Truckee River Operating Agreement
After years of discussion and debate, the states of Nevada and California, the United States Government, Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe have signed the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA), an agreement to better manage the water of the Truckee River. The signing ceremony was September 6, 2008, with Sen. Harry Reid leading the formalities. TROA will be implemented over the next several years.
That's Good News for All Northern Nevadans, for a lot of reasons...
Provides drought year water storage for the Truckee Meadows
- A minimum of 39,500 acre feet of water would be stored in Stampede and other reservoirs that would ensure drought supplies for the Truckee Meadows based on population projections for the next 30 years.
Protects our existing water supply
- The agreement resolves the interstate allocation of water and ensures that Nevada will not have to worry about California diverting excess water. More than 80 percent of water on the Truckee River will be guaranteed to Nevada.
- The agreement provides funding for the purchase of water rights for the endangered Stillwater Wildlife Refuge.
An end to years of litigation
- The agreement could end many cases in over 80 years of costly water litigation and dispose of most lawsuits pending on the Truckee River issues.
Provides enhanced Truckee River flows for endangered and threatened fish species
- An aggressive recovery program for the Cui-ui fish and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout is an important part of the agreement.
Provides protection for the Truckee River water rights holders
- The water rights of those who are not signatories to the Negotiated Settlement will be protected. State law gives only the state engineer the authority to decide on water rights issues.
Many Parties Support the Agreement Including:
- State of California
- State of Nevada
- Reno City Council
- Sparks City Council
- Washoe County Regional Water Planning Commission
- Nevada Department of Wildlife Environmental Defense Fund
- Friends of Pyramid Lake
