Evapotranspiration Studies in Nevada Active
By Nevada Water Science Center
December 18, 2017
Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process that transfers water from land surface to the atmosphere as evaporation (or sublimation when below freezing) from open water, soil, and plant canopies and as transpiration by plants. ET is measured by scientists for many different reasons. Hydrologists from the Nevada Water Scientist Center (NVWSC) typically measure ET to help quantify water budgets. Developing accurate water budgets for a basin or region improves our understanding of groundwater flow systems. ET rates have been measured by USGS hydrologists in Nevada since the early 1960’s.
The NVWSC ET web site is a work in progress. The purpose of the web site is to consolidate information about completed and ongoing ET studies. The overview map shows locations where ET rates have been measured. Click on a diamond for information about the site. Click on the “More info” link to go to a page with information about the site, data plots, photos, and a link to retrieve data from the National Water Information System (NWIS). Note: NWIS archived data are available only for studies completed after 2006.
► Find out more information on the Evapotranspiration Web Site
Evapotranspiration and evaporation data produced by Nevada Water Science Center scientists.
Geospatial data for the report Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and Contributing Areas, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, California
This data release supports U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5106, Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and Contributing Areas, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, California. Geospatial datasets presented are two polygon shapefiles representing the groundwater discharge areas and evapotranspiration units for the Amargosa Wild
Evaporation data from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona
This U.S. Geological Survey data release presents monthly evaporation estimates from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona. Data are updated approximately annually. The spreadsheet includes five worksheets:
(1) Read_Me worksheet contains information relevant to understanding the data contained in the rest of the worksheets.
(2) Monthly_EC_Met worksheet includes data measured at a land-based station (USG
GSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada
The USGS developed an integrated river operations-groundwater model using GSFLOW and MODSIM GSFLOW to simulate streamflow derived from snowmelt, the distribution of surface water based on the existing prior appropriations water doctrine, supplemental pumping in response to surface water shortfalls, and the resulting surface water-groundwater interactions in the Carson Valley in California and Neva
Geospatial Data to Support Estimates of Annual Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from Areas of Spring-Fed Riparian Vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada
This USGS data release, supporting USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5075, Estimates of Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Southern Nevada, 2016-18, consists of five datasets - Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI) and a mapped groundwater discharge areas (GDA) for two spring areas, and a two-class land cover classification
Supplemental Evapotranspiration Gap-filled Datasets from Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18
This USGS data release represents supplemental tabular data for an annual groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (ET) from areas of spring-fed riparian vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18. The raw ET dataset contained multiple data gaps that were simulated and gap-filled with the water-level model utility in SeriesSEE, a USGS developed Microsoft Excel addi
Selected Evapotranspiration Data, Amargosa Desert Research Site, Nye County, Nevada, 7/5/2011-1/1/2017
Selected evapotranspiration data were collected from 7/5/2011 to 1/1/2017 at the Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS, https://nevada.usgs.gov/adrs/) in support of ongoing research to improve the understanding of hydrologic and contaminant-transport processes in arid environments. The data presented in this data release includes 30-minute and daily evapotranspiration and associated energy-balance f
Supplemental data from: A Process to Estimate Net Infiltration using a Site-Scale Water-Budget Approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05
This USGS data release represents tabular data for a process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05. This dataset consists of the following: (1) Measured and corrected precipitation data from A12 weather station, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. (2) Inventory of net radia
Evapotranspiration units and potential areas of groundwater discharge delineated July 2024, 2009 in the upper Humboldt River Basin, northeastern Nevada
This USGS data release represents the evapotranspiration units and potential areas of groundwater discharge geospatial data from the following publication:
Plume, R.W., and Smith, J.L., 2013, Properties of basin-fill deposits, a 19712000 water budget, and surface-water-groundwater interactions in the upper Humboldt River basin, northeastern Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigatio
Groundwater discharge areas for the 14 hydrographic areas in the middle Humboldt River Basin, north-central Nevada
This data set contains polygons representing the groundwater discharge areas for the 14 hydrographic areas in the middle Humboldt River Basin, north-central Nevada.
