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Kim Lamb • LVN file photo The waters of Lake Lahontan top the flashboards at Lahontan Dam in mid-June 2006. TCID officials are hopeful the reservoir will reach its target capacity this year, despite being unable to divert water from the Truckee River the past month.
While winter precipitation has reached a healthy level, Lahontan Reservoir remains low due to the breach in the Truckee Canal that is preventing diversions from the Truckee River.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service released its February 2008 water supply outlook report Friday, which forecasts the Carson River to flow 110 percent above normal at Fort Churchill from April to July, the months when the runoff from the higher-elevation snowpack feeds the river.
The snow-water content in the Carson River Basin skyrocketed in early January, climbing from 57 percent on Jan. 1 to 113 percent of average by Jan. 7. The February report states January's precipitation was 146 percent of average - much higher than last year's average of only 49 percent.
"We're in excellent shape now with the snowpack coming back," said Dan Greenlee, water supply specialist with NRCS. "January was just incredibly, phenomenally wet. It helped us recoup on that."
The Natural Resources Conservation Service released its February 2008 water supply outlook report Friday, which forecasts the Carson River to flow 110 percent above normal at Fort Churchill from April to July, the months when the runoff from the higher-elevation snowpack feeds the river.
The snow-water content in the Carson River Basin skyrocketed in early January, climbing from 57 percent on Jan. 1 to 113 percent of average by Jan. 7. The February report states January's precipitation was 146 percent of average - much higher than last year's average of only 49 percent.
"We're in excellent shape now with the snowpack coming back," said Dan Greenlee, water supply specialist with NRCS. "January was just incredibly, phenomenally wet. It helped us recoup on that."
October, November and December were very dry, Greenlee said, and the area started the new year "behind the eight ball." However, storms in early January helped increase precipitation levels.
"Precipitation for Nevada and eastern California was fantastic for the month of January! The water year precipitation values, beginning Oct. 1, have recovered to near average conditions statewide!" Greenlee wrote in the February report.
Although Lahontan Reservoir storage grew from December to January, it still remains only about one-third full. As of Dec. 31, 2007, the reservoir was at 90,300 acre-feet; on Jan. 31 the reservoir measured 101,900 acre-feet ... a far cry from the maximum capacity it can hold at just more than 300,000 acre feet.
Dave Overvold, project manager of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, said because of the canal breach, the district is losing the chance to divert Truckee River water, which is currently flowing at 102 percent of average, according to the recent report.
Overvold said it was too early to determine if farmers and ranchers in the Lahontan Valley would receive a full allotment of water this year.
"Precipitation for Nevada and eastern California was fantastic for the month of January! The water year precipitation values, beginning Oct. 1, have recovered to near average conditions statewide!" Greenlee wrote in the February report.
Although Lahontan Reservoir storage grew from December to January, it still remains only about one-third full. As of Dec. 31, 2007, the reservoir was at 90,300 acre-feet; on Jan. 31 the reservoir measured 101,900 acre-feet ... a far cry from the maximum capacity it can hold at just more than 300,000 acre feet.
Dave Overvold, project manager of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, said because of the canal breach, the district is losing the chance to divert Truckee River water, which is currently flowing at 102 percent of average, according to the recent report.
Overvold said it was too early to determine if farmers and ranchers in the Lahontan Valley would receive a full allotment of water this year.
"It depends on when the canal reopens," he said. "We will have some diversion (when it reopens), but not a lot. Hopefully we can catch up."
Overvold was cautiously optimistic the reservoir would reach the target level, which is based upon the April-July forecasted flow at Fort Churchill. The water outlook report shows a current forecast of 195,000 acre-feet at that point, higher than the 30-year average of 178,000 acre-feet.
While there appears to be sufficient snow at higher elevations, Greenlee would still like to see more precipitation in the coming months.
"If there's no more snow in the Carson Basin, it would be down to about 70 or 80 percent by April 1," Greenlee said.
TCID water users can learn more about their expected water allotment at the annual water users meeting to be held at 6 p.m. March 13 in the commission chambers of the County Administration Complex, 155 N. Taylor St.
Overvold was cautiously optimistic the reservoir would reach the target level, which is based upon the April-July forecasted flow at Fort Churchill. The water outlook report shows a current forecast of 195,000 acre-feet at that point, higher than the 30-year average of 178,000 acre-feet.
While there appears to be sufficient snow at higher elevations, Greenlee would still like to see more precipitation in the coming months.
"If there's no more snow in the Carson Basin, it would be down to about 70 or 80 percent by April 1," Greenlee said.
TCID water users can learn more about their expected water allotment at the annual water users meeting to be held at 6 p.m. March 13 in the commission chambers of the County Administration Complex, 155 N. Taylor St.
IF YOU GO
What: TCID water users meeting
When: March 13, 6 p.m.
Where: Commission chambers, County Administration Complex, 155 N. Taylor St.
