Nevada ID - E. George, Banner Mountain

Nevada ID - E. George, Banner Mountain Drinking Water Report Info
History NID's first executive meeting, Aug. 15, 1921, Then and Now In 1917, Munson B. "Bert" Church and his wife, Kate, drove their cattle from parched dry pasture in western Nevada County eastward and up to the green mountain meadows of the Sierra Nevada. On this cattle drive, Bert and Kate first envisioned a water system where the tumbling and rich waters of the high mountains could be carried to the fertile yet dry homesteads and ranches of the Sierra lower regions. Before long, the Churches joined with other Nevada County residents to pursue this dream. The Nevada County Farm Bureau and visionary leaders, for example, Aubrey L. Wisker, Herman Graser and Guy N. Robinson Jr. set out to convince Nevada County residents and voters they should shape their very own water system district. Groundbreaking, Rollins Reservoir, 1963 Building a Better Community These men knew that a reliable, year-round water supply was a key to building a better network…. They envisioned a true partnership of people, land and water. Through the early 1900s, a significant number of the old reservoir and trench systems worked during the California Gold Rush had become under-utilized and were falling into disrepair. Network leaders were determined to acquire these invaluable assets, make improvements, and recreate them as the backbone of a new open water system. From 1917-1921, engineering studies were completed, new water rights were negotiated and a nearby battle was mounted to fabricate support for this dream of a new water system district. Building Scotts Flat Dam, 1964 NID is Formed by Voters On March 15, 1921, nearby organizers presented petitions conveying 800 signatures of water system district supporters to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors. On August 5, 1921, an open election was held with voters supporting the new district by an edge of 536-163. Nevada County Supervisors authorized the new district and 10 days following the election, on August 15, 1921, NID was officially formed. The district's first executive meeting was held that day in Grass Valley's Bret Harte Hotel. Placer County Joins in 1926 At its development, NID included 202,000 acres in Nevada County. Five years later, in 1926, residents of Placer County chose to join the district and another 66,500 acres were added. Today, NID includes more than 287,000 acres. Following its development, the district achieved rapid progress in laying the preparation for the new open water system. During the 1920s, numerous significant water rights were obtained, key water rights the district retains right up 'til today. The securing of land to store and deliver water was a very significant step in the district's development. Water system Water: 10 Cents per Day NID began to deliver water system water to nearby ranches in 1927. At that time, water system water was priced at around 10 cents per day. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, it had become apparent that the future would acquire more demand for water NID service areas. Demand for NID water was beginning to change from trench water to piped and treated drinking water. At the same time, California was embracing the development of hydroelectric power to meet the state's developing energy needs. NID Builds Yuba-Bear Project District leaders once again took their battle to the electorate and in a 1962 election, 97 percent of NID voters supported a $65 million security issue to develop the Yuba-Bear River Power Project. The significant project, completed from 1963-66, remains a very significant milestone in NID history. It brought power generation ability, however, new reservoirs and channel systems and, most importantly, created an extra 145,000 acre-feet of water storage for district residents. Never again would lower region reservoirs run dry in the long blistering summers. Bert and Kate Church would be glad. Today, as NID has developed and matured into a multi-faceted water and power agency, the district continues to take great pride in its Gold Rush roots and significant place in California water history..