News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation and Truckee Carson Irrigation District Reinitiate Flows in the V-Line Canal

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, (916) 978-5100, 06/20/2008 22:15

For Release: June 20, 2008

In large part due to the exceptional assistance of the local community, the Bureau of Reclamation and Truckee Carson Irrigation District (TCID) have completed temporary repairs of the breach in the V-Line Canal Lewis Wasteway and reinitiated flows on Friday, June 20, 2008.  Local farmers and other members of the community were instrumental to the repairs as they donated their time, effort, and equipment.

Mr. Kenneth Parr, Deputy Area Manager of Reclamation's Lahontan Basin Area Office in Carson City, stated, "Reclamation and TCID are pleased to announce the completion of the repair work.  We know how crucial the water that flows through the V-Line Canal is to the farms and wetlands.  We greatly appreciate the efforts of the local community, which were key to expediting the repairs."

An operational plan that defines canal flows is being followed.  Flows will initially be limited to approximately 150- 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the gates open at Check Structure No. 2.  Once these flow rates are achieved and no problems are observed, ramping of flows may proceed at a rate of 2-3 feet per hour up to full flow.  

Monitoring of canal operations will be done on a 24-hour basis for a period of 5 days from initial filling; regular operations will resume after the 5-day period.  TCID has prepared an emergency plan that includes alternative operational procedures to accommodate the loss of the Lewis Spillway structure that failed in the breach and had to be demolished as part of the repair.  Parr stated, "Public safety is paramount as we put flows back into the canal."

Reclamation is conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of the breach.  The forensic analysis has included interviews with the adjacent landowner, and additional interviews will take place. 

The breach occurred on June 11, 2008, in an area of the 27-mile-long V-Line Canal about 8 miles west of Fallon, Nevada.  A feature of Reclamation's 102-year-old Newlands Project, the V-Line Canal originates at the Carson River Diversion Dam, below Lahontan Dam, and provides water to the Fallon area for agricultural and wetlands on the south side of the Carson River; it is operated and maintained by TCID.  Although also owned by Reclamation, part of the Newlands Project, and operated by TCID, the 32-mile-long Truckee Canal is a separate and distinct waterway that originates at the Derby Diversion Dam and diverts water from the Truckee River to the Lahontan Reservoir.  

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