drought

With practiced labor, Tom Moura spills life across the land. Moura opens wooden gates to flood irrigation water across his still-healthy alfalfa crops. He knows he’s fortunate. During this fourth year of drought, many of Moura’s neighbors in the Lovelock area — arguably the bull's-eye for drought in Nevada — have no water for crops at all.

If you're looking for plans this Labor Day weekend, why not take a leisurely sightseeing tour of our own western Nevada and Sierra backyard? It’s easy to do, you’ll be on paved highways all the way, and you’ll have plenty of chances for taking photographs, shopping, buying souvenirs, eating and perhaps even a little fishing.

The second Free Fishing Day in 2015 in California will be Sept. 5. The first was way back on Saturday, July 4. On Sept. 5, you will be able to fish wherever you like without the need to buy a fishing license. However remember that you will need to abide by the rules and regulations that govern whatever water(s) you will be fishing.

Last week I wrote about root weevils eating leaves. This week’s pests are the elm leaf beetles. While elms are hardy drought tolerant trees for arid Nevada, they are plagued by elm leaf beetles every year. By this time of year, the trees look half-dead with white to brown ragged leaves.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture and Return to Freedom, under a cooperative agreement, are working with the Nevada Department of Transportation as they install livestock fencing on sections of Highway 50 in Silver Springs. The project is expected to be completed in late August.

David and Susan Theiss would like to invite you to be part of their ALS ice bucket challenge, the fundraiser for finding a cure for ALS.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m. at Frontier Plaza in front of Butler Meats.

Lawmakers from Nevada and California met Monday on the shores of Lake Tahoe to discuss how to protect a national treasure as it faces continued threats to water clarity, invasive species, wildfire and drought.

Ever since President Bill Clinton held the first meeting in South Lake Tahoe in 1997, the annual focus of the Lake Tahoe Summit is to protect what Mark Twain called "the fairest picture the whole world affords."

This is a reminder that the big Labor Day Weekend, Friday Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7, is around the corner and for many folks in this general area, it will be their last big outdoor adventure of 2015.

The National Weather Service in Reno has released a video discussing the possible impacts of a projected El Niño for the winter of 2015-16.

Government weather forecasters have said there is now a better than 90 percent chance of a strong El Niño this winter and an 80 percent chance it will last until early spring of 2016. The weather phenomenon, which is warmer than normal water in the tropical Pacific, has been shaping up since spring.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Aug. 19, 2015 and beyond. Nevada Department of Wildlife fishing reports for Western Nevada waters are not included as their most current reports are dated June 04.

Wildlife Professionals and Dog Trainers Collaborate to Train Pups on Snake Bite Prevention for Nevada Communities.

Get Rattled will hold an important Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Clinic in Smith Valley Nevada supporting the Smith Valley Volunteer Fire Department!

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Aug. 5, 2015 and beyond. As of Aug 4, Nevada Department of Wildlife fishing reports for Western Nevada waters are not included as their most current reports are dated June 4.

I’m often asked, “Are there lawn grasses that are more drought-tolerant than fescue or Kentucky bluegrass?” The answer is yes, according to one reader.

Tina of Carson City wrote me this past week:

I admit to spending a considerable amount of time each day on the Internet, while browsing at a number of my favorite websites. The browsing is very informative and believe it or not, I do learn something new every day by visiting those websites.

Government weather forecasters have said there is now a 90 percent chance of a strong El Niño this winter and an 80 percent chance it will last until early spring of 2016. The weather phenomenon, which is essentially warmer than normal water in the tropical Pacific, has been shaping up since spring.

With California and Nevada experiencing four years of drought, an El Niño winter may be the kind of boost needed to rebuild snowpack in the Sierra and replenish dwindling water supplies in both states. Or not.

You can look forward to all kinds of serious problems for the rest of this year and well beyond 2015 due to our prolonged drought.

A Bombardier CL415 firefighting aircraft is now at the Lake Tahoe Airport for the summer to aid the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies in fighting fires, officials announced Tuesday.

Nicknamed the “Super Scooper” for its capacity to repeatedly scoop and drop large quantities of water on a fire, the CL415 provides the Forest Service with increased initial attack capability in the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding forests.

Personal use fireworks are illegal to use or possess in Carson City, Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding counties, including sparklers and so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. As you enjoy your holiday, leave fireworks to the professionals by attending one of the many public displays around Carson City and Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District in partnership with the South Tahoe Public Utility District is hosting FREE Tahoe Friendly Landscaping trainings for the month of July.

Celebrate smart irrigation month by joining in on these great opportunities to learn smart techniques and technology to conserve water. Whether you’re a landscaper, landscape manager or do-it-yourself gardener these trainings will present the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the drought.

Growing Your Business with Smart Irrigation Technology – July 8, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin begin Wednesday, July 1, 2015, and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Campfires will be restricted to certain exempted recreation sites and other fire-related activities will be prohibited.

Without irrigation, Nevada gardeners could not have gardens or landscapes. These life-giving watering systems need regular maintenance to operate efficiently so that plants can thrive. A well-maintained system is water efficient, which is critical this year with the drought.

Carson City Fire Chief Bob Schreihans cautions residents and visitors about what he fears could be a “catastrophic fire season” after four consecutive years of severe drought.
With record-breaking temperatures, gusty winds and lightning anticipated for the next several days, residents should be prepared as well as visitors to the Carson City area, Schreihans said.

Gov. Brian Sandoval welcomed water experts and managers from around the West on Tuesday to Lake Tahoe, where they reviewed a final report on dealing with drought....

Tinder-dry vegetation, exceptional drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures and several human-caused fires have prompted multiple agencies to implement fire restrictions beginning Friday on public land throughout western Nevada.

Tinder-dry vegetation, exceptional drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures and several human-caused fires have prompted multiple agencies to implement fire restrictions beginning Friday on public land throughout western Nevada.

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. — Monday, June 22: The lightning-caused Washington Fire in Alpine County south of Markleeville grew to more than 8,000 acres as it moved through to the north side of Highway 89 and into Bagley Valley Sunday.

Crews managed to contain an estimated 10 percent of the perimeter of the fire by Monday morning.
The extreme fire activity being witnessed with the Washington Fire is primarily due to strong erratic winds and severe drought conditions. These two variables also played a role in firefighting efforts for both air and ground support yesterday.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of June 17 and beyond.

A wetter than average spring hasn't dented four years of drought, with fire agencies ramping up in preparation of summer fire season in the Sierra, Pine Nut Mountains and on public land throughout Nevada.

The Bureau of Land Management Carson City District, U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry warn of the dangers looming this season, with temperatures climbing and tinder dry conditions on the ground and in the forests.

I visited a friend this past week who is an outstanding plant person. Peg’s landscape is filled with plant species or varieties that I have not used before. They are perennials with interesting foliage, flowers, form and often scent. They are also water-efficient and hardy for our area. I wandered around her little horticulture heaven being inspired to broaden my plant choices.

Rattlesnakes have already been active for months due to the mild winter and low precipitation, fostering an earlier and longer snake season. If you enjoy activities that take you and your dogs outdoors, you and your pets may be at risk for encountering rattlesnakes.