This is the earliest record of flooding in Carson Valley since Genoa was established in 1851 by European settlers. On December 24, a heavy wet snow storm lasting 2 days resulted in 3 feet of snow on the valley floor, with substantially more at higher elevations. On the third day of the storm, the snow turned to warm rain, which continued for 4 days. The rain completely melted the snow and caused Carson Valley to become inundated with floodwaters by December 30. Even though the flooding was extensive, little damage occurred because the settlements were located away from the low areas of the valley.
Meteorological:
Type of event: snow/rain-on-snow
Description:
No recorded precipitation is available. Information is anecdotal. Storm brought heavy, wet snow lasting 2 days and resulting in 3 feet accumulation on the valley floor (substantially more in the higher elevations). This was followed by 4 days of warm rains resulting in flooding on December 30, 1852 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1973).
References:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1973, Water and related Land Resources, Central Lahontan Basin, Carson River Subbasin, Nevada and California, Special Report: History of Flooding, Carson Valley and Carson City Watershed, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Minden, NV.
Hydrologic Data:
No Hydrologic Data available.
Photos:
No Photos Available.
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