Marlette Lake
Courtesy
The Nevada Division of State Parks announced trail closures in the Spooner Lake backcountry area due to multimillion-dollar repairs on the historic Marlette Dam — a project designed to shore up the dam’s ability to withstand seismic activity.
The closures took effect March 31 and will last through 2026, according to a news release from the Division of State Parks.
“As part of this essential infrastructure project, Marlette Lake will be drained and closed to all visitors for the duration of the repairs,” state officials said.
Closed trails include:
• North Canyon Road
• Marlette Lake Trail
• Marlette Creek Trail
• Hobart Road from Laxalt Junction to Marlette Lake
• Marlette Dam Trail
• Marlette Flume Trail South from the rockslide area (see map)
• Marlette Lake Road
• Snow Valley Peak Road
• North Canyon Campground
• Hobbie Leonard Cabin
Existing closures remain for the following trails due to gas line repairs:
• Franktown Creek Road
• Snapdragon Trail
• Hanna’s Cabin Trail
• Pipeline Road
• Red House Flume Road
• Lakeview Road
“While construction is underway, the Tahoe Rim Trail and Capital to Tahoe Trail will remain open, as well as Hobart Reservoir and Ash Canyon Road,” said the state. “Visitors are reminded that using closed trails and entering construction zones is strictly prohibited. Access for emergency personnel will remain open throughout the project.”
The state purchased Marlette Lake and the surrounding land in 1963 allowing backcountry recreation, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The area is popular for recreationalists during all seasons. As recently as March 26, a missing hiker from Carson City was located safely in the area during search and rescue efforts.
However, the Nevada State Public Works Division has undertaken a yearslong project to fortify the Comstock-era dam of Marlette Lake, which sits around 7,800 feet in the Carson Range and supplements Carson City’s drinking water. Previous estimates by SPWD put total construction costs around $20 million. The project involves lowering the lake, which could take six years to naturally refill.
But the repairs are critical, according to the state. A 2024 FEMA assessment indicated a high probability of dam failure in a 6.5 earthquake or bigger, a breach that could damage State Route 28 below.
For information, contact Spooner Lake State Park at 775-749-5980, Jonathan Lesperance from Lumos Inc. at jlesperance@LumosInc.com, or Jason Crosby from Nevada Division of Public Works at 775-720-0473.