Public-private partnership ready for flood-control work

The first step in a comprehensive plan to control floodwaters on the Truckee River is scheduled to begin in March with construction of a floodwall and levee system on the south bank of the river from U.S. 395 to the bridge at Glendale Avenue.

Wal-Mart, which plans a 203,000-square-foot superstore on tribal lands on East Second Street across from the Grand Sierra Resort in the area, provides the largest piece of funding for the work. The retailer will pony up $2.28 million.

The $5.8 million project is a three-way partnership between the Truckee River Flood Project, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Wal-Mart. The Truckee River Flood Project will contribute $1.72 million and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony will contribute $1.7 million.

This project, the first of 40 steps to mitigate seasonal flooding on the river, will break ground five years earlier than the flood-control executives planned because Wal-Mart and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony already had formed a partnership to construct a floodwall, but at a lower height than required by the Truckee River Flood Project.

"We saw an opportunity to add to the partnership, build the wall to the proper height the first time around, and capitalize on the public-private partnership that was in place," says Naomi Duerr, Truckee River Flood Project director. "We are working with our partners to leverage their money for the benefit of all Washoe County taxpayers, as well as to meet their immediate goals. And by building now we avoid inflation in costs of materials and services."

Duerr notes that impact on the river should be minimal because work will be done above the shoreline. The earthen levee and concrete floodwall will stand 4 feet tall where it begins near the U.S. 395 bridge and rise to 8 feet where it ends at the Glendale Avenue bridge. Challenges of the site include very rocky soil, working around the existing state restitution center on Glendale Avenue and working closely to the river.

"There will be lot of eyes on this project," Duerr says. "It will be a learning experience for everyone involved and will set a tone for the rest of the projects."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will match the Truckee River Flood Project's $1.72 million contribution three-to-one for future flood control projects. The next task for the flood control project is to construct the first of 11 river restoration sites, this one at Lockwood. Duerr says the Army Corps of Engineers straightened the river's course in that area in the 1960s, and the goal is to put curves back into the river, as well as to add walking and biking trails. Total estimated cost of the project is $4.3 million, with $500,000 coming from the TRFP.

New measures for flood control on the river are prompted in part by widespread flooding on New Year's Day in 2006 and in January 1997.

"This project has been 10 years in the planning, and it is testament to what people can do when they work together," Duerr says. "This is a very momentous step and very symbolic of the progress that has been made in the last two years."