[SIERA] Flood Watch for Carson City, NV

[Dick Flanagan]

Flood Watch
700 PM PDT Wed may 18 2005

...A Flood Warning remains in effect through Thursday morning for
the West Fork of the Carson River between Woodfords California and
the Centerville-Genoa Nevada area...

...A major rise to within one half foot of flood stage by Thursday
morning is expected on the west Walker River between Walker and
Topaz California...

A warm and moist Pacific storm will continue to bring moderate to
heavy rain to the Sierra tonight.  Rainfall will combine with
melting snow to produce significant rises on rivers east of the
Sierra crest.  Minor flooding is expected on the West Fork of the
Carson River between Woodfords California and the Centerville-Genoa
Nevada area.  A major within-bank rise is expected this evening on
the west Walker River.

Following are the forecasts...

For the West Fork Carson River at Woodfords...the stage at 6 PM
Wednesday was 13.9 feet and rising.  Flood stage is 14.0 feet.
Minor flooding is forecast...with the river rising to near 14.2 feet
late this evening.  The river will recede to 13.0 feet by Thursday
afternoon.

At 14.0 feet...minor flooding begins in the southwestern Carson
Valley between Woodfords California and Centerville and Genoa NV.
About 2200 cfs.

For the East Fork Carson River near Gardnerville...the stage at 6 PM
Wednesday was 7.7 feet and rising.  Flood stage is 9.5 feet.  The
river is forecast to crest near 8.5 feet early Thursday morning and
recede to 8.0 feet on Thursday afternoon.

At 8.5 feet the river reaches channel capacity on some portions of
the East Fork Carson River.  Minor lowland flooding begins in the
lowest parts of Gardnerville...Minden...and the Carson Valley along
the river.  Residents near the East Fork Carson should be prepared
for flooding if there are additional rises due to snowmelt and
rainfall runoff.

For the Carson River at Carson City...the stage at 6 PM Wednesday
was 6.3 feet and steady.  Flood stage is 10.0 feet.  The river will
is expected to crest near 8.0 feet on Thursday evening.  No flooding
is forecast.

For the Susan River at Susanville...the stage at 6 PM Wednesday was
6.0 feet and steady.  Flood stage is 12.0 feet.  The river is
forecast to rise to near 10.0 feet early Thursday morning...then
recede to near 9.0 feet on Thursday afternoon.  No flooding is
expected.

For the west Walker River near Coleville California...the stage at 6
PM Wednesday was 7.6 feet and rising.  Flood stage is 9.0 feet.  The
river is forecast to rise to near 8.5 feet by early Thursday
morning.  Some minor flooding of lowlands along the river may occur
between Walker and Topaz California.  No flooding of roads or
structures is expected at this time.

Be alert for heavy rain upstream of your location which could cause
additional rapid rises on rivers and streams.  Valuables and
livestock should be moved away from areas subject to flooding.
Never drive through flooded areas. Follow the directions of
emergency officials. Stay tuned to latest developments from the
National Weather Service or your favorite news source.

Real-time stage and flow information for many rivers and streams in
the eastern Sierra and Nevada is available from USGS on the internet
at: http://waterdata.USGS.Gov/NV/nwis/rt ...in lower case.

The next forecast update for these locations will be issued by
11 am Thursday may 19th.

Expires:191800 gmt

--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
E-mail: k7vc at arrl.org