News Release Archive

Truckee Canal repair plan addresses long-term operation

Comments sought on proposed extraordinary maintenance project to reduce risk of canal failure; public meetings scheduled

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov

For Release: March 06, 2020

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Bureau of Reclamation released a draft proposed plan today to address potential structural fixes associated with long-term operations of the Truckee Canal located in western Nevada. The canal is presently operated at a stage or water height that complies with short-term risk reduction measures until the plan is implemented.

“We are working together with Truckee-Carson Irrigation District and many others to develop this analysis of future maintenance activities,” said Terri Edwards, Lahontan Basin Area Manager. “The draft proposed plan lays out alternatives for TCID to restore operations in a safe manner.”

Reclamation analyzed the environmental impacts of proposed alternatives to restore safe, long-term operation of the canal. The draft environmental impact statement analyzes potential effects associated with extraordinary maintenance on the Truckee Canal in Lyon and Churchill counties. The draft EIS is available for a 45-day comment period.

As the lead federal agency, Reclamation prepared the draft EIS, in cooperation with the TCID, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Churchill County, the cities of Fallon and Fernley, the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The public is invited to attend the following open houses to learn about the project, ask questions and/or submit written comments on the draft documents:

  • March 24, 2020, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., 595 Silver Lace Blvd, Fernley, Nevada, 89408
  • March 25, 2020, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., 155 N. Taylor Street, Fallon, Nevada, 89406

The 31-mile long canal originates at the Derby Diversion Dam on the Truckee River, approximately 20 miles east of Reno, and ends at Lahontan Reservoir. The 1996 operation and maintenance contract with the TCID requires Reclamation to evaluate the district’s request to improve the canal’s structural integrity to reduce the risk of a failure.

The draft EIS is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=25717. Submit written comments to Laurie Nicholas, Bureau of Reclamation, Lahontan Basin Area Office, 705 N. Plaza Street, Room 320 Carson City, Nevada 89701 or fax to 775-884-8376. Email comments to TruckeeEIS@empsi.com. All emailed or faxed comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST and all mailed or personally delivered comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. PST on April 20, 2020. 

For more information on the draft EIS, contact Laurie Nicholas at 775-884-8360 or lnicholas@usbr.gov. For additional information on the project, visit https://www.usbr.gov/mp/lbao/programs/truckee-canal-eis/index.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.