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Bureau of Water Quality Planning |
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Nevada Water Quality News
Information and resources regarding nonpoint source pollution, water quality, soil and water conservation, erosion control, best management practices, and watershed education.
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319(h) Grant Funding Opportunity Announced: Proposals being Accepted |
319(h) GFO Webinar Recording |
Efforts to Reduce clarity-harming pollutants in Lake Tahoe |
319(h) Story Map Released |
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Post Fire Recovery and Best Management Practice Resources |
Volunteer Project Spotlight - Virgin River Coalition |
Events, Trainings, and Other News |
Watershed Education Spotlights |
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Grant Funding Opportunity Announcement
$800,000 in grants now available to protect and enhance
water quality in Nevada
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The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s (NDEP) Bureau of Water Quality Planning is pleased to announce that $800,000 in grant funding is now available for projects that prevent or control water pollution from “nonpoint sources,” a leading cause of water quality impairment in Nevada.
Examples of projects eligible for funding include:
- Water quality improvement projects;
- Implementation of Best Management Practices to protect water quality;
- Public education programs aimed at reducing NPS pollution; and
- Identified projects from an approved watershed-based plan and/or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan.
Applications will be accepted from
8:00 a.m., September 3rd, 2021 until 5:00 p.m., October 15, 2021
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Grant Funding Opportunity Workshop Presentation |
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In this 30 minute presentation learn about how to apply for Nevada's 319(h) grant program, what types of projects are eligible for funding, who can apply, examples of previously funding projects, and the full details of the funding program. |
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The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program provides funding to qualifying counties, conservation districts, higher education institutions, regional agencies, and nonprofit organizations to improve conditions of Nevada’s watersheds and protect against nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution. Learn more about the program and funding HERE
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Efforts to Reduce clarity-harming pollutants in Lake Tahoe |
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Lake Tahoe’s iconic deep-water clarity is attributed to its pristine clean water which allows sunlight to reach much greater depths than possible in most other water bodies. Between 1968 and 1971, annual clarity levels averaged about 97.5 feet below the lake’s surface. By 2000, however, researchers found that the depth of visibility had declined by about one-third, largely due to fine sediment and other nonpoint source pollutants washing into the lake and clouding the water.
Upon discovering a decline in Lake Tahoe’s water quality and clarity over several decades, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the California Lahontan Water Board moved quickly to develop the Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, a science-based plan to restore Lake Tahoe’s deep-water clarity to historic levels. To accomplish this, the TMDL team relies on local governments, highway departments, and public land and natural resource management agencies to implement pollution controls to reduce the amount of clarity-harming pollutants that wash into the lake.
Such efforts include:
- Improved road-sanding and sweeping to prevent abrasives from being ground down and entrained in stormwater runoff or into the atmosphere
- Constructing stormwater treatment facilities to treat and infiltrate polluted stormwater runoff
- Installing best management practices on developed lands, forest roads and facilities to minimize pollutants in runoff
- Restoring or rehabilitating channels to reduce erosion from streams
The Lake Tahoe TMDL team released the 2021 Performance Report that summarizes accomplishments through 2020. The results show that local governments, and California and Nevada transportation agencies are continuing to surpass the annual goals established to reduce urban stormwater pollution and improve lake clarity, and that efforts are on track to achieve the pollutant reductions needed to meet the Clarity Challenge goal of 78 feet of clarity (measured as a five-year average, by 2031). To read the full article follow the link below and view additional Lake Tahoe Clarity resources in this newsletter.
Many projects on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe have been funded by the NDEP 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant program to support the goals of the Lake Tahoe TMDL Program.
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Researching Lake Tahoe's "Blueness"
Lake Tahoe's deep cobalt blue color is of great ecological and economic value and a focus for lake management strategies of the region. While water clarity has been scrutinized and routinely measured for more than five decades, the blueness of the lake has never been quantified scientifically, until recently.
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2020 Lake Tahoe Clarity Report
Lake Tahoe’s water clarity measurements, which are indicators of the health of the watershed, averaged 62.9 feet through 2020, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center
and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced.
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Nevada 319(h) Project Story Map |
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We are excited to announce the launch of this Story Map to showcase projects funded under the 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program. Check out the great work happening around the state to protect water quality through restoration, conservation, best management practices, youth education, and community outreach.
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Post Fire Recovery and Best Management Practice Resources |
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Although wildfire is a natural process and many of the Great Basin ecosystems are fire dependent, human activity has increased the rate and intensity of the fire season. Intense and severe wildfires kill most of the vegetation, leaving the soil bare, and the landscape more susceptible to erosional events and increased stormwater surface runoff. Sediment and nutrients from burned landscapes can be transported to water bodies, impacting water quality, and can cause severe damage to properties and storm drainage infrastructure.
