Steamboat Creek has historically been a valuable water resource in the West and provided early settlers with water for agricultural uses. The creek originates at the outlet of Little Washoe Lake in the State of Nevada and meanders for 17.5 miles to the Truckee River. The Steamboat Creek Watershed encompasses approximately 200 square miles in Washoe County, Nevada.

Land in the watershed is currently undergoing a transition from agricultural to urban uses. The impacts of land development, water diversion, and bank erosion are increasing nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection found excessive levels of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorous and trace metals in the Steamboat Creek and included the creek on the state’s list of "target impaired waters." The creek constitutes the largest source of pollution to the Truckee River.

The Steamboat Creek Restoration Plan

With funding from a Clean Water Act grant, the Washoe-Storey Conservation District initiated the Steamboat Creek Restoration Plan to promote voluntary efforts to improve the creek’s water quality and re-establish vegetation and wildlife habitat. Completed in 1998, the plan provides recommendations and designs for restoration activities, coordinates stakeholder efforts and attempts to increase public awareness and involvement in water quality concerns. The plan focuses on encouraging voluntary implementation of both off-stream and on-stream best management practices (BMPs) by private landowners, who own 98 percent of the land in the watershed.

The Small Ranch Program

Understanding the importance of involving landowners in Steamboat Creek restoration actions, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service launched the Small Ranch Program to assist in BMP implementation on private properties. The BMPs address erosion control, animal waste management, pasture and irrigation water management, integrated pest management and well and septic system care and maintenance. BMP projects are supported by program classes, workshops and work parties.

The Washoe-Storey Conservation District and the US Army Corps of Engineers augment voluntary restoration efforts in the watershed by both designing some projects and reviewing others. They are also working with the University of Nevada on a feasibility study for a wetlands creation project. Through this coordinated mix of public and private activities, Steamboat Creek stakeholders are striving to restore and protect the watershed.

State and Federal Partners Steamboat Creek Restoration Plan projects receive financial support from the federal government and the State of Nevada. Partners in state government include the Division of Environmental Protection and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service. Federal support comes from the US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, EPA and DOI Fish and Wildlife Service.

Table of Contents

http://water.usgs.gov/owq/cleanwater/success/steamboat.html
Created October 13, 2000