Category Archives: Nevada County Information

Grass Valley, nevada county fair, Nevada County Information, Real Estate

Nevada County Fairgrounds Country Christmas Faire Results

November 30, 2018 jd

Last weekend’s 34th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgroundswelcomed more than 8,000 visitors and 115 vendors, featured 45 gingerbread houses and 75 coloring entries, and hosted a canned food drive.

The 16 th Annual Gingerbread House Competition featured 45 entries. Of those entries, Best of Show ribbons and gift baskets donated by Tess’ Kitchen Store were awarded to Leeam Eaton, Owen Strolle, Johanna Pease, and Avery Lawson/Joanne Perilman. The People’s Choice/Best of Show Winner was Kathy Kinney, who received a gift basket from Tess’ and a cash prize.

First place winners in the Gingerbread House Competition include Charlie McCollum, Breck Lumbard, Emelina Lumbard, Christian Augustine, Lilah Black, Evie Black, Hazel Duran, Annabelle Husak, and Deacon McCollum (age 5 & under); Leeam Eaton (age 6-8); Finn Beckin (age 9 – 12); Jessa Jaskier (Kits); Owen Strolle (age 13-17); Kathy Kinney (age 18 -64);

Johanna Pease (Special Needs); S.S.J. Stalcup and Ramey Cousins (group – children); Avery Lawson/Joanne Perilman, and Margo Murphy (family); and Christie Harris (group – adult). At Sunday’s canned food drive, Interfaith Food Ministry collected more than 578 pounds of food for families in need.

In addition, the Clear Creek School Errand Elves raised funds for science camp; and Big Horse Works, who provided carriage rides at the Faire, donated more than $300 to those impacted by the Camp Fire.

The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found on the Fairgrounds’ website at NevadaCountyFair.com

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Hiking, History, History of Nevada County, Nevada County Information, Nevada County Parks, Pictures of Nevada County, Recreation, State Parks

Bridgeport Historic Ranch and Famous Covered Bridge, Nevada County, CA

March 9, 2017 jd

Bridge Port Bridge closed until repairs are completed. Photo by John J. ODell

By Judy Pinegar

Feb 26, 2017 –

It was a beautiful sunny/cloudy day in Nevada County. Having a bit of cabin fever due to all the rain, John and I set out for Bridgeport with Hershey, our beautiful, black, half Labrador dog.

Stopping first on the other side of the Yuba River, the sign said the walking trail(s) were closed, although we could see some people and sometimes dogs on the trail(s). But we had to pay the parking fee ($5.00), so we returned across the Yuba River to the main Park Site and Visitor Center. After paying (honor system) we proceeded to get a brochure and wander around the central area. The National and State registered Historic Landmark is the actual Bridgeport Covered Bridge, built in 1862 by David L Wood and the Virginia Turnpike Co. It was closed to walkers, or anyone, but restoration is expected. It is 229 feet long, making it the longest single span covered bridge in the entire United States!

Then on to the “family beach” now mostly covered by water as the river is very high this year! Several old pieces of mining equipment are around. We then visited the old garden spot, the visitors center, the gas station ($0.12 per gallon!), and then the Barn which contained a large collection of various carriages, and farming vehicles. The Visitor Center was quite interesting, containing some preserved wildlife from the area that Hershey did NOT like at all! (Think panicked barking, a wild animal is on the loose!) Also displayed were pictures of how high the river actually has risen in this area, way higher than this year for sure!!

Then we took the easy Visitors Center Trail, past Kneebone Cemetery, Kentucky Creek (that trail was flooded), and back to the main area. There were a few confusing signs about “where” and “where not” you could take your dog, but overall it was a nice day. However it was really getting cold, so we left for home, hoping to come back with more time to walk (lots of trails) an a little better weather!!

All and all, I recommend it as a really fantastic place to visit. See you on the trail! (Just look for Hershey)

For information South River State Park
Call (530) 432-2546

Nevada County Information

Federal Funding Available to Address Tree Mortality on Private Forestlands

November 10, 2016 jd

Dead trees killed by Bark Beetles. Picture by John J. O’Dell

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is expanding its initiative to assist private forestland owners in addressing tree mortality and other drought-related damage to improve forest health. NRCS will provide financial assistance for landowners with dead and dying conifer forest trees in certain counties. Removing dead tree debris and other woody material will also help reduce the spread of invasive pests and reduce the threat of wildfire.

