As September begins, we transition from the peak of summer water demand into the long, dry stretch of early fall. This seasonal shift offers a moment to reflect on recent challenges, assess the current state of water supply and quality, and look ahead at how the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) is working toward a more resilient water future.
The year 2025 has brought its share of water management challenges. Key NID foothill reservoirs — Rollins and Scotts Flat — reached notably low levels, while the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) completed essential repairs at its Spaulding 1 powerhouse. Amid these disruptions, NID declared an emergency water shortage. Despite the difficulties, the District succeeded in maintaining uninterrupted water deliveries throughout the summer.
A Critical System Back Online
There is good news: water is once again flowing into NID’s system. After more than a year of operational disruptions, PG&E completed and tested vital repairs to the Spaulding 1 powerhouse, which is a key component of the infrastructure that supplies water to NID’s network.
This restoration has allowed renewed deliveries to NID’s foothill reservoirs, which provide water for both irrigation and municipal use. Currently, the flow rate into the system is approximately 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) with 570 cfs directed into the Drum Canal to refill Rollins Reservoir, and 80 cfs routed through the South Yuba Canal to Scotts Flat Reservoir.
“This 650 cfs flow is enough to meet the District’s customer demands,” said Greg Jones, NID Assistant General Manager.
Reservoirs Still Recovering
While flows are meeting current needs, the reservoirs are still under stress from the prolonged outage. As of August 15, Rollins Reservoir, the most severely impacted, is at 57 percent capacity for NID water and refilling slowly. Scotts Flat Reservoir stands at 70 percent, although its level continues to decline gradually. Both are expected to remain at lower-than-normal levels through the end of the year.
To help rebuild storage and stabilize the system, NID’s emergency water shortage declaration will stay in effect through the end of the irrigation season on October 14, when water service to summer irrigation customers will be shut down.
While the return of Spaulding 1 is a major milestone, challenges remain. PG&E’s Spaulding 2 powerhouse is still offline and will require additional repairs and testing. In the interim, PG&E will continue bypassing Spaulding 2 to maintain flows through the South Yuba Canal and into Scotts Flat Reservoir.
NID’s reservoirs have been heavily drawn down to keep water service uninterrupted through summer. With just over one month left in the irrigation season, the District is urging all customers to continue their conservation efforts.
Community conservation matters
Throughout the emergency, NID customers have stepped up. Despite hot, dry conditions that typically drive up usage, treated water customers reduced consumption by six percent compared to the 13-year July average.
“We know it’s been a long, hot summer, and people are tired,” Jones said. “But every gallon saved helps us stretch our limited supply and prepare for the uncertainty of fall and winter.”
Infrastructure: Aging Systems Require Investment
This summer’s supply issues highlight the region’s vulnerability to infrastructure failure. Much of NID’s system — dams, canals, flumes, and pipelines — is aging and in need of critical maintenance and upgrades.
NID is actively addressing these challenges. The 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes a number of key projects aimed at improving water reliability and quality.
Among them is the Combie and Ophir II & III Siphon Replacement Project, which involves installing more than 5,500 feet of new pipeline to replace aging siphons. These pipelines pass under creeks, highways, and even hospital property, making the work complex and subject to rigorous permitting and environmental standards. One major segment, the Orr Creek crossing, was being encased in rebar and concrete this August and is expected to connect to the canal system by December.
Looking Ahead: Building a Resilient Future
As the dry season continues, NID urges residents to stay engaged, conserve water, and support necessary investments in the infrastructure that sustains Nevada County’s quality of life.
“Every challenge we face is also an opportunity to become more resilient,” Jones said. “Together, we can protect our water future not just for this year, but for generations to come.”
