Runoff produces high water in central, eastern Nevada

Saturday, May 21, 2005 | 10:23 a.m.

Warm temperatures and a heavy snowpack are pushing rivers and streams toward their banks in northern Nevada as spring runoff fills the Humboldt and its tributaries.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning from the California line south of Reno north and west to Utah.

High water was occurring in the Elko area with both the Humboldt and Lamoille Creek over their banks in spots as runoff increased from the Ruby Mountains.

"Everything depends on how (the snowpack) comes off the Rubies," Elko County Road Supervisor Otis Tipton said. "We are sort of holding our breath and waiting."

Earlier in the week, flooding all but isolated the community of Jarbidge after its two main bridges were damaged, leaving a bridge on private property the only access to the community, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

The U.S. Forest Service is working to repair the bridges, according to District Ranger Dan Dallas.

The flood warning was issued for the west forks of the Carson and Walker rivers in Douglas County and along the adjoining eastern Sierra north through Fallon and Lovelock and east through Winnemucca, Battle Mountain and Elko to Montello near the Utah line.

In western Nevada, "only minor flooding is expected due to snow melt with overnight crests just over flood stage," weather service meteorologist Jim Wallmann said. "Downstream of these sites, reservoir storage should help mitigate any impacts in the next couple days although rivers will run high."

To the east, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said rising water was flooding wildlife nesting habitats in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

For people unused to the threats posed by Nevada's rivers after five years of drought, weather service meteorologist Gina Beninato in Reno warned that the flows are rapid and the water is cold.

"Extreme caution is urged this weekend, especially with small children and people not familiar with the dangers of swift cold water," she said. "Fast moving currents can easily sweep people off their feet and cold water can cause hypothermia."