Drought dramatically reduces size of Washoe Lake

CARSON CITY — The drought has dramatically reduced the size of a popular lake between Reno and Carson City, and officials fear it could dry up unless the Sierra Nevada gets enough snow this winter.

Washoe Lake, which is 4 miles long and 2 miles wide when full, now is only about a 10th of that size and still vanishing. Lapping at the shoulder of U.S. Highway 395 five years ago, the lake now is several hundred yards away.

Washoe Lake State Park Supervisor Jennifer Dawson said the lake is fed by 11 streams, 10 of which are on the west side along the Sierra. With almost no snowpack on the range, the streams are not providing anywhere near enough water to maintain the lake.

“That’s why it’s really dependent on the winter,” she told the Nevada Appeal. “I really hope this winter we are able to get a snowpack up in the mountains.”

But the lake is only 12 feet deep at most even when it’s full, making it vulnerable to dry spells, she added.

If the lake does dry up next year, it won’t be the first time. It has happened several times since the state park was established in 1977.

The situation adversely affects numerous waterfowl and migratory birds that rely on the lake and its wetlands for forage and nesting sites. Wetlands have vanished from a wide swath at the lake’s south end that is off limits to people and their dogs during nesting season.

The ongoing drought has forced Dawson and her colleagues to become more creative about what the state park can offer to the public. Some of those activities include moonlight hikes and stargazing.

“We’re still finding opportunities to bring people out to the park, but we’re focusing on non-water-based activities,” Dawson said.