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Discover the Carson Valley!
The beautiful Sierra Nevada communities of Genoa, Minden, Gardnerville, and Topaz Lake make up the lush Carson Valley. Our valley has a rich historical heritage dating back to the 1850’s when it became one of the favored stopping places for the immigrants wagons and on horseback.
There is plenty to do and discover in the Carson Valley and friendly people to meet along the way. Wherever you stop, you're likely to be greeted with a warm smile. We appreciate our scenery here and want you to discover its beauty too. Welcome to our valley and enjoy!
The Carson Valley Area of Douglas County includes approximately 171 square miles of the west central portion of Nevada. The communities of Gardnerville, Minden and Genoa are all located within the Carson Valley, at elevations of 4,700 feet above sea level. The valley is bordered on the west by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pinenut Mountains on the east. The result is a climate with warm summers, moderate winters and cool night temperatures year round. The valley offers approximately 325 days of sunshine each year.
The area is known for its green open spaces. clean air. beautiful mountains moderate climate and no traffic congestion! The Carson Valley is a great place for a relaxed vacation, to raise a family or just to kickback and savor the beauty no matter what time of Year, with four distinct seasons. each with its own special Splendor.
The Carson Valley offers museums, skiing, hot air ballooning, hot springs, miles of open land for horseback riding, a fine art gallery, antiques, a glider port, fishing, fine dining including the famous Basque restaurants and more. For those with horses. there are many clubs and activities. Many of the finest horses are bred in and around Carson Valley. Riders all enjoy the many clubs, clinics, instructors, 4H activities and shows. Mules, donkeys, cattle, sheep and llamas are also part of the local scene.
With Nevada's low tax structure, natural beauty, controlled growth and quality of life. it's no wonder the Carson valley is known as the ..Garden Spot Of Nevada".
LOCATION/POPULATION
Douglas County was established in 1861 and encompasses 740 square miles, which makes it the third smallest land area within the state, but the fifth most populated. The County is located in the western portion of Nevada bordering Lyon County, Carson City, the state of California, and Lake Tahoe by SR207 (Kingsbury Grade). In Douglas County, the towns consist of *Genoa, *Minden, *Gardnerville, Stateline/Kingsbury, Roundhill, Zephyr Cove and Topaz Lake. (* Comprises the towns in Carson Valley having zip codes). The average elevation in the Valley is 4,750 feet and Lake Tahoe (top of Kingsbury Grade) is 7,280 feet. Population for the County in 1999 was 41,429 (which includes the Township of Lake Tahoe at 9,181 populous), and in 1999, shown a 4.6% increase in growth. The projection for year 2000 is 42,590.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The towns of Minden (County seat), Gardnerville and Genoa are unincorporated. The County is the determining level of authority, and is governed by five Board of Commissioners, who are elected for a term of four years.
FIRE & LAW ENFORCEMENT
Douglas County has 11 volunteer fire departments with 13 stations. The East Fork Fire and Paramedic District has 30 paid staff and 280 volunteers. Tahoe-Douglas has 52 paid staff. The Sheriff's Department has 94 sworn officers, 25 uniformed reserve officers, a Search and Rescue Unit, Mounted Posse, and numerous volunteer office staff manning three substations. The Sheriff's Office provides all law enforcement services within the County.
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Minden Education
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Douglas County School District takes pride in its occupational and technological education, multi-track year-round education, and its professional development center for teacher training. There are seven elementary schools; three middle schools; and two high schools; 1 private school (Minden Montessori), totaling over 7,322 students. The 1997-98 District Accountability Report states pupil/teacher ratio to be: K, 26:1; grade 1,16:1; grade 2; 17:1, grade 3; 22:1, grade 4; 25:1, grade 5; 24:1, grade 6; 26:1; grades, 7-12; 22:1. Western Nevada Community College (main campus located in Carson City), and University of Nevada, Reno, offers a wide range of academic & technical courses. Douglas County campus showed the highest growth of all facilities in the college's nine-county service area.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Douglas County Public Library operates two facilities: the main library located in Minden and the other located in Zephyr Cove. Through a library consortium, DCPL offers access to materials statewide. The State Archives is located in Carson City.
CHILD/SENIOR CARE FACILITIES
Licensed Child Care
There are 12 licensed care facilities in the County: Carson Valley - 8 (one is private); Lake Tahoe - 4.
Senior Care
Minden has two small group care homes. Gardnerville has two nursing homes, one assisted living facility, three residential and assisted care, and one independent facility. There are no gated communities in the County.
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Minden Employment
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BUSINESS LICENSE
Douglas County does not require a business license, but must file a Fictitious Name Filing. Contact the County Clerk's Office for more information.
TAXATION
In Nevada, you will not pay any of the following state taxes: Personal; Corporate; Franchise Tax on Income; Unitary, Inventory; Inheritance; Estate; Gift; Admissions; or Chain Store Tax. Sales tax in Douglas County 6.75%; the property tax rates range from $2.14 to $3.14 per $100 assessed valuation. The real property transfer tax for the County is $1.30 per $1,000 value. Differences within each county result from additional rates imposed within different townships and improvement districts.
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Minden Lifestyle
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Mail Service
The County has four express mail services available: Federal Express; Fleet Delivery; United Parcel Service; six U.S. Post Offices (Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa, Stateline, Roundhill, Zephyr Cove), and Express Mail.
