Open-File Report 2011–1089
AbstractFuture groundwater development and its effect on future municipal, irrigation, and alternative energy uses in the Diamond Valley flow system are of concern for officials in Eureka County, Nevada. To provide a better understanding of the groundwater resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Eureka County, commenced a multi-phase study of the Diamond Valley flow system in 2005. Groundwater development primarily in southern Diamond Valley has resulted in water-level declines since the 1960s ranging from less than 5 to 100 feet. Groundwater resources in the Diamond Valley flow system outside of southern Diamond Valley have been relatively undeveloped. Data collected during phase 2 of the study (2006–09) included micrometeorological data at 4 evapotranspiration stations, 3 located in natural vegetation and 1 located in an agricultural field; groundwater levels in 95 wells; water-quality constituents in aquifers and springs at 21 locations; lithologic information from 7 recently drilled wells; and geophysical logs from 3 well sites. This report describes what was accomplished during phase 2 of the study, provides the data collected, and presents the approaches to strengthen relations between evapotranspiration rates measured at micrometeorological stations and spatially distributed groundwater discharge. This report also presents the approach to improve delineation of areas of groundwater discharge and describes the current methodology used to improve the accuracy of spatially distributed groundwater discharge rates in the Diamond Valley flow system. |
First posted April 29, 2011 For additional information contact: Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
Knochenmus, L.A., Berger, D.L., Moreo, M.T., and Smith, J.L., 2011, Data network, collection, and analysis in the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1089, 24 p.
Abstract
Introduction
Data-Collection Network
Quality of Water in Aquifers and Springs
Temporal Changes in Groundwater Levels
Historical Groundwater Budgets
Groundwater Discharge and Evapotranspiration
Continued Research in the Diamond Valley Flow System
References Cited
Appendix A. Drillers’ Logs For Wells Drilled as Part of Phase 2 of the Study in the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada