Increased law enforcement at Lahontan during Memorial Day weekend

 

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev.–Nevada Division of State Parks personnel are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend at Lahontan State Recreation Area.

Up to 15,000 people are expected each day at Lahontan during the weekend. Preparation includes increased law enforcement activities designed to crack down on underage drinking, driving under the influence, fighting and other offenses.

State Parks ranger gives first-hand account of Fernley flood rescues

By Rob Holley, Nevada State Parks

FALLON, Nev.–In more than 20 years of public safety, I have never operated in such severe conditions. The initial response required travel with lights and sirens on over 30 miles of snow- and ice-covered roads, which slowed response times. At this same time, and from the moment of the callout from dispatch, deputies were reporting numerous stranded persons that required a boat for evacuation, and they kept asking when we would be on scene. No boats had yet arrived. It was the longest 30 miles I’ve ever travelled.

When we arrived at Greenbrook Place in Fernley, it was still dark and well-below freezing. Emergency vehicles, residents and their vehicles, and spectators and their vehicles, clogged every dry street and intersection. Asphalt roads, concrete walks and driveways under the floodwaters were covered with a thin layer of ice—it was incredible how slick and treacherous vehicle and foot travel became.

Fire department personnel had removed a family from an attic. The combined smell of gasoline and sewage filled the air. Slush from the canal water along with coolers, gas cans, garbage, logs and other debris floated through the streets in 3-4-feet of water. We continued in the area for approximately 20 minutes looking for additional victims. The fire department commandeered a canoe and had two firemen checking house to house. Several families remained in their homes, as the waters in this area had receded about 6 inches after the initial flush.

Lahontan Dam transformed Nevada (Backyard Traveler)

 

Near the start of the 20th century, the Lahontan Reservoir was looked upon as the way to transform the dry Nevada landscape into a paradise.

Lahontan’s story begins in 1889, when the United States Geological Survey conducted several studies to determine the practicality of irrigating large portions of the American West. One of the regions considered was Western Nevada, near the location of modern-day Fallon.

Read the complete story at the Backyard Traveler by Rich Moreno.

Goats on weeds

LAHONTAN, Nev.–More than 1,400 acres at the Carson River Ranches, Nevada state park have been treated for weeds using goats for prescribed grazing. Park regional manager Eric Johnson explains the project and the benefit to the state.