Truckee River Watershed

Watershed

A watershed is an area of land where all of the water that drains off of it goes into the same place such as a lake or an ocean. 

If you live in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, you are part of the Truckee River Watershed. This watershed begins at Lake Tahoe where water escapes primarily through the Truckee River and eventually flows and drains into Pyramid Lake. 

What most of us don’t know is that our watershed is a terminal basin. This means that the water in our watershed drains internally into Pyramid Lake, an inland desert lake with no outlet other than evaporation or seepage into the groundwater.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint source pollution is pollution that cannot be pinpointed to a single source or origin, as it comes from many places. The EPA estimates that nonpoint source pollution is now the single largest cause of the deterioration of our nation’s water quality. As water flows over our streets, parking lots, and sidewalks after it rains or snows, it washes away oil that leaked from car engines, dog waste left on sidewalks, litter, pesticides, and fertilizer. These are all nonpoint source pollutants. 

In order to protect our streets and properties from flooding, this runoff flows directly into our neighborhood storm drains and into our local creeks and the Truckee River, without treatment, resulting in a huge influx of pollutants. Considering that the Truckee River Watershed provides us with about 85% of our drinking water, it is especially important to keep pollutants out of our watershed. 

Some common pollutants include:

1. Oil, grease, and dirt from cars

2. Fertilizers and Pesticides

3. Household Chemicals

4. Pet Waste

5. Trash and Litter

How can I prevent pollution

Here are some easy ways to help prevent pollution: 

• Proper home auto maintenance

  • Clean up oil leaks and other spills

  • Use a carwash

  • Dispose of used oil and waste properly 

  • Prevent leaks by keeping car well maintained

• Dispose of trash and home chemicals properly

  • See disposal guide by visiting ktmb.org/recycle

• Improve garden and lawn maintenance

  • Don’t over water your lawn or garden

  • Always read the instructions for proper fertilizer and pesticide use and application. Avoid using excess fertilizer and pesticide

  • Make sure your sprinklers aren’t watering the street

• Pick up after your pets

• Avoid and report prohibited discharges

  • Report prohibited discharge and spills by contacting the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection’s hotline 24/7 at 1-888-331-6337 or report it here: https://ndep.nv.gov/environmental-cleanup/spill-hotline.