Canal Reconstruction for Dummies

(or everything you ever wanted to know about how not to become a Flood Victim)

Submitted The Truckee Canal water transportation system that runs through the City of Fernley must be rebuilt to modern day engineering standards to prevent future flooding. Given that the Canal was originally constructed to 1900 era engineering standards, the “stick a finger in the dyke” repair mentality of the Bureau of Reclamation fails to address the root cause of the problem. When it became obvious that Fernley was transforming from a rural agricultural area into high density urban area, the Canal should have been redesigned and reconstructed to modern day engineering standards. BOR’s failure to do so has resulted in the recent floods, and future flooding will occur sooner rather than later given the antiquated design and age of the Canal. There are several different means and methods for designing and constructing water transportation systems through urban areas that will prevent flooding. One or more of the following methods should be used to protect the City of Fernley. Click here to access the full 7 page report with photos. (PDF 621kb)

Ground Water Recharging The principal argument against upgrading the Truckee Canal to modern day engineering standards is that it replenishes the aquifer beneath Fernley through leakage from the bottom of the Canal. While it is true that Fernley receives this benefit from the Canal, the argument fails for the following reasons. The Fernley aquifer could just as easily be replenished by drilling recharging wells down to appropriate depths with perforated lower pipe casings. These recharging wells could be gravity fed by (1) collected surface storm water for direct injection, and/or (2) Canal water which may have to be treated prior to being injected down the recharging wells. The Steel Sheet Piling and Slurry Wall methods of strengthening the Levee embankments will not change the current method of replenishing the aquifer by water seeping through the Canal bottom.

Conclusion In summation it is possible to have a safe water transportation system through Fernley and be able to recharge the aquifer as well. All it takes is a little bit of vision, a basic understanding of the means and methods available, and the political will to finance, design and construct the Project.

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