Welcome to
Smart About Water
A place to understand approaches to water-resource management in the Truckee Meadows.
Come Celebrate 25 Years of Local Water System Ownership at Smart About Water Day!
Mark your calendar for Smart About Water Day, a free community event featuring the projects, plans and actions that contribute to the overall state of water in the Truckee Meadows. This family-friendly and interactive event will take place at the California Building in Reno’s Idlewild Park. Drop by anytime on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The event also marks the 25th anniversary of Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s (TMWA’s) formation, a significant milestone to celebrate the purchase of the entire water system from Sierra Pacific Power Company in 2001.
Learn more about the fascinating history of how a privately held system became a community-owned asset at one of TMWA’s mini-session presentations, which begin at 10:30 a.m.
This FREE event happens only ONE DAY each year. It’s a unique and fun opportunity to speak with water resource experts and organizations that are dedicated to our region’s quality of life. If you have any questions about water in our region, this is a golden opportunity to get answers and then enjoy the food trucks that will be present.
Exhibitors will be present from TMWA, the City of Reno, Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission, Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, The Nature Conservancy, Desert Research Institute, Sierra Nevada Journeys, and others whose work contributes to water resource sustainability for our region.
Updates to the event, including a full schedule of mini-sessions, will be posted on this page again on May 1st. Stay tuned!
Truckee River and Tahoe Basins: Daily Water Update (click to flip!)
Daily SNOTEL Basin Index
Year-to-date indexes represent % of normal snow water equivalent compared to median value on this day for the 1981-2010 period.
This provisional data is provided from the California/Nevada SNOTEL Snow/Precipitation Update Report by the Natural Resources Conversation Service, and is subject to revision. Null percentages mean there is no measurable snowpack on that day.
Current Truckee River Flow
A key location where Truckee River flows are measured (in cubic feet per second or cfs) is near the California-Nevada state line, at the USGS Farad gaging station. This is the gaging station where required rates of flow are measured.
From March through September the required rate of flow is set for 500 cfs, and between October and February required rate of flow is 400 cfs. Flow rates are managed by the Federal Water Master and all data is provided by the United States Geological Survey.
For responsible recreational enthusiasts who monitor these flows, this map outlines all access points, features, diversions and portage options along the Truckee River from Truckee, CA to Tracy, NV.
Upstream Water Storage
Volume of water is measured in Acre Feet (AF). While many stakeholders also store water upstream, information shown here only reflects the upstream reserves held by Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
Water stored by TMWA is updated daily:
| Boca Reservoir | 52 Acre Feet |
| Donner Lake | 8,346 Acre Feet |
| Independence Lake | 16,610 Acre Feet |
| Prosser Reservoir | 0 Acre Feet |
| Stampede Reservoir | 18,901 Acre Feet |
| Lake Tahoe | 0 Acre Feet |
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Current Lake Tahoe Level
The Dam at Tahoe City controls the amount of water released into the Truckee River. It can retain 6.1 feet of Lake Tahoe, or at maximum 744,600 acre feet of water. This maximum volume is met when water behind the dam reaches an elevation of 6229.10 feet.
Water Treatment Plant Production
Water from the Truckee Meadows is treated at two locations: the Chalk Bluff Treatment Plant in northwest Reno and the Glendale Water Treatment Plant in Sparks. Treatment plant output varies by season, as peak summertime customer demand can be as much as 4 times typical wintertime customer demand.
Many residents in the region are also served by groundwater wells.
Hydroelectric Production
The Truckee River is an excellent source of hydroelectric power. In fact, Fleish, Verdi and Washoe hydroelectric power plants produce an average of 50,000 kWh per year. This clean energy offsets the operational power costs for Truckee Meadows Water Authority and is a key contributing factor for keeping water rates as low as possible for customers. Benefits to the environment are sizable as well. Every day that the hydroelectric plants run at full capacity, over 90,500 pounds of CO2 emissions are effectively eliminated from our atmosphere.
Participate and Learn
April 2026
Wednesday, April 8 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (In-person Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, April 15 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (Virtual Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/82696143523
May 2026
Saturday, May 6 Smart About Water Day - Celebrating 25 Years of Local Water System Control
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Idlewild Park's California Building
Join regional water resource agencies to learn how our regional water resources are managed. There will be activities and family-focused displays and presentations with food trucks onsite. Free to the community and timed to kick off the 25th anniversary for the formation of Truckee Meadows Water Authority!
Wednesday, May 20th Drip System Maintenance Made Easy
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Attendees will be introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential drip system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, May 27 Sprinkler Maintenance Made Easy (for sprinklers only!)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capitol Blvd.
Get introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential sprinkler system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
June 2026
Wednesday, June 3 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 10 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, June 13 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 17 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 24 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
September 2026
Tuesday, September 1 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 8 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 15 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 22 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, September 26 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
October 2026
Wednesday, October 7 Winterize Your Irrigation System (in-person)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Captial Blvd.
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, October 14 Winterize Your Irrigation System (virtual)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/84043366205
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