City of Reno officials are exploring ways to improve water quality at Virginia Lake due to the lake’s ongoing poor condition. Potential solutions include the use of algaecides and the construction of wetlands. A city staff memo notes that the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection listed the lake “as impaired for recreation involving contact with the water, aquatic life, and the propagation of wildlife.”
The listing is a lower priority compared with other water bodies and comes after years of water quality problems at the lake, including toxic algal blooms and high nutrient concentrations. Recent water quality monitoring shows the lake meets some standards in late spring but fails to meet others by mid-summer, particularly for recreation involving contact with water.
“By mid-summer, various water quality standards were not met,” the staff report notes.
City staff said they are considering algaecides and constructed wetlands. Construction in 2020 was estimated to cost $3 million, a figure that is expected to be higher now.
“If viable, algaecides and nutrient-locking chemicals would be applied multiple times per year as needed, depending on yearly climatic, hydrologic and biologic conditions of the lake,” the memo notes. The city plans to conduct a pilot study for seasonal algal bloom mitigation in summer 2025, following public outreach in spring 2025.
Construction of in-lake wetlands would filter nutrients, coupled with a jet pump circulation system to increase water movement.
“Further evaluation is needed to determine potential impacts to aquatic and avian wildlife, impacts to downstream water rights users, appropriate application schedules, required permitting and public noticing,” staff noted.
Virginia Lake’s water quality issues stem from various sources, including storm drain systems, waterfowl and nutrients from surrounding areas.
Source: City of Reno
