irrigation
Construction bids now being accepted for Spooner Lake State Park improvements
Submitted by paula on Sat, 01/23/2021 - 2:54pmINCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Nevada State Parks is seeking construction bids for Phase 1 of the Spooner Frontcountry Improvement Project. Phase 1 will involve a complete redesign and update of the over 35-year-old facilities, and construction of a new visitor center and amphitheater at Spooner Lake. Proposals will be accepted at the Nevada Division of State Parks office until March 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. PST.
Column: 2020 Highlights from your Water and Sewer District
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 4:17pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.
Fire Weather Watch for Lake Tahoe - Gusty winds as temperatures drop
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/22/2020 - 11:32pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Fire Weather Watch in effect from 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Monday at 5:00 p.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno is calling for gusty winds and low humidity for the Lake Tahoe Basin through western Lassen County.
* Affected Area...Fire Zone 271 Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern Nevada Counties and Fire Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe Area.
Letter: Duane Wallace letter to voters
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/18/2020 - 5:44pmDear Voters: Everyone knows what goes downhill, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District knows how to recycle it into 381,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. A recent feature article by the Association of California Water Agencies pointed out that STPUD is one of only a handful of utility districts in the entire world that can claim 100% reuse of wastewater and bio solids. Here’s how. We use centrifuges instead of the usual pollution causing burners. That allows us to make fertilizer for ranch land.
Restoration nearing completion, public soon able to access old Tahoe Pines campground
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/08/2020 - 1:48pmThe unique and valuable habitat of the Upper Truckee in Meyers has been preserved through another California Tahoe Conservancy project at the site of the old Tahoe Pines Campground. The project opens public access to the river and will feature a picnic table or two, bike racks and informational kiosk.
Drought conditions for Northern California and Northern Nevada
Submitted by paula on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 7:45pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This week's Drought Monitor shows much of the West in some level of drought. Lake Tahoe, the Sierra, and Western Nevada are all in a "moderate drought" stage with no end in the immediate future.
The 90-day outlook shows higher than average temperatures and lower than average precipitation, neither of which is good to break out of a drought.
Following below-average precipitation most of the winter, May storms delivered 181 percent of average in the Northern Sierra for this time of year, but the results aren't showing enough to remove the area from drought.
STPUD: Time for a sprinkler tune-up
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 11:37pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It’s been a long winter for your yard. While your plants go dormant to cope with the colder weather, your sprinkler system can feel the effects of winter. Cracks in the pipes can lead to costly leaks, and damaged sprinkler heads can waste water and money.
Now is the perfect time to spruce up your irrigation system before you start watering. To get started, follow these four simple steps—inspect, connect, direct, and select:
Sierra snowpack at 79% of February average
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/30/2020 - 7:56pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station Thursday, and they found 40.5 inches of snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) of 14.5 inches. The snowpack at this location is 79 percent of the February average, with the rest of the state measuring in at 73 percent of average.
The Phillips Station total is 58 percent of the seasonal average.
"It's decent but below average," said Sean de Guzman, chief of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Section.
Facts about California's water legislation and what it means for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 8:05pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, you're not going be fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day. A news story by a Los Angeles area television station and carried through the internet on New Year's Day wrongly stated just that as an effect of upcoming water efficiency laws.
Caples Fire 100% contained, 3,435 acres burned
Submitted by paula on Sat, 11/02/2019 - 11:34pmA burned area assessment of the area burned by last month's Caples Fire is now underway. The Incident Commander Kevin Breitwieser has declared that the Caples Fire is now 100 percent contained and in patrol status at 3,435 acres.
There has been almost no change in fire size since October 18. The extreme wind event on October 26 that prompted a public safety power shutoff was a good test of the containment lines and resulted in three small spots that were extinguished. Traces of smoke from interior burning will continue to be visible, but no additional fire growth is expected.
STPUD informs Alpine County they are ending recycled water agreement
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/25/2019 - 9:18amSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Effective the end of November, the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is ending an agreement with Alpine County regarding its recycled water operations.
