[SIERA] Flood Watch for Carson City, NV

[Dick Flanagan]

Subject: Flood Watch for Carson City, NV

Flood Watch
1030 PM PDT sun may 22 2005

...A Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice for the
West Fork of the Carson River between Woodfords California and the
Centerville Genoa area in California...

...A Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice for the
west Walker River near Coleville California...

...A significant rise in the mainstem Carson River from Genoa to
Dayton to just below flood stage...

...A significant rise on the west Walker River downstream of Topaz
Lake to just below flood stage...

...A significant rise on the mainstem Walker River to just below
flood stage...

...A significant rise on the East Fork Carson River from
Markleeville to Gardnerville to just below flood stage...

...A significant rise on the upper Truckee River near Meyers...

Flows in rivers and streams in the eastern Sierra...especially on
the Carson...Walker and Lake Tahoe basins...are expected to
gradually increase through Wednesday as warm temperatures cause
rapid snowmelt. Minor lowland flooding is expected along the west
Walker River near Coleville and along the west Carson River near
Woodfords. Rivers will peak in these areas during the late night and
early morning hours as it takes numerous hours for daytime snowmelt
to travel down creeks and streams and reach these locations.

Anyone venturing near eastern Sierra rivers or streams...such as
kayakers...rafters...and anglers...should be aware that rivers and
streams are running swift...are turbulent and extremely cold.  Keep
small children well away from rivers and streams as they can easily
be swept away.

Following are forecasts...

For the West Fork Carson River at Woodfords...at 7 PM Sunday the
stage was 12.9 feet. This is 1.1 feet below the 14.0 foot flood
stage. The river is expected to rise to near 14.0 feet by Monday
night. At 14.0 feet...minor flooding begins in the southwestern
Carson Valley between Centerville and Genoa NV.

For the West Fork Walker River at Coleville...at 9 PM Sunday the
stage was 8.5 feet. This is 0.5 feet below the 9.0 foot flood stage.
The west Walker River is expected to gradually rise to near 8.8 feet
tonight before briefly dropping to near 8.5 feet Monday. The river
will again rise Monday night and reach near 9.0 feet. Between 9.0
and 9.4 feet...minor to moderate flooding of lowland and
agricultural areas begins in the Antelope Valley. Some flooding is
also possible in yards and driveways in the lowest parts of Walker
and Coleville.

For the East Fork Carson River at Gardnerville...at 9 PM Sunday the
stage was 6.5 feet. The river is expected to rise to within one half
foot of the 9.5 feet flood stage by Wednesday.

For the East Fork Carson River at Markleeville...at 7 PM Sunday the
stage was 5.7 feet. The river is expected to rise within one half
foot of the unofficial 7.0 foot flood stage by Tuesday.

For the Carson River at Carson City...at 8 PM Sunday the stage was
7.6 feet. The river is expected to rise to within one foot of the
10.0 foot flood stage by Wednesday night.

For the upper Truckee River near South Lake Tahoe...at 7 PM Sunday
the stage was 5.1 feet. The river is expected to rise to within one
half foot of the unofficial 7.0 foot flood stage.

For the mainstem Carson River near fort Churchill...at 6 PM Sunday
the stage was 8.6 feet. The river is expected to rise to within one
foot of the unofficial 10.0 foot flood stage.

For the west Walker River near Wellington...at 6 PM Sunday the stage
was 7.0 feet. The river is expected to remain within one half foot
of the unofficial 7.5 foot flood stage.

Be prepared to move livestock and other valuables away from areas
subject to flooding. Stay tuned to developments by monitoring
updates from the National Weather Service at www.Wrh.NOAA.Gov/rev 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/nwis/rt ...in lower case.

The next update for these locations will be issued by 11 am Monday.

Expires:231800 gmt

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