Leanna Lehman
The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (TCID) Board of Directors met on Tuesday, January 7, to discuss water forecasts, infrastructure projects, automation delays, and a significant emergency maintenance funding request.
The Bureau of Reclamation and TCID reported early snowpack data for the Carson River Basin at 98% of the median, with seven of 13 monitoring sites reporting below 100%.
Water flow projections for April through July for the Truckee River are varied. A 70% flow of 130 cfs equates to 5,000 acre-feet (af), while a 30% flow would mean about 3,000 acre-feet of water, depending on weather conditions.
According to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), if minimal additional precipitation occurs, current forecasts suggest water allocations could range between 75% and 100%, with higher allocations triggering a potential drawdown of storage reserves.
The Truckee Canal remains operational, with TCID working to maximize flows while maintaining storage targets. Adjustments are being made based on fish flow requirements, with the current target at Derby Dam set at 160 cubic feet per second (cfs). As of January 13, the Truckee Canal flow at Wadsworth measures 242 cfs and Hazen at 205 cfs.
As of January 7, TCID reported Lahontan Reservoir storage at 130,145 acre-feet (af) with less than two feet of leakage at the dam and a flow rate of 277 cfs, approximately 548 af in 24 hours. On January 13, Lahontan's storage was measured at 134,300.
The board also addressed delays in its remote automation project, noting the retirement of a key employee with the needed technological skills has set the project back. The district had planned to automate check structures, but progress stalled due to the lack of expertise required to complete the project in-house.
"TCID is in the process of setting up remote access for ditch riders. "Through laptops and tablets, so we're able to make changes on the screen to the canal… We'll be able to maintain steady flows and then keep an eye on the targets and adjust accordingly," said TCID General Manager Ben Shawcroft.
According to Shawcroft, TCID is now seeking funding to hire an integrator who will implement automation across the board, starting with the early check structure. While no firm timeline was given, the district hopes to move forward soon.
In addition to automation delays, staff shortages remain a concern, particularly in engineering roles. TCID and the Bureau of Reclamation are working to fill vacancies, with several engineering positions still open.
TCID has requested up to $30 million in emergency extraordinary maintenance (EXM) funding to cover costs incurred during the Truckee Canal concrete lining project. Severe weather events resulted in flooding that damaged portions of the construction site, leading to unexpected expenses that had to be incorporated into the district's repayment contract.
"At the start of construction on the Truckee Canal lining, we had those big weather events that sent water down the canal and washed out the construction site," Shawcroft explained, commenting that additional costs to the contractor were incurred. "Those costs, of course, are incorporated into our repayment contract, but because it was due to an emergency, we requested emergency funding.
The funding request is under review, and approval would reduce TCID's financial burden related to the project.
In addition to the emergency funding request, TCID has applied for $15 million in USDA funding. These funds would support long-term infrastructure improvements.
Board members reviewed an update on TCID's new website, which has launched but is still in the completion phase. The new site will include:
- Live water stream data (expected to be operational before irrigation season)
- Updated water rights and governance documents.
- Additional resource pages
Staff members have undergone training to manage website content, and final adjustments are underway.
Nevada Department of Wildlife reported that the waterfowl hunting season is coming to a close at the end of the month. With almost perfect moisture, NDOW says they are ready for road grading, with crews set to begin road maintenance in key areas.
According to Water Master Kelly Herwick, the ethylene drainage system has increased flow into Harmon Reservoir, prompting adjustments to manage water levels.
The board approved the district's annual assessment, completed standard financial reviews, and authorized bill payments without issue.
Looking forward, TCID is cautiously optimistic. Truckee and Carson River conditions appear stable, as does the snowpack in the Sierra’s. However, water shortfalls are possible if precipitation levels drop. The district will continue monitoring weather conditions, working toward automation, and seeking funding for needed infrastructure improvements.
For more information, visit TCID.org.
Comment
Comments