Funding for Carson Flood mitigation

Last year, the Carson Water Subconservancy District committed $100,000 for each of the next four years to Carson City's storm drainage control project.

Now, board members want to see some results from their $400,000 investment.

"We want to ensure the money is not spent on engineering only. We want something done and we haven't seen any of that, yet," District Board Chairman Bob Milz told Carson City Development Services Manager Mahmood Azad during last week's subconservancy district meeting.

Reviewing the results of a recently completed preliminary engineering study of the Ash and Kings Canyon drainages, Azad said approximately $60,000 of last year's allocation had been spent on the study and asked the remainder be carried into the current budget.

Azad said the next step in the planning process would be to do a pilot project in the Ash Canyon area, including a stream restoration demonstration project to protect it from excessive sediment generation; creek protection project to prevent water from leaving the channel; and a preliminary geotechnical engineering study to determine where the embankment will go. He estimated costs at $130,000.

According to District Manager Ed James, the terms of the grant agreement state that a total of $100,000 may be used for engineering studies. The remaining $300,000 must be used for actual capital projects.

The Carson Water Subconservancy District was formed by the Nevada Legislature to oversee the conservation, development and protection of the water resources of the Carson River Basin. Those living within the basin in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas and Churchill Counties support the district through a special tax assessment.

While the Carson City drainage plan is the first such program they have invested in, James said district funds were used to match federal funding to repair flood damage along the Carson River in Douglas and Lyon Counties.

"Carson officials approached us asking for help with a drainage plan. Whatever plan we support, we want to assure it helps with the water quality of the Carson River basin," James said. "We address regional issues. Projects must have a regional benefit."