Why ours is threatened
What happened here?
A lot. Over many years. Erosion. Sedimentation. Contamination. All with little or no oversight.
On first glance, The Truckee may look pristine. But closer inspection (by the EPA*) has deemed it polluted. Click around to see why:
*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
150 years of abuse
- diverting streams
- grazing
- logging
- railroads
- highways, roads
- dams
- mining
- drought
- floods
Erosion
Too much sediment disrupts aquatic life. Here’s what it does:
- clogs rivulets and streams
- increases turbidity which diminishes plant nutrients
- limits aquatic food and disrupts spawning
Present Day Policies
Policies dictate how water is moved through the Truckee River reservoir system to downstream users. If this isn’t done thoughtfully, natural stream flows are interrupted—preventing fish from spawning.
Invasive species
Separated from their natural enemies, non-native species—both flora and fauna, in water and on land—upset the natural balance of nature. They:
- rob natives of water, light and nutrients
- displace native plants and wildlife
- lower diversity of flora and fauna
- increase erosion and reduce water clarity
Climate Change
A healthy watershed is the best defense against severe weather. It holds water in a drought, reducing fire danger and providing wildlife habitat. And it soaks up excess water during heavy rains, preventing erosion and run-off.