RENO, Nev. (AP) — State officials are downgrading a flood warning to homes and businesses in an area south of Reno a day after saying people should be prepared to evacuate if a 155-year-old earthen dam forming Little Washoe Lake fails.
Nevada Division of Water Resources spokeswoman JoAnn Kittrell said Tuesday that repairs had reduced the potential for a dam failure that would send flood water into Steamboat Creek and Steamboat Ditch.
She says officials now are working on a more permanent fix.
Washoe County Emergency Management warned Monday that seepage was found during a routine inspection of the dam that forms Little Washoe Lake and Washoe Lake.
Kittrell says the structure was built in 1863.
Officials say a failure could send water into the Pleasant Valley area.