STPUD has paid Alpine County an annual mitigation fee to address potential impacts caused by recycled water for 35 years, a fee that is approximately $100,000 per year.
STPUD says there have not been adverse impacts from the recycled water operations and the agreement is no longer necessary.
Finishing touches on Sierra Boulevard include striping and landscaping
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/17/2019 - 9:50pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been a long summer of road construction in South Lake Tahoe and it is coming to an end, leaving behind a new Sierra Boulevard and Highway 50 and synchronized lighting on the highway.
Both Caltrans and the City of South Lake Tahoe applied for an extension to the October 15 seasonal grading end and they have through the end of October to finish up their projects.
Paving operations are nearly complete on Sierra Blvd. The contractor, Herback General Engineering, will be performing some corrective paving work through the week.
Low nighttime temperatures aiding suppression of Caples Fire
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 10:13amThere was minimal fire activity on the Caples Fire last night due to near freezing nighttime temperatures, high relative humidity, and very light winds. The natural wind patterns from the west/southwest will continue to be good for suppression actions. Temperatures are moderate during the day and the relative humidity is low, and those nighttime conditions help with light winds and high relative humidity recovery.
Dramatic change to the Lake Tahoe weather this weekend
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 9:44pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A strong cold front will move through the region Saturday bringing a dramatic change to the weather with breezy winds, rain, snow, and much colder weather returning for the weekend. according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Now is the time to prepare for winter travel if you have plans to drive over the mountains, and to prepare your garden and irrigation for possible freezing temperatures.
STPUD reminds customers to conserve water during power outages
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/13/2019 - 2:10pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – When risk of catastrophic wildfire becomes too great, local electric utilities may turn off the power for extended periods of time. While your first thought might be eating all the ice cream in your freezer, don’t forget to think about your water use. South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) urges customers to conserve water during power outages to make sure there is enough water to fight a fire.
Will your house survive when embers arrive?
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/29/2019 - 11:53pmDuring a wildfire, small hot embers can be carried miles ahead of a wildfire. When these embers land on something easily combustible on or near your home, it is in jeopardy of burning, even if it is not in the path of the flame front. Your home can survive when the embers arrive.
The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is sharing a list of places homes are vulnerable to embers and how to prepare your homes along with an "Ember Awareness Checklist". The numbers match those in the photo:
1. Wood Roof
Alpine County responds to report of unhealthy drinking water
Submitted by paula on Wed, 07/03/2019 - 1:18pmALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - "Pristine pure premium quality drinking water is freely
available to all in Alpine County," said Dr. Richard O. Johnson, the Alpine County Health Officer.
Recycled water spills into Grass Lake Creek
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 9:29pm5.10.19 Update: On Thursday, May 9, 2019, recycled water from a South Tahoe Public Utility District Luther Pass storage tank leaked into Grass Lake Creek. Water samples collected from Grass Lake Creek immediately following the spill showed no change in coliform bacteria, meaning the spill caused no significant impact to water quality. A leak from the overflow pipe inside the tank was the cause of the spill. The tank has been drained and taken off-line until repairs can be made.
* * *
STPUD board meeting to highligh 2018 water and sewer improvements
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/20/2018 - 1:16amEvent Date:
December 20, 2018 - 6:00pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2014, the South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors approved a series of annual rate increases to fund more than $50 million in critical improvements to South Tahoe’s water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. These upgrades lower long-term costs, improve fire flow, protect the environment and ensure longterm, quality service. On Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 6 p.m. the District will host a public meeting on the upgrades to the water, sewer and recycled water systems, and the ongoing improvements still needed.
Letter: Why you should vote Nick Exline for South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 2:31pmMy name is Nick Exline and I am asking for your vote on November 6th for the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board as I will bring a higher level of commitment, leadership and vision to the STPUD Board.
South Lake Tahoe man dies in Stockton area crash
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/11/2018 - 9:32amA 24-year-old South Lake Tahoe man died in a San Joaquin County crash Thursday morning.
