In 1903, the newly-formed Reclamation Service began construction on Derby Dam about 20 miles downstream from Reno on the Truckee River. Derby Dam and approximately 32 miles of the Truckee Canal were completed in 1905.

Water was then diverted from the Truckee River to be used to irrigate lands in the Fernley, Hazen and Swingle Bench area as well as supplement the flows of the Carson River for irrigation along the lower Carson River.

Over time, the dam's presence has contributed to declines in Pilot Peak Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and Cui-ui. There have been significant efforts to help restore these populations, the largest of which is the construction of the only horizontal fish screen in North America. During construction of the screen, a bypass channel allowed reliable water deliveries to downstream users via the Truckee Canal to support the community’s farming season. The bypass channel also supplied water to the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge wetlands and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Now that the screen is complete, the bypass channel provides flexibility during screen maintenance. The fish screen was commissioned in 2021 and is successfully operating as expected. For more detailed information and photos of the fish screen, please visit these pages: Farmer's Conservation Alliance, McMillen, Northern Nevada Business Weekly, and US Fish & Wildlife.