Evapotranspiration and evaporation publications produced by Nevada Water Science Center scientists.
Filter Total Items: 34
Estimates of groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada, 2016–18
This report documents methodology and results of a study that estimated groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) from phreatophytic vegetation in two desert riparian areas with ephemeral spring discharge in Clark County, southern Nevada. The phreatophytes consisted primarily of western honey mesquite [Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (L.D. Benson) M.C. Johnst.] at Stump Spring and mixe
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Susan G. Buto, David W. Smith, Nora C. Nelson
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, flow of water in unsaturated soil, and stable isotope water sourcing in areas of sparse vegetation, Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada
This report documents methodology and results of a study to evaluate groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) in sparsely vegetated areas of Amargosa Desert and improve understanding of hydrologic-continuum processes controlling groundwater discharge. Evapotranspiration and GWET rates were computed and characterized at three sites over 2 years using a combination of micrometeorological,
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Brian J. Andraski, C. Amanda Garcia
A process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, 2002–05
This report documents a process used to estimate net infiltration from precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil data acquired at two sites on Rainier Mesa. Rainier Mesa is a groundwater recharge area within the Nevada National Security Site where recharged water flows through bedrock fractures to a deep (450 meters) water table. The U.S. Geological Survey operated two ET stations on Rainie
Authors
David W. Smith, Michael T. Moreo, C. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Joseph M. Fenelon
Budgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
The Diamond Valley flow system consists of six hydraulically connected hydrographic areas in central Nevada. The general down-gradient order of the areas are southern and northern Monitor Valleys, Antelope Valley, Kobeh Valley, Stevens Basin, and Diamond Valley. Groundwater flow in the Diamond Valley flow system terminates at a large playa in the northern part of Diamond Valley. Concerns relating
Authors
David L. Berger, C. Justin Mayers, C. Amanda Garcia, Susan G. Buto, Jena M. Huntington
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
With increasing population growth and land-use change, urban communities in the desert Southwest are progressively looking toward remote basins to supplement existing water supplies. Pending applications by Churchill County for groundwater appropriations from Dixie Valley, Nevada, a primarily undeveloped basin east of the Carson Desert, have prompted a reevaluation of the quantity of naturally dis
Authors
C. Amanda Garcia, Jena M Huntington, Susan G. Buto, Michael T. Moreo, J. LaRue Smith, Brian J. Andraski
Hydroclimate of the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range, Clark County, Nevada
Precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and actual evapotranspiration often are used to characterize the hydroclimate of a region. Quantification of these parameters in mountainous terrains is difficult because limited access often hampers the collection of representative ground data. To fulfill a need to characterize ecological zones in the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range of southern Nevada
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Gabriel B. Senay, Alan L. Flint, Nancy A. Damar, Randell J. Laczniak, James Hurja
Evaporation from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, March 2010 through February 2012
Evaporation from Lake Mead was measured using the eddy-covariance method for the 2-year period starting March 2010 and ending February 2012. When corrected for energy imbalances, annual eddy-covariance evaporation was 2,074 and 1,881 millimeters (81.65 and 74.07 inches), within the range of previous estimates. There was a 9-percent decrease in the evaporation rate and a 10-percent increase in the
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Amy Swancar