At 8:30 a.m. August 9, the driver of a 1998 Lexus apparently lost control of his car as he pulled out from the shoulder of Highway 4, west of Stockton. He sideswiped another car, then continued out-of-control until the vehicle hit another car according to the California Highway Patrol.
The car then crashed into an irrigation canal and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver's name has not been released.
People in the other cars involved were not injured.
Letter: STPUD updates from board member and candidate Duane Wallace
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 4:08pmEveryone knows what goes downhill, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District knows how to recycle it into 381,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. A recent feature article by the Association of California Water Agencies pointed out that STPUD is one of only a handful of utility districts in the entire world that can claim 100% reuse of wastewater and bio solids. Here’s how. We use centrifuges instead of the usual pollution causing burners. That allows us to make fertilizer for ranch land.
Restoration of Upper Truckee River planned near Lake Tahoe Golf Course; Public comment ends July 30
Submitted by paula on Sun, 07/29/2018 - 12:59amThere are just two days left for the public to comment on a proposed restoration project of the Upper Truckee River that runs adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Golf Course and Washoe Meadows State Park.
Chautauqua of H. F. Dangberg, Sr. at Dangberg Historic Park
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/25/2018 - 11:54am
Event Date:
August 4, 2018 - 10:00am Chautauquan and noted local historian Michael Fischer will portray “Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, Sr.” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, August 4, at 10:00 am.
H. F. Dangberg, Sr. helped to shape the agricultural and livestock history of Carson Valley. Beginning with 160 acres in 1856, Dangberg built an empire of ranches and farms that covered over 30,000 acres by 1902 when he formed the H. F. Dangberg Land & Live Stock Company. Some of the irrigation ditches, canals and reservoirs he dug are still in use today.
Location
Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States
38° 56' 28.2588" N, 119° 46' 46.3872" W
See map: Google Maps
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 7:43pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.
Some of those recently added to last week's log:
5/23
8:00 a.m. - Assist Other Agency - Johnson Blvd - SLT PD DETECTIVES REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH ARREST OF 29-YEAR-OLD MALE.
STPUD receives second award for transparency
Submitted by paula on Mon, 04/16/2018 - 11:04amSouth Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) has been awarded the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence through California Special District’s Association. The certificate is good for two years and is the second consecutive time STPUD has been issued one.
Mexican national to do time and pay to fix land used for illegal pot grows in Sierra
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/10/2018 - 10:06pmA 31-year-old man from Michoacán, Mexico was sentenced Monday to two years and two months in prison and ordered to pay $32,712 in restitution to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the damage to public land and natural resources.
California State Parks seeking volunteers for Earth Day work at Grover Hot Springs
Submitted by paula on Fri, 03/09/2018 - 10:06pmEvent Date:
April 21, 2018 - 9:00am
The 20th annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup is taking place at 40 parks up and down the state of California on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The closest park with a project the public can work on is Grover Hot Springs.
Work there will be to continue maintenance of, and improvements to, the Native Plant Demonstration Garden including irrigation and weed removal, Grover Meadow invasive weed removal and landscape enhancements such as trash pickup, raking, clearing fire rings.
Series of workshops to help with South Lake Tahoe gardens
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 1:56pmEvent Date:
April 28, 2018 - 1:00pm
Tahoe Friendly Garden Workshops will be hld this spring in South Lake Tahoe through a partnership of the UCCE Master Gardeners of Lake Tahoe and South Tahoe Public Utility District.
They are hosting three free garden/landscape design workshops at the South Lake Tahoe Library located at 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.
El Dorado County man dies after going into raw water conduit
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 6:51pmThe body of a Pollock Pines man was located just after 8:00 a.m. Tuesday after going missing in an El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) untreated raw water conduit on Monday at about 4:00 p.m.
Tory Robert Mayes, a 34-year-old from Pollock Pines, went into the EID’s Camino Conduit pipe that carries raw water from Jenkinson Lake to EID’s water treatment plant 1.5 miles away.
