LVEA  in  Action    

“The old saying of whiskey is that drinkin’ and water is for fightin’ has not changed,” said Bob Milz, Chairman of the Carson Water Subconservancy District (CWSD) Board of Directors, at a recent Carson River Symposium.  Mr. Milz went on to say that today we do not fight but try to work things out as we attempt to resolve the water issues along the Carson River. 

“As mighty as the Carson River is, there is only so much the ol’ gal can do”, said Pete Livermore, CWSD Board member.  That is why he counseled the seminar participants to “Plan Smart, Think Smart, Propose Smart, Look for Collaborative Solutions!”  Mr. Livermore pointed out that, “If we don’t plan, it may be done for us.”

The Carson River Symposium, hosted by Carson Water Subconservancy (CWSD), was held to discuss the operation and administration of the water resources on the Carson River.  Ed James, General Manager of the Carson Water Subconservancy District, stated that the goal of the symposium was “to better understand how the Carson River functions and is administered to ensure that we have adequate water to meet future growth while at the same time preserving agriculture and protecting the environment.”

Representative Pete Goicoechea explained that, “the majority of the state legislators believe there is a need to get a grasp of what our water resources are.”

Mr. Goicoechea stressed a statewide water inventory is critical.  “If we are going to consider transferring water rights out of a basin, we need to know what amount of water is in the basin,” he said.   He stated that there is concern regarding making major changes in water law with water right values as high as they are today. 

Gary Stone, Federal Watermaster, pointed out that in the last 40 years we have gone from 100% irrigation use to increasing municipal and industrial use of the Carson River water.  The complexity of water delivery on the Carson River changes each year due to the amount of subdivisions and division of parcels explained Don Callahan, Deputy Watermaster. 

 A theme that threaded its way throughout the seminar and emphasized by Hugh Ricci, Nevada Water Engineer, was the fact that basins along the Carson River are over adjudicated and some are mining water.  The annual recharge is not sufficient to meet the water right commitment.

Mr. Ricci indicated three options: Do nothing (There is too much change and growth for this to be a viable option he stated); or administer basins by priority dates (He explained that if this was done in Dayton Valley only 78 out of 240 permits could be exercised since February 12, 1971 would be the cutoff date); or call for all proofs of beneficial use.

The interaction of ground water and surface water was highlighted throughout the seminar.  Mike Strobe, Deputy Director USGS Nevada Water Science Center, explained how surface water contributes to the recharge of the aquifer.  “All ground water originates from surface water.  It is just a matter of timing”, said Chris Mahannah, Water Research & Development, Inc.  Over time surface water percolates into ground water, Mr. Mahannah explained.   

Brad Goetsch, Churchill County Manager, noted that up stream users impact down stream folks disregarding priority.  He emphasized that you cannot do something to one water source without affecting the other.  “We need to look at our water sources as an integrated region”, Mr. Goetsch stated. 

Truckee-Carson Irrigation District Manager, Lyman McConnell, explained the operation of the Newlands Project and how it relates to the Carson River.  He pointed out that there are 412 miles of canal and lateral, 345 drains, 1160 turnouts, and 105 measuring devices in the Newlands Project.  As per Bureau of Reclamation requirements, 75% of the water in the Project must be measured by 2012.  At this time 45% of the water is being measured.   

The Projects 70% efficiency has gained the District water credits under OCAP.  Mr. McConnell also stated that under the Carson Division there are 55,800 irrigated acres and 66,500 acres of water rights.  Under the Truckee Division there are 32 miles of Truckee Canal, 2,800 irrigated acres and 5,700 acres of water rights. 

The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe has 5,400 acres of water rights with irrigation limited to 3,025 acres, the Stillwater Refuge has 4,700 active water rights, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife has 23,000 acres of water rights. 

Roger LeSueur, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, explain that OCAP guidelines require that water must be provided to meet water right entitlement. 

This is first and foremost and water cannot be cut off due to this requirement.  The Bureau of Reclamation must also meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and must fulfill Tribal responsibilities of the Pyramid Tribe and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe.  The Carson River demand varies each year depending on water availability. 

Ed James pointed out the problems in the various counties along the Carson River.  He expressed concern that in Churchill County if there was no recharge from agriculture and irrigation there would not be enough water to meet the counties needs.  The basalt aquifer is decreasing as agriculture production decreases he said.  He also mentioned that low quality water is flowing into the aquifer as recharge decreases. 

Mr. James stressed the importance of a regional water system, the goals of which would include: reliability; fire flow; help to meet water quality standards; protect agriculture; and lower overall costs.  

The regional water system could include: Marlette Water System/Mud Lake; a pipeline through Douglas County to Carson City; a pipeline from Carson City toward Mound House; a pipeline from Mark Twain to Stagecoach; under ground water storage at Stage Coach; a pipeline from Stagecoach to Silver Springs. 

Mr. James commented that water resources could be enhanced by: Alpine County Ground Water Management Plan; Churchill County Water Resource Plan; Pooling surface water supplies (storage rights at Mud Lake, Lost Lake, Red Lake, Indian Creek Reservoir as well as surface irrigation rights); Pooling ground water supplies; and Dixie Valley water evaluation. 

Mr. James added that there must be a balance between agricultural, environmental and domestic needs.  If agriculture were to disappear, the lower Carson River would be dryer than it is now, he mentioned. Mr. James reminded the seminar participants that this is one watershed.  There will be more changes and demands in the next 40 years so we must work together in an attempt to solve the water issues on the Carson River.