Washoe County Community Services Department prepares for series of winter storms

by | Dec 30, 2022

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the coming week, with five wet storm systems bringing significant rain (1”-4″) to lower elevations and snow to the mountains. Washoe County Community Services Department (CSD) developed an operations plan for the storm events and is prepared to mitigate localized flooding.  

The Truckee River is expected to crest below flood levels, and as a precaution, Washoe County, City of Reno, and City of Sparks are working to notify those who may be living along the river. Washoe County Homeless Services is prepared for an increase of participants at the Nevada Cares Campus. Residents can check the availability of beds at the shelter here, and a day use area is open.  

The mitigation projects implemented by Washoe County, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, the Truckee River Flood Management Authority, and the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority reduce the threat of river and drainage flooding, but Washoe County Emergency Mangement is still keeping a watchful eye across the region. 

Residents of Lemmon Valley around Swan Lake have expressed concern, as the flooding in 2017 occurred under similar atmospheric circumstances. However, the lake was in a much different state then, and the water level is currently 20 percent of what it was when it flooded in the early weeks of 2017.  

Swan Lake is the lowest point within the Lemmon Valley “closed basin,” meaning all precipitation and snowmelt moves to the lake. As with every previous winter, Washoe County anticipates the water level to rise with heavy rain and snow. Over the last five winters the average increase in lake levels has been between 1 and 3 feet, and if the weather patterns continue, the lake will still be significantly lower than what we experienced in 2017. You can view the live LakeCam here. 

After the flooding early in 2017, Washoe County and its regional partners developed various emergency response measures specific to Swan Lake and Silver Lake. Crews inspect the area regularly, monitor lake water levels, and review potential threats when large regional storms are forecast. Washoe County will not hesitate to enact emergency provisions to maintain open roadways for the benefit of the residents and service providers.  

Since 2017, Washoe County has spent more than $10 million on flood-fighting efforts in Lemmon Valley alone. Washoe County has 13 sandbag locations throughout the county, and all locations will be resupplied by the end of the work week and throughout the storm as needed. Additional sand and sandbags will be delivered to Washoe Valley locations in anticipation of the heavy rain in that area. 

CSD has staged equipment in Washoe Valley, Toll Road, North Valleys, Silver Knolls, Lemmon Valley, Highland Ranch, and Longley Lane. It has designated watch areas at Whites Creek and Thomas Creek to the south; several areas of the North Valleys; Spanish Springs and Hidden Valley; Incline Village; and Gerlach. Roads crews are on standby throughout the holiday weekend, and staff will be monitoring phone calls for service. 

With winds forecast before the storm we request that residents pick up garbage and keep the roadside ditches and pipes clear of large debris. Household garbage, garbage cans and lawn debris can be problematic and can clog drainages but can easily be removed by property owners. If your property is prone to flooding, utilize the sand and sandbags made available by Washoe County. 

Residents can call to report a problem area at 775-328-2180 or submit a work request online

Sandbags 
  • Lemmon Valley, Lemmon Drive and Pompe Way 
  • Lemmon Valley, TMFR Station 440, 130 Nectar Street 
  • Silver Knolls Volunteer Fire Station, 11525 Red Rock Road 
  • Golden Valley Park (Hillview entrance), 7490 Hillview Drive 
  • Washoe County Operations Yard, 3101 Longley Lane 
  • Highland Ranch Parkway 1 miles west of Pyramid Hwy 
  • Belli Ranch, Blue Heron Circle and Warrior Lane 
  • Toll Road and Geiger Grade 
  • Pleasant Valley, Andrew Lane and Paddlewheel Lane 
  • Pleasant Valley, Pagni Lane and 395 
  • East Washoe Valley, TMFR Station 32, 1240 Eastlake Blvd. 
  • East Washoe Valley, Eastlake Blvd and Gander Lane 
  • West Washoe Valley, TMFR Station 30, 3905 Old Hwy 395