No flood danger with first snow

Heavy snow in Carson City on Thursday and Friday should not cause concern about flooding, city officials say.

A dry summer has left the valley floor in Carson City dryer than normal, a condition that will allow it to absorb more moisture, said City Engineer Larry Werner.

"We're not even close," he said. "Floods usually happen when the ground is frozen and there's 13 feet of snow in the Sierra, with three or four of these storms."

That type of flooding typically comes around January, February and March, he said.

The New Year's flood of 1997 was exacerbated by tropical conditions that quickly melted snow, overwhelming the city's drainage system. The air has remained cool, keeping snow frozen for longer.

Carson City's weather on Friday was rare, forecasters said. Measurements ranged from 5 to 8 inches, while Reno and Carson Valley measured accumulations fewer than an inch. The phenomena was created by a storm system that formed on the edge of Lake Tahoe and dropped snow over the city.

Forecasts on Thursday night predicted 1 inch of snow dropping in the Carson City area. Between Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 14 inches of snow fell in Carson City.

Forecasters predict another inch of snow today, with the conditions letting up Sunday with a chance of snow showers and cloudiness.

In Carson City damages from the 1997 flood totaled nearly $3.2 million. Much of that was spent updating the storm drainage system and repairing problems that created flood areas. A long term drainage system, estimated in the $30 million range, is currently being debated for Carson City.

During the flood's peak, the Carson River carried nearly 12.4 million gallons per minute.

The river level hit 18.4 feet that week.