Evapotranspiration from the Lower Walker River Basin, West-Central Nevada, Water Years 2005-07
Evapotranspiration is the ultimate path of outflow of nearly all water from the Lower Walker River basin. Walker Lake is the terminus of the topographically closed Walker River basin, and the lake level has been declining at an average rate of about 1.6 feet per year (ft/yr) since 1917. As a result of the declining lake level, dissolved-solids concentrations are increasingly threatening the fisher
Authors
Kip K. Allander, J. LaRue Smith, Michael J. Johnson
Portable chamber measurements of evapotranspiration at the Amargosa Desert Research Site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, 2003-06
Portable chamber measurements of evapotranspiration (ET) were made at the U.S. Geological Survey's Amargosa Desert Research Site in southern Nevada to help quantify component- and landscape-scale contributions to ET in an arid environment. Evapotranspiration data were collected approximately every 3 months from 2003 to 2006. Chamber measurements of ET were partitioned into bare-soil evaporation an
Authors
C. Amanda Garcia, Michael J. Johnson, Brian J. Andraski, Keith J. Halford, C. Justin Mayers
Quantifying Ground-Water and Surface-Water Discharge from Evapotranspiration Processes in 12 Hydrographic Areas of the Colorado Regional Ground-Water Flow System, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona
Rapid population growth in southern Nevada has increased the demand for additional water supplies from rural areas of northern Clark and southern Lincoln counties to meet projected water-supply needs. Springs and rivers in these undeveloped areas sustain fragile riparian habitat and may be susceptible to ground-water withdrawals. Most natural ground-water and surface-water discharge from these bas
Authors
Guy A. DeMeo, J. LaRue Smith, Nancy A. Damar, Jon Darnell
Water Resources of the Basin and Range Carbonate-Rock Aquifer System, White Pine County, Nevada, and Adjacent Areas in Nevada and Utah
INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes results of a water-resources study for White Pine County, Nevada, and adjacent areas in east-central Nevada and western Utah. The Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifer system (BARCAS) study was initiated in December 2004 through Federal legislation (Section 301(e) of the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004; PL108-424) directi
Authors
Daniel J. Bright, Lari A. Knochenmus
ET–The key to balancing the water budget in the Southwest
Throughout the Southwest, state and federal water-resource managers are becoming increasingly concerned about the impacts of future groundwater development on the region’s limited water resources, environmentally sensitive ecosystems, and rural lifestyle. To address their concerns, scientists and engineers are deploying physically based mathematical models to assess and predict the potential effec
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Nancy A. Damar, Randell J. Laczniak
- Overview
Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process that transfers water from land surface to the atmosphere as evaporation (or sublimation when below freezing) from open water, soil, and plant canopies and as transpiration by plants. ET is measured by scientists for many different reasons. Hydrologists from the Nevada Water Scientist Center (NVWSC) typically measure ET to help quantify water budgets. Developing accurate water budgets for a basin or region improves our understanding of groundwater flow systems. ET rates have been measured by USGS hydrologists in Nevada since the early 1960’s.
The NVWSC ET web site is a work in progress. The purpose of the web site is to consolidate information about completed and ongoing ET studies. The overview map shows locations where ET rates have been measured. Click on a diamond for information about the site. Click on the “More info” link to go to a page with information about the site, data plots, photos, and a link to retrieve data from the National Water Information System (NWIS). Note: NWIS archived data are available only for studies completed after 2006.
► Find out more information on the Evapotranspiration Web Site
- Data
Evapotranspiration and evaporation data produced by Nevada Water Science Center scientists.
