Walker Lake at highest elevation in a dozen years

Walker Lake has reached an elevation of 3,923 feet, its highest level since 2012 and a significant step in its historic recovery, according to the Walker Basin Conservancy.

Last year’s record winter fueled a 16-foot rise in the Lake’s level and was supported by water rights owned by the conservancy for the benefit of Walker Lake.

 “Last year’s winter was a tremendous outcome and just what Walker Lake needs,” said Conservancy CEO Peter Stanton as the group focuses on restoring Walker Lake’s fishery for the benefit of communities in the Walker Basin.

In addition to increased snowfall, during the last irrigation season the Walker Basin Conservancy and Walker River Irrigation District sent a record amount of water to Walker Lake. Recently finalized data shows that the partnership sent 34,023.7 acre-feet to Walker Lake, the equivalent of about 17,000 Olympic-size swimming pools or enough water to cover an average residential lot in water 25 miles deep. Stanton credits their market-based approach in dealing with over-allocated water resources, citing successful collaborations with 156 ranchers and farmers in the Walker Basin.

These positive outcomes and the enhanced condition of the lake have given rise to the revival of community events at Walker Lake, Stanton said.

Last summer saw the community-led Walker Lake Rehydration Celebration as well as kayak races hosted by Mineral County. This year, a new event, Walker Lake Days, is scheduled for June 29, featuring boat races, kayaking events, and activities on the shore.

“It’s wonderful to see a rising Walker Lake and the community events that are returning,” Stanton said. “We cannot be more excited about the prospects of reestablishing Walker Lake as a major fishery and the positive impacts that will have on the economies, culture, and recreation for local communities.”

The recent snowstorm that blanketed the Sierra Nevada further boosted local water supply, which transitioned from below average water content to just above the annual average.

The Walker River Basin was at 102 percent of median snow water equivalent on Thursday, reaching the median peak of 20.5 inches three weeks early. The Walker River feeds two reservoirs along it’s path including Bridgeport and Topaz.