“The dry conditions posed by California’s ongoing drought have increased the potential for devastating wildfires and insect-related tree mortality,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS California state conservationist. “In the upcoming year, NRCS will continue and expand our 2016 forest recovery efforts by initially allocating $4 million for tree mortality projects. We will also provide additional forestry staff to meet the overwhelming demand for assistance.”

Landowners with dead trees on non-industrial private conifer forestlands in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Tulare and Tuolumne counties may be eligible for financial assistance. Funding is available through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program here

The Forest Tree Mortality Initiative is focused on removing dead trees on larger, severely damaged, private forestlands. Interested applicants will need to develop a Forest Management Plan for their forestland property. The minimum size forestland property is one acre and at least 100 feet wide. An applicant with more than 20 percent of their conifer forestland property covered with dead trees will receive priority funding consideration. An approved NRCS Forest Management Plan for tree mortality will not include tree removal on lands within 100 feet from homes. Please contact your county’s tree mortality task force about opportunities for removing dead trees around homes. Approved conservation practices include treating or removing woody residue from dead or dying trees, thinning overstocked forest stands, and tree planting.

Suarez further explained that the Agency’s landscape restoration efforts are part of USDA’s Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture. “Our focus is to combine healthy forest practices with the need to sequester carbon and improve soil health,” he added.

Contact NRCS at:
Nevada County
Grass Valley Service Center
113 Presley Way Ste 1
Grass Valley, Ca 95945-5846
530.272.3417

Placer County
Auburn Service Center
11661 Blocker Drive, Suite 120
Auburn, CA 95603
530.885.6505

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Tree mortality in Nevada County

nevada county fair, Nevada County Information

Nevada County Fair Planned for August 12 – 16, 2015

July 30, 2015 jd

Tommie performing with Pokiejoe. Picture courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds

Fairgrounds confirms that Fair will take place as planned

The Nevada County Fairgrounds confirmed today that the Nevada County Fair will continue as planned on August 12 – 16.

While the Fairgrounds are currently being used for a command post and fire camp, the Fair team is busy behind the scenes preparing for its biggest event of the year – the Nevada County Fair.

“There have been rumors of the Fair’s cancellation, but that was never part of our plan,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “While we are happy to be able to assist our community and provide a place of rest for our heroic firefighters, we are still busy preparing for this year’s Fair, which opens in less than two weeks.”

To date, the Fair has received more than 7,000 entries for community exhibits, discounted tickets are being sold, and entries for special contests are being accepted.

Additionally, the Fair confirmed that Community Involvement Day – a day to donate items to non-profit organizations, while also receiving free tickets to the Fair – will take place in the Gate 1 parking lot on Monday, August 3. This year, the Nevada County Fairgrounds is teaming up with the Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions, Story Club, Nevada County 2-1-1, Sierra Harvest, NEO, and BloodSource for Community Involvement Day. These organizations will be set-up at the Fairgrounds Gate 1 parking lot on Monday, August 3, from 1 – 6 pm, to receive donations of items.

“The fire camp will still be on the grounds during Community Involvement Day, but we’re ready to host the event, which will cause little disruption to the fire camp,” said Callender.

While the Fair will take place as planned in two weeks, the grounds are currently closed to pedestrians and bicyclists; and RV camping is limited. The Fairgrounds will notify the community when these services are open again to the public.

The Main Office will continue to sell advanced sale Fair tickets, and continues to be open during normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

“On August 12, we will be ready to open our gates to the community and welcome them to the 2015 Nevada County Fair,” said Callender. “At that time, we’ll also take the time to celebrate our community and thank our firefighters for their efforts in keeping us all safe.”

For information about the Nevada County Fair, August 12 – 16, call 530-273-6217 or visit NevadaCountyFair.com.

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Community Events, Nevada County Information

Nevada County Fairgrounds Becomes a Command Post and Fire Camp for Cal Fire; Animal Evacuation Center

July 27, 2015 jd

July 27, 2015

Nevada County Fairgrounds Becomes a Command Post and Fire Camp for Cal Fire; Animal Evacuation Center — Lowell Hill Fire Photo by John J. O’Dell

Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds

(530) 273-6217; Rea@NevadaCountyFair.com

Due to the Lowell Fire, currently burning in Nevada and Placer counties, Cal Fire and assisting agencies have set up a command post and fire camp at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Additionally, the Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team has set up an evacuation center at the Fairgrounds for large and small animals.

Due to the large number of resources utilizing the fire camp, the Fairgrounds will be closed to walkers and bicyclists until further notice.

