Truckee River Watershed
The Truckee River is the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe, and travels 140 miles through Northern California and Nevada, draining 3,120 square miles of land (the Watershed) into Pyramid Lake. That includes all of the light green colored land shown on the map below! Throughout the Truckee River Watershed, dozens of creeks/tributaries, drainages, and storm drains contribute to the River, collecting stormwater from the mountains, Truckee Meadows, and high desert, as well as runoff directly from the Town of Truckee and Cities of Reno and Sparks.
The Truckee River is one of Nevada’s most significant natural and cultural resources, delivering 80% of all drinking water to residents in the Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County areas, and it's the only significant source of water to Pyramid Lake, a sensitive and valuable "desert terminus lake." The River provides a significant contribution to the annual agricultural water needs of the Fernley and Fallon areas, including the Lahontan Reservoir. Additionally, the River provides a rich source of habitat for many species of plants and wildlife, supporting fishing and countless other recreational activities along the river.
Watershed Assessment Reports and Watershed Plans:
Since 2005, the Truckee Meadows Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee (SWPCC) has implemented a Watershed Assessment Program for Tributaries to the Truckee River. The assessments are performed annually performed annually to evaluate impacts from urban development, track trends in stream condition and overall stream health, and identify high risk areas for future watershed restoration projects. In 2020 SWPCC updated the Watershed Plan for Tributaries to the Truckee River. The 2020 Plan describes approaches to protect and improve the water quality in stream corridors and drainages, and qualifies Truckee Meadows agencies for NDEP 319(h) grant funding, for water quality implementation projects. All recent watershed assessment reports are available at SWPCC Publications and Manuals.