Newspapers
Local papers include The Record Courier, Nevada Appeal, Reno-Gazette Journal, and Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Radio Stations
KGVM FM 99.1 Gardnerville/Minden
KGLE FM 103 Carson City & Lake Tahoe
KOWL FM 93.6 Lake Tahoe
Telephone
(Base Rate)
GTE …$13.66 Gardnerville & Lake Tahoe
Television
There are four national networks that broadcast from Reno: ABC - CBS - NBC - FOX, one public broadcasting station (PBS), and a local station channel 26, DCTV.
Cable Services
QuadraVision and AT & T Cable and HFU-Topaz are the local cable services available to the Valley.
UTILITIES
Electricity
Sierra Pacific Power Company - Rate, $.08794/ K.W.H.
Disposal Companies
South Tahoe Refuse, and Tahoe-Douglas Disposal - Carson Valley
Natural Gas Company
Southwest Gas Corporation-.60459/
Sanitation Districts
Minden/Gardnerville Sanitation District;
Douglas County Sewer Improvement District;
Zephyr Cove;
Kingsbury General Improvement District;
Stateline and Roundhill
Water Districts
Carson Valley
-Gardnerville
- GRGID Ranchos;
Gardnerville Town Water;
Sheridan Acres Water Co;
Town of Minden Water Company.
Lake Topaz - Topaz Mutual Company, Inc.
Stateline - Kingsbury General Improvement District
Zephyr Cove - Round Hill General Improvement District
MEDICAL/HEALTH RESOURCES
Local Hospital
Douglas County does not have a local hospital, but offers two medical centers in the Carson Valley and three medical centers at Stateline. The nearest hospitals (to the Valley) are Carson-Tahoe Hospital in Carson City and Barton Memorial Hospital located in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Carson Valley Medical Center (A Barton Memorial Hospital facility) The facility is located in Gardnerville. It houses a group of multi-specialty physicians, outpatient services, home health, laboratory, medical imaging, pharmacy, physical therapy, a 24-hour emergency department, and an ambulatory surgery center.
Minden Emergency/Urgent Care (a Carson-Tahoe Hospital facility) This Urgent Care facility is located in the Minden Medical Center and is a satellite of Carson-Tahoe Hospital. Outpatient services include clinical laboratory, neurodiagnostic laboratory, medical imaging, home health, and urgent care.
Care Flight
An emergency helicopter transport service based in Reno provides service to Douglas County for critically ill or injured persons.
Community Health Services
Community health nurses are available in Douglas County through hospice and home health care. The services provided are immunizations for all ages, women and children health care; communicable disease treatment and referral resource.
East Fork Fire and Paramedic District
The Headquarters is located in Minden and provides a complete life support paramedic service. A new paramedic unit is under construction in the Gardnerville-Ranchos area.
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Minden Recreation
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Douglas County has seven RV Parks: Minden- 2; Gardnerville-1; Topaz Lake- 2; Lake Tahoe -2, plus 1 dry camp and 1 tent camp. The County also has 4 parks, 12 playgrounds, 24 basketball courts, 5 football fields, 16 soccer fields, 5 swimming pools, 14 tennis courts, 24 baseball fields, one batting cage, boating facilities, 6 group picnic areas, 1 rodeo/fairground, 5 golf courses, and 1 ski resort.
RECREATION
Art galleries and museums
Basque and international dining
Boating, fishing, water skiing, ski school, rafting and kayaking
Casino gaming
Equestrian sports
Fishing/hiking/biking
Fish hatchery
Golf (world class courses)
Hang gliding & parasailing, soaring and hot air ballooning
Hot spring resort and spa
The famous Ponderosa Ranch
Stern wheeler cruises
Scenic tours
Snow skiing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling
Tram tours
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Minden Transportation
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Bus & Taxi Service
No local bus service is available; however, Greyhound Bus Lines provides service from Lake Tahoe. The Valley has two taxi services that provide service in the Carson Valley and Stateline. A shuttle service is also available to provide direct service to and from the Reno/Tahoe Airport.
Rail Service
Rail service is not (passenger or freight) available in Douglas County. However, there is service available in Reno/Sparks, provided by Amtrack, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific.
Air Service
The County owns and operates the Minden-Tahoe Airport, a public general aviation airport. The facility offers: charter service; auto rental; airplane rental; tie downs; aviation fuel; and other support services. The facility has two runways, 7,395 feet and 5,289 feet. Carson Valley does not offer commercial service, however, Reno-Tahoe International is approximately one hour away.
Minden-Tahoe Airport offers easy access and full aviation services at one of the most breathtaking destinations in the West. Minden-Tahoe Airport accommodates all general aviation aircraft and provides access to year-round entertainment and outdoor activities. Contact Jeanne Zimarel for more information.
LODGING
The Valley has plenty to offer in ways of lodging.
Minden & Gardnerville - 1 hotel / casino; 1 hotel ; 5 motels;1 bed/breakfast
Genoa - 1 hot springs resort; 3 bed /
breakfasts, and time shares available.
Topaz Lake-1 -lodge/casino; 1 -motel/casino.
Lake Tahoe - 5 hotel/casinos; 2 resorts, numerous condos/motels and time-shares available.
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