High water levels expected in Lahontan Valley

Topic: HIGH WATER LEVELS EXPECTED IN MOST VALLEY WATERWAYS

In consequence to higher than anticipated run-off forecasts for the Carson River Watershed, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District has commenced “flood operations” throughout the Lahontan Valley, according to a Tuesday morning press release.

Such operations consist of the release of water from Lahontan Reservoir to account for and balance the inflow of water to the Reservoir from the Carson River . Current projections reveal a potential run-off of as much as 350,000 acre feet. The current volume of water in Lahontan is approximately 207,000 acre feet. Full capacity, with use of 20-inch flashboards, is approximately 308,000 acre feet.

Accordingly, residents living along valley waterways, such as the Carson River , will see a significant increase in water levels as water is being evacuated from the Reservoir. In a continuing response to up-stream run-off conditions, flow rates in the Carson River channel may rise to as much as 800 cubic feet per second (cfs). In comparison to flood operations conducted in 2017, the highest rate of flow in the Carson River that year exceeded 1,200 cfs. While the water level is not expected to reach that of 2017, adverse impacts may be experienced. Flood operations will likely continue through the month of April in response to changing up-stream conditions.

We encourage homeowners living near the Carson River to monitor water levels. While actual flooding is not anticipated, we ask that homeowners to inform the District of any problems they may encounter.

We do not anticipate the use of the emergency weir on the V-Line Canal at the present time. The weir capable of a discharge of as much as 1,000 cfs -which was directed to the Carson Lake .

All water releases made during flood operations are available to any lands in the Newlands Federal Reclamation Project, whether water righted or not, with the consent of a landowner. Water has already been made available to the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, the Carson Lake Pasture and Marsh, and the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Indian Reservation. Such water deliveries are not charged against the annual allocations of any water right owner who receives such water or against the Project’s annual diversion.

Please contact the District, by telephone, at 423-2141, for further information.