TRPA announces top 15 Best in the Basin awards
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:16pmhe Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Wednesday recognized 15 exceptional projects completed in 2016 with Best in Basin awards.
Now in its 27th year, TRPA’s Best in Basin awards program each year showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.
Chautauqua of Governor John Sparks at Dangberg Historic Park
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/20/2017 - 12:08pm
Event Date:
August 23, 2017 - 6:30pm Michael E. Fischer will portray the tenth governor of Nevada, John Sparks, at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, August 23, at 6:30 pm.
Location
Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States
38° 56' 28.2588" N, 119° 46' 46.3872" W
See map: Google Maps
Alpine County Grand Jury: Get more money and new agreement from STPUD
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/04/2017 - 12:35amThe Alpine County Grand Jury has released their 2016-17 report and in it they are recommending the County improve their relationship with South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) and work out a new financial deal with the South Lake Tahoe based water provider.
Work on new South Lake Tahoe play fields to start mid-July
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/07/2017 - 10:35pmThe community will soon be seeing green at the site of the South Lake Tahoe Community Playfields on Al Tahoe Blvd.
Thomas Haen Company of South Lake Tahoe, a long-time local General Engineering contractor and two local subcontractors, Ron Fuller Construction and Earth and Stone Landscape were awarded the contract by the City of South Lake Tahoe to create two fields adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) soccer field.
Douglas County declares State of Emergency prior to Spring runoff
Submitted by paula on Fri, 04/07/2017 - 10:03pmThe Douglas County Board of Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential of flooding associated with spring runoff and for stormy conditions such as this weekend. . The declaration has been submitted to the State of Nevada and will allow regional partners to expedite mitigation efforts as well as speed up the delivery of resources required to more effectively respond to an emergency.
Dog dies in whirlpool drain at Topaz Lake
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/05/2017 - 6:38pmA dog's life was tragically taken in Topaz Lake after being pulled into a whirlpool drain on Saturday while attempting to retrieve a stick.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and the loss of the dog," said Melissa Blosser, Public Information Office for Douglas County. "We immediately reached out to the owner of the animal to find out what happened and express condolences."
9th Annual Landscape Conservation Workshop
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 8:46am
Event Date:
August 14, 2016 - 12:00pm On Sunday August 14th from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm the Tahoe Resource Conservation District will hold the 9th annual Landscape Conservation Workshop at the Evans Family Garden located at 1383 Mount Olympia Circle in South Lake Tahoe. The workshop will provide a unique opportunity to see demonstrations of Tahoe Friendly Landscape practices and to interact with local conservation professionals.
Location
Evans Family Community Garden
1383 Mount Olympia Circle
United States
38° 52' 39.5904" N, 120° 2' 16.3932" W
See map: Google Maps
South Lake Tahoe residents, along with rest of state, continue to conserve water
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 9:18amDespite near average rainfall in much of Northern California this past winter, 60 percent of the state remains in severe or extreme drought. Groundwater basins and many reservoirs are badly depleted as the state’s drought grinds into a fifth year. Those living in, and visiting, South Lake Tahoe, have enjoyed higher water levels to view, boat and recreate in.
City breaks ground at future site of new community playfields
Submitted by paula on Sun, 06/12/2016 - 12:04amYou may have noticed the bulldozer and tree removal activity adjacent to the Community Playfield on Al Tahoe Blvd this week.
Work has begun on the Community Playfields Expansion Project, one by the City of South Lake Tahoe to bring two new playfields to the area next to the current soccer field at Lake Tahoe Community College.
South Lake Tahoe water restrictions loosen slightly after wet winter
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 7:33pmOver half of the state of California are in severe to exceptional drought conditions, but things are as bad as they were just a year ago when most of the Western United States were experiencing those same drought conditions.
Phase one of community playfield project to break ground
Submitted by paula on Tue, 05/17/2016 - 5:44pmA joint effort between the City of South Lake Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Community College will soon expand recreation offerings on the South Shore.
