THE SPARKS MARINA

from above appears as a great mirror, a flooded pit in the high desert, flanked by a new casino, an outdoor mall, an IMAX theater, concrete walkways, and I-80. The fish in the marina die in waves. Officials first maintained it’s a lack of oxygen, given the conditions of the first die-off, thousands of rainbow trout belly-up, their scales glitter on the surface in the bright sun. After the second event, they were less certain. They promised continued monitoring.

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A former EPA superfund site, this pit once housed all manner of equipment, broken down diggers, batteries, mattresses, petroleum spillage from a local fuel tank farm. Officials continue to maintain that no toxic materials have since been found lurking, although bacterium thrive in the still water. When the flood of ’97 filled this hundred foot deep hole in the dirt, locals were fascinated at the sight from the freeway. A chain link fence separates walkers from the narrow strip of sagebrush, alkaline soil, the occasional glancing pebble made bullet by truckers passing by. Arriving one January evening, from the east, I looked to my right at the long level water, once a dropoff with no view of the bottom, and muttered to myself I’m home.

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In another epoch, Northern Nevada was an ocean. Today, it is a state where water is on everyone’s tongue. The snowpack, the mountains, the river that flows down them and feeds the ancient waterways and the Paiute tribe of Pyramid Lake. This is drought country. The marina now functions as an aquifer. One billion gallons in an unnatural hole, and some if it dumps back into the Truckee River. Locals know better than to swim, preferring to stroll along the shadeless sidewalk next to the Legends Mall. New apartments advertise a starting rate of only 1,800 a month with a promised view of the marina, though this amounts to a large parking lot and flat water that looks like a mirage. Commuters head for work at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, site of the new mega datacenters. The Tesla gigafactory brought jobs that pay enough so the rush of people that flocked to this valley have a chance to maybe afford housing, no roommates even, a view of the mall or the freeway to appreciate when they’re not on their twelve hour shifts, with little to no vacation time. Then, they can enjoy themselves, perhaps take a swim if they don’t open their mouths.

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In the summer, under a hundred degree sun, we’re encouraged to imagine a breeze off the wet surface to cool us. No one uses the word toxic. Given that the natural aquifers are depleting faster than can be replenished, given the water and power needs of the new industrial complex, even this unnatural attraction may soon be endangered, may end up a dried lakebed like old Lake Winnemucca, husks of big equipment and a sunken F-4 jet placed inside for divers, which we can’t see underwater anyway for all the algal bloom. Divers claim the smell stuck to their wetsuits even after several washes.

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Last Tuesday the Washoe County Commission voted to approve the 940-lot housing project near Pleasant Valley. This was done on appeal, despite three hours of comments from residents of Old Washoe. I read the news. Immediately texted a friend about the imminent damage, lack of infrastructure, the 14 million pounds of mercury in the soil. Another Federal Superfund Site, developers swear they’re going to make it safe by dumping 8 more feet of dirt on top. The EPA site claims the most damaging way to stir up contaminants includes development, namely digging, a necessity for building the promised homes and three parks.

Later, driving my mother to the store, we noticed a warehouse going up on Keystone, by the train tracks, its massive walls blocking the sunset and the mountains to the west. I look it up. A new datacenter. Right on the river. Using less water and air cooling, ready for off gassing a half mile from downtown. This massive building will provide 11 new jobs.

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In the Reno Gazette-Journal one resident quoted says If you condone this you condone death

What good is language with a body full of plastics and a mouthful of dirt

What will be left of us under chemical cloud after we drain our natural aquifers