Automatically keep up with changes to this page, or others, by clicking HERE

This site is intended to help keep interested parties appraised of changing
conditions regarding Lake FRONT OWNERSHIP at Donner Lake.

Hi Charlie-

I wanted to let you know that TMWA will begin ramping up releases from Donner Lake starting tomorrow morning. However, these releases will have a negligible impact on elevations prior to September 8th.  We will begin slowly, and keep releases at a constant rate of 50 cfs through the Labor Day weekend.

On Tuesday September 8th however, we will start ramping up releases from the lake once again. In the overall picture, the lake will be drawn down slightly earlier than it was last year. Calculations show that the lake will be drawn down about 5 days ahead of last year's schedule.  This means that lake elevations on September 09 this year will look similar
to those on September 14th of last year.

Releases will also be similar to those of last year (about 20%-25% higher for a few days however), and will commence about 4 days earlier.
This means that like last year, the lake will be drawn down very quickly immediately after Labor Day.

In particular, during the eight days Tuesday September 8th through the 15th, Donner Lake elevations will be dropping a foot or so every three to four days. This is again, a slightly faster ramping schedule compared to last year's.

     The links below give you the Agenda.

     That is followed by a link to the "Scoping Workshop for the 2008 Development Code Update" -- you should find this very interesting (Page 2, Item #2 and other references on the following pages -- CC A161; COS A2.4; COS A2.5 + others) as you'll see, "they" are going to once again, tell "us" what is best for our property and how we can build, or improve it.  You'll remember the last time they did this, they restricted how boat docks, etc. could be built and INCREASED setback requirements -- with no logical reason and without any concern/allowance for topography.

     The next link is to "Policy Discussion on Green Building and Sustainable Practices".  This will be a city-wide issue and could affect those properties which are on the south side of Donner Lake were there isn't much year-round solar potential.

     Here's the Notice:
Next Workshop - Monday, November 5th, 6 pm

With the recent adoption of the Truckee 2025 General Plan, it is now time to update the Development Code to implement the new General Plan.  The Development Code contains the Town's zoning and development regulations and is a key tool in implementing General Plan policies through the Town's approval of development projects.

The next workshop is scheduled for Monday, November 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Town Hall.  The Town Council and Planning Commission will identify the major Development Code topics and issues to be discussed by the Planning Commission at future workshops and how the Planning Commission will consider comments and requests from the public as we go through the Development Code Update.   Although not part of the Development Code Update, the Council and Commission at the workshop will discuss Town policies on green building and sustainable practices and whether the Town Council should initiate a community wide policy discussion on green building in Truckee.

Agenda
http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/2007-11-05wctcpcagen.pdf

Staff Report on Scoping Workshop for Development Code Update
http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/workshop41.pdf

