River access project nears completion

The eastern portion of the Morgan Mill Road river access project is nearly complete, Carson City Park Planner Vern Krahn said Friday.

Krahn said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held next spring to coincide with the start of rafting season.

The boat ramp is part of a planned 14-mile Carson River Aquatic Trail Master Plan intended to provide a natural whitewater experience and other year-round activities.

The work on the Morgan Mill Road project includes riverbank modifications, a concrete boat ramp, paving and striping of the parking lot, signs and seeding.

Krahn said the project is also a key component of the city's land trail system which will connect to the Empire Ranch trail and possibly even into the Carson River Canyon and to Riverview Park.

Informational signs on the river advise boaters about the whitewater rapids and other challenges along the aquatic trail which are intended to make the river safer and more accessible for whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

Officials installed signs along an adventurous stretch of the river from Morgan Mill Road downstream through Class III whitewater rapids in the Carson River Canyon to the Santa Maria Ranch take-out area in Dayton.

Signs also have been installed on the river at Carson River Park, where the river is calm and suitable for beginners.

Work has been temporarily halted on half of the Morgan Mill Road river access site, however.

"Unfortunately, all construction on the project's western half has been suspended due to the discovery of some cultural and historic resources," Krahn said.

City staff has been working with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Army Corps of Engineers to clear that portion of the city's project area so work can continue before the contractor has to move equipment from the area, he said.

Funding for the nearly $207,000 Morgan Mill project includes money from state Question 1 funds, Land and Water Conservation Fund grants, the Carson Water Subconservancy District and the Carson-Truckee Conservation District.

Krahn will make a presentation about the project to the Carson River Advisory Committee at its 5:30 p.m. meeting Monday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center.