The Caldor and Tamarack wildfires may have water quality impacts to the Carson River Watershed and Lake Tahoe. Soil erosion will be a great concern, especially on severely burned and steep landscapes upslope of infrastructure and waterbodies. In severe burn areas, soil temperatures may have become great enough to release nitrogen and phosphorus from organic matter, increasing the ability of these nutrients to become more soluble and transported in storm water surface flows, along with increased soil erosion potential. In addition, a tremendous amount of ash was atmospherically deposited across the region. Many efforts will be underway on public and private lands to mitigate soil erosion and the potential of particulate and nutrient loading into streams, rivers, and lakes.
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Below are some resources to help with post-fire rehabilitation and preventing nonpoint source pollution. |
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Watershed Education Spotlights |
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Sierra Nevada Journeys
Watershed Education Initiative
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For over a year, COVID-19 has impacted myriad aspects of our daily lives. Education was not immune to these impacts, which increased the importance of developing creative ways to deliver high-quality STEM education to students learning remotely. Sierra Nevada Journeys (SNJ) rose to the challenge of developing programs to educate students across northern Nevada about important topics such as the hydrologic cycle, water quality, riparian ecosystems, weathering and erosional processes, and nonpoint source pollution through their Watershed Education Initiative.
In spring 2021, SNJ provided interactive watershed education programs to 913 students and 32 educators through their Virtual STEM Classrooms in addition to in-person and field-based opportunities. By engaging students through this hybrid learning platform, future generations will have an increased sense of stewardship for the land, will help reduce non-point sources of pollution, and will have more exposure to STEM programs. Educational programming has been developed for first through sixth grade classrooms and engages students to use critical thinking and decision-making skills while learning vital environmental science concepts which will lead to more awareness of the watersheds we share.
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Nevada Outdoor School
Watershed Heroes
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851 New Watershed Heroes in Northeastern Nevada!
In spring a Watershed Heroes field trip for 2nd and 3rd grade students took place in Pershing, Humboldt, Lander and Elko Counties. Students were challenged to evaluate the role, function and importance of a healthy watershed to them personally and to their community. Students left with a call to action, creating a Watershed Hero pledge, describing actions they will take to care for and respect the local watershed we all share here in rural northern Nevada, the Humboldt River Basin.
This year, Nevada Outdoor School is excited to roll out their new and improved Watershed Heroes Field Trip utilizing their Actions. Impact. Choice (A.I.C.) Model where students are challenged to analyze their actions, evaluate the impact those actions have on the natural world, and choose wisely to lessen negative impacts whenever possible.
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Storm Water Management Spotlights |
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City of Reno Public Works
Truckee Meadows Storm Water Program
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Truckee Meadows Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee (SWPCC) Stormdrain Stenciling Project during KTMB’s Great Community Cleanup |
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City of Reno Environmental Engineering staff administer the Truckee Meadows Storm Water Program through the Storm Water Permit Coordinating Committee (SWPCC). A regular part of SWPCC’s required public outreach effort include stenciling stormdrains throughout the City with the phrase: “No Dumping – Drains to River”. Last weekend, Daniel Moss, on behalf of SWPCC, partnered with KTMB’s Annual Spring Great Community Cleanup to lead a group of volunteers in a stenciling event.
This year, SWPCC and KTMB coordinated with Washoe County to locate a handful of Incorporated Washoe County neighborhoods along the Mt. Rose Hwy corridor, in need of stenciling. On the morning of May 1, a group of seven adults plus six children stenciled a total of 136 storm drains, in five separate neighborhoods. They staged out of South Valley Regional Park, and enjoyed a beautiful day of stenciling the sidewalk (with blue spray paint), and picked up some trash too! Learn more about the Truckee Meadows Storm Water Quality Management Program HERE
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Only Rain in The Storm Drain
Clark County Water Reclamation District
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Due to Nevada’s arid climate, clean water is the most valuable resource. Urban and residential contaminates such as fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, pet waste, and other garbage waste enter storm drains where they flow to Lake Mead without treatment. The Only Rain in the Storm Drain campaign is funded by the 319(h) grant program and improves water quality by engaging the Las Vegas community on issues associated with non-point source (storm water pollution) through educational outreach. The campaign has reached millions of Clark County residents and has made a substantial impact on the community.
The interactive website StormwaterVegas.com was developed under the 319(h) grant program, as an educational tool to inform the public about stormwater pollution and pollution prevention practices. Live in the Las Vegas area? Be sure to visit the Discovery Children’s Museum and check out Clark County Water Quality’s interactive exhibit.
