Riverbank Repair Projects
Through our riverbank repair projects along the Truckee in Nevada we’re stabilizing the riverbanks, removing invasive species, and establishing native vegetation - creating a thriving natural ecosystem for wildlife, residents, and visitors to enjoy.
Our work is protecting water quality and building resilience for the Truckee River. When repairing the riverbank in the urban core, we’re considering line-of-sight for public safety and bank stabilization for residents and visitors alike. Our goal? A future river with a thriving natural ecosystem for everyone to enjoy.
Urban Restoration is complicated in the heart of Reno and Sparks in Nevada. Acres are unable to be completely restored back to their natural state, like in wilderness, because of urban settings that parallels much of the river. Yet, repairing the degraded natural ecosystem along the riverbank and surrounding parks are possible and hold so much benefit to water quality, wildlife, residents and visitors.
Broadhead Riverbank Repair Project
Riverbank repair work along the Truckee River at Brodhead Park was the first project to evolve out of One Truckee River’s regional coordinated vegetative management efforts. The project’s aim is to stabilize and replant the eroded southern riverbank at Brodhead Park (from the west end of park to the Wells overpass) with a vibrant, healthy native plant ecosystem. We have completed our 100% design and report and are advancing the project towards construction in Spring 2027. The completed project will address erosion, wildlife habitat needs, and hydrologic resiliency along the Truckee River in the urban core. We look forward to its implementation!
Gold Ranch Fire Restoration Project
While located outside of the urban core, addressing fire damage at Gold Ranch is just as vital to the health of the Truckee River. The Gold Ranch Fire in August 2024 burned over a mile along both banks of the Truckee River, consuming 650 acres of steep forest and scrub lands. To prevent runoff, erosion, and impacts to water quality, One Truckee River has been working alongside our partners to repair and stabilize the burn areas. We’ve fallen and managed hazardous trees, laying them across slopes to reduce water movement to stabilize soil, hydro-mulched the steepest slopes adjacent to the river, and seeded 10 acres in the burn areas.
Our work is made possible through our partnerships with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Carson-Truckee Water Conservation District, Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Resource Concepts, Inc, and a property owner.
These efforts are only the beginning. In March 2026, we began our second work phase. With the grant we’ve received from NV Department of Environmental Protection, we’re continuing our efforts: including establishing a native plant community by creating 13,500 square feet of microhabitat and stabilizing 4,500 square feet of eroded sloped landscape.
Alum Creek
Alum Creek flows into the Truckee River - and hasn’t been meeting water quality and temperature standards for our municipal and domestic water supply, or for aquatic life.
From 2026-2028, One Truckee River will be working alongside our partner, Washoe County with support from NV Division of Environmental Projection, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Truckee River Fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, and Western Regional Water Commission to reduce pollution loads into Alum Creek. Our work will include bank stabilization work to reduce erosion and sediment flows into the Truckee River, as well as work to transition conventional cattle grazed land to regenerative practices. We’ll also be building our 2nd River-Friendly Living Demonstration Garden while teaching residents about steps they can take to protect the river.
Idlewild Habitat and Riverbank Stabilization Project
One Truckee River, in partnership with the City of Reno, will repair a degraded section of the Truckee River in one of Reno’s most popular parks: Idlewild. The work aims to protect water quality, decrease erosion, increase native vegetation for wildlife habitat, and improve the recreational experience of Nevadans along this section of the Truckee River.
This Idlewild Habitat and Riverbank Stabilization Project is made possible with the support of grant funding from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Conserve Nevada Program, the Western Regional Water Commission, and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection with US Environmental Protection Agency under 319 Assistance Agreements.