Leanna Lehman
The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District is preparing to close out the 2026 irrigation season with a full water supply, healthy projected carryover in Lahontan Reservoir, and several winter maintenance projects getting underway.
During its Oct. 6 meeting, the TCID Board of Directors approved Nov. 6 as the final day for water orders in both the Truckee and Carson divisions. Water deliveries will continue until outstanding orders are completed, with the season expected to end before Nov. 15, depending on demand.
TCID Water Master Kelly Herwick reported Lahontan Reservoir storage at 71,952 acre-feet, above the October end-of-month target of 67,000 acre-feet. TCID continues to anticipate more than 50,000 acre-feet of carryover going into the next water year.
Herwick said no Truckee Canal diversions to Lahontan are currently allowed because of storage targets. However, diversions could resume in November or December depending on conditions and direction from the federal Watermaster.
TCID General Manager Ben Shawcroft also reported progress following a recent meeting with the federal Watermaster regarding a proposed model for handling requests for credit water. District staff continue to review the proposal and are preparing comments for the Watermaster. “A lot of progress has been made on that,” Shawcroft said.
Work is also moving forward on the Lahontan Dam tower project. Crews are expected to begin after water deliveries shut down, with work continuing through the winter. The work will be completed in sections, three gates at a time, allowing water to be released if conditions require it.
A U.S. Bureau of Reclamation representative said the agency is looking forward to seeing the project move ahead and be completed before the 2027 irrigation season.
Construction and Maintenance Manager Cody Biggs said crews are already shifting toward winter operations as water users finish for the year.
Work includes structure replacements, equipment maintenance, yard cleanup, and vegetation removal along the river corridor.
The board also approved the purchase of a heavier-duty mower attachment for the district’s skid steer for $16,868. Biggs said the existing mower, approximately five years old, needs about $5,200 in repairs and has experienced repeated problems under TCID’s workload.
During public comment, longtime district water user Roger Joanette approached the board regarding discrepancies he found in water-use entries associated with his property. Joanette said his records did not match several entries in the district’s system and that he had been working with staff to resolve them.
District staff explained that errors had been identified and adjustments made to Joanette’s account. After the discussion clarified what had been charged and credited, Joanette thanked the board and staff.
Despite bringing the issue before the board, Joanette began and ended his comments by praising the district. “We have a tendency to complain about everything. We never compliment you gentlemen on the things you do right,” he said. “You guys are doing a... good job.”
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