Images

The Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Waterbird Movement Project began tagging American Avocets in March 2023 to track their movements across the landscape. Tracking data from these birds will help scientists better understand why these birds choose to use the terminal lake and wetland habitats they do in the Great Basin.

American Avocet are a bird that relies heavily on the Saline Lakes ecosystem during their spring migration periods. Over 50% of these birds exist here. Part of their use includes using the terminal lakes there to breed. 

Lake Abert, Oregon is one of the 20 terminal lakes identified by USGS partners as priority ecosystems for study by the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA.

Photograph of Summer Lake Wildlife Area, an important stopping spot for migratory birds on their spring and fall migration flights. 

Agriculture fields in Mason Valley, Nevada. This area was studied for a Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5123.

Looking east on Bullgate Pond at sunrise with lone tule white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons elgasi) in upper right, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, near Summer Lake, Oregon.

These brine flies are an important fuel source for migratory birds, giving them energy for long flights. 

These scientists are working on The Great Salt Lake to determine the amount of water and qualities of it. This will help them in developing better management techniques that will work to support the migratory birds that frequent the area. 

Integrated model boundaries used in evaluating the effects of groundwater management options on water resources in the Carson Valley, Douglas County, NV.

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful Alpine Lake in the Sierra Nevada. Known for its deep, clear water, Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States, with a maximum depth of 1,645 feet. The average depth of Lake Tahoe is 1,000 feet.

Photo of sample taken using DH-81 sampler at Trout Creek near Tahoe Valley, CA

Photo of USGS hydrologist collecting a sediment sample at Trout Creek near Tahoe Valley, CA

Early spring at monitoring location USGS 10308200 East Fork Carson River below Markleeville Creek near Markleeville, CA.

Graph showing population growth in Douglas County, NV between 1969 and 2020. Data sourced from Nevada Economic Analysis Project compiled by the Regional Income and Product Divisions of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce (11-16-2021).

Wintertime at monitoring location USGS 10308200 East Fork Carson River below Markleeville Creek near Markleeville, CA

The graph shows historic pumping over time in Carson Valley, NV. Between the 1970s and early 2000’s, Carson Valley underwent rapid population growth and total pumping increased by an order of magnitude, from 3,360 acre-feet in 1970 to 31,100 in 2004.

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies at the southern end of Ruby Valley in northeast Nevada. For more information visit the Ruby Lake NWR website.

Water year 2020 streamflow summary for the Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, USGS Site 10336610.

View of near shore Third Creek, NV

Did you know the USGS has been studying groundwater since we were founded? USGS first measured the groundwater level at the well in this photo in 1918, over one hundred years ago! How often water levels are measured at a site in the USGS groundwater monitoring networks varies, depending on the scientific purpose of the measurement.

Did you know the USGS has been studying groundwater since we were founded? USGS first measured the groundwater level at the well in this photo in 1918, over one hundred years ago! How often water levels are measured at a site in the USGS groundwater monitoring networks varies, depending on the scientific purpose of the measurement.