Workshop for Long-Term Planning to Sustain and Restore the Truckee River Riparian Ecosystem
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
DRI Northern Nevada Science Center | 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512
Biodiversity and River Function are Key
Our work with River Justice continues to help focus on biodiversity on the river. This will improve riparian functions and bring improvements to Water Quality and protections to fish habitat.
In this workshop, you will learn about the historical impacts of river projects. You will also understand the threats to LCT and the Kooyooe, Truckee River flow management, data center threats to watershed, bird surveys, solid waste pollution, decreasing cottonwood canopy, bird response to riparian recovery, and river flows influencing cottonwood growth.
Who Should Attend:
River Justice volunteers, Water Protectors, City of Reno/Sparks, TMWA, Researchers, Tahoe Reno Industrial Park Planners, Storey & Washoe County, NDOT, USFWS, NDOW, Birders, Fisher People, & UNR/TMCC students.
Attendance:
The workshop is open to anyone interested in attending and is free of charge thanks to our sponsors. Lunch will be provided to those who register. See button above. If you have questions or difficulty with registrations contact: infoTruckeeRiverRiparian@dri.edu
The workshop will be accessible virtually using a Teams connection. To join by phone or a video conferencing device contact the “info” email address for the meeting link information.
Lower Truckee River Near Numana Hatchery – September 2019
Photo: Stewart Rood & Noelle Patterson
River Justice
River Justice is a project led by Indigenous Peoples of the Truckee River Basin through the organization, Healing Waters Institute. The project advocates fair treatment and riparian health of the Truckee River. The project addresses historical and ongoing environmental degradation impacting Numu (Northern Paiute) communities downstream. River Justice organizes volunteer activities to clean up trash and waste in and along the Truckee River. River Justice supports the ecological integrity of the Truckee River by encouraging planning and provision of river flows that support a vibrant riparian corridor.
Truckee River at TNC’s McCarran Ranch Preserve
The McCarran Ranch Preserve was the Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) first restoration project on the lower Truckee River. The Truckee River at McCarran Ranch had been straightened as part of a 1960s flood-control project, which led to severe channel incision. As a result, groundwater dropped beyond the reach of riparian vegetation, leading to the loss of approximately 90% of the riparian forest and up to 70% of bird species.
A restoration project undertaken by TNC during 2003-2006 involved the construction of a new river bend, the addition of cobble and boulders to add hydraulic complexity and reconnect to the flood plan, the planting of cottonwood trees, as well as the creation of new wetlands and backwater habitat. A team of DRI scientists conducted a comprehensive aquatic ecological study of the McCarran Ranch reach during 2003-2004 prior to the restoration construction.
Truckee River at McCarran Ranch pre- (2004) and post-restoration (2024). Images Courtesy Google Earth
LOCATION & FACILITIES
DRI Northern Nevada Science Center
Stout Conference Rooms A/B
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV 89512
Stout Conference Room
WORKSHOP AGENDA
Opening Session
9:00 AM
Welcoming – Kooyooe Tukadu Numu Prayer
Presenter: Reynelda James (Pyramid Lake Elder)
9:05 AM
Workshop Introduction and Objectives
Presenter: Beverly Harry (River Justice)
A. The Challenge
9:15 AM
Introduction: Tahoe–Truckee River–Pyramid Lake Basin Flow History and Fisheries
Presenter: Dan Mosley (Retired, Pyramid Lake Fisheries)
9:35 AM
What is Good for the Fish is Good for the People
Presenter: Autumn Harry (River Justice)
9:55 AM
History of Riparian Vegetation and Channel Decline
Presenter: Chad Gourley (Retired, Otis Bay Ecological Consultants)
Lower Truckee River Riparian Vegetation Trends: 1938–2013
Presenter: Susan Mortenson (Wildscape Engineering)
10:15 AM – Break (20 minutes)
B. The Restoration Strategy
10:35 AM
Systemic Restoration of Riparian Woodlands along the Truckee River
Presenter: Stewart Rood (University of Lethbridge)
10:55 AM
Development of Ecosystem Flow Regimes
Presenter: Chad Gourley (Retired, Otis Bay Ecological Consultants)
11:10 AM
TROA: Implementation and Management of Flows
Presenter: Scott Fennema (Federal Watermaster for Truckee River)
C. The Outcomes
11:30 AM
Response of Cottonwood Tree Growth to Flows
Presenter: Noelle Patterson (Utah State University)
11:50 AM
Evapotranspiration of Cottonwoods of the Lower Truckee River
Presenter: Scott Allen (University of Nevada Reno)
12:00 PM – Lunch (50 minutes)
12:50 PM
Holistic Approach to Listed Fish Conservation in the Truckee River/Pyramid Lake Watershed
Presenter: Lisa Heki (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
1:10 PM
Historical and Recent Observations of Birds of the Lower Truckee River
Presenter: Elisabeth Ammon (Great Basin Bird Observatory)
1:25 PM
Truckee River Water Quality Under Managed Flows
Presenter: Jim Brock (Desert Research Institute)
1:45 PM – Break (20 minutes)
D. Second Steps and the Future
2:05 PM
Channel Restoration and Future Planning
Presenter: Mickey Hazelwood (The Nature Conservancy)
2:25 PM
Data Center Water Consumption
Presenters: Jeremy Smith (Truckee Meadows Planning Agency), Erik Henzl (Desert Research Institute)
2:50 PM
Water Planning at Tahoe Reno Industrial Center
Presenter: Shari Whalen (TRI General Improvement District)
3:05 PM
Discussion
3:55 PM
Closure
Presenter: Beverly Harry (River Justice)