Geospatial data for the report Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and Contributing Areas, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, California
This data release supports U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5106, Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and Contributing Areas, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, California. Geospatial datasets presented are two polygon shapefiles representing the groundwater discharge areas and evapotranspiration units for the Amargosa WildEvaporation data from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona
This U.S. Geological Survey data release presents monthly evaporation estimates from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona. Data are updated approximately annually. The spreadsheet includes five worksheets: (1) Read_Me worksheet contains information relevant to understanding the data contained in the rest of the worksheets. (2) Monthly_EC_Met worksheet includes data measured at a land-based station (USGGSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada
The USGS developed an integrated river operations-groundwater model using GSFLOW and MODSIM GSFLOW to simulate streamflow derived from snowmelt, the distribution of surface water based on the existing prior appropriations water doctrine, supplemental pumping in response to surface water shortfalls, and the resulting surface water-groundwater interactions in the Carson Valley in California and NevaGeospatial Data to Support Estimates of Annual Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from Areas of Spring-Fed Riparian Vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada
This USGS data release, supporting USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5075, Estimates of Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Southern Nevada, 2016-18, consists of five datasets - Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI) and a mapped groundwater discharge areas (GDA) for two spring areas, and a two-class land cover classificationSupplemental Evapotranspiration Gap-filled Datasets from Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18
This USGS data release represents supplemental tabular data for an annual groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (ET) from areas of spring-fed riparian vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18. The raw ET dataset contained multiple data gaps that were simulated and gap-filled with the water-level model utility in SeriesSEE, a USGS developed Microsoft Excel addiSelected Evapotranspiration Data, Amargosa Desert Research Site, Nye County, Nevada, 7/5/2011-1/1/2017
Selected evapotranspiration data were collected from 7/5/2011 to 1/1/2017 at the Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS, https://nevada.usgs.gov/adrs/) in support of ongoing research to improve the understanding of hydrologic and contaminant-transport processes in arid environments. The data presented in this data release includes 30-minute and daily evapotranspiration and associated energy-balance fSupplemental data from: A Process to Estimate Net Infiltration using a Site-Scale Water-Budget Approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05
This USGS data release represents tabular data for a process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05. This dataset consists of the following: (1) Measured and corrected precipitation data from A12 weather station, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. (2) Inventory of net radiaEvapotranspiration units and potential areas of groundwater discharge delineated July 2024, 2009 in the upper Humboldt River Basin, northeastern Nevada
This USGS data release represents the evapotranspiration units and potential areas of groundwater discharge geospatial data from the following publication: Plume, R.W., and Smith, J.L., 2013, Properties of basin-fill deposits, a 19712000 water budget, and surface-water-groundwater interactions in the upper Humboldt River basin, northeastern Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific InvestigatioGroundwater discharge areas for the 14 hydrographic areas in the middle Humboldt River Basin, north-central Nevada
This data set contains polygons representing the groundwater discharge areas for the 14 hydrographic areas in the middle Humboldt River Basin, north-central Nevada. - Publications
Evapotranspiration and evaporation publications produced by Nevada Water Science Center scientists.
Filter Total Items: 34Estimates of groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada, 2016–18
This report documents methodology and results of a study that estimated groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) from phreatophytic vegetation in two desert riparian areas with ephemeral spring discharge in Clark County, southern Nevada. The phreatophytes consisted primarily of western honey mesquite [Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (L.D. Benson) M.C. Johnst.] at Stump Spring and mixeAuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Susan G. Buto, David W. Smith, Nora C. NelsonGroundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, flow of water in unsaturated soil, and stable isotope water sourcing in areas of sparse vegetation, Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada
This report documents methodology and results of a study to evaluate groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) in sparsely vegetated areas of Amargosa Desert and improve understanding of hydrologic-continuum processes controlling groundwater discharge. Evapotranspiration and GWET rates were computed and characterized at three sites over 2 years using a combination of micrometeorological,AuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Brian J. Andraski, C. Amanda GarciaA process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, 2002–05
