Breaking: Potential Flooding if Washoe Lake Dam is Breached

Nevada’s state engineer confirms a potential imminent break in the earthen dam at Little Washoe Lake.
Nevada Department of Transportation reports single-lane closures on both directions of Alternate 395 near Washoe Hill because of crews responding to the potential breach. Jason King says crews are working to fortify the dam so there is no major damage. As of Monday afternoon, a “little bit” of leakage was seen during an inspection. King says he’s trying to prevent mud coming through, because that would signal the imminent break. Should the Washoe Lake Dam breach, according to Washoe County, the Steamboat Creek areas would be subject to low-level flooding. Residents in those and surrounding areas are asked to prepare to evacuate if notified.

Sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Washoe County Operations Yard, 3101 Longley Lane, Reno
• Highland Ranch Parkway, one mile west of Pyramid Hwy, Sparks
• Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Station #30 at 3905 Old Hwy 395, Washoe Valley
• Gander Lane and Eastlake Blvd. in Washoe Valley
• Paddlewheel and Andrew Lanes in Pleasant Valley
• Toll Road and Geiger Grade
• Truckee Meadows Fire Lemmon Valley Volunteer Station #223 at 130 Nectar Street
• Arizona and Lemmon Drive in Lemmon Valley
• Blue Heron/ Warrior Lane in Belli Ranch Area
• TMFPD Hidden Valley Fire Station
• Red Rock Volunteer Fire Station

If the dam breaks, 950 acre feet of Water in Little Washoe would drain; Big Washoe could also experience draining. Water would drain from Little Washoe into Steamboat Ditch north into the Pleasant Valley area, leading to flooding. It would also potentially cause another smaller dam, Pagni Dam, to breach. See the attached pdf for a map of what could be affected.

The dam is near the entrance to Old Washoe City along Old 395 (395 Alternate).

Nevada State Engineer Jason King has released this statement: “The Nevada State Engineer is actively managing a partial failing of the Washoe Lake Dam in Washoe Valley, in accordance with the Dam’s Emergency Action Plan procedures. Currently, the dam is not breached and repairs are underway. The State Engineer is working closely with other state and local officials to restore the integrity of the dam and protect the public. If an evacuation becomes necessary, Washoe County safety officials will notify impacted residents. For updates on evacuations or other public safety announcements, go to washoecounty.us/.”