The Centennial Water Supply Project would provide water to homes/farms in Nevada and Placer counties and offer a recreation area.
Using a site first identified by NID’s chief engineer in 1926, the proposed project extends upriver from just above Combie Reservoir for six miles to a point west of Colfax.
The reservoir would have an anticipated water depth of 255 feet and height of 275 feet. It would have a capacity of 110,000 acre-feet of water (an acre-foot of water equals about 326,000 gallons, or enough water to cover a football field 1-foot deep, and meets the annual indoor and outdoor needs of one to two households).
The proposed project would provide a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits, including flood control, water supply, recreation and wildlife habitat.
Specific environmental benefits will be:
- enhanced groundwater recharge
- flows from the reservoir for species protection
- enhanced carbon sequestration
- a six-mile-long firebreak
- an improvement in the overall health of the regional watershed
- enhanced water resources to support local food production
- cold water for downstream river systems
- increased habitat for local species
The lake will provide an opportunity for both a recreational activity and wildlife habitat.
Low-impact public recreational opportunities would include:
- pedestrian trails
- swimming
- kayaking
- 5 mph maximum speed on the reservoir
