Evapotranspiration rate measurements of vegetation typical of ground-water discharge areas in the Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifer system, Nevada and Utah, September 2005-August 2006
Scientific Investigations Report
2007-5078
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management
Links
- More information: USGS Index Page (html)
- NGMDB Index Page: National Geologic Map Database Index Page (html)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Evapotranspiration was measured at six eddy-correlation sites for a 1-year period between September 1, 2005, and August 31, 2006. Five sites were in phreatophytic shrubland dominated by greasewood, and one site was in a grassland meadow. The measured annual evapotranspiration ranged from 10.02 to 12.77 inches at the shrubland sites and 26.94 inches at the grassland site. Evapotranspiration rates correlated to measured vegetation densities and to satellite-derived vegetation indexes. Evapotranspiration rates were greater at sites with denser vegetation. The primary water source supporting evapotranspiration was water derived from local precipitation at the shrubland sites, and ground water at the grassland site. Measured precipitation, ranging from 6.21 to 11.41 inches, was within 20 percent of the computed long-term annual mean. The amount of ground water consumed by phreatophytes depends primarily on local precipitation and vegetation density. The ground-water contribution to local evapotranspiration ranged from 6 to 38 percent of total evapotranspiration at the shrubland sites, and 70 percent of total evapotranspiration at the grassland site. Average depth to water ranged from 7.2 to 32.4 feet below land surface at the shrubland sites, and 3.9 feet at the grassland site. Water levels declined throughout the growing season and recovered during the non-growing season. Diurnal water-level fluctuations associated with evapotranspiration were evident at some sites but not at others.
Suggested Citation
Moreo, M.T., Laczniak, R.J., Stannard, D.I., 2007, Evapotranspiration rate measurements of vegetation typical of ground-water discharge areas in the Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifer system, Nevada and Utah, September 2005-August 2006: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5078, Report: viii, 37 p.; Appendix, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20075078.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Evapotranspiration rate measurements of vegetation typical of ground-water discharge areas in the Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifer system, Nevada and Utah, September 2005-August 2006 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2007-5078 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20075078 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Contributing office(s) | Nevada Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: viii, 37 p.; Appendix |
| Time Range Start | 2005-09-01 |
| Time Range End | 2006-08-31 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada, Utah |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |