RENO, Nev. (AP) - Rapid snowmelt in the mountains across northern Nevada triggered flood warnings Wednesday from the Walker River along the Sierra’s eastern front to Lamoille Creek in northeast Nevada’s Elko County.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Wednesday afternoon for the Walker River near the California line through the rural Mason Valley to the Weber Reservoir 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Fallon. It includes the Yerington area. The warnings will remain in effect into the weekend or longer.
“The river is expected to remain near or above flood stage for a prolonged period of time, likely through the remainder of June and potentially into early July,” the service said. It expects ongoing impacts to farm lands, low-lying properties and some rural roads.
Flows will approach the moderate flood stage late this week into the weekend.
No structures currently are threatened, but “preventative sandbagging” is recommended to protect against additional rises, the service said.
A small-stream flood advisory also remains in effect until about noon Saturday for California’s Mono County as well as Douglas and southern Lyon counties in western Nevada.
Temperatures were in the mid-90s (mid-30s Celsius) across much of the region for the second day in a row on Wednesday. In southern Nevada, an excessive heat warning was extended until Thursday evening for the Las Vegas area, where high temperatures were forecast to approach 110 degrees (43 Celsius).
In northeast Nevada, a flood warning remained in effect for urban areas and small streams in the southern part of Elko County through 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Lamoille Creek was beginning to rise Wednesday afternoon south of Elko due to the accelerated snowmelt. The creek should reach flood stage Wednesday night and continue to flow close to flood stage most of Thursday with some minor flooding expected, the service said.
Flood warnings also were in effect for the Humboldt River north of Carlin and near Battle Mountain.
Farther west, the Nevada Department of Transportation said it was keeping a close eye on the Humboldt River in north-central Nevada and may have to temporarily close State Route 795 in Winnemucca near U.S. Interstate 80.
The mile-long route connects U.S. Highway 95 with State Route 289 in northeastern Winnemucca and destinations east of I-80, but alternate routes are available in the area.
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