During the duration that the camp is set up, Gate 1 will be open to Fair employees and Fair business (those visiting the Fairgrounds’ administration office) only, Gate 4 will be open to campers, Gate 8 will be open for animal evacuation, and all other gates will be closed to the public and restricted to authorized fire personnel only.

These closures and restrictions do not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Additionally, limited RV camping will be available by contacting the Main Office.

During this time, the Nevada County Fairgrounds is also being used as an evacuation center for small and large animals. The Fairgrounds are open and equipped to handle large and small animals brought to the Fairgrounds. Several animals are already on the grounds, and the Fairgrounds will continue to receive and house animals as needed. Those with animals impacted by the fire, or those who need to remove animals to a safer location, are encouraged to use the Fairgrounds. If you need information or have questions regarding animal evacuations, contact Pat, Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (Animal Evac), at (530) 913-6506.

According to Mike Mohler, Public Information Officer with Cal Fire Incident Management Team 1, the fire camp, which was established on July 25, currently houses more than 700 individuals, as well as large equipment required to fight the fires.

For updated fire information and evacuation updates, contact the Cal Fire information line at (530) 823-4083 or visit Cal Fire’s website at www.fire.ca.gov.

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Environment, Nevada County Information

Coming to a Dying Tree Near You, Bark Beetles

April 6, 2015 jd

Picture courtesy of U.S. Forest Service — Chart courtesy of U.S. Forest Service

I remember in the seventy’s I had built a home for a client. He insisted that I build the front deck such that it wrapped around some large pine trees. We finished the house in the middle of a drought. Soon enough the bark beetles hit his trees and they died. We are back again with an explosive growth of bark beetles.

Local, state and federal officials are virtually helpless against the pestilence, which has turned hundreds of thousands of acres of forest brown and left huge fire-prone stands of dead wood.

The trees are being devoured by millions of native beetles, each about the size of a grain of rice. The insects, thriving in the warm weather and lack of freezing temperatures, are overwhelming the defenses of water-starved trees, attacking in waves and multiplying at a frenzied pace, depositing eggs under the bark that hatch into ravenous larval grubs.

Mountain pine beetle (photo: U.S. Forest Service)

“Things are looking really, really bad,” said Tom Smith, a forest pest management specialist for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Basically we’ve got native bark beetles that are attacking the pines. They are only successful in attacking the trees when the trees are stressed. Right now all the trees are stressed because of drought.”

The infected trees are on private and public lands, in national parks, wilderness areas and managed forests. There seems to be no solution short of removing the dead and dying trees and hoping against hope for rain and cold. The worst of it is in the southern part of the state, but pest management experts say the plague is moving north.

A healthy tree can usually beat back invading beetles by deploying chemical defenses and flooding them out with sticky resin. But just as dehydration makes humans weaker, heat and drought impede a tree’s ability to fight back—less water means less resin. In some areas of the Rocky Mountain West, the mid-2000s was the driest, hottest stretch in 800 years. From 2000 to 2012, bark beetles killed enough trees to cover the entire state of Colorado. “Insects reflect their environment,” explains renowned entomologist Ken Raffa—they serve as a barometer of vast changes taking place in an ecosystem.

Sheri Smith, the regional entomologist for the U.S. Forest Service in California, said bark beetle and drought-caused tree mortality more than doubled across forests in California last year and is expected to increase even more this year. The Forest Service mapped tree mortality across 820,000 acres of forested land in 2014 compared

with 350,000 acres in 2013, according to the service’s annual Aerial Detection Survey Program results. The results of this year’s surveys, which are just getting under way, are not expected until later in the year.

Bark beetle link to major wildfires put in doubt

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Community Events, Environment, Lakes in nevada county, Nevada County Information

NID Adopts Drought Plan; Calls for 20% Conservation

March 28, 2015 jd

Looking over Scott's Flat Reservoir Picture taken from my deck John J. O'Dell — Looking over Scott’s Flat Reservoir Picture taken from my deck John J. O’Dell

March 25, 2015

Directors of the Nevada Irrigation District on Wednesday (Mar. 25) adopted a series of drought measures that include limits on outdoor watering and a call for continued 20 percent reductions in water use by all district customers.

In a presentation to the NID Board of Directors, Water Operations Manager Chip Close recommended a package of conservation measures designed to meet requirements adopted Mar. 17 by the State Water Board and to ensure that NID has adequate carryover water storage going into next year in case the drought continues into a fifth year.

