News Release Archive

Reclamation issues Truckee Canal repair-plan decision

Media Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov

For Release: December 15, 2020

Truckee CanalCARSON CITY, Nev. – The Bureau of Reclamation signed a Record of Decision today on the plan to address structural repairs associated with long-term operations of the Truckee Canal. Built between 1903 and 1905, the canal is part of the Newlands Project, one of Reclamation’s oldest and first-of-its-kind conveyance projects in the country.

The canal originates at the Derby Diversion Dam on the Truckee River, around 20 miles east of Reno, and ends 31 miles later at Lahontan Reservoir. The Newlands Project delivers water to about 59,000 acres of lands with water rights through a system of nearly 70 miles of main canals, 300 miles of canal laterals and 350 miles of drains.

“By signing this Record of Decision, the Truckee Carson Irrigation District will be able to move forward with needed Truckee Canal repairs,” said Lahontan Area Office Manager Terri Edwards. “This is essential to safely restoring long-term canal operations.”

The canal improvements identified include embankment repairs, structural enhancements such as replacing check structures, and lining additional canal segments. A check structure acts like a small dam within a canal. The gates can be closed, raising the water level behind the check structure to reach necessary water delivery levels.

“The Truckee Canal represents the very heart and soul of the Newlands Federal Reclamation Project,” said Truckee-Carson Irrigation District Manager Rusty Jardine. “It is the primary means by which water is conveyed to water right holders in the Fernley area and serves to supplement the water supply in the Lahontan Valley (Fallon area) by diversion at Lahontan Dam. We look forward to affecting canal improvements that will benefit all those depending upon that most essential resource: water!”

The canal is currently operated at a lower stage, or height of water, until improvements are completed. The 1996 operation and maintenance contract with the TCID requires Reclamation to evaluate the district’s request to improve the canal’s structural integrity.

The Record of Decision is available here: www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=25717. Additional project details are available on: www.usbr.gov/mp/lbao/programs/truckee-canal-eis/index.html. Contact Laurie Nicholas for more information on the Truckee Canal Extraordinary Maintenance Record of Decision at 775-884-8360 (TTY 800-877-8339) or lnicholas@usbr.gov.

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