Staff Report
During the Sept. 1 Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (TCID) Board of Directors meeting, Water Master Kelly Herwick reported Lahontan storage at approximately 105,945 acre-feet, with releases of about 541 cubic feet per second. End-of-September storage is projected at approximately 77,966 acre-feet.
Herwick said TCID is working with the Bureau of Reclamation on September storage targets and anticipates reducing Truckee Canal diversions during the month. Current projections show diversions continuing through December.
Reservoirs below Lahontan also remain in good condition. Herwick reported that downstream reservoirs also remain relatively full, with Harmon Reservoir approximately three-quarters full and S-Line Reservoir about nine-tenths full.Demand is expected to decline as the season progresses, particularly as corn harvest begins. Herwick also reported that annual water flows toward Carson Lake Pasture have begun, with no reported problems at this time.
General Manager Ben Shawcroft reported that TCID will participate in an online meeting next week to review the Federal Water Master’s model that will be used to calculate credits requested by the district. TCID’s consultant in Colorado will participate in reviewing the model to ensure it works for the district’s purposes.
In other business, directors approved a $7,000 damage claim from Dan and Helen Shaw after two TCID-owned gates failed within approximately eight days, flooding their field.
Herwick said the first incident involved problems with a headgate and resulted in flooding on the Shaw property and a neighboring property. A second problem involving a takeout gate occurred during another water run the following week, causing more flooding.
Herwick said the wood components of both gates were aging and ultimately failed. The Shaws told directors the field had recently been irrigated when the flooding occurred and that the damage affected an established alfalfa crop.
The Shaws submitted a revised claim of approximately $8,476 for crop and field restoration costs. After discussing alternatives for restoring the field and reducing costs, the board approved reimbursement of $7,000.
The board also authorized TCID to file a court action seeking recognition of a federal easement across property owned by the David L. Matley and Christine L. Matley Trust. According to the meeting agenda, TCID is seeking access to the easement so district personnel can clean and maintain a drain ditch.
Shawcroft said attempts to reach an agreement allowing TCID to perform the work had failed because conditions proposed for accessing the property were too restrictive. He said the district believed taking the issue to court was preferable to entering the property while its access was being challenged. Directors avoided further discussion of the matter during the meeting because it could involve the district’s legal strategy.
Directors also approved the purchase of a new Caterpillar track skid steer through a five-year lease arrangement. TCID’s existing skid steer has approximately 6,000 hours and has experienced problems with its diesel particulate filter system and hydraulics. The agenda lists the estimated cost of repairing the machine at $31,144.98.
Staff said a new machine would cost approximately $157,586 and recommended leasing rather than investing more than $30,000 in the existing equipment. TCID plans to spend approximately $3,500 to make limited repairs to the older skid steer and retain it for lighter use.
The board also adopted a Cyber Protection Policy required under TCID’s cyber insurance coverage. Shawcroft said the policy establishes procedures for responding to a cyber incident, including guidelines for restoring district systems. TCID is also exploring possible funding to hire an outside company to conduct a simulated cyberattack and test employee response to phishing attempts.
Earlier in the meeting, the district recognized Herwick for 20 years of service to TCID. Board President Eric Olsen thanked him for his work and said he hears “nothing but positive things” from water users about Herwick’s work.
Herwick said he enjoys working with and helping TCID water users and intends to continue looking for ways to improve district operations.
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