Message from the General Manager

We recently marked a milestone in our community’s history — the founding of the   Nevada Irrigation District on August 15, 1921. For over a century, since the day Nevada County residents voted to establish the District, NID has proudly delivered reliable water service while upholding a deep commitment to community stewardship

This anniversary brings encouraging news: water is once again flowing into NID’s   Rollins and Scotts Flat reservoirs following successful repairs at Lake Spaulding by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

While this is a positive step, water levels remain low. Rollins Reservoir, hardest hit by the outage, is at just 60 percent of capacity in NID water. Scotts Flat stands at 74   percent and is declining more slowly. With flows from Spaulding resuming, both reservoirs are expected to stabilize, though increases will be gradual.

As we reflect on 104 years of service, we remain committed to transparency,  resilience, and responsible water management. Thank you for your continued support as we face today’s challenges and plan for a sustainable future one drop at a time. 

Sincerely, Jennifer Hanson, NID General Manager

 In this edition:

* Water flows again: Deliveries resume to depleted Rollins and Scotts Flat

* NID celebrates its 104th anniversary: bringing greener pastures 

* Mussel check: Inspect non-motorized watercraft before launching 

* Total storage update: Reservoirs are at 106% of average 

* Project update: Combie and Ophir II & III siphon replacement 

Water deliveries resume after PG&E repairs

Water is once again flowing into NID’s Rollins and Scotts Flat reservoirs following the repair of key infrastructure at Lake Spaulding by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
     After more than a year of severe water supply disruptions to NID, PG&E completed and tested essential repairs at the Spaulding 1 powerhouse that is a cornerstone of the system that feeds water into NID’s conveyance infra-structure. This restoration enables renewed water deliveries to NID’s foothill reservoirs, which supply water for both irrigation and treated water customers. Continue reading ...

Bringing greener pastures: Sierra waters vitalized our communities

NID celebrates 104 years

On August 5, 1921, voters in Nevada County made a decision that would transform the future of their communities. With a vote of 636 to 163, residents approved the formation of the Nevada Irrigation District (NID). It was a pivotal moment that would bring Sierra Nevada water to the parched farms and ranches of the foothills.
     To some, it may have seemed like just another election. But for the families working the land, it marked the dawn of a new era; it was one not driven by gold or timber, but by the life-giving promise of water.
     The formation of NID brought more than just infrastructure. It sparked growth in the local ag industry, boosted the region’s economy, and launched a lasting legacy of resilience and resourcefulness. It was the beginning of a forward-looking movement that helped create the vibrant communities we cherish today. Continue reading ...

Free! NID History Book: Delivering Water for Life

This history book was written to celebrate NID’s formation and the bold steps it took throughout a century to ensure water would be available to foothill communities. 

Download the entire book or individual chapters. Click here.

Attention kayakers, canoers, and paddleboarders: help protect our lakes and rivers from invasive mussels

You’ve likely been hearing about the highly invasive golden mussel that is threatening lakes across California. But don’t forget — quagga and zebra mussels (QZ) remain a serious and growing threat to California’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
     These aquatic invaders wreak havoc on eco-systems, clog vital water infrastructure, and can cost millions in damage control and maintenance.
     NID is calling on all non-motorized watercraft users -- kayakers, canoers, paddleboarders -- to take simple but vital actions to prevent their spread. Continue reading ...

Bowman Lake Precipitation for the rainfall year season. How much?

NID has been keeping weather records for Bowman Reservoir (elevation 5,650 ft.) since 1929. The 69.2-inch annual average precipitation at Bowman compares to an annual average of 56 inches at 2,700 feet near Nevada City and 52 inches at 2,400 feet in Grass Valley.

Click here to see the full-size chart.

NID’s total reservoir storage is 106% of average

Total reservoir storage was 221,161 acre-feet as of Aug. 13, 2025. That is 82 percent of capacity and
106 percent of an 11-year average.

Reservoirs include: Jackson Meadows, Jackson, French, Faucherie, Sawmill, Bowman, and Canyon Creek, as well as Scotts Flat and Rollins.

Click here to see the full-size chart.

Project Updates - Engineering, Hydropower and Operations

The NID Engineering and Hydropower department has a number of projects in various phases of construc-tion. Project Status Reports provide project information, planner information, and a brief project description. The latest July 31 report features more than 60 projects. Engineering & Hydroelectric Project Status Updates

Combie and Ophir II & III Siphon Replacement:

Project Description: Design and construction of 853 linear feet (lf) of pipeline to replace Orr Creek siphon, 3,292 lf of pipeline to replace Dry Creek siphon and 1,392 lf of pipeline to replace Rock Creek siphon. All siphons require crossing of various creeks, Hwy 49, and hospital property, requir-ing extensive permitting and CEQA.

Continue reading ...

Meetings & Events

• Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 - NID Main Office, Grass Valley
• Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 - NID Main Office, Grass Valley