Lahontan Reservoir’s water level earlier this week was hovering near 290,000 acre-feet.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
There’s something about 7/11 in the Lahontan Valley.
For the past two years, temperatures rose above the century mark on that date, but the National Weather Service predicts the mercury will rise above 100 degrees beginning Friday.
Of course, nothing is promised although the rest of this week and next should see temperatures dancing above 100 degrees.
Although the temperature will climb from the area’s pleasant 90s, the days of 100 degrees or higher two years ago set records. On July 11 and 12, the NWS recorded the valley’s temperature at 105 degrees both days. July had 15 degrees of daytime highs breaking the century mark.
July was also toasty one year ago with temperatures cresting 100 degrees on July 11. Fallon experienced eight consecutive days of 100 degrees or higher before the area checked in with 98 degrees. Temperatures stayed at the 100-degree mark on July 20 and July 21.
The final seven out of eight days last July hit 100 degrees or plus with two days reaching 104 degrees. A record was set on July 27 with 105.
July 2022, though, did not record any precipitation, while July 2021 had two days with measurable precipitation: July 13 with .02 of an inch and July 31 with a quarter inch of rain. History during the past six years, though, shows July as being a dry month.
Dustin Norman, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Reno, said Monday the forecast over the weekend is calling for clear to partly cloudy skies. He said the models are showing the area as bone dry, meaning the chances of a stray afternoon thunderstorm are “nil.”
“The models are showing excessive heat through Thursday (July 20) with the temperatures possibly exceeding 105 degrees,” he added.
Norman said the Lahontan Valley could set a record high during the week.
According to the NWS, the excessive heat warning issued the following advisory.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
“The dry airmass will help to efficiently cool temperatures overnight, but with the days as warm as they will be, overnight lows will still be near record warm levels in some locations.
“Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
“Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”
Lahontan Reservoir is hovering near its capacity of 310,000 acre-feet. Each acre-foot consists of 326,000 gallons of water. Earlier this week, the reservoir is over 289,00 acre-feet. Compared to a similar water year in 2017, the Reservoir was at 303,321 acre-feet.
Ben Shawcroft, general manager of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, said the inflow into the reservoir is higher than the outflow. He said Lahontan could rise some.
“We’re on a downward trend with the river, but there’s still some (Carson watershed water) to come down,” he said.
The Carson River has been running at 2190 cfs at Fort Churchill. Cubic feet per second is the flow rate or discharge equal to one cubic foot of water per second. This rate is equivalent to about 7.48 gallons per second.
Shawcroft said the new weir, which is triple the size of the first weir that was built in 2017, really helped to move water out of the Lahontan Reservoir via the V-line canal to the weirs. The was water was diverted into the desert and eventually to the Big Dig, a channel dug six years ago to move water to the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge.
A kayaking accident in the Carson River at Brunswick Canyon east of Carson City has claimed the life of one man this month. As of Monday, authorities were looking for the second boater. In view of the accident, the Churchill County Sheriff's Office encourages recreationists to be safe while floating the river, boating or swimming. Sheriff Richard Hickox had previously posted online that river flows will be fluctuating, presenting dangerous and rapidly changing conditions.