Regional water plan to balance uses in Carson River Watershed

Carson City has the most robust water conservation plan of all the 12 water users in the Carson River Watershed, city officials learned this week.

A two-year study is under way for developing a regional water management plan for the watershed, and Ed James, general manager for the Carson Water Subconservancy District, outlined for the Carson City Board of Supervisors highlights of a two-year study it has undertaken.

The plan is designed to balance the environmental, agricultural and domestic water demands of the 12 water purveyors in the five counties of the Carson River Watershed.

"We are individuals, but we're in one watershed," James said, "and it's a balancing act focusing on future water demands."

James told supervisors that the subconservancy district decided to become proactive in its approach to water management by developing a formal plan after the 2007 Legislature started looking at the Truckee watershed and requiring that it come up with a management plan.

In 2010, the district received a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate the future water supplies and demands in the Carson River's watershed.

"As part of the grant requirements, CWSD has developed a regional water conservation plan and is evaluating the feasibility of developing water marketing and water leasing programs," James said.

The district also is studying runoff patterns and climate changes, and evaluating future regional projects, some of which James outlined.

"We get a lot of extremes here," he said. "The biggest focus is how to avoid waste."

James said, for example, his estimates show that more water is going into Lahontan in recent years than it has historically.

"Monthly streamflow patterns show climate change" is a factor, he said.

In addition, snowpacks show a downward trend, and agricultural practices have affected gauges so there is less water for Carson City to draw from, he said, "except this year, there will be plenty of water."

The district also has developed several pilot programs intended to identify programs which complement the plans and programs now in use by the 12 purveyors, and to identify measures and methods which motivate water customers to avoid waste and conserve water. Pilot projects include:

• Landscape surveys

• Large landscape audits

• Education and outreach

• Minden's old courthouse demonstration project

• Lyon County's demonstration project

During the second year of the study, the district will continue its water conservation pilot programs, gather groundwater data by basin, gather each water purveyor's water master plan, compare future water demands to supplies, and evaluate regional water projects, such as the water pipeline now under construction between Carson City and Minden.

"Our focus will be on avoiding future costs," James said, adding that Carson City is a model for water metering, and having such a system throughout the watershed would be ideal.

GET INVOLVED:

In Northern Nevada, the average single-family home uses 60-70 percent of its water on outside watering during the summer months. In an effort to help homeowners with methods of reducing outdoor water consumption, the Carson Water Subconservancy District is offering free residential irrigation surveys within the watershed district.

To schedule a free landscape irrigation survey, call the CWSD at 887-7450 or go to www.cwsd.org to learn more.

WATER RESTRICTIONS:

Carson City Public Works Department reminds residents of its motto: Every Drop Counts - Be Water Smart.

• Carson City water restrictions are in effect through Sept. 30.

• No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

• No watering on Mondays.

• Odd addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• Even addresses may only water on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

• The last number of your address determines whether you water on odd or even watering days.

• Ideal time to water on your day is between 4-10 a.m.

• Don't water when temperatures are too high or conditions are windy.

• Excessive watering causes waste. City ordinance prohibits running water along the street, gutter or storm drain.

• Hand watering is allowed when flowers, shrubs and vegetables need a little extra.

• For more information, call the Public Works Department at 887-2355.