This report documents a process used to estimate net infiltration from precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil data acquired at two sites on Rainier Mesa. Rainier Mesa is a groundwater recharge area within the Nevada National Security Site where recharged water flows through bedrock fractures to a deep (450 meters) water table. The U.S. Geological Survey operated two ET stations on RainieAuthorsDavid W. Smith, Michael T. Moreo, C. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Joseph M. FenelonBudgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
The Diamond Valley flow system consists of six hydraulically connected hydrographic areas in central Nevada. The general down-gradient order of the areas are southern and northern Monitor Valleys, Antelope Valley, Kobeh Valley, Stevens Basin, and Diamond Valley. Groundwater flow in the Diamond Valley flow system terminates at a large playa in the northern part of Diamond Valley. Concerns relatingAuthorsDavid L. Berger, C. Justin Mayers, C. Amanda Garcia, Susan G. Buto, Jena M. HuntingtonGroundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
With increasing population growth and land-use change, urban communities in the desert Southwest are progressively looking toward remote basins to supplement existing water supplies. Pending applications by Churchill County for groundwater appropriations from Dixie Valley, Nevada, a primarily undeveloped basin east of the Carson Desert, have prompted a reevaluation of the quantity of naturally disAuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Jena M Huntington, Susan G. Buto, Michael T. Moreo, J. LaRue Smith, Brian J. AndraskiHydroclimate of the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range, Clark County, Nevada
Precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and actual evapotranspiration often are used to characterize the hydroclimate of a region. Quantification of these parameters in mountainous terrains is difficult because limited access often hampers the collection of representative ground data. To fulfill a need to characterize ecological zones in the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range of southern NevadaAuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Gabriel B. Senay, Alan L. Flint, Nancy A. Damar, Randell J. Laczniak, James HurjaEvaporation from Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, March 2010 through February 2012
Evaporation from Lake Mead was measured using the eddy-covariance method for the 2-year period starting March 2010 and ending February 2012. When corrected for energy imbalances, annual eddy-covariance evaporation was 2,074 and 1,881 millimeters (81.65 and 74.07 inches), within the range of previous estimates. There was a 9-percent decrease in the evaporation rate and a 10-percent increase in theAuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Amy SwancarEvapotranspiration from the Lower Walker River Basin, West-Central Nevada, Water Years 2005-07
Evapotranspiration is the ultimate path of outflow of nearly all water from the Lower Walker River basin. Walker Lake is the terminus of the topographically closed Walker River basin, and the lake level has been declining at an average rate of about 1.6 feet per year (ft/yr) since 1917. As a result of the declining lake level, dissolved-solids concentrations are increasingly threatening the fisherAuthorsKip K. Allander, J. LaRue Smith, Michael J. JohnsonPortable chamber measurements of evapotranspiration at the Amargosa Desert Research Site near Beatty, Nye County, Nevada, 2003-06
Portable chamber measurements of evapotranspiration (ET) were made at the U.S. Geological Survey's Amargosa Desert Research Site in southern Nevada to help quantify component- and landscape-scale contributions to ET in an arid environment. Evapotranspiration data were collected approximately every 3 months from 2003 to 2006. Chamber measurements of ET were partitioned into bare-soil evaporation anAuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Michael J. Johnson, Brian J. Andraski, Keith J. Halford, C. Justin MayersQuantifying Ground-Water and Surface-Water Discharge from Evapotranspiration Processes in 12 Hydrographic Areas of the Colorado Regional Ground-Water Flow System, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona
Rapid population growth in southern Nevada has increased the demand for additional water supplies from rural areas of northern Clark and southern Lincoln counties to meet projected water-supply needs. Springs and rivers in these undeveloped areas sustain fragile riparian habitat and may be susceptible to ground-water withdrawals. Most natural ground-water and surface-water discharge from these basAuthorsGuy A. DeMeo, J. LaRue Smith, Nancy A. Damar, Jon DarnellWater Resources of the Basin and Range Carbonate-Rock Aquifer System, White Pine County, Nevada, and Adjacent Areas in Nevada and Utah
INTRODUCTION This report summarizes results of a water-resources study for White Pine County, Nevada, and adjacent areas in east-central Nevada and western Utah. The Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifer system (BARCAS) study was initiated in December 2004 through Federal legislation (Section 301(e) of the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004; PL108-424) directiAuthorsDaniel J. Bright, Lari A. KnochenmusET–The key to balancing the water budget in the Southwest
Throughout the Southwest, state and federal water-resource managers are becoming increasingly concerned about the impacts of future groundwater development on the region’s limited water resources, environmentally sensitive ecosystems, and rural lifestyle. To address their concerns, scientists and engineers are deploying physically based mathematical models to assess and predict the potential effecAuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Nancy A. Damar, Randell J. Laczniak