Trail closures will remain in place for the Marlette Lake Dam rehabilitation project through final construction in late 2026.
The closures are in effect around Marlette Lake and Spooner Lake State Park as work continues on a major rehabilitation project at Marlette Lake Dam.
While construction activities will decrease in the winter months, those in charge of the project want to remind the public that the area remains an active construction site and public access remains closed until the project is fully constructed.
Several popular trails are closed for public safety, including North Canyon Road, Marlette Lake Trail, Marlette Creek Trail, Hobart Road from Laxalt Junction to Marlette Lake, Marlette Dam Trail, Marlette Flume Trail South from the Rock Slide, Marlette Lake Road, Snow Valley Peak Road, North Canyon Campground, and Hobbie Leonard Cabin.
Additional closures remain in place due to the East Slope Transmission Main project, which is being built at the same time as the dam rehabilitation. Those include Franktown Creek Road, Snapdragon Trail, Hanna’s Cabin Trail, Pipeline Road, Red House Flume Road, and Lakeview Road.
While those areas are closed, the Tahoe Rim Trail and Capital to Tahoe Trail remain open, along with Hobart Reservoir and Ash Canyon Road.
Officials emphasized that entering construction zones and using closed trails is prohibited. Law enforcement will be patrolling the area and issuing tickets to anyone who does not comply.
Emergency access will remain available throughout the project.
The Marlette Lake Dam is part of the Marlette Lake Water System, which supplies water to Storey County and Carson City.
Built in 1873 and raised in 1959, the earthen embankment dam was found to have seepage during a 2017 inspection by the Nevada Division of Water Resources. The seepage was determined to be a safety risk if not addressed.
The rehabilitation project is funded by the FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund and is designed to improve the dam’s safety and ensure the long-term reliability of the water system.
Environmental and cultural resource surveys were completed during the four-year planning process in coordination with FEMA. Construction is expected to conclude in October 2026.
For questions or additional information, the public can contact marlettelakedam@gmail.com.
