After weeks of waiting, the Federal Watermaster, who controls the flow of water out of Lake Tahoe and down the Truckee River, has begun to release Lake Tahoe water into the Truckee River, setting the stage for the late, but welcome start of summer rafting this week.

The delay in the rafting season has come as a result of the late winter and lingering snowpack, which kept downstream flows above the federally-regulated minimums required before water can be let out of Lake Tahoe. Until now, the Truckee has been a relative trickle, flowing at only 70cfs (cubic feet per second) at the dam. Sunday morning was the first bump of water flow, allowing another 20 cfs to flow out of Lake Tahoe, followed by another 20cfs on Monday, and 50 cfs on Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, the flow was at about 160cfs, which has allowed Tahoe City's rafting companies to begin operations.

"It's been a long wait, but we're very excited," commented Ryan Bell, of Mountain Air Sports/Truckee River Rafting, which operates at the Wye in Tahoe City.

Rafting on the Truckee River is a major summer attraction, bringing thousands of visitors every summer and creating a significant economic impact in the region. Mountain Air Sports employs some 70 people during peak season.