How high's the water?

This is not a foolish April question. If you find yourself asking it, I hope you are prepared to safely evacuate if necessary. With all that snow in the mountains, the risk of flooding down here in the Truckee Meadows is greater than it has been in years. There isn't a wall of water is headed our way, but it could happen if a change in weather conditions causes quick melting and the release of all that water locked up in the snow pack. Check out my article on Truckee River Flood Preparedness - knowing what to do is prudent for everyone living in the vicinity of the Truckee River and other area streams.

Back when the only people living here were Native Americans, it was a fairly simple matter to just get out of the way when the local river spread flood waters across the valley. Since white settlement and the building of permanent towns, it hasn't been so easy. Various defenses have been erected, but the Truckee River has a way of overwhelming or getting around them, and flooding remains the hazard it's always been. However, you don't have to stand there and get wet if you are prepared to safely evacuate should the need arise.

Photo © Stan White
Spring runoff swells the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada.

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