05/09/08

FERNLEY (AP) _ Farmers and ranchers are expressing concern over
reduced flows spurred by a breach of a century-old irrigation canal
that flooded hundreds of homes in January in Fernley, about 30
miles east of Reno.

Truckee-Carson Irrigation District officials say water for
ranches and farms will be at least 10 percent less this growing
season.

Farmers say a 10 percent drop in water availability can
translate into a 20 percent loss of income, and they're nervous
because the canal won't be up to its usual capacity for years to
come until costly repairs are made.

The irrigation district, which operates the 31-mile Truckee
Canal that takes water from the Truckee River near Fernley to farms
and ranches around Fallon, was allowed to reopen the canal on March
21. It had been dry since Jan. 5, when the breach affected about
600 homes in Fernley.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the canal, authorized
the district to initially send water through the canal at 150 cfs,
20 percent of the canal's operating capacity of 750 cfs.

The bureau will allow the flow to increase to 250 cfs starting
Saturday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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