Truckee Meadows: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 39°27′N 119°45′W / 39.45°N 119.75°W / 39.45; -119.75
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
→‎Location: Added convert template
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Valley in Nevada, US}}
[[File:Truckee Meadows Nevada.jpg|thumb|The Truckee Meadows as seen from the base of the Virginia Highlands looking North toward Rattlesnake Mountain|300x300px]]
{{Infobox valley
The '''Truckee Meadows''' is a valley in Northern [[Nevada]], named for the [[Truckee River]], which collects and drains all water in the valley. Truckee Meadows is also colloquially used as a name for the [[Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area|Reno–Tahoe-Fernley CSA area]], even though the metro area includes areas outside this valley.
| name = Truckee Meadows
| other_name =
| native_name =
| translation =
| photo =
| photo_caption =
<!-- MAP -->
| map =
| map_image =
| map_caption =
<!-- Location -->
| location =
| country = United States
| region =
| state = Nevada
| district =
| city =
| relief =
| label =
| label_position =
| coordinates = {{coord|39.45|-119.75|type:landmark_region:US-NV_din:5000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref =
<!-- Statistics -->
| elevation =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| elevation_ref =
| length =
| length_mi =
| length_km =
| length_orientation =
| length_note =
| width =
| width_mi =
| width_km =
| width_orientation =
| width_note =
| area =
| area_mi2 =
| area_km2 =
| depth =
| depth_ft =
| depth_m =
| type =
| age =
| border =
| topo =
| traversed =
| river =
<!-- Below -->
| footnotes =
| embed =
}}
[[File:Truckee Meadows Nevada.jpg|thumb|The Truckee Meadows as seen from the base of the Virginia Highlands looking North toward Rattlesnake Mountain]]

The '''Truckee Meadows''' is a valley in Northern [[Nevada]], named for the [[Truckee River]], which collects and drains all water in the valley. Truckee Meadows is also colloquially used as a name for the [[Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area|Reno–Sparks metropolitan area]], even though the metro area includes areas outside this valley. The name for the valley in the [[Washo language]] is Welganuk.<ref>Washoe Tribe History (2009). Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. p. 41. Accessed 2022-12-31. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5251066.pdf</ref>


==Location==
==Location==
Per the [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], The Truckee Meadows is one of a series a north-south trending basins bounded by the [[Sierra Nevada (US)|Sierra Nevada]] on the western edge of the [[Great Basin]]. The Truckee Meadows covers approximately {{convert|94 |sqmi}} in western Nevada. It is bounded on the west by the [[Carson Range]], on the east by the [[Virginia Range]] and [[Pine Nut Mountains]], on the south by the [[Steamboat hills]], and by [[Peavine Peak]] to the north.<ref name=":1" /> [[Steamboat Creek (Nevada)|Steamboat Creek]] is the main tributary supplying the Truckee River through the Truckee Meadows. Steamboat Creek, flows northward into Steamboat Valley. Steamboat Valley is considered part of the Truckee Meadows. The Spanish Springs Valley drains into the Truckee Meadows area from the north.<ref name=":0" />
Per the [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], The Truckee Meadows is one of a series a north-south trending basins bounded by the [[Sierra Nevada]] on the western edge of the [[Great Basin]]. The Truckee Meadows covers approximately {{convert|94 |sqmi}} in western Nevada. It is bounded on the west by the [[Carson Range]], on the east by the [[Virginia Range]] and [[Pine Nut Mountains]], on the south by the [[Steamboat hills]], and by [[Peavine Peak]] to the north.<ref name=":1" /> [[Steamboat Creek (Nevada)|Steamboat Creek]] is the main tributary supplying the Truckee River through the Truckee Meadows. Steamboat Creek, flows northward into Steamboat Valley. Steamboat Valley is considered part of the Truckee Meadows. The Spanish Springs Valley drains into the Truckee Meadows area from the north.<ref name=":0" />


==Colloquial usage ==
==Colloquial usage ==
[[File:Steamboat Springs Nevada.jpg|thumb|[[Mustangs]] in the Truckee Meadows. Picture was taken just prior to this portion of the valley being developed with homes.]]
[[File:Steamboat Springs Nevada.jpg|thumb|[[Mustang]]s in the Truckee Meadows. Picture was taken just prior to this portion of the valley being developed with homes.]]