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Volunteer Event Spotlight
The Virgin River Coalition
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The Virgin River Coalition began in September of 2017 as a group of local community members, Mesquite City representatives, irrigation and water districts, non-profit organizations, and county, state and federal partners who convened to write the Lower Virgin River Integrated Watershed Plan. That cooperative is now named the Virgin River Coalition - VRC. VRC’s objective is ensuring that the river continues to support the local communities and nature. The Virgin River Coalition has 5 areas of focus: Water Management, Riparian Restoration, Native Fish, Public Engagement and Recreation.
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In May of this year 42 volunteers gathered at Hafen Park in Mesquite,
Nevada to join in on the first ever Virgin River Clean-up Day sponsored by the Virgin River Coalition and the City of Mesquite.
Volunteers filled up on fresh doughnuts from the local bakery and then went to work. Most of the volunteers focused on the area of recent Tamarisk removal where a very large homeless camp was exposed. In less than 2 hours the volunteers removed 2.2 tons of trash. Other volunteers focused on the area along the walking path along the river and cleared away 41 full trash bags of trash.
The VRC is partially supported with a grant from NDEP focusing on nonpoint source
pollution. Our volunteers really made a big difference in clearing away trash and debris that would have eventually ended up in the river.
The VRC is planning another Virgin River Clean-up day for October and hopes for
another success like the first one.
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Conservation Agriculture and BMP Resources |
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Field Bioreactors to reduce Nitrogen Pollution, Soil Science Society of America - Bioreactors are underground trenches filled with woodchips. They have been gaining traction as a tool to remove nitrogen from the water in agricultural settings
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Rainfall Simulator Demonstration, Iowa State University Conservation Station - demonstrates the relationships between land management practices, surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and sediment/nutrient transport
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People, Place, Process and Paradigms: The Three Creeks Project - A collaborative approach to altering grazing management practices to target improvements in ecosystem function and water quality. The discussion addresses grazing management issues applicable to Nevada even though the Three Creeks project takes place in Utah.
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Other Nevada Water News and Resources |
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Tahoe State of the Lake Report 2021, Tahoe Environmental Research Center - The report informs nonscientists about important factors affecting the health of Lake Tahoe and provides the scientific underpinnings for ecosystem restoration and management decisions within the Lake Tahoe Basin
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Hope Valley Restoration Project, West Fork Carson RiverA, , Although just across the boarder in California, Hope Valley is a part of the Carson River watershed. Read about this successful collaborative effort led by the Alpine Watershed Group, to reduce erosion and sedimentation in the river system, ultimately improving water quality and aquatic habitat while restoring Hope Valley’s natural floodplain.
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Events | Trainings | Webinars |
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Upcoming
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Project WET Teacher Training Workshop - Saturday, October 9, 2021. Join the River Wranglers and learn how to use fun and interactive water science activities in the classroom and outdoors with Project WET curriculum which meets Nevada's education standards. Earn continuing education credits. For more details email Darcy Phillips
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Teacher Training, KTMB – Saturday, October 16, 2021. The event trains teachers on local environmental issues and shows how they can educate and empower their students to make a difference. Topics include promoting the health of the Truckee River watershed, waste reduction, and stopping the spread of invasive and noxious weeds. Teachers earn continuing hours for licensure renewal. For more information, email caitlin@ktmb.org. View Program Details HERE
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The Las Vegas Wash Green-Up Event, October 23. Come volunteer to help restor the Las Vegas Wash! Volunteer planting event will take place near the Pabco Trailhead. Register Here!
- Nevada Water Resources Association, September 14th&15th
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Water Rights in NV Class REGISTER HERE
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Advance Water Rights in NV Class REGISTER HERE
Webinar Recordings
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People, Place, Process and Paradigms: The Three Creeks Project - A collaborative approach to altering grazing management practices to target improvements in ecosystem function and water quality. The discussion addresses grazing management issues applicable to Nevada even though the Three Creeks project takes place in Utah.
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Nevada's Resilient Rivers Panel Discussion Recording, The Nature Conservancy, June 17th - Dive into restoration projects along three Nevada rivers: the Truckee, the Carson, and the Amargosa. Learn how Nevada’s groundwater-dependent ecosystems are part of resilient rivers, and how these projects are creating habitat for birds and wildlife, helping them adapt to changing conditions, and providing outdoor opportunities for recreationists. Watch HERE
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Soil Health Institute Annual Meeting, "Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life" View recordings of leading voices in soil science and the agriculture industry to share research and insights for advancing adoption of soil health systems that are foundational for regenerative agriculture. Soil health management systems in agriculture reduce nonpoint source pollution and can improve water quality at the watershed scale.
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The Bureau of Water Quality Planning establishes, reviews and revises water quality standards for surface water, develops total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), manages the Non-Point Source Programs, issues Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications and conducts statewide monitoring of surface waters.
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