TCID finishes repair at breach site

Construction crews completed repairs to the V-line canal embankment near Fallon that failed on April 30, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District reports.

The repair consists in part of the placement of an impermeable lining on the face of the canal embankment adjacent to the new Lewis waste-way and low-head hydro inlet. The repair also incorporates placement of zones of earthen material including clay and a sand filter within the embankment.

TCID personnel reintroduced water flow into the V-line canal last week. Normal water delivery activity resumed this week as the system has become fully charged.

On Tuesday, the TCID Board of Director’s held a special meeting to discuss the cost of the repair. According to Project Manager Rusty Jardine, the estimated total is about $317,000.

Despite the breach, recent rainfall the past several weeks has benefited water users throughout the project and may lengthen the water season. The anticipated water allocation for this year is 17 percent of normal.

Representatives from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation including the Lahontan Basin Area Office in Carson City, the Mid-Pacific Region Office in Sacramento and the Technical Service Center in Denver have been on-site at the Lewis structure and have provided technical assistance.

Churchill County provided both equipment and operators from the Road Department, while local contractors also assisted in the repair.

District employees worked for the benefit of the farmers and other water users.

This effort is reminiscent of what became known as the ‘tractor brigade’ of 2008. In 2008, the embankment and former Lewis Waste-Way failed. The District and BOR were joined by area farmers, who provided both equipment and labor with which to make repair.

Unique to the district is the fact the governing body is composed of farmers who rely upon surface water delivery for their livelihoods. During the repair, director Joe Gomes was present every day in his role as an equipment operator.