Water quietly shapes every aspect of daily life in our local communities, from the creeks that define our environment, to the raw water that sustains farms and ranches, to the clean drinking water into our homes. Much of this work happens beyond public view, yet its impact is felt everywhere.
Behind the scenes, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) manages an intricate and interconnected water system. The District invests in and manages critical infrastructure while providing innovative approaches to meet today’s demands and preparing for the climate-driven challenges that will shape our water future.
With so many moving parts, how does it all come together?
NID’s water begins as snowpack across roughly 70,000 acres of high-elevation watershed in the headwaters of the Yuba and Bear rivers. In spring, snowmelt flows into storage reservoirs until it is needed. From there, water moves through an extensive 500-mile system of canals to deliver irrigation water to farms and fields and supply treatment plants that provide drinking water to homes.
What type of water year did we have in 2025?
January 2025 began unseasonably dry. Conditions shifted dramatically in early February, when a series of storms delivered rainfall totals that rivaled what the region typically sees in an entire month. These extreme changes challenged water infrastructure and operations. During intense storms, dams spilled as designed, safely passing excess water. During dry periods, NID adapted its water management approach to maintain reservoir levels.
Heading into spring, snowpack stood at 98 percent of average, and District reservoir storage was above normal. On March 26, 2025, total storage reached 248,290 acre-feet, which was 92 percent of capacity and 113 percent of average for that date.
Fast forward to late in the year, and conditions again turned notably wet. As of December 30, 2025, overall precipitation stood at 138 percent of average. Bowman Lake alone received 21.5 inches of rain between December 17 and 26, nearly 10 inches above normal. While encouraging, sustained cold winter temperatures are essential for building the snowpack that serves as a critical natural reservoir in the months ahead.
Emergency Water Shortage: when mountain flows were cut off
Despite near-average snowpack, the 2025 irrigation season (April-October) was an unusual and challenging period for water deliveries. Severe infrastructure damage the previous year at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)-owned Lake Spaulding cut off NID’s access to normal snowmelt runoff. As a result, the District had to rely on limited storage in Rollins and Scotts Flat reservoirs.
Water levels in those reservoirs dropped dramatically throughout the summer. Boat launches closed, recreation suffered, and hydropower generation was significantly reduced, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Facing these supply-side constraints, NID continued its Emergency Water Shortage (declared in March 2024). Conservation measures and emergency water rules remained in place throughout 2025.
On July 24, 2025, PG&E returned the Spaulding 1 powerhouse to service which in turn restored flows through the Drum Canal. This interconnected system then feeds Rollins Reservoir, and the South Yuba Canal, which supplies Scotts Flat Reservoir.
With flows restored and reservoir levels rebounding, NID was able to lift the emergency water shortage on November 12, 2025. Since then, the foothill reservoirs have seen elevation levels steadily increase.
“Managing the system during 2025 required thinking differently,” said Chip Close, NID’s Director of Operations. “We had to innovate, anticipate, and adjust daily. The summer depended entirely on the limited water in Rollins and Scotts Flat.”
For example, engineers and operators developed new strategies to stretch limited supplies, carefully timing releases, adjusting canal flows, and prioritizing essential needs. Advanced monitoring tools, predictive models, and data-driven decision-making helped ensure water was delivered efficiently to farms, homes, and critical services.
Challenges and Pressures
Aging infrastructure
NID’s water system began as a network of reservoirs and canals built during the California Gold Rush to serve mining operations. Over time, it has been transformed into a modern water distribution system. While it continues to function reliably, much of the infrastructure is aging, and that presents risks.
Aging water systems can lead to costly emergency repairs, water loss, environmental harm, and, if left unaddressed, potential public health concerns.
“Providing reliable service to our customers and communities requires a complex network of diverse infrastructure,” said Greg Jones, NID’s Assistant General Manager. “Maintaining and upgrading that system is a constant and expensive challenge. At NID, we are committed to continued investment to keep it dependable and resilient.”
In 2025, construction projects were underway across the District. One highly visible example occurred along Hughes Road in Grass Valley, where crews replaced a 55-year-old water main that is a critical transmission pipe to customers. The project replaced about 1,240 feet of aging pipe and added a 520-foot connection loop at the end. The new loop improves water flow, flexibility, and overall system reliability for treated water customers.
Another major effort, named the Combie & Ophir 2 & 3 Siphon Replacement Project, involves replacing three underground 50-year-old siphons that carry raw water from Combie Reservoir to Auburn and surrounding areas.
The first replacement focused on the Orr Creek Siphon, originally built in the 1940s. After decades of service, the 36-inch steel pipe had deteriorated and could no longer meet modern demands. In 2025, it was replaced with a 48-inch-diameter PVC pipe, improving reliability and increasing capacity for emergency and contingency flows.
NID also continues to improve efficiency through technology. For example, aging canal gates are being replaced with automated systems that allow operators to control water flows remotely through a central computer system. Once a target flow rate is set, the gate automatically adjusts to maintain consistent delivery. The upgrades simplify operations while improving reliability and system efficiency.
Climate Change and water reliability
Climate change adds another layer of complexity. Global surface temperatures have risen by about two degrees Fahrenheit since the early 1900s. Higher temperatures dry soils, increase evapotranspiration, and reduce the amount of water that reaches reservoirs.
Although much of NID’s watershed lies above 5,000 feet, where snow historically dominated winter storms, warming trends mean more precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow. This shift reduces snowpack and shortens the spring and summer runoff period the system depends on.
Because NID relies entirely on Sierra snowmelt, has no groundwater supply, and sits upstream of potential external water sources, finding new water supplies remains challenging.
From 2021 to 2024, the District undertook a community-driven planning effort known as the “Plan for Water.” Seven strategic alternatives were evaluated, including increasing storage at Rollins Reservoir, constructing a new dam and Centennial Reservoir, conservation and demand management, and limited water purchases.
In 2024, NID’s Board of Directors opted not to pursue the Centennial Dam due to cost and feasibility concerns. Instead, the Board continued evaluating options to raise Rollins Dam, which is a lower-cost option that could serve more customers.
Throughout 2025, the Board continued discussions on expanding Rollins Reservoir. Two alternatives were studied: a 10,000 acre-foot expansion (estimated at $100 million) and a larger 50,000 acre-foot expansion (about $340 million). While the larger option offers greater supply, it also presents significant environmental, property, and cost challenges. No decision was made in 2025, and discussions will continue.
One immediate way NID is increasing effective water storage is through meadow restoration in the upper watershed. The English Meadow Restoration Project reconnects the Middle Yuba River to its natural floodplain, allowing spring snowmelt to spread out, soak into the soil, and be stored like a natural sponge. This slows runoff, extends water availability into summer, and reduces sediment entering downstream reservoirs.
The project also improves forest health and reduces wildfire risk through meadow restoration, gully repair, and forest management. By enhancing natural storage and improving water quality, English Meadow strengthens long-term resilience to drought and climate change.
Learn more in this short video about the English Meadow Restoration Project. [https://youtu.be/fHLubdxzw_s]
Looking Ahead to 2026
The challenges of 2025 underscored a fundamental truth: reliable water depends on more than supply alone. It requires careful planning, resilient infrastructure, and the ability to adapt as conditions change.
As NID looks ahead, continued investment, innovation, and collaboration will guide its work. By strengthening infrastructure, expanding water management tools, and preparing for a changing climate, the District remains focused on safeguarding a resource that touches every part of daily life today and for generations to come.
