The City of Reno entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to rehabilitate the West Wash Dam to meet current NRCS, City of Reno and State of Nevada Division of Water Resources (DWR) dam safety criteria and performance standards.

DOWL will assist the City of Reno to meet the requirements of the NRCS Watershed Program including the development of a physically, environmentally, socially, and economically sound improvement plan known as the Supplemental Watershed Plan and Environmental Document (Plan/ED).

West Wash Dam

West Wash Dam, in the Peavine Mountain Watershed of Washoe County, Nevada, is included in a United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) funded rehabilitation partnership project. The dam provides protection against flooding to about 30,000 Nevadans who live and work downstream. Additionally, the dam protects downstream city roads, one state highway, and an interstate highway. Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines and railroad tracks.

West Wash Dam was constructed in 1960 under the direction and authority of Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566). East Wash diversion Dam, constructed in 1960 under the same program, contributes storm water flow from Peavine Mountain Watershed into West Wash Dam. The original watershed plans for these dams used an evaluated life of 50 years. Having reached over 50 years in age, the dams are eligible for rehabilitation through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program. The goals of the program include prevention of erosion, floodwater and sediment damage; to further the conservation, use and disposal of water; and to further the conservation and proper use of land in authorized watersheds.

Both the West Wash and East Wash dams are currently classified as High Hazard Dams by NDWR and do not meet the requirements for dam safety by the State of Nevada or NRCS.

More Information

West Wash Dam Rehabilitation Project - Public Meeting, January 31, 2023

West Wash Dam Rehabilitation Project - Public Meeting, October 19, 2021

• Project Schedule
• Residential Letter
• Residential Letter #2
• Posting Notice
• Posting Notice #2
• Project Map
• Presentation from October 19, 2021 Public Meeting
• Presentation from January 31, 2023 Public Meeting
• West Wash Dam Rehabilitation Public Comments

For Additional Information

Email: Steve Gamilis