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Smart About Water
A place to understand approaches to water-resource management in the Truckee Meadows.
Truckee Meadows Water Authority Schedules Water Supply Outlook Webinar on April 2nd.
Rivers flowing from Sierra Nevada snowpack are crucial water supplies for communities throughout California and Nevada. The Truckee River is one of these rivers, primarily fed by the snowpack of the Lake Tahoe basin and terminating in Pyramid Lake approximately 121 miles to the northeast.
For residents living in the Reno/Sparks metropolitan region, the Truckee supplies 80-85% of the community’s drinking water. Snowpack is a key water supply indicator for water resource managers at Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA), the region's main water utility that delivers drinking water to over 475,000 people.
Save the Date, Get the Detail!
Every year, April 1st serves as the pivotal date for TMWA’s water resource managers. This is when definitive data for the snow year is collected, providing a dependable outlook for the region's water supply through the following summer and fall.
TMWA will be sharing these findings immediately after this date and will explain what the 2026 measurements mean for the community’s water supply.
- When: Thursday, April 2nd
- Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Get zoom link at tmwa.com
The webinar will be approximately 15-20 minutes of content, followed by questions and answers. This is the best way to be informed about drinking water management in the Truckee Meadows, be sure to join on time to get questions answered. Afterward, TMWA will share the presentation on its website for those who cannot attend.
Water Resource Planning for the Truckee Meadows: At a Glance
Truckee River and Tahoe Basins: Daily Water Update (click to flip!)
Daily SNOTEL Basin Index
Year-to-date indexes represent % of normal snow water equivalent compared to median value on this day for the 1981-2010 period.
This provisional data is provided from the California/Nevada SNOTEL Snow/Precipitation Update Report by the Natural Resources Conversation Service, and is subject to revision. Null percentages mean there is no measurable snowpack on that day.
Current Truckee River Flow
A key location where Truckee River flows are measured (in cubic feet per second or cfs) is near the California-Nevada state line, at the USGS Farad gaging station. This is the gaging station where required rates of flow are measured.
From March through September the required rate of flow is set for 500 cfs, and between October and February required rate of flow is 400 cfs. Flow rates are managed by the Federal Water Master and all data is provided by the United States Geological Survey.
For responsible recreational enthusiasts who monitor these flows, this map outlines all access points, features, diversions and portage options along the Truckee River from Truckee, CA to Tracy, NV.
Upstream Water Storage
Volume of water is measured in Acre Feet (AF). While many stakeholders also store water upstream, information shown here only reflects the upstream reserves held by Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
Water stored by TMWA is updated daily:
| Boca Reservoir | 49 Acre Feet |
| Donner Lake | 3,181 Acre Feet |
| Independence Lake | 15,407 Acre Feet |
| Prosser Reservoir | 0 Acre Feet |
| Stampede Reservoir | 18,561 Acre Feet |
| Lake Tahoe | 0 Acre Feet |
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Current Lake Tahoe Level
The Dam at Tahoe City controls the amount of water released into the Truckee River. It can retain 6.1 feet of Lake Tahoe, or at maximum 744,600 acre feet of water. This maximum volume is met when water behind the dam reaches an elevation of 6229.10 feet.
Water Treatment Plant Production
Water from the Truckee Meadows is treated at two locations: the Chalk Bluff Treatment Plant in northwest Reno and the Glendale Water Treatment Plant in Sparks. Treatment plant output varies by season, as peak summertime customer demand can be as much as 4 times typical wintertime customer demand.
Many residents in the region are also served by groundwater wells.
Hydroelectric Production
The Truckee River is an excellent source of hydroelectric power. In fact, Fleish, Verdi and Washoe hydroelectric power plants produce an average of 50,000 kWh per year. This clean energy offsets the operational power costs for Truckee Meadows Water Authority and is a key contributing factor for keeping water rates as low as possible for customers. Benefits to the environment are sizable as well. Every day that the hydroelectric plants run at full capacity, over 90,500 pounds of CO2 emissions are effectively eliminated from our atmosphere.
Participate and Learn
April 2026
Thursday, April 2nd Water Supply Outlook for the Truckee Meadows
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
What do the recent snowpack measurements mean for our local water supply and for this summer’s irrigation season? Kara Steeland, TMWA’s Senior Hydrologist & Watershed Coordinator, will provide context and answer questions about projected river flows and TMWA’s integrated water management approach.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/88559963509
Wednesday, April 8 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (In-person Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, April 15 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (Virtual Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/82696143523
May 2026
Saturday, May 6 Smart About Water Day - Celebrating 25 Years of Local Water System Control
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Idlewild Park's California Building
Join regional water resource agencies to learn how our regional water resources are managed. There will be activities and family-focused displays and presentations with food trucks onsite. Free to the community and timed to kick off the 25th anniversary for the formation of Truckee Meadows Water Authority!
Wednesday, May 20th Drip System Maintenance Made Easy
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Attendees will be introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential drip system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, May 27 Sprinkler Maintenance Made Easy (for sprinklers only!)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capitol Blvd.
Get introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential sprinkler system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
June 2026
Wednesday, June 3 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 10 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, June 13 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 17 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 24 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
September 2026
Tuesday, September 1 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 8 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 15 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 22 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, September 26 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
October 2026
Wednesday, October 7 Winterize Your Irrigation System (in-person)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Captial Blvd.
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, October 14 Winterize Your Irrigation System (virtual)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/84043366205
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