If there’s one thing I know about water, it’s that hydrology is an exact science, but to really understand it you have to know a whole lot about the studies and assumptions that went into the modeling in the first place. Still, I hope the latest study reporting that Lake Mead could go dry gives us all pause. And instead of panic, may we turn to PLANNING!
Lake Mead during the 1951 drought:
September is National Preparedness Month. In Nevada, that means we’re leaving fire season and will soon be entering flood season. This would be a good month to put together an emergency kit and make a plan. Washoe County Emergency Management provides the basics for individuals and businesses.
Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway has been promoting the concept of using Southern Nevada Public Lands Management funds to create an endowment that would pay for fuels management at Lake Tahoe. As much as I’d like to see SNPLMA money used for key land acquisitions (see: flood project), a Nevada only endowment for land management may be an excellent use of a portion of these dollars. And I’m sure the idea will be more favorably received after the Angora fire. Course, it might make this pot of cash all that much more tempting to the feds too.
To address flooding, the Flood Project Coordinating Committee is working on Truckee River Action (TRaction) Projects designed to provide flood protection in specific areas (without harming anyone as we wait for the entire project to be built. Several are being studied and designed including relocating the North Truckee drain, which will greatly benefit Sparks, and protecting homes in Hidden Valley. Now is the time to get involved, especially if you’re interested in these specific projects.
the positive! Join in the celebration! Not many communities take the time to recognize all those unsung heroes who quietly go about improving quality of life. But Truckee Meadows Tomorrow does just that, in a big way!
Join thousands of your friends and neighbors to recognize the contributions of the Silver Star winners at Accentuate the Positive, October 5, 2007 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in the Rose Ballroom. Don’t miss it!
