TMWA Glendale Water Supply Improvement Project

A revision of the existing diversion system for the Glendale Water Treatment Plant, the project was initiated to “improve Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s (TMWA’s) water service to the Truckee Meadows,” according to the TMWA website. “Improvement to the existing structure is necessary to maintain a dependable supply of water to the community.”

The project was to construct a “permanent, and reliable structure” to divert water to the Glendale Treatment Plant, while preserving the native environment and wildlife habitat of the Truckee River by removing existing rock and concrete diversions that block fish passage. New construction included a low-profile channel weir designed to look as natural as possible. New fish screens and a “pool and shoot” fishway were incorporate to improve fish and recreational passage.

The Glendale Treatment Plant, which treats over 25 million gallons of water per day, has been in operation since 1976, with upgrades and other major improvements. Previous diversions have been constructed with “rock and concrete rubble structure placed in the river” which does not provide adequate flow. TMWA uses river water as drought reserves in time of severe drought, meaning that flow to this facility is critical to water service in the Truckee Meadows area.