Drought

Drought Q&A's

Truckee Meadows Water Authority & Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce

What is our current drought situation?

We are in the fifth year of a drought, which began in 1999. We experienced our driest
period in the 2000-01 water year, when Reno's rain total of 2.13 inches was the lowest since
1872, when recordkeeping began.

This current water year, we experienced an unusually warm and dry spring. While
snowpack measured 100% of normal in February, by April we were below 50% of average.
This fall, we will have to augment river flows with drought supplies. Even though we are
in the fifth year of drought conditions, 2004 will be the first year in our current drought
cycle that we will use our upstream drought supplies, thanks to wise water use of all
TMWA customers.

What are the benefits of responsible water use?

TMWA customers paying on the metered rate can avoid larger water bills in the summer -
traditionally the time when homeowners record up to 80% of their total annual water use.
Wise water use inside homes and businesses and the twice-a-week watering schedule for
lawns and gardens helps maintain our drought reserves that we all can use later. The less
we rely on upstream drought storage, the more water remains in reserve that we all can use
later-this year or in the future. Our reservoirs also serve as major recreation resource and
maintaining water levels preserves natural and aesthetic values.

How is the Truckee Meadows prepared for a drought?

Drought is a natural occurrence in the high desert and this community is well prepared.
Some communities in the West have only one to two years of drought storage. The Reno-
Sparks community has the ability to manage water supplies through nine years of drought.

In drought years, these upstream reservoirs--Independence and Donner Lakes and
Stampede/Boca Reservoirs--store drought supplies managed by TMWA for its customers.
These are our main drought supplies in addition to a number of wells around the Truckee
Meadows used to augment river supplies. Groundwater supplies are enhanced and
protected each winter, when TMWA recharges the aquifer by injecting underground
about 3000 acre feet for future drought year use.

How will the drought affect me?

Nothing new will be asked of TMWA customers, except to be extra diligent in using
water-both indoors and outside--as all water that is not used will help maintain our
drought reserves.

What happens to the fish, wildlife and other habitat?

During drought, the natural streambed of the Truckee River creates ponds and eddies.
Fish, birds and river mammals will begin to congregate at these areas, according to Kim
Toulouse of the Nevada Department of Wildlife. In this "follow the water" cycle, some
wildlife will not make it. Fall spawning runs will not occur for some fish species. Wildlife
that is mobile will move to where the water is most plentiful and readily available. Fish
and wildlife will again flourish, once we come out of this drought cycle.

Where does the water come for new growth?

Conservation is not an alternative to developing new supplies. It is used in conjunction
with other management strategies to get us through low-water situations. In fact, we
cannot use our drought reserves, nor any water conserved by existing customers, for
new growth.

Water rights are, in effect, a type of property right and are bought and sold on the open
market. The number and amount of existing Truckee River and surrounding creek rights,
established in the early 1900's, will likely never change. Any time an individual wants to
build a house, a subdivision, or a casino, they must bring the appropriate quantity of
existing irrigation water rights to TMWA. If they do, TMWA will convert the irrigation
water right to a municipal water right through the Nevada State Water Engineer in order
to serve water to the project. Thus, the only thing that changes is how the water is used
- same water, different use.

Where do water rights for new buildings come from?

Agriculture water rights: These water rights, that were previously used to irrigate
agricultural land, are converted from agricultural to municipal use. Unused surface and
ground water rights: Property owners sometimes keep more water rights than needed for
their home and property. These can be sold on the open market.