Support grows for Reno flood-control projects

RENO - Recent heavy snowfall is helping to fuel a call for emergency measures to control potential flooding on the Truckee River in the Reno area.

The Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce is pressing local government officials to take interim steps before the expected 2007 start of a $300 million flood control project.

"What kinds of things can we do to prevent water from coming downtown, including Reno City Hall?" asked Harry York, the chamber's executive director. "What could we do in spending $1 million to prevent $50 million in damage?"

Reno, Sparks and Washoe County elected officials will consider local flood control efforts at a joint meeting today.

Over the last 50 years, the Truckee River has flooded every 10 to 12 years. In January 1997, a warm rainstorm preceded by heavy snowfall caused devastating floods of all three major river basins in the Eastern Sierra Nevada: the Truckee, Carson and Walker. The flooding killed two people and caused nearly $1 billion in damage.

Gary Barbato, a hydrologist with the U.S. Weather Service, said the potential for flooding again exists along the Eastern Sierra. A heavy warm rain could cause some flooding even though mountain reservoirs have plenty of storage room.

"Just the snow melt shouldn't cause any problems. It's rain on the snow and high humidity," Barba said.