The Truckee River is flowing at 500 cubic feet per second at the state line. That is the minimum required by law for people with water rights to get their allocations. The flows might seem low but officials say they are where they should be for this time of the year.
"Sometimes we do have extra water on top of these flows, fish water that will add to it and give us some extra flow," Chad Blanchard, U.S. District Court Water Master said.
That additional water is meant to help endangered fish species in Pyramid Lake. During the spring, flows are often higher because streams, snowmelt and rain add to the natural flows. It is normal for flows to be where they are at this point in July but that is expected to drop off after a few weeks. That is because Lake Tahoe level is dropping closer to its natural rim, so less water can flow into the river. Boca Reservoir is also getting too low to help keep flows up.
"We are going to run out of storage unless we get a lot of rain sometime in mid-August," Blanchard said. "So at that point, you'll see a dramatic decrease in the flows through town."
370 cfs is flowing out of the Tahoe City Dam. Once it reaches its natural rim and Boca gets too low, there could be as little as 130 cfs flowing at the state line. Once that happens, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Truckee Meadows Water Authority are the priorities for water rights.
The river is still high enough for people to enjoy. You can find people swimming in areas like Wingfield Park in Reno and Rock Park in Sparks.
"We're hanging with friends and the water's like, you get used to it but it's cold at first," Addie Mynatt, 10-year-old said.
Lots of people hop on rafts and tubes at Mayberry Park in west Reno and float into town.
"Earlier in the year is definitely more fun because you can go over more rapids," Jake Brown, Reno resident said. "Later in the year, like a week ago, hit a couple rocks but it's not too bad. I'm still a good time for sure."
Residents are used to fluctuations in water flows. Many make recreational plans on the Truckee River throughout each summer.
"I think it's on the low end," Matt Dickens, Reno resident said. "I'd love to see more flow but it is what it is and you can still, good fishing, good tubing, good kayaking and perfect opportunity to take advantage of it."
There are some lower areas of the river where people might hit the river bed but tubers say it is nothing they can't overcome.
"Usually, you don't have to get out," Scott Lambert, Reno resident said. "Just do the boot scoot, you know, and move through the low water areas."
"I would say last year was way better because you could hit more rapids because the water level was a little bit higher," Brown said. "This year is more of just a booze cruise than anything. It's just fun."
Many people like to cast a line out on the river or go fly-fishing. As river levels drop and temperatures remain high, people are encouraged to fish in the morning when it is 67 degrees or below. Especially, people who catch and release.
"The warmer temperatures and those lower waters really stress the fish and if you catch them in those conditions, it could stress them out so much that they actually die after you release them," Ashley Sanchez, Public Information Officer for Nevada Department of Wildlife said.
Other options include fishing at some of Nevada's alpine lakes.
The upcoming decrease in water flows could have an impact on the fish. If the flows get too low, some could die.
"In 2016, we saw the same thing happen," Sanchez said. "We did have a large die-off but the fish came back. The populations were stronger than ever. They're resilient."
People are still encouraged to fish. Sanchez says that helps keep the fish populations at a healthy number.
