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Carson River Aquatic Trail Plan August 4, 2006

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Carson River Aquatic Trail Plan August 4, 2006 DRAFT Carson River Aquatic Trail Plan August 4, 2006 DRAFT Prepared for: CARSON CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 3303 Butti Way, Building #9 Carson City, Nevada 89701 Prepared by: RESOURCE CONCEPTS, INC. 340 N. Minnesota Street Carson City, NV 89703-4152 Carson River Aquatic Trail Plan August 4, 2006 DRAFT Prepared for: CARSON CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 3303 Butti Way, Building #9 Carson City, Nevada 89701 Prepared by: RESOURCE CONCEPTS, INC. 340 N. Minnesota Street Carson City, NV 89703-4152 DRAFT Table of Contents Page 10.0 CARSON RIVER AQUATIC TRAIL...........................................................................1 10.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CARSON RIVER..................................................................... 1 10.1.1 River Hydrology ............................................................................................................... 1 10.1.2 General River Terminology.............................................................................................. 3 10.1.3 River Anatomy and Common River Hazards.................................................................... 4 10.1.4 Hazardous Dams on the Carson River............................................................................. 5 10.2 JURISDICTION .......................................................................................................................... 5 10.2.1 The State of Nevada.......................................................................................................... 5 10.2.2 Property Adjacent to the River ......................................................................................... 6 10.2.3 Water Rights ..................................................................................................................... 6 10.2.4 Water Diversions.............................................................................................................. 6 10.3 A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING AQUATIC TRAIL ............................................................... 6 10.4 RIVER USER GROUPS AND DEMAND..................................................................................... 11 10.5 TOURISM AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS...................................................................................... 11 10.6 CONNECTIVITY TO OTHER TRAILS........................................................................................ 12 10.7 LIABILITY.............................................................................................................................. 12 10.8 RIVER SAFETY....................................................................................................................... 15 10.9 PROPOSED AQUATIC TRAIL COMPONENTS—NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS.16 10.9.1 Cost Estimates ................................................................................................................ 20 10.10 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE .............................. 22 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Comparison of the Truckee River, East Fork of the Carson River and the Carson River Hydrographs.................................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2. Carson River Dates and Magnitudes of Peak Spring Flows ........................................... 2 Figure 3. Anderson Dam from Carson River Road...................................................................... 17 Figure 4. Ophir Dam .................................................................................................................... 17 LIST OF TABLES Table 10-1. Complete Text of Nevada Revised Statute 41.510 ....................................................... 14 LIST OF MAPS Map 1 Draft Carson River Aquatic Trail ................................................................................... 9 Map 2 Draft Carson River Aquatic Trail—Carson City Only ................................................. 10 APPENDICES Appendix A Guidelines for Safe River Kayaking File Doc: 2006-08-04 drftrpt vs2. CC Aquatic Trail 05282.1 CC Parks LZ-sta L8-9.doc [June 14, 2006] Draft Aquatic Trail Section for Master Plan Page i Revised: June 14, 2006 DRAFT 10.0 CARSON RIVER AQUATIC TRAIL 10.1 General Description of the Carson River The Carson River begins in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows over 180 miles to its terminus in Lahontan Reservoir and the Carson Sink. The Carson River's primary source of water is from precipitation and snow pack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The East and West forks of the Carson River merge on the west side of the Carson Valley, near Genoa in Douglas County, Nevada. From Genoa, the main stem of the Carson River flows to the northeast out of Carson Valley and into Eagle Valley on the east side of Carson City. The river then turns east and cuts through the Carson River Canyon, Dayton Valley, Churchill Valley, and ultimately terminates in the Lahontan Reservoir and the Carson Sink. 10.1.1 River Hydrology The US Geological Survey (USGS) has monitored the flow of the Carson River in Carson City since 1940. Peak spring run-off occurs between March and June. On average, the Carson River peaks on May 26th at 1,430 cubic feet per second (cfs1). The highest flows ever recorded are associated with winter storms between November and February. The Carson River has a similar hydrograph to the Truckee River and the East Fork of the Carson River as illustrated by Figure 1. The annual spring peak flows are illustrated by Figure 2. Figure 1. Comparison of the Truckee River, East Fork of the Carson River and the Carson River Hydrographs Comparision of Average Daily Flows 1800 1600 Carson River in Carson City 1400 East Fork Carson River near Markleeville 1200 Truckee River in Reno ) FS C ( 1000 w o l e F g 800 a er v A 600 400 200 0 1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec 1-Jan Day of Year 1 Cubic feet per second is the hydrologic term used to express the rate of flow in a river. It is the rate of flow representing a volume of 1 cubic foot passing a given point in 1 second. One cfs is equivalent to approximately 7.48 gallons per second or 448.8 gallons per minute. Draft Aquatic Trail Section for Master Plan Page 1 Revised: June 14, 2006 9,0 0 0 8,0 0 0 7,0 0 Figure 2. Carson River Dates and 0 6,0 ) 0 fs 0 5,0 ow (c 0 Fl 0 4,0 0 0 3,0 0 0 2,0 0 0 1,0 Magnitudes of Peak Sp 0 0 0 May 14, 1940 May 13, 1941 May 9, 1944 ring Flow May 7, 1946 May 27, 1948 Draft Aquatic Trail Secti May 17, 1949 Revised: June 14, 2 May 29, 1950 s June 9, 1952 April 28, 1953 March 10, 1954 DRAFT June 10, 1955 June 10, 1957 May 21, 1958 006 May 27, 1964 o n for Master Plan May 11, 1966 March 17, 1967 May 13, 1968 May 28, 1969 June 27, 1971 June 1, 1972 Peak SpringMa Flowy 19, Date 1973 June 2, 1975 May 15, 1978 Dt May 21, 1981 May 31, 1983 April 16, 1985 May 26, 1991 May 20, 1993 March 11, 1995 May 17, 1996 March 25, 1998 May 28, 1999 May 25, 2000 May 12, 2001 April 15, 2002 May 30, 2003 May 6, 2004 May 21, 2005 May 21, 2006 Page 2 DRAFT 10.1.2 General River Terminology River difficulty is described by an international scale system (1998 Revisions to The Safety Code of American Whitewater Complete). The Carson River Aquatic Trail difficulty ranges from Class I to Class III, but all classes are listed below for reference: ∋ CLASS I: EASY Fast-moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all are obvious and are missed easily with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self–rescue is easy. ∋ CLASS II: NOVICE Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels, which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves can be missed easily by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. ∋ CLASS III: INTERMEDIATE Rapids with moderate, irregular waves, which may be difficult to avoid and can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around obstacles are often required. Large waves or “strainers” such as fallen trees may be present but can be avoided. Strong eddies and powerful currents can be found, particularly at high flows. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Self-rescue is more difficult and group assistance may be required to avoid a long swim. ∋ CLASS IV: ADVANCED Intense, powerful rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers. Fast reliable maneuvers may be needed to scout rapids. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential and requires practiced skills. ∋ CLASS V: EXPERT Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. Scouting is mandatory and often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential. Draft Aquatic Trail Section for Master Plan Page 3 Revised: June 29, 2006
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