I’ll begin this update by informing those who are not aware that the NevadaCreek.com website has been back online for a few weeks now. The website rebuild is not yet fully complete, but most all pertinent pages are available, including most visited pages such as Current Reservoir Measurements and Current Status of Irrigation Rights. Some previously existing informational pages remain to be rebuilt and I will add them as time allows. The site layout is different from the earlier version but you should be able to easily navigate it.
Water Supply
I am sure that most in the valley are aware that the water supply outlook for this season is somewhat bleak as compared to other recent years of abundant water supplies. Spring flows on Nevada creek thus far have more resembled late August rather than spring runoff. There does still remain a fair amount of snowpack at the very upper elevation, but the lower & mid-elevation snow is mostly non-existent. While it is probable that we will see some increases in the Nevada creek flow as that upper snow begins to come off, it is also doubtful that those increases will be substantial without additional precipitation. You can monitor the current area streamflows at any time by visiting the Flows page. Also view the Water Supply or Snotel pages for more current info.
Contract Water Status
At this current time, Nevada Creek reservoir is at 75% of capacity. I have been running the numbers and when allowing for typical losses in delivery of contracted water, the current storage will allow us to safely allot only 70% of total water contract. With current inflows the reservoir is gaining an average of 44 acre/feet per day. If downstream demand remains minimal in the near term allowing increasing storage, or with substantial precipitation gains, this allotment percentage could be increased at a later time.
Decreed Water Rights
As goes the water supply, so goes the decreed water rights. Without increases in precipitation, Nevada creek water user’s can expect minimal flows for supplying irrigation with decreed water. Current flows on Nevada creek are averaging around 30% of normal. This looks to be a tough season for everyone and it will be imperative that water user’s communicate with me before turning on with creek water for decreed rights. Please insure that you have proper functioning measurement devices at your diversions, and please respect the senior rights of your neighbors. I am currently, and will continue to update the Current Status of Irrigation Rights page, please refer to it at any time for the current status of decreed water use.
Thank you to all for your cooperation, and feel free to contact me with questions.