The current state of Nevada Irrigation District Reservoirs is a compelling argument for the newly proposed Centennial Reservoir to be built, according to NID General Manager Rem Scherzinger. The Head of NID presented an update on the drought and current water supplies to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors today. He says currently the snowpack is NID’s largest source of water and with Warmer El Nino weather patterns coming in, there won’t be enough snow at the higher elevations. Even with forcasters predicting a 33 percent increase of moisture in our region they also predict it will be 50 percent hotter.

click to listen to Rem Scherzinger

The proposed Centennial Reservoir would be located between Rollins and Combie Reservoirs

The Centennial Project construction will begin in 2021, coinciding with NID’s 100^th anniversary. It is anticipated the reservoir will hold up to 110,000 acre-feet of water and include two power units (with a third at Rollins), low-impact public recreation and a new irrigation water supply system for the Dog Bar-Magnolia road area in southern Nevada County. NID will use the most advanced science and technology available, including new approaches to wildlife and habitat protection and clean, green power generation.

Scherzinger says  NID conducted a recent survey and found most people want the Centennial Reservoir to be built.

click to listen to Rem Scherzinger
The public will have further opportunities to comment. Sherzinger says “Centennial is designed to capture water that is in our water conveyance system, and to which NID holds water rights. This water is currently being lost to our community because we don’t have the ability to store it.”