Staff Report on Green Building Policy Discussion
http://www.townoftruckee.com/agendas/workshop42.pdf
~~~~~~~~~
I have included the following links because it also pertains to the folks who are currently extending their properties to the Low Water Line (5924') of Donner Lake, instead of just the High Water line (5935.8'), in an effort to keep the California State Land Commission from extorting rents for their boat docks.  NOTE: the Town has also just RAISED their fees, so any reference in the following may have changed: http://www.truckee2025.org/applinfo/applfee.pd

Boundary Survey Requirement Certification
http://www.townoftruckee.com/pdfforms/Survey%20Interpretation%2006.pdf

Lot Line Adjustments
http://www.truckee2025.org/applinfo/lla.pdf

The Town has had their "Piers & Docks" requirements "Out for revision" since December 2006, which MAY be completed in the next couple of months.

Finally, attachedis a page from this month's CABPRO News (California Association of Business, Property, and Resource Owners); this group is dedicated to protecting Private Property Rights in the County of Nevada; they have helped us in the past with issues and I urge you to support them in any way you can.

Hi Charlie,
We'll begin ramping up releases the following Monday after Labor Day (Sep. 10th).  By Wednesday Sept. 12, I'll be releasing approximately 50 cfs from the dam which will drop the lake about 1.5" per day.  This should give people more than enough time to make any necessary arrangements.
Thanks,
Bill

/20/9Donner Lake, 8-MAR-07
I was just informed that the gates to Donner Lake will begin to be closed THIS FRIDAY (3/9/07) in order to ensure that the Lake will be filled by Memorial Day.  Yes, that's a long way off; however, the long-range forecast is not optimistic that significant snow will fall for the balance of winter/spring.

This summer could be a very dry one as well, so don't forget to work on your Defensible Space for fire control.

Starting this next Monday, October 2nd, forward however, the lake will be dropping approximately 3.5"/DAY or so (just about a foot every 3½ days)... "after this weekend the lake will begin dropping quite rapidly."
You can be watching the Lake level by clicking here: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryF?DNN

Don't forget, you can monitor the level of Donner Lake here:  http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryFx?DNN

If you can help out removing debris from Donner Lake on the 24th-26th, 9:30 a.m. at the Public Boat Ramp, we need all the help we can get to make the Lake safer for the summer and especially the coming Memorial Day Weekend.  Please bring gloves, sunscreen, floatation device (Town Police will be in charge and will require everyone to wear their floatation devices during this cleanup).  Come meet the members of the Town's and Fire District's "Navy"!

We received .01" of rain during yesterday's storm, but it was a warm rain which will help warm up our Lake, melt the snow (cools the Lake down).  Nonetheless, water skiers are venturing out while the lake is calm, mornings and afternoons -- WET SUITS ON of course!

TRUCKEE RIVER and our LAKES:
I attended several meetings dealing with the water situation in our area last week.  As you might suspect, we have PLENTY for this summer at this point.  Naturally, all bets are off if we have a major runoff problem.  Donner Lake will fill without question.  Here is what I received from the man who controls our gates:
"Hi Charlie,
It is impossible to get the lake down any lower since all gates have been wide open since this fall.  My plan is to fill later this month (and very slowly). I probably won't start closing the gates to start filling until maybe sometime next week, depending on the weather.  At this point, I am in no hurry to fill the lake.  But it looks like it is going to start warming up and then I'll have no choice in the matter.  I would say that this week for sure would be a really great week to get any work done that has been put off."

Even Lake Tahoe will probably be FULL for the first time in many years.  Unfortunately, the way the water in the Truckee River and our surrounding Lakes & Reservoirs are managed, the very popular rafting from Tahoe City to River Ranch may NOT have enough water for their operation.  WHY?  Because the water is used downstream (Nevada) for electric generation, commercial/industrial/farming uses and there will more than enough "in-stream flows" so they won't "need" water from Lake Tahoe.

BIKE LANES & DRAINAGE:
I had asked Dan Wilkins (Town of Truckee Engineer) about the status of the Donner Pass Road Bike Lane and Drainage, here was his answer:
"The project will not be going this year.  The goal is next year.  The goal is also to upgrade the drainage as a part of the project."  I asked him a follow-up question, but he hasn't replied yet: "Does that mean the project as it's already been presented to us?  Or, something different that we have yet to see?"  Keep posted for his answer.

NEW Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) Revised DRAFT EIR/EIS are available and meetings have been set (NEXT WEEK) for more information: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/

"The plug" has been pulled for 2004.

Saturday, August 18, 2001 – Boomtown Hotel

