The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District Board of Directors met last week to prepare for the end of the irrigation season, approving a final water order date, setting a canal shutdown schedule, and adopting a series of policy and infrastructure updates ahead of winter maintenance work.
The board set Friday, November 7, as the last day to place water orders, with deliveries expected to wrap up by November 15 or earlier, depending on demand. Water Master Kelly Herwick said most users are finishing up for the year, including wildlife and wetlands accounts, and that final water deliveries will determine the exact timing of the season’s end.
“This keeps us on our usual schedule,” Herwick noted, adding that the closure will allow time to prepare the system for winter work.
Directors also approved plans for a temporary shutdown of the Truckee Canal beginning Sunday, November 23, to perform cleanup and install new automation equipment at the Fernley Check. The outage is expected to last 10 to 14 days.
Heavy rains earlier this year caused silt buildup in Willow Tunnel 3 and below Gilpin, requiring debris removal before work can begin. The board approved a proposal from FCA for installation and training, with costs not to exceed $11,850, within the existing budget.
Manager Ben Shawcroft explained that the new system will first measure stage elevation, with detailed flow calibration to follow next irrigation season. “We’ll use our own boat and equipment to gather data and fine-tune the readings over time,” he said.
Representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation said federal funding is in place through October 17, even as the agency continues navigating uncertainty around government shutdowns. Work continues on finalizing repayment schedules for the Truckee Canal reconstruction project, as well as review of a credit storage request and a pending flood-related reimbursement request at the regional level.
The board also approved an engagement letter with HintonBurdick CPA Advisors for the district’s annual audit, expected to cost between $25,000 and $35,000, within the approved budget.
A update to TCID’s policy manual was unanimously adopted, streamlining the district’s organizational chart and meeting procedures. The new document formalizes a clear reporting structure from Board of Directors to the General Manager to division managers, and replaces Robert’s Rules of Order with simplified parliamentary procedures to reflect the district’s more conversational meeting style.
New sections also codify ethics and purchasing requirements to align with state and federal grant guidelines, clarify annual tax roll preparation, and simplify land sale provisions to allow for direct negotiation while maintaining board oversight of all transactions.
The board also discussed livestock removal on district lands by November 15, reviewed encroachment requests including a small bridge permit, and approved the monthly treasurer’s report and consent agenda.
As the irrigation season winds down, staff will turn attention to the upcoming maintenance window, audit preparation, and continued work with federal and local partners to ensure the district’s infrastructure and finances remain on solid ground heading into 2026.
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