The Truckee River Watershed
THE TRUCKEE RIVER PROVIDES 85% OF THE DRINKING WATER FOR RENO, SPARKS, AND WASHOE COUNTY.
What is the Truckee River Watershed?
A watershed is a process of water flow into different bodies, where factors such as aeration, plant and soil health, and human impact on the land alter its quality and makeup over time. Our local watershed begins with snowmelt, rainfall, and other runoff that enters Lake Tahoe.
The Truckee Meadows watershed is a special hydrologic system: water falls as snow or rain in the Sierra and along the Carson Range, drains through creeks, springs, and storm drains into the Truckee River, and eventually ends up in Pyramid Lake — not the ocean. All of Reno, Sparks, and the surrounding lands lie within this watershed, meaning anything on the ground — rain, pollution, soil — makes its way into that network of waterways. Because it’s a “terminating” watershed (flows end in a desert lake), careful management is crucial to prevent pollution, overuse, or damage to sensitive aquatic life downriver.
The river is also used for local agriculture, and is “one of the most heavily fished waters in the state”, according to NDOW. When you see a curbside drain in Washoe County, know that whatever winds up there will find its way to the Truckee River!
How do we keep the Truckee River healthy?
Don’t litter or dump trash down drainage ways. It can break down into microtrash and become very difficult to clean.
Fish and camp responsibly! Leave no trace.
Recognize and report algal blooms: smelly, scummy, brightly colored floating patches on bodies of water. They can make people and animals sick from touching, swallowing, or inhaling infected water. Call the NV Division of Environmental Protection to report a bloom at 1-888-331-6337.
Care for your lawn to reduce runoff! Mow at least 3 inches high, fertilize in the Fall with low or no-phosphorus products, avoid product application near bodies of water, and water more lightly overall.
Pick up riverside trash, or join KTMB for cleanups either riverside or in-river (if you have the gear). Check our Events page to save upcoming cleanup dates!