinn.

Wildlife Director Terry Crawforth said the transfer will allow the Walker Lake Mediation Group time to develop long-term solutions to aid the desert lake.

"Drought has really forced this issue, and with the Walker Lake ecosystem as we know it on the verge of collapse, we felt it was critical to act," Crawforth said. "Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area will be dryer this year, but we felt it was essential to do something now."

The temporary order will be in place through Oct. 31.

In addition, NDOW has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that will provide a $2.3 million grant for work on the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area to increase efficiency, improve wetlands and free up additional water to Walker Lake.

The water that would have been used to support the wildlife management area will flow down to Walker Lake. The area will be dried temporarily to allow leveling and reconfiguration of wetland units, which will increase the benefit to wildlife over the long term.

Crawforth said increased flows have already entered the system but it will take about two months for the full transfer.

Contact Geoff Dornan at nevadaappeal@sbcglobal.net or at 687-8750.