Water Flows Again In Nevada Canal For First Time Since January Flood

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Updated: 1:54 PM Mar 21, 2008 Water Flows Again In Nevada Canal For First Time Since January Flood Water is again flowing in a century-old irrigation canal for the first time since a breach caused hundreds of homes to be flooded in Fernley in January. Posted: 1:50 PM Mar 21, 2008

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RENO (AP) - Water is again flowing in a century-old irrigation canal for the first time since a breach caused hundreds of homes to be flooded in Fernley in January.

The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District opened the gates at noon today to the 31-mile canal that takes water from the Truckee River near Fernley to Fallon-area farmers about 60 miles east of Reno.

The flow in the canal was allowed to resume a day after a federal report concluded burrowing rodents were to blame for the canal failure.

Some Fernley residents criticized the decision to allow water to flow again in the canal, saying it shows the bureau and district seem more interested in delivering water to farmers than the safety of residents.

Water burst through a 50-foot breach in the weakened structure on Jan. 5 and more than 500 homes were damaged by floodwater in
Fernley, about 30 miles east of Reno.

The bureau authorized the irrigation district to initially restrict flows to 150 cubic feet per second, about one-fifth of the maximum level.
The district must take additional steps before flows can exceed
that.

AP-NY-03-21-08 1637EDT

Latest Comments

Posted by: John Perry Location: Fernley, NV on Mar 21, 2008 at 03:43 PM

Just like New Orleans, if you live under the waterline, you should have flood insurance, especially when you bought you home on old farmland which was irrigated by flooding it. I want water in Lahontan this year, let the canal water flow!

Posted by: JR Location: Fernley on Mar 21, 2008 at 03:36 PM

Of course some people would complain, I don't really blame them in a way, but will they fork over the extra thousands of dollars a month it will cost to import water when our underground coffers dry up? Most implants do not realize the canal replenishes ground water used for drinking. The ground water also acts as a barrier from alkali tainted water traveling in from northeast of town at the flats. If they want to restrict incoming water either move or foot the bill for the rest of us who love our town and like our water bills under $100.00 a month. Even if you aren't new to the area you should know the impact on the all the aspects a dry canal will bring.

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