Stay up to date on Marin Water’s proposal to raise the Nicasio Reservoir.

The NLOA has created this page to help our community better understand and respond to the proposed changes to the Nicasio reservoir. Scroll down for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • 5/16: MMWD agrees to push back deadline for feedback from June 4th to August 4th!

  • 5/27: Because of our collective efforts, MMWD requests additional funding to study “upstream effects” off the proposed project (“staff have identified the need to conduct detailed hydrological analysis to the upstream reaches of the reservoir into Nicasio and Halleck Creeks.”)

IN THE NEWS

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday 22nd and 27th: As part of the environmental review process, Marin Water is holding two public scoping meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the project and provide public comments. The information presented will be the same for both meetings.

What is
Marin Water Proposing?

Description from Marin Water:

“Nicasio Reservoir was created by the construction of Seeger Dam, an earthen filled dam on Nicasio Creek in 1960. The reservoir's current storage capacity is 22,340 acre-feet. This project would install a 280-foot-long, 4.4-foot-high inflatable rubber gate spanning the width of the existing spillway crest of Seeger Dam to increase the capacity at Nicasio Reservoir by approximately 3,700 acre-feet. Modifying Nicasio Reservoir’s spillway is one of the near-term storage enlargement projects identified in the District's Water Supply Roadmap.”

> Link to the Notice of Preparation (NOP)

> Link to Marin Water Supply Roadmap

> Link to Marin Water Board meeting agenda page (see videos of past Board member discussion about the Nicasio Project and watch upcoming Board meetings on zoom)

> Link to MMWD project page

Our Position

We understand that Marin Water’s intent is to increase the resilience of its water supplies, but this goal must be balanced with consideration of serious impacts that raising Nicasio Reservoir will have on our properties and community, especially in light of the flooding that currently occurs along Nicasio and Halleck Creeks.

Marin Water owns substantial acreage around Nicasio Reservoir. We support raising the level of the reservoir as long as: 

  1. Adverse effects are limited to Marin Water lands, 

  2. Current flooding related to the lack of appropriate creek maintenance by Marin Water is addressed, and 

  3. No harm is caused to adjacent private properties or upstream/downstream environmental resources.  

What you can do to help

1) Write a letter
to MMWD

2) Attend a meeting

2) Volunteer & donate
to help NLOA

Public Comment Period runs from April 30 until June 4, 2025 for citizen’s to voice their concerns regarding the proposed plan to raise the Nicasio Dam Spillway and level of the Nicasio Reservoir. Comments must be submitted before June 4, 5:00pm in one of the following ways:

  1. By email to: Click here to send an email directly to Marin Water

  2. Or by U.S. postal mail to:
    Marin Water
    Attention: Elysha Irish
    220 Nellen Ave.
    Corte Madera, CA 94925

Please consider attending in person on May 22nd , 6pm-8pm! We encourage carpooling if you can.

As part of the environmental review process, Marin Water is holding two public meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the project and provide public comments. The information presented will be the same for both meetings.

  • 1st scoping meeting: Thursday May 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
    Online: https://marinwater.zoom.us/j/84070451584  
    Dial-in Number: 1-669-444-9171  Webinar ID: 840 7045 1584  
       OR
    In person: Marin Water Board Room, 220 Nellen Ave. Corte Madera, CA 94925

If you’d like to get more involved, the NLOA has several initiatives that we’d love help with, including raising funds to help pay for professional & legal consultants that we are working with to help support our position.

> Email NLOA to get involved!