The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1924-04-30
Water Economy
Will Be Necessary
TrnCkee and Carson
Low; Tahoe Gates
Raised Again


year will undoubtedly test the re-
sources of the Lahontan dam and
also call for more conservation of
water than has heretofore been prac-
ticed in this valley and over the en-
tire project.
Fernley and the Bench
Following the opening of the new
penstock at Lahontan the entire flow
of the canal has been diverted to
Fernley and the bench section. Only
L so feet was available from this
iource on Monday, as some 20 feet
has to be allowed for the supply be-
low Derby. This amount was in the
Truekee river at the last measure
ments. Rotation of water is now be-
ing practieed on the bench and Fern
ey, and with this means of diversion
here is already a shortage Day and
night irrigation is being practiced by
he farmers on the highlands.
Carson River Low
Measurement taken from the Car
son river the last of the week shows
that there is approximately $50 feet
flowing into Lahontan dam from this
ouree. which at this time of the year
should be at flood stage 1t was stat
ed at the reclamation office Monday
that unless the supply was augment
ed by rains this season that the Car
son river could not be depended on
for any material aid of water.
Cate nj Tahoe Omen
Following less than ten days of
closing of the flood gates at Lake
Tahoe the gates have again been
raised and power and irrigation wat
er is being drawn from the small
amount of storage that accumulated
N the short time of the close down.
Unless there is a storm period the
supply from Tahoe will be consumed
at an early date, is the prediction at
the reclamation headquarters
May Practice Rotation
1t is probable that rotation of fri
cation will be put in force in this
valley this season in order to con-
serve all the water for the end of
the season. Waste is not to be per-
mitted as heretofore, in fact gem
eral economy plan of water distribu-
tion is being enforced at the present
time and win be drawn tighter as
the season advances. 1t has been rea-
lized that for many years water has
been extravagantly used and waste
las followed.
Pumps On the Way
Pumps for the back pumping into
the Truckee canal for the relief of
the bench section have been pur-
chased and are on their way. 1t is
anticipated that they will be in on.
GRAFTON at an early date in June,
which 1t is believed will be soon
enough to prevent any serious short
age of water at that point on the
project. Following the installation
the Fernley section will use all the
water that is available from the
Truekee canal
viii Get Through
In speaking of the possibility of
the supply at Lahontan furnishing
all the water necessary for this end
of the project, Mr. Simmonds, water
master of the project, stated that he
believed that with conservation that
there would be no real shortage,
chat is to a point whore it produced
a drouth condition. He did state,
however. that II would be a record
year and that the reservoir would
be at the lowest point in its history
or since the dam was built.
Like the rest of the men interest.
ed in this section he states that there
is hope of summer rain assisting in
the flow both from the Carson and
the Truckee. This has followed In
other seasons and will undoubtedly
aid to some degree in the situation
which is serious all over the coast
Fallon Lucky
1t was conceded at the reclamation
office that this valley Is one of the
few favored sections In the state
The storage. while ample with con-
servation, assures crops here that
will undoubtedly be failures In other
sections of the west Had there been
80 fANaA hho usual lIOIl the
Carson and Truckee rivers the dam
would have been to the high water
mark. Practically all of the water
that has been available since last
fall has been stored and this alone
has made the conditions as they are
today.
New Penstock Success
The new penstock placed in opera
tion last week for the creation of
power and the closing of the Truckee
canal as a consequence is all that
was anticipated. The power supply
from this source seems adequate and
in fact is better source of supply
than has been in force formerly. 1t
is not unlikely that other sections
short of power will be seeking relief
from the new power plant at the
Lahontan reservoir.