Truckee Meadows has been used interchangeably with the [[Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area|Reno metropolitan area]],<ref name=armycorpofengineers>{{cite journal |title = Decision Time in Truckee Meadows |publisher = [[Society of American Military Engineers]] |work = The Military Engineer |author = Jay Aldean, P.E., Duane Gapinski, P.E., M.SAME, and Jackie Borman, P.E. |access-date = January 22, 2018 |url = http://themilitaryengineer.com/index.php/tme-articles/tme-magazine-online/item/301-decision-time-in-truckee-meadows}}</ref> However, the metro area's official definition includes all of [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]] and [[Storey County]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/statecbsa.html |title = State-based Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Maps |publisher = [[U.S. Census Bureau]] |date = February 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2018}}</ref> Several Reno suburbs are located in separate valleys, including [[Lemmon Valley, Nevada|Lemmon Valley]], [[Golden Valley, Nevada|Golden Valley]], [[Sun Valley, Nevada]], [[Cold Springs, Washoe County, Nevada|Cold Springs]] valley and [[Washoe Valley (Nevada)|Washoe Valley]].
Truckee Meadows has been used interchangeably with the [[Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area|Reno metropolitan area]],<ref name=armycorpofengineers>{{cite journal |title = Decision Time in Truckee Meadows |publisher = [[Society of American Military Engineers]] |journal = The Military Engineer |author = Jay Aldean, P.E., Duane Gapinski, P.E., M.SAME, and Jackie Borman, P.E. |access-date = January 22, 2018 |url = http://themilitaryengineer.com/index.php/tme-articles/tme-magazine-online/item/301-decision-time-in-truckee-meadows}}</ref> However, the metro area's official definition includes all of [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]] and [[Storey County, Nevada|Storey County]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/statecbsa.html |title = State-based Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Maps |publisher = [[U.S. Census Bureau]] |date = February 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2018}}</ref> Several Reno suburbs are located in separate valleys, including [[Lemmon Valley, Nevada|Lemmon Valley]], [[Golden Valley, Nevada|Golden Valley]], [[Sun Valley, Nevada]], [[Cold Springs, Washoe County, Nevada|Cold Springs]] valley and [[Washoe Valley (Nevada)|Washoe Valley]].


==Flora==
==Flora==
Line 13: Line 70:


==History==
==History==
[[File:Damonte Ranch House.png|thumb|300x300px|[[Damonte Ranch]] House built 150 years ago which still stands today. The house is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]],]]
[[File:Damonte Ranch House.png|thumb|The house at [[Damonte Ranch]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]]]

1857 pioneer rancher [[Peleg Brown Ranch|Peleg Brown]], a Rhode Island native arrived in the Truckee Meadows with his brother, Joshua. The two brothers introduced alfalfa to the area and built their home ([[Damonte Ranch]] House) 150 years ago which still stands today. The house is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], which caused the Nevada Department of Transportation to divert the construction of [[Interstate 580 (Nevada)|Interstate 580]] and [[U.S. Route 395 in Nevada|U.S. Route 395]] freeway around the property to preserve the home and ranch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rgj.com/story/life/2014/08/09/damonte-ranch-house-marks-years/13773761/|title=Damonte Ranch House marks 150 years|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref>
In 1857, pioneer rancher [[Peleg Brown Ranch|Peleg Brown]], a Rhode Island native arrived in the Truckee Meadows with his brother, Joshua. The two brothers introduced alfalfa to the area and built their home ([[Damonte Ranch]] House) 150 years ago which still stands today. The house is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], which caused the Nevada Department of Transportation to divert the construction of [[Interstate 580 (Nevada)|Interstate 580]] and [[U.S. Route 395 in Nevada|U.S. Route 395]] freeway around the property to preserve the home and ranch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rgj.com/story/life/2014/08/09/damonte-ranch-house-marks-years/13773761/|title=Damonte Ranch House marks 150 years|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref>


==Geology==
==Geology==
The Truckee Meadows is a valley in western Nevada located within the western Great Basin. Named for the Truckee River, which flows through the valley from west to east, this area contains archaeological evidence of aboriginal human occupation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://members.peak.org/~obsidian/pdf/sibley_2013.pdf|title=PREHISTORIC OBSIDIAN USE IN THE TRUCKEE MEADOWS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ALONG THE SIERRAN FRONT|last=Sibley|first=Krisstin|date=2013-11-08|website=Members Peak|publisher=Department of Anthropology California State University, Sacramento|access-date=2016-09-01}}</ref>
The Truckee Meadows is a valley in western Nevada located within the western Great Basin. Named for the Truckee River, which flows through the valley from west to east, this area contains archaeological evidence of aboriginal human occupation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://members.peak.org/~obsidian/pdf/sibley_2013.pdf|title=PREHISTORIC OBSIDIAN USE IN THE TRUCKEE MEADOWS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ALONG THE SIERRAN FRONT|last=Sibley|first=Krisstin|date=2013-11-08|website=Members Peak|publisher=Department of Anthropology California State University, Sacramento|access-date=2016-09-01}}</ref>


The Truckee Formation, is the oldest deposit of the valley and yields very little water to wells. Most of the discharge of water is by [[evapotranspiration]] and by seepage to ditches and streams. Some water in the area is unsuitable for many uses because of its poor chemical quality. Water in the Steamboat Springs area is hot and has high concentrations of chloride and dissolved solids. Both water draining areas of bleached rock and ground water from areas of leached rock have high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved solids.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1779s/report.pdf|title=USGS|last=Cohen|first=Philip|date=September 1, 2016|website=Evaluation of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of Truckee Meadows area, Washoe County, Nevada|publisher=USGS Publications Warehouse|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref>
The Truckee Formation, is the oldest deposit of the valley and yields very little water to wells. Most of the discharge of water is by [[evapotranspiration]] and by seepage to ditches and streams. Some water in the area is unsuitable for many uses because of its poor chemical quality. Water in the Steamboat Springs area is hot and has high concentrations of chloride and dissolved solids. Both water draining areas of bleached rock and ground water from areas of leached rock have high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved solids.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1779s/report.pdf|title=USGS|last=Cohen|first=Philip|date=September 1, 2016|website=Evaluation of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of Truckee Meadows area, Washoe County, Nevada|publisher=USGS Publications Warehouse|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref>
Line 24: Line 82:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Valleys of Washoe County, Nevada]]
{{Coord missing|Nevada}}

