Written by: Semaj Thompson, SPK Water Resources Planner, Nevada Silver Jackets for the BUZZ Newsletter
Nevada's high-desert basins, sweeping valleys, and rugged mountain ranges present a beautiful but formidable landscape. This diverse geography makes the state uniquely vulnerable to severe aridity, extreme drought, and intense weather during El Niño patterns to sudden seasonal flash floods and post-fire hydrological hazards. In rapidly changing climates, local water managers and emergency responders require constant access to the latest predictive tools and training. Yet, for many smaller or rural Nevada municipalities, the cost of sending staff to specialized conferences and accessing high-level technical training can be prohibitive.
To bridge this gap, the Nevada Silver Jackets team—a collaborative interagency partnership led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District (SPK) and the Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR)—launched the Nevada Flood Education with Innovative Technologies Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) project. Wrapping up in early FY27, this multi-pronged project spent 2026 delivering a comprehensive suite of technical summits, virtual workshops, school programs, and interactive public outreach. This project combined cutting-edge modeling with grassroots community education to promote proactive, state-wide flood readiness.
Nevada Watershed University (WU) Summit:
Hosted as a free hybrid event on April 23, 2026. The Nevada Watershed University Summit drew 11 in-person and over 30 virtual attendees, offering Continuing Education Credits (CECs) to floodplain managers and emergency personnel.
Focused on Innovative Technology in Floodplain Management, the summit’s dual tracks delivered cutting-edge technical insights on Modern Flood Mapping, and Responsible AI Adoption.
The Summer "Hot Topics" Webinar Series
In summer 2026, the Nevada Silver Jackets team launched a four-part virtual Summer “Hot Topics” Webinar Series under the Watershed University program. The series brought together local, state, and federal experts to discuss hot topics in the water resources world. Support for the initiative was provided by USACE, Sacramento District.
The webinars addressed four essential topics: Emergency Response in Nevada 101, Nevada Weather 101, Flood Insurance 101, and Community Rating System (CRS) 101. Each session provided foundational knowledge and practical guidance designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of emergency management processes, weather impacts on water resources, flood insurance programs, and strategies for improving community CRS ratings.
Offered at no cost and approved for continuing education credits, the webinar series reinforced the importance of accessible knowledge sharing as a cornerstone of effective interagency collaboration. Through this effort, the Nevada Silver Jackets successfully expanded Watershed University’s reach while equipping water resource professionals with the tools and information necessary to enhance preparedness, resilience, and coordination across the state.
Grassroots Impact: Classroom and Trail Outreach
To cultivate a long-term culture of safety, the Silver Jackets team took flood education directly to the public through classroom and outdoor trail programs.
At the Sparks Water Palooza (May 29, 2026) USACE, Sacramento District team members partnered with NDWR and local agencies at Risley Elementary School in Sparks, NV. Engaging more than 130 K-6th grade students, the team used interactive EnviroScape and physical Flood Table models to teach children watershed mechanics, pollution prevention, and critical flash-flood safety protocols, like always wearing a life jacket in the water.
During the Carson River Highwater Mark Bike Tour (August 15, 2026) flood history was brought to life. The CWSD and Silver Jackets partners organized a scenic 3.3-mile ride starting from Morgan Mill Park in Carson City, NV. The tour highlighted physical highwater mark signs collaboratively installed by the team in 2024. Families and local residents rode along the river, stopping at ten agency-hosted educational booths where USACE, Sacramento District team members ran interactive watershed models to promote flood preparedness.
Through these engaging outreach efforts, the Silver Jackets continue to build flood-aware communities by connecting directly with students, families, and residents in meaningful and memorable ways.
