Water Emergency in Nevada Irrigation District

How is it that after another heavy snowfall in the Sierra, the Nevada Irrigation District (“NID”) declared a water shortage emergency within its’ service boundaries? In March of 2024, NID’s General Manager’s Newsletter requested customers cut their water use by 20% for the remainer of the year. Although the reduction is voluntary, water users in Placer and Nevada County face a limited water supply.

This declared “water reduction” emergency results from unanticipated infrastructure repairs in the Sierra Nevada headwaters. Although a sufficient water supply exists in the headwaters, a landslide produced severe damage to the Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (“PG&E”) portion of the South Yuba Canal. Conveyance to foothill reservoirs is near impossible until repairs are made to the canal.

The South Yuba Canal acts as the primary source of water to NID’s Deer Creek System and Scotts Flat Reservoir. Given the damage, the District has limited access to normal watershed runoff and cannot recharge the South Yuba or Drum Canals. Further, a PG&E powerhouse “sustained a failure that curtailed flows into the Drum Canal that provides water to Rollins Reservoir and the Bear River”. According to the March newsletter, the PG&E should complete repairs by June 8th.

What About Irrigators in the NID?

With the irrigation season scheduled to start on April 15th, the timing poses huge inconveniences to agricultural customers. Irrigators in the District must rely on existing stored water in the Scotts Flat and Rollins reservoirs. The NID Board of Directors expressed concerns about relying upon limited water storage if the outage extends into the summer. NID estimated that any delays in repairing the South Yuba Canal will result in mandatory water restrictions.

NID provides irrigation and drinking water to more than 25,000 customers. This District is also a leading water agency in the production of clean hydropower. Many individuals and companies will be greatly affected by this situation. Lake levels over the summer could also be affected.

If you are affected by water shortage consider this article on how to locate a water rights attorney.