[[Category:Landforms of Washoe County, Nevada]]
[[Category:Valleys of Nevada]]
[[Category:Valleys of Nevada]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 25 March 2024

Truckee Meadows
Geography
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
Coordinates39°27′N 119°45′W / 39.45°N 119.75°W / 39.45; -119.75
The Truckee Meadows as seen from the base of the Virginia Highlands looking North toward Rattlesnake Mountain

The Truckee Meadows is a valley in Northern Nevada, named for the Truckee River, which collects and drains all water in the valley. Truckee Meadows is also colloquially used as a name for the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area, even though the metro area includes areas outside this valley. The name for the valley in the Washo language is Welganuk.[1]

Location[edit]

Per the USGS, The Truckee Meadows is one of a series a north-south trending basins bounded by the Sierra Nevada on the western edge of the Great Basin. The Truckee Meadows covers approximately 94 square miles (240 km2) in western Nevada. It is bounded on the west by the Carson Range, on the east by the Virginia Range and Pine Nut Mountains, on the south by the Steamboat hills, and by Peavine Peak to the north.[2] Steamboat Creek is the main tributary supplying the Truckee River through the Truckee Meadows. Steamboat Creek, flows northward into Steamboat Valley. Steamboat Valley is considered part of the Truckee Meadows. The Spanish Springs Valley drains into the Truckee Meadows area from the north.[3]

Colloquial usage[edit]

Mustangs in the Truckee Meadows. Picture was taken just prior to this portion of the valley being developed with homes.

Truckee Meadows has been used interchangeably with the Reno metropolitan area,[4] However, the metro area's official definition includes all of Washoe County and Storey County.[5] Several Reno suburbs are located in separate valleys, including Lemmon Valley, Golden Valley, Sun Valley, Nevada, Cold Springs valley and Washoe Valley.

Flora[edit]

Along Steamboat Creek of the Truckee Meadow, the most common plants, include lush grasses like the Great Basin wild rye (Leymus cinereus) and tule (Scirpus sp.). Riparian vegetation of the meadow include black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), willow species (Salis sp.), and silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea). At elevated and better-drained valley margins grows the typical sagebrush-grass zone. Common plants in this habitat consisted of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate), rabbitbrush (chrysothamnus sp.), greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), horsebrush (Tetradymia glabrata), and spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa) Common bunch grasses included wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum), bluegrass (Poa sp.), Great Basin Wild rye (Elymus cinereaus), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), squirreltail (Sitanion hystrix), and needle and thread (Stipa comate).[2]

History[edit]

The house at Damonte Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

In 1857, pioneer rancher Peleg Brown, a Rhode Island native arrived in the Truckee Meadows with his brother, Joshua. The two brothers introduced alfalfa to the area and built their home (Damonte Ranch House) 150 years ago which still stands today. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which caused the Nevada Department of Transportation to divert the construction of Interstate 580 and U.S. Route 395 freeway around the property to preserve the home and ranch.[6]

Geology[edit]

The Truckee Meadows is a valley in western Nevada located within the western Great Basin. Named for the Truckee River, which flows through the valley from west to east, this area contains archaeological evidence of aboriginal human occupation.[2]

The Truckee Formation, is the oldest deposit of the valley and yields very little water to wells. Most of the discharge of water is by evapotranspiration and by seepage to ditches and streams. Some water in the area is unsuitable for many uses because of its poor chemical quality. Water in the Steamboat Springs area is hot and has high concentrations of chloride and dissolved solids. Both water draining areas of bleached rock and ground water from areas of leached rock have high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved solids.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Washoe Tribe History (2009). Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. p. 41. Accessed 2022-12-31. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5251066.pdf
  2. ^ a b c Sibley, Krisstin (2013-11-08). "PREHISTORIC OBSIDIAN USE IN THE TRUCKEE MEADOWS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ALONG THE SIERRAN FRONT" (PDF). Members Peak. Department of Anthropology California State University, Sacramento. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  3. ^ a b Cohen, Philip (September 1, 2016). "USGS" (PDF). Evaluation of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of Truckee Meadows area, Washoe County, Nevada. USGS Publications Warehouse. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  4. ^ Jay Aldean, P.E., Duane Gapinski, P.E., M.SAME, and Jackie Borman, P.E. "Decision Time in Truckee Meadows". The Military Engineer. Society of American Military Engineers. Retrieved January 22, 2018.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "State-based Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Maps". U.S. Census Bureau. February 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Damonte Ranch House marks 150 years". Retrieved 2016-09-03.