Truckee
Meadows
Flood Project
(TMFP)  

The Reno–Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) Levee and Floodwall reduces flooding along the south bank of the Truckee River and protects businesses and infrastructure such as the Walmart within the RSIC commercial area.

The project includes approximately 2,300 feet of levee and floodwall between U.S. Highway 395/I-580 and Glendale Avenue, along with a multi-use path and landscaping to enhance public access and the river corridor. It was completed in 2009 through a public-private partnership involving Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Walmart, and the State of Nevada.

Status: Completed and operational (2009)
Total Cost: ~$5.8 million
TRFMA Contribution: ~$1.8 million

The project received environmental awards from the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

The Vista Narrows Flood Project is a floodplain terracing and river restoration project located along the Truckee River just east of Sparks, Nevada, where the river exits the Truckee Meadows and enters the downstream canyon. This reach is a natural bottleneck that causes floodwater to back up during major storms, contributing to flooding in upstream industrial areas, critical infrastructure, and nearby neighborhoods.

The project will widen the river corridor by constructing three floodplain terraces along both sides of the river over approximately 8,600 feet total in length. These terraces allow floodwaters to safely spread during high flows, reducing upstream flood elevations and improving system-wide flood protection. The project will create approximately 13 acres of wetlands, reconnect the river to its floodplain, and replant native vegetation such as cottonwoods and willows to shade the river and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

Vista Narrows must be completed before several upstream flood protection elements can advance. It provides mitigation for increased flows in the river that will be caused by planned upstream improvements. Vista Narrows provides system-wide flood risk reduction while restoring natural river processes. 

Status: Final Design Phase
Estimated Design Completion: End 2026
Estimated Construction Start: Late 2027 or 2028, pending permitting and contractor timing
Construction Duration: ~1–2 years, followed by vegetation establishment phase 

The Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) Flood Project is intended to reduce flood risk to the TMWA water treatment facility just downstream from the Glendale Bridge, a critical regional utility providing essential water services to the Truckee Meadows. 

The project will construct a flood protection levee to prevent flood damages and minimize operational disruptions during major flood events. It is being closely coordinated with adjacent flood protection improvements, including projects near the Grand Sierra Resort, to ensure flood protection functions as a continuous system and avoids creating new flood risks in nearby areas. 

Status: Request for Qualifications Phase
SOQ Due: February 17, 2026
Board Approval Target: April 10, 2026
Estimated Final Design: Late 2027
Potential Construction Start: 2028-2029, subject to permitting and financing 

The Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) Flood Project is managed by GSR and provides site-specific flood protection through levee construction that ties into adjacent flood management features, including the TMWA Levee. 

The project is being coordinated with TRFMA and supports broader redevelopment activities at the GSR. Excavated material from the Vista Narrows Flood Project may be reused as structural fill for the levee, subject to material suitability. 

Estimated Construction Period: 2027–2028  

The Reno–Tahoe International Airport Flood Project (RNO Flood Project) will reduce flood risk to airport facilities and help ensure continued airport operations during major flood events through levee construction. 

The project is being coordinated with the TMWA and GSR flood projects to minimize flood breakout risk and provide consistent protection across both banks of the river. 

Status: Request for Qualifications Phase
SOQ Due: February 17, 2026
Board Approval Target: April 10, 2026
Estimated Final Design: Late 2027
Potential Construction Start: 2028 – 2029, subject to permitting and financing. 

The Sparks North Bank Flood Project (SNB Flood Project) includes levee construction and river terracing along the north bank of the Truckee River from McCarran Bridge downstream to the Vista Narrows Reach. 

The SNB flood project will reduce flood risk to developed areas in Sparks while improving river hydraulics through floodplain grading and terracing. Due to its scale and dependency on upstream installations being completed, this project represents the final construction phase of the TMFP. 

Status: Request for Qualifications Phase; Conceptual Design SOQ Due: February 17, 2026
Board Approval Target: April 10, 2026
Estimated Construction Window: 2030–2032 

A voluntary program that allowed eligible homeowners in Hidden Valley, Eastside Subdivision, and Rosewood Lakes to raise their homes to at least the 100-year flood level. The program is funded through FEMA grants with local matching funds provided by Truckee River Flood Management Authority. This program no longer accepts new applicants. 

The Wadsworth Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project addresses flooding and public safety concerns along the Truckee River in Wadsworth, Nevada. Hydraulic modeling identified the existing Bridge Street pedestrian bridge as a flow constriction that contributes to increased flood risk during major storm events. 

An alternatives analysis determined that bridge replacement is the most effective solution to improve river conveyance and mitigate potential impacts from upstream flood projects. The TRFMA Board authorized the project to advance independently to provide timely flood risk reduction. 

Estimated Construction Cost: ~$2.4 million
Construction Start: Currently in Construction completion August 2026 
Construction Duration: ~1–2 years, followed by vegetation establishment phase 

Improved flood modeling has identified a floodwater breakout area near Lake Street that contributes to localized flooding. TRFMA is working to address this issue through use of a small berm and rolling hump installation in the area. Not yet scheduled for design or construction. 

Flood modeling has identified a floodwater breakout area near UNR Farms that requires mitigation. A levee is being evaluated to reduce flood risk in this location. May be included in Sparks North Bank Flood Project.  

TRFMA has delivered multiple flood risk reduction projects that provide long-term protection to communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure along the Truckee River. Completed projects include the Virginia Street Bridge Replacement, which improved river conveyance through downtown Reno, and the Reno–Sparks Indian Colony Levee and Floodwall, which protects commercial areas along the south bank of the river. TRFMA also completed the North Truckee Drain Relocation, significantly reducing flooding in the Sparks industrial area by improving stormwater conveyance 

In partnership with local, state, and federal agencies and the Nature Conservancy, TRFMA participated in the implementation of ecosystem floodplain restoration projects along the lower Truckee River. These efforts include floodplain and channel restoration work at Lockwood, Mustang Ranch, Tracy Power Plant, and 102 Ranch. These represent large projects that involve several river miles and hundreds of acres of restored area in and along the river channel. 

Through its land acquisition and mitigation programs, TRFMA has purchased flood-prone properties from willing sellers, relocated businesses out of high-risk flood areas, and removed repetitive-loss structures from the floodplain. These actions reduce long-term flood exposure while restoring natural floodplain function and improving system-wide resilience. . Much of this purchased flood prone property between Mill Street and the River between the Rock Street and McCarran Blvd Bridges makes up the vast majority of land base for the 170-acre Rock McCarran project described above. 

TRFMA’s completed projects reflect extensive coordination among local jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, tribes, utilities, and private partners. This collaborative approach has enabled TRFMA to deliver complex flood risk management projects that balance public safety, environmental stewardship, and community benefit.