Urban Water Use

Drought measures in effect for users of piped, treated water include:

Outdoor watering no more than three days per week, with no watering during the heat of the day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
No watering until 48 hours after a rain.
No drinking water service in restaurants unless requested.
Hotel and motel guest option of not having towels and linens changed daily.
No water use that creates unnecessary runoff.
Use of shutoff nozzle on hoses.
No washing down of sidewalks
Fountains must recycle water

NID and other water purveyors are being required to provide the State Water Board with monthly reports on water use, conservation compliance and enforcement efforts.

Irrigation Water Use

Drought measures in effect for users of canal water include:

Voluntary reductions of 20 percent or more with mandatory reductions possible later in the year if conservation goals are not being met.
New and increased irrigation water sales are limited to the smallest amount of water necessary for the customer’s beneficial use.
All customers are encouraged to use efficient irrigation practices.
The irrigation season, which normally runs Apr. 15-Oct. 14, could be shortened this year depending on water availability.

In a water supply update, Water Resources Superintendent Sue Sindt said this year’s water outlook is slightly worse than last year. She said the mountain snowpack is only about 6 percent of average water content for this time of year and that seasonal runoff is anticipated to be only 20-25 percent of average.

Officials credited district customers with reducing water use by an overall 16.4 percent during the 2014 drought and said an equal level or more will be needed to get through this year.

Close said that continued conservation, tight measurement and controls on the canal system, and the purchase of an available 20,000-25,000 acre-feet of additional water from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company will help meet the district’s water supply needs for this year and next.

For drought information and helpful water efficiency advice, please see NID’s website atwww.nidwater.com. Water waste may be reported through an online form or by telephone, (530) 271-6799.

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Boating - Sailing, Fishing, History of Nevada County, Lakes in nevada county, Nevada County Information

Nevada Irrigation Districts Lakes and Canals have Unusal Titles

March 23, 2015 jd

Scotts Flat Reservoir. Picture taken from my deck. John J. O'Dell — Scotts Flat Reservoir. Picture taken from my deck. John J. O’Dell

How’s the water out there in Wiskey Diggins Canal? Was the Fiddler Green Canal titled after an early day musician? Did you ever wonder how the DSL Canal was named?

The names of water storage and distribution facilities throughout NID are colorful and unusual but, unfortunately, the origination of many of them has been lost through the years.

Many facilities are named for builders, such as Faucherie Reservoir, or for the geographic areas they serve, such as Bald Hill or Pet Hill canals.

Of course, many lakes and canals carry names that are rooted in the area’s rich mining history.

The DS Canal is the lowest elevation of the two NID canals crossed by Red Dog and Banner Lava Cap roads near Nevada City. It was built by NID in 1927-28 to carry water from Lower Scotts Flat into the Nevada City-Grass Valley area. The DS Canal follows the south side of Deer Creek, hence DS for Deer Creek South. If NID had followed through with an initial plan for a canal on the north side, we would today have the DN Canal.

How Scott Flat was named is unclear, but it is widely understood that it was due to the Scottish miners who lived and worked there in the 1850’s and 1860’s. Schools once stood near what is now the campground on the north side of the lake.

Rollins Reservoir was named for J.L. Rollins, manager of the Bear River Water and Power Co., the company from which NID acquired the land to build the reservoir.

NID’s first modern water treatment plan, the Elizabeth L. George plant on Banner Mountain, opened in 1969 and was named after the long time community leader who helped gain funding for its construction.

In the high country, Faucherie Reservoir, built prior to 1880, was named after a French engineer who worked for the Eureka Lake & Yuba Canal Co. “The French must have had a strong influence because French Lake, located upstream of Faucherie and constructed in 1857-59 was originally called Eureka Lake and later changed to French Lake,” wrote NID retiree Terry Mayfield who documented much of the district’ history during his 34 years with the district.

One of NID’s most historic canals is reputed to be the first mining canal in the state. The Rough & Ready Canal was begun in 1850 as the first effort to build a large-scale mining ditch in California.

According to the Thompson & West History of Nevada County, “a man named Moore commenced to dig one from Deer Creek above Nevada City to Rough and Ready. The magnitude of the undertaking astounded the miners and they thought Moore was a lunatic, but he persevered until he had completed one mile, and then abandoned the enterprise.”

Moore’s project was taken over by a company in 1851 and by 1854 the canal to Rough & Ready was complete. NID took over the canal in 1925 as part of a water system acquired from the old Excelsior Water & Power Co. Portions of the 13-mile-long Rough and Ready & Ready Canal remain in use today.

