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Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5131

Hydrogeology and Hydrologic Landscape Regions of Nevada

By Douglas K. Maurer, Thomas J. Lopes, Rose L. Medina, and J. LaRue Smith

Report availability: Portable Document Format (PDF).

CONTENTS

Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Acknowledgments
Previous Studies
Hydrogeologic Units
Consolidated-Rock Hydrogeologic Units
Unconsolidated-Sedimentary Hydrogeologic Units
Soil Permeability
Faulting and Ground-Water Flow
Hydrologic Landscape Regions
Delineation of Hydrologic Landscape Regions
Use of Hydrologic Landscape Regions
Summary
References Cited
Appendix: Detailed summary of hydraulic conductivity estimates
 

SUPPLEMENTAL GEOSPATIAL DIGITAL DATA

Hydrologic landscape regions of Nevada by J. LaRue Smith
Hydrogeology of Nevada by Rose L. Medina

FIGURES

  1. Diagram showing ground-water flow characteristics for different types of hydrographic areas in Nevada
  2. Graph showing range in horizontal hydraulic conductivity for hydrogeologic units
  3. Diagram showing typical ground-water flow patterns perpendicular to the long axis of valleys in Nevada for mountain blocks with different permeability and annual precipitation
  4. Diagram showing potential effects of faults on ground-water flow for different types of aquifer and fault permeability
  5. Graph showing ranges in mean annual precipitation, soil permeability, slope, and aspect for hydrologic landscape regions with low and high horizontal hydraulic conductivity
  6. Map showing hydrologic landscape regions 9, 10, 14, and 15 in the most urbanized areas of Nevada

PLATES

  1. Map showing distribution of consolidated rocks and unconsolidated sediments, historic to Quaternary-age faults, and springs in Nevada
  2. Map showing distribution of hydrogeologic units in Nevada
  3. Map showing areas of similar soil permeability and hardpan in Nevada
  4. Map showing hydrologic landscape regions of Nevada

TABLES

  1. Correlation of hydrogeologic units with geologic-map units of Stewart and Carlson (1978a)
  2. Range in horizontal hydraulic conductivity for hydrogeologic units
  3. Range in soil permeability for descriptive categories of unconsolidated sediments and corresponding geomorphic features
  4. Characteristics, distribution, area, and population of hydrologic landscape regions
  5. Example of a sampling strategy using hydrologic landscape regions

Return to SIR 2004-5131 or the Abstract.

For more information about USGS activities in Nevada, visit the USGS Nevada District home page.