The Vista Narrows Flood Mitigation Project, downstream of Reno and Sparks, is entering its final design phase.
The Truckee River Flood Management Authority says the project is "designed to mitigate flooding by widening the river channel, creating a series of floodplain terraces, and restoring riparian and wetland habitats."
TRFMA says Vista Narrows, known as the Truckee Meadows Flood Project, is a series of levees, floodwalls, and channel improvements designed to work interdependently to protect the community from floods.Â
"The area around Vista Narrows forms a natural pinch point on the river that has historically caused water to back up into the valley, contributing to past flood events such as those in 1997, 2005, and 2017. Vista Narrows must be built before other projects can be implemented upstream because it will ensure the river can safely carry the increased flows that will result from keeping flood water out of the airport, neighborhoods, and industrial areas around the river," says TRMFA.
Construction could begin as early as 2027, though 2028 is more likely.
The Vista Narrows project is designed to mitigate flooding on the Truckee River by widening the river channel, creating a series of floodplain terraces, and restoring in stream, riparian, and wetland habitat. After years of engineering, modeling, environmental review, and permitting, it is now moving towards 100% design. Construction could begin as early as 2027, though 2028 is more likely.
(Washoe County contributed to this report.)