Source: Nevada Irrigation District newsletter Volume 35 Number 4 Winter 2014/2015

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NID: Weekend Storm Boosts Water Storage

Nevada County Information

State Drought Action Impacts Nevada Irrigation District Water Diversions

June 6, 2014 jd

Scott's Flat Lake. Picture taken from my deck. John O'Dell — Scott’s Flat Lake. Picture taken from my deck. John O’Dell

GRASS VALLEY – The water rights used by the Nevada Irrigation District to fill reservoirs and supply customers in Nevada and Placer counties are among those covered in the state’s May 27 curtailment order.

To address record dry conditions in California, the State Water Resources Control Board ordered some 2,600 agencies to stop diverting water from streams and rivers, including those on the Yuba River watershed.

NID Manager of Water Operations Chip Close said the district is reviewing its options. “This is another reminder of how serious the drought has become,” he said.

“Everyone has to conserve water. The governor has called for 20 percent water use reductions and we are asking our customers for the same.”

The state’s order includes 19 of NID’s post-1914 water rights, which are also referred as “junior” water rights. NID also holds multiple pre-1914 “senior” water rights, some of which date to the Gold Rush and are among the oldest in the state.

The state’s order does not impact pre-1914 water rights but includes a warning that these rights could be affected if the serious drought conditions continue. The order is effective until drought conditions ease.

Close said that considering the length and severity of the drought, NID is relatively well-prepared.

“We had an early runoff from the snowpack this year so the water is already in our reservoirs,” he said. “Under the state’s order, we’ll have to let any additional runoff run through our system.”

State officials said the action is necessary because current water supplies are insufficient to meet the needs of Sacramento and San Joaquin river water right holders. Affected agencies must certify that they are in compliance or face fines of $1,000 per day. The order allows some exceptions for health and safety purposes.

Close said NID has been carefully managing runoff as dry conditions have continued, leaving district reservoirs at near-average levels for this time of year. The district remains concerned over carryover storage for next year, he said.

Source: Nevada Irrigation District

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Nevada County Information

Nevada County Scotch Broom Challenge 2014 Volunteers Wanted

March 6, 2014 jd

Bring your family and friends, pick a site and participate in one of Nevada County's most fun and satisfying challenges. — Bring your family and friends, pick a site and participate in one of Nevada County‘s most fun and satisfying challenges.

The Scotch Broom Challenge was created in 2007 to address the spread of this highly flammable and invasive plant in our community. The Scotch Broom Challenge started with just a few sites in Nevada County. In the spring of 2013 over 300 volunteers took the Scotch Broom Challenge and pulled broom at 24 sites throughout Nevada County and Placer County.

Local groups and agencies are once again teaming up and taking the Scotch Broom Challenge. We hope to educate and get people motivated in the region to combat this highly flammable invasive weed. Scotch Broom Challenge pulls are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No experience is needed. Equipment and supplies are provided. All ages and abilities welcome. Sign up online at Scotch Broom Challenge Sign Up or call the Fire Safe Council at 530-272-1122

Hell’s Half Acre Scotch Broom Challenge

Saturday, March 8, 2014 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Work continues at the Hell’s Half Acre site adjacent to and also on the Twin Cities Church property. Major progress has been made and a new area will be addressed to the West of previous work. Please join us for a day of meeting new people or seeing friends while helping to make our community fire safe. This project site is sponsored by the Twin Cities Church & FSCNC. The project site coordinator is Joanne Drummond. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online online or by calling 530-272-1122.

Champion Mine Road & NID Ditch Trail Scotch Broom Challenge

Saturday, March 8, 2014 & Sunday, March 9, 2014 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Work continues along Champion Mine Road sponsored by the Greater Champion Mine Neighborhood Association. The Scotch Broom Challenge pull at this site is on Saturday and Sunday. This project site is sponsored by Greater Champion Neighborhood Association and Co-sponsored by Nevada County Walkers, Bicyclists of Nevada County & Forest Trails Alliance. The site coordinator is Frances Jorgensen. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.

Meadow Vista Scotch Broom Challenge

Saturday, March 15, 2014 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Placer Hills/Sugar Pine Roads. This site is on undeveloped land to the South/East of Placer Hills & Sugar Pine intersections. Site coordinator is Michelle Hamil. To volunteer on this site or any other site please, register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122.

Sages Road Scotch Broom Challenge

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Work continues along Sages Road in North San Juan to remove the Scotch Broom. This site is sponsored and coordinated by Rusty & Joann Fites Kaufman. To volunteer on this site or any other site, please register with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County by either registering online or by calling 530-272-1122
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