The Community Playfields Expansion Project will bring two new playfields to the area as work gets underway on the Community Playfields Expansion Project adjacent to the current soccer field at the college.
Buckeye Creek project on Douglas County Planning Commission agenda Tuesday
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/09/2015 - 3:24pmMuch like the lake side of El Dorado County and the west slope don’t always see eye to eye, the Douglas County portion at the lake, and the valley residents are in the same situation.
The topic currently at the forefront is Buckeye Creek Reservoir, located in the eastern portion of Douglas County. BLM has most of the land in this undeveloped area, and the Douglas County Sewer Improvement District (DCSID) owns 1,001 of those acres.
Multi-agency drug seizure in Nevada nets 6,000 marijuana plants
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/11/2015 - 7:41pmA large illicit marijuana grow in the mountains of Lincoln County, NV was eradicated after law enforcement found 6,476 marijuana plants in the remote area. The plants had an estimated street value of $17 million.
It appears that individuals had operated the site for several years and was capable of producing large quantities of illegal marijuana intended for sales and distribution. In addition to the marijuana plants, law enforcement personnel recovered and removed nearly two miles of black irrigation piping, along with various chemicals, used during the growing process
Report: Groundwater pumping in California has land sinking
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/20/2015 - 9:04amVast areas of California's Central Valley are sinking faster than in the past as massive amounts of groundwater are pumped during the historic drought, state officials said Wednesday, citing new research by NASA scientists.
The data shows the ground is sinking nearly two inches each month in some places, putting roads, bridges and vital canals that deliver water throughout the state at growing risk of damage.
Understanding & Managing Micro-Irrigation Class
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/01/2015 - 12:27amEvent Date:
August 4, 2015 - 5:30pm
Tahoe Resource Conservation District, in partnership with South Tahoe Public Utility District, is hosting FREE Water Conservation Workshops this summer.
The next one on the schedule is "Understanding and Implementing Micro-irrigation."
Free Lake Tahoe Landscape Class: Xeriscape the Garden
Submitted by paula on Fri, 06/12/2015 - 9:01pmEvent Date:
June 17, 2015 - 5:30pm
During times of drought, homeowners turn to water conservation not only in their daily habits but in their gardens as well.
There is even a word for this: xeriscape. The definition of xeriscape is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.
The Tahoe Resource Conservation District is hold a free workshop on xeriscping on Wednesday, June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the South Tahoe Public Utility District.
Chautauquan Michael E. Fisher portrays Heinrich F. Dangberg
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/12/2015 - 12:06pm
Event Date:
June 20, 2015 - 10:00am Chautauqua performer Michael E. Fischer will portray Carson Valley rancher Heinrich F. Dangberg in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.
Location
Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States
See map: Google Maps
South Lake Tahoe water restrictions now in place
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 3:42pmAs the severe drought in California continues, the following water restrictions and provisions of the South Tahoe Public Utility District Water Conservation Program and the California State Water Resources Control Board Emergency Water Conservation Regulation are mandatory to conserve water resources. Failure to comply may result in a fine.
RESTRICTIONS
• Outdoor irrigation may only occur between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and is limited to 20 minutes per zone per day, on your designated watering days. Drip or micro irrigation is exempt from this requirement;
Sandoval to remove lawn at Governor's mansion due to drought
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 11:17pmOne of the top water users in the Reno area, Gov. Brian Sandoval said Wednesday he is taking steps to cut back on outdoor irrigation and plans to remove turf in his yard to set an example during this time of drought.
A landscape contractor who is taking care of Sandoval's Latigo Drive home while he and his family reside in the governor's Carson City mansion accepted blame for overwatering that at one point consumed more than 1 million gallons over the course of a year, according to records obtained by the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Lowest Sierra snowpack ever prompts Governor Brown to declare mandatory water reduction
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:54pmFollowing the lowest snowpack ever recorded and with no end to the drought in sight, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced actions that will save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the state's drought response and invest in new technologies that will make California more drought resilient.