Meeting started at 10:05 am. Approximately 25 people signed the attendance form. Dave Wegner, principal consultant for Ecosystem Management International from Durango, Colorado, welcomed everyone. Dave introduced Bob Williams, US Fish & Wildlife Service – Nevada State Director, who then introduced Randi Thompson, Public & Govt. Affairs for FWS. Lisa Heki, from FWS Reno office, came later. Agencies represented: USDA-Forest Service (Joanne Robique and ?), Reno Sanitation Department, Nevada County F&G Commission (Ray Butler), Pyramid Lake Tribe (Dan Moseley). Others: Truckee River Watershed Council (Lisa Wallace), TR Habitat Restoration Group (Kathleen Eagan), several different consultants from Truckee and Reno area, Cal Trout, Truckee River Yacht Club (Susan Lynn), Flyfishing magazine (Richard Anderson), TD Land Trust (Jeff Cutler). UNR Biology prof there also – doing research on LCT genetics for FWS.

Bob Williams explained that the draft plan is not ready for release due to contractor problems and internal questions. Bob said Dave will now be overseeing both Truckee and Walker River Recovery/Implementation Plans. Draft expected out by Christmas. Will have 90-120 day public review. Will have local meetings to explain draft. Not a NEPA document. Will not have alternatives nor address socio-economic impacts. Will include site specific suggestions, and long and short term goals. Will be voluntary on private land. Will ask counties, cities, property owners to incorporate actions when possible. Site specific actions will be subject to NEPA.

Dave spoke for most of the meeting and answered most of the questions. Dave will be taking over the website and revising it. Use www.r1.fws.gov/Nevada. The 5 page summary on the website is the latest they have done. Part of the delay (internal questioning) pertained to the role of genetics and lack of information (where are pure strains) and also the recreational fisheries issue (do you include recreational harvest as part of overall picture for recovery). What defines "recovery" has not been totally agreed upon. CA DFG, NDOW, tribes and others have submitted comments on the internal draft. TROA will give more flexibility for water flows. FWS will be using more accurate info about specific strains. Not sure how to avoid lawsuits based on threats to individual strains. Lawsuit would have to make the case that the one strain is distinct from other LCT – unlikely? LCT needs connectivity – how should that be done? How to manage differently to minimize rainbow trout adverse impacts? Stock different strain of rainbow that spawns at different time? Stock rainbows that are not sexually viable? Can’t really remove rainbows? Replace rainbow stocking with LCT or add one LCT for one rainbow? If FWS doesn’t take action for recovery, will be hit with lawsuit.

Haven’t decided about timeframe – expect 30 years or more for recovery. Regular monitoring and adaptive management (focus on new data) will be part of implementation. As info about other restoration projects is known, will be added to overall picture.

Joanne Robique gave update on Martis Fire. LCT populations in Grey and Bronco Creeks are OK, revegetation is occurring. Kathleen Eagan presented information about Truckee River Habitat Restoration Group; Lisa Wallace presented info on TR Watershed Council.

Meeting appeared over when an individual asked to address the group. He said his name was Randy Johnson. Is a licensed guide, lives in Tahoe-Truckee area. He read from a prepared statement. He said he represents a group of anglers. He showed the flow charts from Donner Creek, Martis Creek, Prosser, Little Truckee, etc. He said FWS plans so far are unacceptable. The low flows are unacceptable, especially 4.5 cfs from Donner and 49 cfs from Martis. Prosser Creek below dam to Truckee River is good habitat that has been underutilized. Martis Creek is one of the creeks with best chance of improvement for viable population of LCT. Thousands of LCT were put in Donner Creek in the 70’s and was a failure. He wants more aggressive action on water management to benefit LCT. Wants various creeks to be named "world class fisheries."

He was still talking 15 minutes later and I left at 1:15pm. I have asked FWS to send me a copy of his statement. According to Randi Thompson, Mr. Johnson called her Friday the 17th and asked if he could attend. (*** I do not have a problem with his right to express himself, but I do have a problem with being subjected to it for that length of time, and no ability to provide a counterpoint.)

Ray Butler called me with meeting wrap up after I left. The Cal Trout rep invited everyone there to an "ESA & Trout Reintroduction Symposium" at Northstar Resort, Saturday, Sept. 15. Is all day event, with field trip (Ray didn’t know where) (my guess – Martis?? Donner?? Truckee River??) and free lunch. National Fish & Wildlife Foundation is co-sponsoring with Cal Trout. Attendees at LCT meeting will get invitation.

Please contact me if you have any questions. Pat Davison 582-4051

He also told me that since this item only affects homeowners around the lake, and not city wide, they are required to notice all homeowners, (according to the tax rolls), of the meeting.  I believe this referes to state law which says if less than 1,000 homes are affected, they must notify by mail.

--kathy lund

Search for Attorney(s)  Nothing has been done recently to decide who to best represent us for our various concerns.  Anyone wishing to be a member of a Committee to select attorney(s), please send me an e-mail (SOS@donner-lake.com).

I will be establishing a "Members ONLY" web page once I figure out how to make it secure.
--Charlie White, Acting Chairperson

