City of Reno
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The City of Reno and Washoe County monitor water levels within the North Valleys closed basins and provide timely responses to rising lake levels based on elevations. The City primarily manages flood response for Silver Lake, and Washoe County primarily manages flood response for Swan Lake.
The City of Reno LakeCam offers a live, real-time look at Silver Lake water levels.
| Date | Latest Measured Silver Lake Water Surface Elevation (ft.) |
|---|---|
| 10/30/2024 | 4961.78 |
| 9/26/2024 | 4962.04 |
- 4972 feet is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year Water Surface Elevation (WSEL) of Silver Lake.
- 4967.9 feet was the peak water surface elevation of Silver Lake in 2019.
Silver Lake Flood Action Plan
The City of Reno Maintenance and Operations, Utility Services, and Public Works Departments take regular measurements to monitor lake elevations, review weather forecasts and precipitation patterns, perform field inspections of stormwater infrastructure, and work to keep ditches and waterways clear for conveyance of flood flows. City of Reno crews are prepared and ready to respond to rising lake levels and have developed the Silver Lake Flood Action Plan that outlines the flood mitigation actions that will occur as water rises in Silver Lake.Actions Taken to Mitigate Flooding in the North Valleys
After repeated storms and rising lakes, City staff focused on water containment to protect property. Containment includes building barriers and berms to keep water in the lake, and in some cases, intentionally placing plugs in culverts so the water from the lake would not flow in reverse. The City has also deployed a citywide detention/retention basin inspection program, as these basins are a key component of stormwater runoff and flood mitigation. The program evaluates the condition of public and privately-owned basins and addresses those in need of maintenance.
Staying in the Know
City crews work closely with the City’s Communications team to share the latest storm information and flooding mitigation efforts. Sign up to receive updates in your email inbox and follow the City of Reno on Twitter and Facebook.