11,200 years ago - First record of human settlement in the Carson River basin.
Pre-1800s
Before the white man’s arrival, the Washoe people inhabited the upper watershed region and the Northern Paiute people lived in the lower watershed.
1844
John C. Fremont and his expedition guide, Kit Carson, come upon the Carson River in Lahontan Valley.1850
1860's - Comstock Mining Boom
Silver and Gold are discovered in Nevada.
1864
Nevada becomes the battleborn state and Carson City is designated the capital.
1869
Construction begins on the Sutro Tunnel.
1869
First section of V&T Railroad constructed.
1873
Marlette Water System created to provide water for Virgnia City, Gold Hill, and Silver City, and is still a major source of water to these communities.
1900
1903 - 1914
Construction of Lahontan Dam and Truckee Canal, known as the Newlands Project, the first US Bureau of Reclamation project.1925
Alpine Decree initiated; 55 year water rights litigation ensues.
1937 - Major flooding occurs
East Fork near Carson Valley flows at 12,000 cfs and Cradlebaugh bridge under 18 inches of water.
1949
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge established in the Lahontan Valley.
1950
1955 - Major flooding occurs
East Fork near Carson Valley flows at 16,700 cfs.
1959
Carson Water Subconservancy District forms as part of the Federal Washoe Project.1968
Tahoe Basin treated wastewater exported to Alpine and Douglas counties.
1972
Federal EPA Clean Water Act becomes law.
1975
1977 - Drought year of record. 42,278 acre feet of water measured at Carson river system.
1980
Alpine Decree signed, water rights litigation resolved.
1983 - Wettest Year on Record
825,323 acre feet of water measured at Carson City in the river system, nearly 20 times more than in 1977.
1986
Friends of Hope Valley forms in response to proposed development.1989
The Nevada Legistlature changes the function of CWSD to conduct regional watershed planning.
1990
Carson River Mercury Site listed as a Superfund Site by EPA.1992
The Carson River placed on the Clean Water Act’s 303(d) List of Impaired Waters.
1997 - Most severe and extensive flood on record
East Fork flows at 20,000 cfs.1998 - Carson River Coalition forms
2000
2000
CRC develops the Vision and 11 Guiding Principles.
2003
CWSD appointed the Clean Water Act Section 208 planning agency.
2007 - The Carson River Watershed Adaptive Stewardship Plan adopted by CWSD
2008
Regional Floodplain Management Plan adopted by CWSD and all five counties along the river.
2013
Bison Fire started by lightning on western slope of the Pine Nut Range in Douglas County, burning 24,136 acres.2014
Alluvial fan flash flooding occurs in Douglas County and Carson City after severe summer thunderstorms.
2015 - Washington Fire
Large wildfire in Alpine County along East Fork Carson River.
Brenda Hunt Speaks at the 20-Year CRC Celebration
2018: 20-Year Carson River Coalition Celebration
On June 22, 2018, more than 100 Carson River Coalition (CRC) partners converged on The Nature Conservancy’s River Fork Ranch in Minden, Nevada to celebrate the CRC’s 20th anniversary. The confluence of the Carson River’s East and West Forks symbolized CRC partners coming together from all corners of the watershed to celebrate 20 years of collaboration.