The hunt is ON for a new Attorney for Monday's meeting, but we really don't have a lot of time at this point.  Consequently, it's imperative that you attend the Planning Commission Meeting on July 9 if possible.

If you e-mail, or FAX, a message to the P.C., please copy us (sos@donner-lake.com, or FAX:
530-587-6480)  Link to Town Planning: http://www.townoftruckee.com/commstaff.html (Duane Hall AND Tony Lashbrook)

--charlie

Last night we had a well-attended (30+) meeting to discuss the issues concerning Donner Lake FRONT property owners.

The consensus was to “draw a line in the sand” and to fight the Town of Truckee AND the California State Land Commission in order to retain/regain our rights and control of our property.

We decided that our first concern is with the Town of Truckee Planning Department/Commission and their proposed Development Code language for their next meeting on July 9 at 6:00 p.m. (Town Hall, 10183 Airport Road – just off Hwy 267).  We discussed our “plan” and decided that we should attempt to have as many Lake FRONT property owners at the meeting as possible; in addition, we should hire an Attorney to also represent us and to state our case.  I have talked with Jim Porter (Porter-Simon) to represent us and I have FAXed copies of necessary information to him to evaluate.

Understanding that taking these actions requires MONEY, we agreed that each Lake FRONT property should begin funding a “War Chest” for the eventual lawsuits.  The contribution should initially be $250/property.  Last night and today we received checks totaling $6,300 (3@$1000; 4@$500; 4@$250; 2@$150)!  Added to our existing $10,000 gives us a good cushion to begin the process.  If you would like to contribute your share, please mail your check to the address above, include your Donner Lake Street Address AND, if you have an e-mail address, please include that as well (if you don’t have e-mail capability, but have a FAX machine, please give us that number).  Checks can also be dropped off at Donner Lake Realty.

Later this month, or sometime in August, we will meet with the staff of the State Land Commission to discuss their claim that the Low Water line is 5933’+/- verses the 5024’, which is the sill of the Dam in the State Park.

We did not schedule another meeting, but we will probably have another one in the Fall to bring everyone up to date and assess where we are in the process.

Respectfully Submitted,
Charles C. White
Acting Chairman

Specifically, the current Code allows a structure to be 35' high.  However, their proposed changes would be:  if you build more than 25' high then you would need to INCREASE your side set-backs by a proportional amount (make your dwelling skinnier) so that people across the street, driving or walking by, can see the Lake better.

So, you already have a house, what's that got to do with you?  Well, if you want to make any changes later, they could apply some of these new requirements to your plans and/or deny your request.

Their current Code doesn't allow for windbreaks to be built on the ends of boat docks -- there is no logical reason given for that restriction.  We would like to change that.

Their proposed changes for the Code also include the non-allowance of all property owned by the Lake Front Property Owner in calculating their "lot coverage" -- again, trying to limit the size of dwellings being built along the shoreline.

The Commissioners, more-importantly their STAFF, do not want to accept that there is over 1.5 miles of shoreline along Donner Pass Road which is OPEN to the public for access and view shed; the State Park and other public and semi-public facilities add about another 2 miles (roughly HALF of the shoreline of Donner Lake); the only way to increase the view shed of Donner Lake along South Shore Drive would be to remove trees!

Finally, we are also still in conflict with the Town of Truckee's stand that they should be involved with issuing permits for boat docks, or at least requiring everything outlined below, especially the involvement with the State Land Commission.

Why are the Commission and Staff doing this?  They don't have any logical reasons -- is it envy? is it a power trip?

Please come and help us devise a strategy AND plan of action for these issues and others which may come up at our meeting.
--Charlie White, Acting Chairman, SOS-Donner Lake; 6/22/2001

                                                           Telephone (530) 587-4811      Fax (530) 587-6480
May 26, 1998

TROA Draft EIR/EIS Comments     (702) 882-3436 {Office}
Attention: Dave Overvold
Lahontan Basin Area Office
Bureau of Reclamation
P.O. Box 640
Carson City, NV  89702

Dear Mr. Overvold,

     I will try to be brief in my comments regarding the above documents.  It has been extremely
difficult to wade through everything; especially on the CD-ROM; specifically, the program does not allow "cutting and pasting" so one can adequately quote or refer to specific sections, etc.

     Basically, there is no demonstrated advantage within any of those documents which show that
increasing the flow of water OUT of Donner Lake will help Donner Lake in any manner.  There is
absolutely NO BENEFIT to the residents, the visitors, nor the community for our water to be
"stored" in any other body of water, especially downstream from us! The negative visual
impacts were never addressed.  The economic impacts were weighed by using only a very small
