Description
The McCarran Ranch Preserve was the Conservancy’s first restoration project on the lower Truckee River, and the work done there has become a model for how to fix the Truckee. As the natural communities recover at McCarran Ranch, it is becoming a unique destination in northern Nevada—a place of natural beauty and diversity for wildlife and people alike.
The Restoration Program
At McCarran Ranch Preserve, like along much of the Lower Truckee River, decades of damage, including severe channel incision due to straightening the river's channel as part of a 1960's flood control project, caused the groundwater to drop beyond the reach of riverside vegetation resulting in a loss of approximately 90% of the riparian forest and as much as 70% of bird species.
The goal of restoration on the lower river is to re-create a functioning ecosystem. A relatively small-scale pilot project at McCarran Ranch Preserve completed in 2003 allowed the Conservancy to test its restoration methods and practices. Based on the success of that work, large-scale restoration began at McCarran Ranch Preserve in 2006.
Restoration addresses the very foundation of the ecosystem by:
- Creating in-river habitat—riffles and pools—for trout and other fish and insects they and other animals feed on
- Rebuilding a meandering channel that allows the river to flow in a more natural pattern
- Reconnecting the river to its floodplain, potentially reducing flood damage in other, more developed areas
- Lowering the floodplain, slightly raising the river’s bottom, and narrowing its width to re-create conditions that can support native vegetation
- Restoring a native plant community that will help improve water quality by keeping the water cooler and filtering out excess nutrients
The restoration model developed at McCarran Ranch Preserve has shown success in attracting birds and fish and in supporting thriving native plant communities. In addition, it has been implemented at four other sites on the lower river: 102 Ranch, Lockwood, Mustang Ranch, and the Tracy Reach. An important part of restoration includes revegetation and maintenance.
Education
The Truckee's future lies with the people who depend on it. The Nature Conservancy's education and outreach program was launched in 2008 to reconnect the community with the river and share the importance of conservation for our well-being. Working with partners, we're able to connect with local students each year, highlighting the need for taking care of our precious resources, while introducing students to wetlands, riparian habitats, and restoration. If you're interested in getting involved with our educational program as a participating group or as a volunteer, please contact nevada@tnc.org for more information.
Volunteers
Volunteers play an important role in the ongoing work at McCarran Ranch, as well as other sites on the Truckee River and across the state. If you're interested in joining our committed team of volunteers and being a part of this exciting work, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Martin Swinehart at 775-224-9158 or nvfovolunteer@tnc.org.