Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. While many of us have been “wowed” by the Carson River flooding several times since March, including the most-recent May floods, the Carson City Stormwater Management Program’s website reminds us that past floods have been more severe.

“… The flooding event of New Year’s Eve 1997 represented the most recent significant flooding,” according to CCSMP. “On New Year’s Eve 1997, prolonged precipitation accompanied by an early snowmelt, and provoked by a warm-weather trend known as a ‘Pineapple Express,’ caused many rivers and creeks throughout Western Nevada watersheds to rise to 100-year flood levels, generating flooding in both rural and urban areas.

Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. “Damage to Carson City businesses, residences, and infrastructure was estimated to be roughly $5.3 million or 6 percent of the city’s annual budget. The Carson City Risk Management Office estimated that the flood of New Year’s Eve 1997 affected more than half of the City’s residents.”

Flooding is nothing new to the state capital’s residents.

“Although the flood of 1997 represented a recent large-scale disaster, it is not unprecedented within the history of Carson City,” according to CCSMP “City records dating back to 1851 indicate that nine events occurred up to 1900; both the Carson River and west side tributaries caused significant flooding to the city.

Morgan Mill FloodingThe picnic tables are under water. “During the 20th century, 19 flood events were recorded. The last major flood event occurred over New Year’s Eve in 2005. {It was} a 25-year event and caused {more than} $2 million dollars in damage to private and public facilities.”

Nearly 30 major floods have affected Carson City since its founding.

“Since the city was founded in 1851, … 29 major flood events have happened, one about every five to seven years. Two of the past flood events, 1955 and 1997, have been estimated to be the so-called 100-year flood, or base flood, and all other flood events were between the 10- and 50-year flood events.”

Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. The excellent stormwater website also provides sandbag-loading locations, as well as a video about how to properly fill a sandbag.

“There is a public sandbag filling location available at the Carson City Public Works Corporate Yard at 3505 Butti Way,” according to the website. “This self-serve site is available for public use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Empty sandbags are provided but remember to bring your own shovel to fill them. 

Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. Picnic tables are under water. “If additional sandbag filling locations become available during storms, information will be updated on this page.”

Watch this YouTube video on how to fill sandbags if you are unsure of how to properly fill them.

I’ve walked by the sandbag site many times in the rain and snow and there is almost always a car or truck there with people filling bags in periods when flooding occurs.

Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023. Morgan Mill FloodingMorgan Mill Boat Ramp was flooded again on May 24, 2023.