sample of respondents.  Specifically, I have not talked to one individual who remembers even
seeing the survey which was quoted as being used for their study.  Therefore, I contend that the
results of said survey is flawed!

     I am only a resident and have a "real" job; consequently, I am not an "expert" regarding
many of the items which the above documents address; however, I have been doing some talking
to local fishermen (fisherpeople) regarding the need to increase our outflow for fish.  From those
contacts, I have determined that the problem is NOT the lack of water, but the lack of adequate
fish habitats along Donner Creek.  The reason is because when Interstate Highway 80 (I-80) was
built, Donner Creek was relocated.  In that process, there were no provisions made for the fish.
In other words, no ponds were created, no natural barriers were recreated...the stream was built
more like the Los Angeles River...all-but-paved over!  Therefore, what really needs to be done, is
to improve the fish habitat along Donner Creek.  Before there was a dam on Donner Lake, Donner Creek could dry up...that was a nature.  When the dams were constructed, provision was made to keep water flowing in Donner Creek...fishing probably improved because of that; but remember, the bed of Donner Creek was still NATURAL.  Only after I-80 was constructed, was the water more inclined to get "hot and sterilize the creek" because Nature had been disturbed.  There is no assurance that increasing the flow will help the fish because the necessary "habitats" (the ponds, pools and other natural obstructions which fish like to hide and grow in) are still not present.

    These same fishing friends indicated that they have personally observed that the rainbows
prefer cooler water so they can spawn, etc. in the SPRINGTIME; the German Browns, on the
other hand, prefer warmer water in the FALL!  Therefore, once again, increasing the flow of
water in the late-Summer, early-Fall could upset Nature's rules, etc.  Nature can adapt, and has
adapted over the years, but sometimes we need to "help" keep things more natural by providing
fish with what they really need--habitat, not more/cooler water!

     Gentlemen, we, Donner Lake residents AND visitors, need the level of Donner Lake maintained as high as possible during ALL of Summer and into the early Fall.  The reservoirs downstream from us were ALL built primarily for water storage for farmers in Nevada AND to help keep Reno and Sparks from flooding!  The fact that they can also be used for recreational purposes is great; however, there are NO PERMANENT RESIDENTS living along the shoreline of any of those bodies of water.   There are approximately 250 dwellings and building sites ringing our lake.  The impact to us is much greater than the "day-tripper" from Reno, or surrounding areas.

     It may not be the purview of these comments to address the "Agreement" itself; however, it
seems unfair to us that the people "controlling" California's water are not also from California.  It
seems logical to me that those who hold the source of the water should have an equal "say" on
how that water is used.  Also, there definitely should be an ANNUAL look at adjusting how the
water is used; or, at least one to four "way points" during the life of the Agreement that the
assumptions used in drafting the Agreement can be analyzed as to how well they worked, or
didn't work and therefore how it could be made better.  We should look at such an Agreement
more as a "Variable Interest Rate Loan" where periodically, the Rates are reviewed for change!

     We look forward to reviewing your assimilation of the comments regarding these documents
and wish, as an interested organization, to be kept informed of all meetings regarding these
documents and the "Agreement".

Sincerely,
 

Charles C. White
Acting Chairperson

Copies: Members and interested parties

As a brief history:  in 1973, the California State Lands Commission decided that they wanted to require the owners of each of the private boat docks, to Lease back the land that their piers were constructed on.  Since many owners had Deeds to the "Ordinary Low Water Mark" of the Lake (5924' MSL), the owners formed this group to fight those efforts by the State.  Although we were fighting our own money (through our taxes) we fought them until 1988!  We were able to arrange a "truce" by filing a "Dismissal Without Prejudice", dated December 22, 1987 and recorded January 22, 1988 in Nevada County.  In that "agreement" the State Lands Commission staff "would recommend that any future permit contain language allowing the permittee to contest any claim by the State as to title and/or the effect of the public trust"--their current Lease does NOT have such language.

A mailing was sent to all Donner Lake Front Property Owners (DLFPO) and other interested parties; if you are a DLFPO (or, want to help our cause), and did not receive anything, please contact us as soon as possible...could be a change of address from current records.

    Donner Lake Water Storage {click on RES ELE to find current level of the
                                                        Lake; click Telemetered DNN data for even more!}

    Current Air Temperature at Donner Lake

    California Department of Fish & Game

Copyright © 1998--2010 Charlie White
DRE# 00656665
All rights reserved
15963 South Shore Drive
Truckee, CA 96161

(530) 587-4811 - SALES {800-636-6637}
FAX:  (775) 383-2417

(530) 587-6055 - RENTALS {800-392-5253}
FAX: (530) 587-6480