Water isn’t a worry for residents despite the dry fall, Carson City water experts say
While many Northern Nevada residents were a bit put off by the historic winter last year, which brought a total of 685 inches of snow to the Sierra mountain range, now there is some concern about the lack of snowfall as we enter into the new year without a single snow day.
According to snow measurements, even ignoring last year’s snowier-than-average conditions, the 2023-24 winter season is seriously falling behind the past decade with only a total accumulation of 36 inches.
Typically, the average snowfall in November alone is 37 inches. This year, November saw only 13 inches in the Sierra, far below the average.
In fact, there hasn’t been a season under at least 32 inches since the 2014-15 winter season, which saw only 11 inches in November, but quickly made up for it with 69 inches in December.
However, there isn’t a need to worry when it comes to water according to Carson City Water Manager Andy Hummel.
“A dry winter, or at least a dry start to one, is not uncommon for our area,” Hummel said. “Given the incredibly wet winter we had last year, it’s not a concern for our drinking water supply.”
Even though there hasn’t been enough snow this year, according to Hummel, we are still seeing an increase in runoff from creeks and streams on the west side of Carson, all thanks to last year’s winter.
“(This) is allowing us to utilize our groundwater recharge program as much as possible for future use,” Hummel added.
When it comes to drinking water for the community, Carson City’s strength is in its diversity. According to Hummel, the water “portfolio” is wide spread, which utilizes water from groundwater wells, river induction wells, surface water, as well as an intertie with Minden.
“This allows us to rest our groundwater supply in wetter years, and then be able to rely on it more in drier years,” Hummel said.
Hummel and his team focus on watching the trends of what water the city is using, how groundwater levels and surface water levels trend over time, and the availability of water at different times of the year such as through water rights.
“Precipitation, especially heavier rain, tends to be more of a reactionary response for our surface water treatment; when it rains we can see higher sediment loading, or turbidity, in the streams and creeks supplying our surface water treatment plant which means we actually may use those sources less during that time,” Hummel said.
The reason Carson City’s water supply is so healthy, according to Hummel, is due to one important factor: conservation.
“Our drinking water usage has actually declined over the last 15 years, largely due to a shift towards drought-tolerant landscaping such as less lawn area, low-flow fixtures required in new development and remodels, and utilizing a tiered water rate such that water costs more as more is used,” Hummel said.
You can learn more about Carson City’s water resources — and tips on how to save not only the environment but your wallet as well — by visiting the Water Division’s website.
Still, despite this reassuring information for local residents, the Sierra does need its yearly snowfall to maintain healthy forests and protect against wildfire, so we can only hope that Father Winter wakes up soon and brings us our snow!