Sediment Accumulation Rates and Volume in Pahranagat Wash above Arrow Canyon Dam in Northern Moapa Valley, Nevada
Links
- Document: Report (3.7 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Radiometric analysis (cesium-137 and lead-210) at selected depth intervals from borehole core of impounded sediments in Pahranagat Wash behind Arrow Canyon Dam, northern Clark County, Nevada
- USGS data release - Geospatial data for impounded sediments in Pahranagat Wash above Arrow Canyon Dam, in northern Moapa Valley, Nevada
- NGMDB Index Page: National Geologic Map Database Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
An evaluation of sediment deposition rates and volume of impounded sediments in Pahranagat Wash behind Arrow Canyon dam in southeastern Nevada was done between 2016 and 2022. Data were collected and interpreted to address concerns by the Moapa Band of Paiutes and local historical preservation groups regarding the burial of culturally important sites by the impounded sediment deposited behind the dam. Sediment cores from two wells, drilled to depths that reflect the original stream-channel profile, and a third site drilled and sampled at a finer resolution, were analyzed radiometrically for lead-210 (210Pb) and cesium-137 (137Cs) isotopes. The analysis of the 210Pb data yielded an overall estimated sediment deposition rate of 2.4 inches per year (in/yr). Using the 137Cs data, the sediment deposition rate declined from 9.4 in/yr from 1934 to 1951 to 4.2 in/yr from 1951 to 1964 to 1.0 in/yr between 1964 and 2019.
Sediment volume was determined by defining boundaries using a 1-foot contour map generated using Unmanned Aerial Survey datasets and field observations. The volume calculation involved segmenting the study area based on the availability of sediment thickness data. The average sediment thickness in each segment was multiplied by the surface area of each segment to obtain the total sediment volume of 4.3×107 cubic feet.
Suggested Citation
Wilson, J.W., Poff, B., and Fuller, C.C., 2025, Sediment accumulation rates and volume in Pahranagat Wash above Arrow Canyon Dam in northern Moapa Valley, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5106, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255106.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Methods
- Sediment Accumulation Rates
- Sediment Volume
- Conclusions
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Sediment accumulation rates and volume in Pahranagat Wash above Arrow Canyon Dam in northern Moapa Valley, Nevada |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2025-5106 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20255106 |
| Publication Date | December 16, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Nevada Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: vi, 14 p.; 2 Data Releases |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Other Geospatial | Pahranagat Wash above Arrow Canyon Dam |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |