Goal 2: Thriving Environment

Our 2nd goal is to create and sustain a safe, beautiful, and accessible river connecting peoples and places. To address these needs, our coalition is working to increase river access and safety, encourage community river enjoyment, promote management consistency between jurisdictions, and provide resources and alternatives for people living along the river.

Within Goal 2, our current priorities and projects include:

Action Item 2.1.e

Enhance Truckee River visitor safety, access, public facilities (bathrooms) and education.

Currently, there are multiple actions underway related to 2.1.e lead by OTR partners

Visitor Safety Update related to 2.1.e: There are many ways to improve visitor safety along the Truckee River. OTR focus is on supporting long-term public safety along the river in an organic way that is inclusive and does not require intensive resources. With this in mind, OTR staff conducted research which led us to urbanist Jane Jacobs who developed the term “eyes on the street” meaning “people serve unconsciously as a witness in lively, well-trafficked public spaces as a deterrent to people contemplating an obvious crime.” The whitewater park in downtown Reno is a great example of “eyes on the river.”

OTR Effort #1 is Truckee River Month: This month-long celebration takes place annually during the month of May and is dedicated to raising public engagement, understanding, and care for the Truckee River. Sharing the importance, beauty, and need for us all to care for this precious resource that provides 85% of the drinking water to the Truckee Meadows region. The river is available to all residents and visitors to experience nature in wilderness, rural, and urban settings. The Truckee Meadows community enjoys fishing, floating, walking and picnicking along the Truckee River. The more we enjoy and learn about the river, the more we will care for it.

Explore and connect with the Truckee in new ways. Learn more by visiting Things to do on the Truckee River and Enjoying the Truckee River Water Trail - the 121-mile water route along the entire length of the Truckee River, from Lake Tahoe to Wadsworth.

Entities engaged currently on OTR Effort #1: Local agencies, businesses, and the public participate annually.

Estimated completion date with OTR Effort #1: This action item seeks to run annually with secured support.

Additional efforts supporting visitor safety:

Safety increases when access to the river is improved for emergency response personnel to enter specific areas along the river to quickly respond to water related injuries. This strategy of increasing safety by improving accessibility was reviewed by the OTR Signage and River Safety Working Group in 2018/19 in conjunction with OTR Action Item 2.2.b.
Being aware of man-made hazards in the river improves safety. River access points have been mapped and TMWA has replaced and installed several signs to encourage safe portage around TMWA’s river diversions. Recently TMWA also repaired the diversion at Glendale to allow for safer passage and portage opportunities.
Our Truckee River Water Trail content includes safety tips for on-water recreation, including whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, and inner tubing.

Screen shot from RTC’s 2050 RTP: Downtown Reno Circulation Study Virtual Presentation

Access Update provided by OTR partners on 2.1.e: One of the OTR objectives is to increase access to the Truckee River for recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, biking, and kayaking. Learn more about what OTR partners are doing on this topic:

Carcione and Canepa Ranch Recreation Access Plan: The Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space Commission approved this plan on June 7, 2022. It identifies a conceptual vision to improve access and management of two County-owned open space properties located along the Truckee River in Mogul. The plan identifies recommendations related to enhancing recreational access, including access to the river for fishing and river play, vegetation and wildlife management, and cultural and historical resources. Proposed improvements include parking, trailhead facilities (such as wayfinding signage and restrooms), a bridge over the Truckee River to provide connectivity between the two parcels and adjacent Forest Service lands, river access points, and picnic areas. The plan also includes a trails component, identifying trail sections to decommission and add, as well as potential ADA-accessible trail options. To view the Plan go here.

Arlington Avenue Bridges Replacement project: The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County is working closely with Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), City of Reno, Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and stakeholders as the project moves forward. This project consists of the replacement of the two Arlington Avenue Bridges at the Truckee River in downtown Reno. To learn more visit: RTC Washoe County.

Construction at the Spaghetti Bowl expansion: The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) is monitoring the NDOT’s construction of the Spaghetti Bowl expansion (along Interstate 80, Interstate 580, and U.S. 395) related to Native American cultural significance and environmental factors of the Truckee River as Interstate 80 goes over the Truckee River and the freeway passes right next to the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. To learn more visit: RSIC.org

Public Facilities Update provided by OTR partners on 2.1.e: Another objective involves increasing public facilities and garbage removal along the Truckee River which can range from improving efficiency in collecting/removing trash, the increase in and allocation of trash cans and “sharps” containers, as well as learning which containers will work best for trash accumulated along the river. Many groups are working to address the level of trash along the Truckee River. To learn more visit:

City of Reno’s Clean and Safe program

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful’s Annual Clean Up Efforts

Truckee Meadows Park Foundation’s Doggie Ambassador Project

Education Update on 2.1.e:

OTR partners conduct watershed education to youths in the region. To learn more visit:

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful’s Education including Warriors Youth Education

Sierra Nevada Journeys’s Science Programs and Summer Camps

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s Education including Youth Employment Program

Truckee Meadows Park Foundation’s Youth Program

Priority Action Item 2.2.b

Complete a multi-jurisdictional signage plan including standards for maps, directions, rules, stewardship, and interpretive signs.

Completed 2.2.b: Multi-jurisdictional signage plan developed by OTR’s working group supported by Alta Planning + Design was approved by the three local jurisdictions in 2020. In 2022, 250+ signs were installed including maps, directions, rules, stewardship, and interpretive signs along the river, led by Nevada Land Trust. OTR website, including mile-by-mile descriptions of critical areas on the Boca to Mayberry and Mayberry to Rock Park sections of the river.

Entities that engaged with 2.2.b: City of Sparks, City of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada Land Trust, Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, Washoe Zephyr Consulting, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, and Alta Planning + Design.

Estimated completion date of 2.2.b: The multi-jurisdictional signage plan and installation is completed.

Action Item 2.6.a

Expand the continuum of housing options, including a permanent overflow shelter, transitional housing, and access to permanent, supportive housing, including the wrap around services needed to support residents.

The scarcity of affordable housing in the western United States has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the past few years. The health of the Truckee River is directly connected to many issues and homelessness is one of them. To learn more about the topic and agencies and nonprofits working to address homelessness in the Truckee Meadows region, go to:

Information about homelessness in Nevada and Washoe County

National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Nevada

Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services’ Built for Zero

Washoe County’s Point in Time Count

Outreach Teams

City of Reno’s Clean and Safe Program

City of Sparks Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement

Karma Box Project

MOST Teams

Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality

Affordable Housing Projects

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Golden Valley project