Flooding along the river banks has begun to be visibly obvious and sections of the river are now rising up over the bike trail between Tahoe City and River Ranch.

Albeit minor compared to the disastrous flooding in other parts of the country, local businesses and residents are concerned about the river level and the associated impacts over the coming holiday weekend.

Photos: Kurt Althof

The Truckee river was looking more like a portion of the Colorado river along Highway 89 from Tahoe City to Truckee on Tuesday. Large logs and debris that had been sitting along the riverbanks were seen floating at high rates of speed down the river, and waters raged past rocks, trees and bridges. At River Ranch, people gathered to look at the roaring river as it passed the popular restaurant.

"Its really crankin' now," commented one River Ranch staff member. "I hope they can drop it back down for the big weekend."

The effects could be seen immediately along the river banks, as the water began to flow up on brush and trees. At River Ranch, where the river begins to run stronger, the rapids went from tame to more challenging. Rafters leaving Tahoe City had a shorter and more active ride as the speed of the water increased.

"The ride was great," commented a visitor from Louisiana upon arrival at River Ranch. "The rapids at the end were a blast."

As of June 14, 2006 Lake Tahoe's elevation above sea level is 6,228.90 feet, a little over two tenths of a foot from "the top", 6229.1 feet, as defined by Federal court order. Many are wondering what will happen when it gets there. A week ago, the Federal Watermaster opened part of two more gates at the Truckee River dam, taking the flow from a mere 'trickle' at 60 cubic feet per second (cfs), to 300cfs, and triggering the start of rafting season on the Truckee River.

What's the problem? On May 15 the lake was at 6,228.02 feet. When it reaches 6,229.1, more of the 17 gates at the dam in Tahoe City will have to be opened; so says a federal law. Only one gate has been open for many months. Conditions in the next month or so could dictate that up to all 17 are opened wide.

The first Miracle March was 15 years ago. At the peak of the most severe drought since the Dust Bowl, heavy snowfall in March 1991 saved the Tahoe-Truckee region from setting a record for the driest winter ever. It was tough going here in February 1991. The lake was at its lowest level in history, and the snow pack was down to 19% of normal. Needless to say, ski conditions were terrible. Retail sales at Tahoe ski shops plummeted 33% from the year before, lodging fell 40%, and worst of all, unemployment was up 145% of "normal."

Anna Klovstad is the Project Manager. The floor plan of the new schools will have classic lines with a long, wide corridor heading east-west and classrooms off both sides of the hallway. In the middle of the building, between the Middle and High Schools, there will be another hallway leading north-south. It will lead to the central core of the old schools, including the library, auditorium, eating areas, and both gyms. The portions of the old schools that are to be kept will be upgraded and modernized to match the new schools.