Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5247

Hydrogeology and Water Resources of Ruby Valley, Northeastern Nevada

By David L. Berger

Report availability: Portable Document Format (PDF).

CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Previous Investigations

Acknowledgments

Description of Study Area

Physiography

Climate and Vegetation

Hydrogeologic Framework

Geologic History and Structural Setting

Areal Extent of Hydrogeologic Units

Water Resources

Precipitation

Runoff

Evapotranspiration

Ground Water

• Sources and Movement
• Recharge
• Water Quality

Lakes

Water Budget

Inflow

Outflow

Summary and Conclusions

References Cited

FIGURES

1. Map showing location and general features of the Ruby Valley area, northeastern Nevada and location of selected precipitation stations, evapotranspiration sites, and spring and streamflow discharge sites
2. Graphs showing annual precipitation, as percent departure from average (1971-2000) for selected precipitation stations and SNOTEL sites in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
3. Map showing distribution of hydrogeologic units, faults, and depth to pre-Cenozoic basement rock, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
4. Graph showing difference between measured and predicted average annual precipitation versus the predicted average annual precipitation for 18 stations in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada, 1971-2000
5. Map showing distribution of annual precipitation based on altitude-location relation, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
6. Graph showing comparison of average annual precipitation for 18 stations in and near Ruby Valley, northerastern Nevada, 1961-90 and 1971-2000
7. Graph showing Palmer drought severity index for northeastern Nevada, 1895-2004
8. Graphs showing (A) relation of Franklin River daily average streamflow to Lutts Creek instantaneous streamflow and (B) comparison between predicted streamflow and measured streamflow for Lutts Creek, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
9. Map showing site number and depth to ground water, for selected wells in spring 2003, in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
10. Hydrographs showing changes in water levels in selected wells in Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada, 2000-03
11. Map showing generalized ground-water levels in basin-fill deposits, spring 2003, in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
12. Graph showing major ion composition of ground water sampled in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
13. Graph showing relation between delta deuterium and logarithm of chloride concentrations in sampled water in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
14. Graph showing relation of delta deuterium to delta oxygen-18 in sampled water from evapotranspiration, ground-water, spring, and surface-water sites in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada

TABLES

1. Average annual precipitation at sites in and near Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
2. Summary of hydrogeologic units, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
3. Site number, location, and type of data available for selected evapotranspiration, well, spring, and surface-water sites, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
4. Range in average annual precipitation for Ruby Valley Hydrographic Area, northeastern Nevada
5. Results of varying location coefficients in equation 1 on the distribution of precipitation, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
6. Computed or estimated annual streamflow, drainage area, and annual unit-area runoff for Franklin River, Lutts Creek, and Overland Creek, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada
7. Estimated annual water budget for the Ruby Valley Hydrographic Area, northeastern Nevada
8. Results of chemical analyses for water samples from selected evapotranspiration, well, spring and surface-water sites, Ruby Valley, northeastern Nevada

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