East Fork Carson River near Markleeville
West Fork Carson River at Woodfords
Carson River near Genoa
Carson River at Deer Run Rd
Carson River near Fort Churchill
The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. At the headwaters, precipitation as snow and rain can produce runoff that is unregulated until it reaches Lahontan reservoir. Water flowing in the mainstem may be diverted in Carson Valley for agriculture and for municipal water uses. At Lahontan Reservoir, water imported from the Truckee River Basin is used as needed to supplement natural inflows from the Carson River. Streamflow downgradient of the Lahontan is also used for irrigation and supports habitat critical to migratory birds in the wetlands of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
The Carson River Basin (State of Nevada hydrographic region 8) is about 3,900 square miles and extends about 150 miles from eastern California to Pershing County, Nevada. The Carson River Basin includes the following hydrographic areas: Carson Desert, Churchill Valley, Dayton Valley, Eagle Valley, and Carson Valley. Major cities and towns with the Carson River Basin include Carson City (Nevada's capital), Dayton, Fallon, Gardnerville, and Minden.
USGS Nevada Water Science Center maintains surface and groundwater monitoring locations throughout the Carson River Basin.
AVAILABLE DATA
- Real-Time Streamflow
- Daily Value Streamflow
- Peak Streamflow
- Water Quality for all site types (zip file)
WATER DATA TOOLS
Carson River Basin Hydro Mapper
WATER PLANNING TOOLS
- Assessing potential effects of changes in water use with a numerical groundwater-flow model of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California
By: Richard M. Yager, Douglas K. Maurer, and C.J. Mayers - The distribution and modeling of nitrate transport in the Carson Valley alluvial aquifer, Douglas County, Nevada
By: Ramon C. Naranjo, Toby L. Welborn, and Michael R. Rosen
WATER PLANNING PRESENTATIONS
Presentations related to East Fork and West Fork Carson River Headwater Flow models and Carson Valley Groundwater/Surface Water model are available here.
STUDIES IN THE CARSON RIVER BASIN
Modeling Tools
Water Quality Science
Chemical Quality of Water Deliveries to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. At the headwaters, precipitation as snow and rain can produce runoff that is unregulated until it reaches Lahontan reservoir. Water flowing in the mainstem may be diverted in Carson Valley for agriculture and for municipal water uses. At Lahontan Reservoir, water imported from the Truckee River Basin is used as needed to supplement natural inflows from the Carson River. Streamflow downgradient of the Lahontan is also used for irrigation and supports habitat critical to migratory birds in the wetlands of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
The Carson River Basin (State of Nevada hydrographic region 8) is about 3,900 square miles and extends about 150 miles from eastern California to Pershing County, Nevada. The Carson River Basin includes the following hydrographic areas: Carson Desert, Churchill Valley, Dayton Valley, Eagle Valley, and Carson Valley. Major cities and towns with the Carson River Basin include Carson City (Nevada's capital), Dayton, Fallon, Gardnerville, and Minden.
USGS Nevada Water Science Center maintains surface and groundwater monitoring locations throughout the Carson River Basin.
AVAILABLE DATA
- Real-Time Streamflow
- Daily Value Streamflow
- Peak Streamflow
- Water Quality for all site types (zip file)
WATER DATA TOOLS
Carson River Basin Hydro Mapper
WATER PLANNING TOOLS
- Assessing potential effects of changes in water use with a numerical groundwater-flow model of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California
By: Richard M. Yager, Douglas K. Maurer, and C.J. Mayers - The distribution and modeling of nitrate transport in the Carson Valley alluvial aquifer, Douglas County, Nevada
By: Ramon C. Naranjo, Toby L. Welborn, and Michael R. Rosen
WATER PLANNING PRESENTATIONS
Presentations related to East Fork and West Fork Carson River Headwater Flow models and Carson Valley Groundwater/Surface Water model are available here.
STUDIES IN THE CARSON RIVER BASIN
Modeling Tools
Water Quality Science
Chemical Quality of Water Deliveries to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada