What will the aquatic trail be like?

The Carson River Aquatic Trail would start at the south end of Silver Saddle Ranch, property controlled currently by U.S. Bureau of Land Management, though sought by the city through its proposed federal lands bill.

It'll continue running through Carson River Park, Riverview Park, Ambrose Carson River Natural Area, and the Morgan Mill River Access Area, then run through private properties and end in Lyon County at the Santa Maria Ranch.

The plan calls for four access points: Silver Saddle Ranch, Carson River Park, Morgan Mill Road and Santa Maria Ranch in Lyon County. Improvements by the city are called for at Carson River Park and Morgan Mill Road. A fifth location so people can stop, dry off and have lunch is being sought," said Vern Krahn, the city's park planner.

"Carson River Park would offer a concrete boat ramp, asphalt parking lot and port-a-potties while the Morgan Mill Road area would have a boat ramp, signs, port-a-potties and picnic facilities," Krahn said.

Silver Saddle Ranch is controlled by the BLM and the Santa Maria Ranch section is earmarked by Lyon County for improvements. These portions are controlled independent from Carson City.

The first phase of the work is putting up warning and information signs on the river this spring, Krahn said. These should be up before the end of the April. The second phase is seeking grant funds.

Phase three of the project is to start construction on the city sites in late fall 2008 and complete the work by spring 2009.

The first 3.3 mile section of the river is class 1-2. The Carson River Canyon section is class 2-3 - whitewater - and 9.3 miles long. Class 1 is the gentlest in a scale of 1 to 5. Class 3 is considered intermediate, Krahn said.

"We've already received $80,000 from Carson Water Subconservancy District, submitted other grant applications and we'll be sending out even more," he said.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.