Science in the Humboldt River Basin Active
Humboldt River near Carlin
Lamoille Creek
Beaver Creek
Susie Creek
Humboldt River near Elko
The Humboldt River is in north-central Nevada. The river is about 330 miles long and provides water for mostly agricultural purposes. One of the largest industries in Nevada is gold mining and the majority of those mines are in the Humboldt River Basin on the Carlin Trend. Gold mines in Nevada produce close to 80 percent of all the gold in the U.S. and are the 4th largest in the world. In 2010, Nevada mines produced 5,338,559 ounces of gold (Nevada Division of Minerals).
The Humboldt River Basin is the largest river basin that is entirely within the State covering more than 16,000 square miles. The Humboldt River Basin contains 34 hydrographic areas: Marys River, Area, Starr Valley, North Fork Area, Lamoille Valley, South Fork Area, Huntington Valley, Dixie Creek Area, Elko Segment, Susie Creek Area, Maggie Creek Area, Marys Creek Area, pine Valley, Crescent Valley, Carico Lake Valley, Upper Reese River Valley, Antelope Valley, Middle Reese River Valley, Lower Reese River Valley, Whirlwind Valley, Boulder Flat, Rock Creek Valley, Willow Creek, Clovers Area, pumpernickel Valley, Kelley Creek Valley, Little Humboldt Valley, Hardscrabble Area, paradise Valley, Winnemucca Segment, Grass Valley, Imlay Area, Lovelock Valley, and White plains.
USGS Nevada Water Science Center maintains more than 69 streamflow gages on the Humboldt River.
DATA
Real-Time Streamflow :: Daily Values :: Peak-Flow :: Water Quality
ACTIVE STUDIES IN THE HUMBOLDT RIVER BASIN
Evaluation of Streamflow Depletion Related to Groundwater Withdrawal, Humboldt River Basin
For more information, contact Kyle Davis.
The Humboldt River Basin (HRB) is the only major river basin that is entirely within the State of Nevada. Precipitation supplies all the water that enters the basin; consequently, the variability in climate has significant impacts on the hydrology of the area. In addition, increased development which has been superimposed on natural climate fluctuations affects the water resources of the basin. Continued groundwater withdrawals within the Humboldt River Basin are likely contributing to streamflow depletion of the Humboldt River. The timing and magnitude of the effects of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow of the Humboldt River are not well understood. Although groundwater use in the Humboldt River Basin is primarily for agriculture, a substantial quantity of groundwater has been removed from consolidated rock units and basin fill as part of mining activity in the middle Humboldt River basin. The contribution to streamflow depletion by mine dewatering is currently thought to be relatively small, largely because much of the water was or continues to be returned to the river or to unconsolidated deposits near the river. However, many Humboldt River water rights holders contend that mine dewatering contributes significantly to streamflow depletion.
To evaluate the impacts of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow, three transient, regional-scale flow models will be developed and documented. The three models will represent the upper, middle, and lower Humboldt River Basins, respectively. The middle HRB model will be developed by the USGS; the upper HRB model is being developed separately and simultaneously by the Desert Research Institute (DRI); and the lower HRB model will be co-developed by the USGS and DRI.
Visit the project web site: Evaluation of Streamflow Depletion Related to Groundwater Withdrawal, Humboldt River Basin
COMPLETED STUDIES IN THE HUMBOLDT RIVER BASIN
Not all completed studies are listed here. If you would like additional information about completed studies, please email the NVWSC at GS-W-NVpublic-info@ usgs.gov.
Water Resources of the Upper Humboldt River Basin
Any decisions to further develop the ground-water resources of the upper Humboldt River Basin will have to be balanced against the potential effects of such development on streamflow. County and state water-resource managers need information that will enable them to make informed decisions regarding future use and development of the water resources of the upper Humboldt River Basin. To address these needs and concerns, the NVWSC has adopted a phased approach for assessing the water resources of the upper Humboldt River basin in northeastern Nevada. Phase one was completed in 2007–08 and describes the hydrogeologic framework and groundwater conditions. Phase two took place in federal fiscal years 2009–11. The results from phase two were summarized in USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5077, which describes properties of basin-fill deposits, presents an overall water budget for the period 1971–2000, and describes interactions of groundwater and streamflow along the mainstem Humboldt River and its main tributaries.
Visit the project web page: Water Resources of the Upper Humboldt River Basin
Find out more about our work in the Humboldt River Basin from the links below.
Nevada Water Science Center data sets and tools for the Humboldt River Basin are listed below.
USGS publications for the Humboldt River Basin are listed below. Some older publications are not yet available electronically. For a list of these publications, please email the NVWSC at GS-W-NVpublic-info@ usgs.gov.
Physical, chemical, and biological data for detailed study of irrigation drainage in and near Stillwater, Fernley, and Humboldt Wildlife Management Areas, and Carson Lake, west-central Nevada, 1987-89
Principal facts for gravity stations in Paradise and Stagecoach valleys, Humboldt and Lyon counties, Nevada
Principal facts for gravity stations in the Humboldt House geothermal area, Pershing County, Nevada
Appraisal of water resources in the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, Humboldt County, Nevada
Evapotranspiration by woody phreatophytes in the Humboldt River valley near Winnemucca, Nevada, with a section on soil-moisture determinations
Geologic map of the Winnemucca quadrangle, Pershing and Humboldt Counties, Nevada
Water in the Humboldt River Valley near Winnemucca, Nevada
Water resources of the Humboldt River Valley near Winnemucca, Nevada
Preliminary results of hydrogeologic investigations in the valley of the Humboldt River near Winnemucca, Nevada
Ground water in the alluvium of Kings River Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada
Specific yield and particle-size relations of Quaternary alluvium, Humboldt River Valley, Nevada
Hydraulic characteristics of aquifers penetrated by irrigation wells in the vicinity of Orovada, Humboldt County, Nevada, 1953
These are the partners that we are working with currently in the Humboldt River Basin. A complete list of our partners is available here: Partners page
- Overview
The Humboldt River is in north-central Nevada. The river is about 330 miles long and provides water for mostly agricultural purposes. One of the largest industries in Nevada is gold mining and the majority of those mines are in the Humboldt River Basin on the Carlin Trend. Gold mines in Nevada produce close to 80 percent of all the gold in the U.S. and are the 4th largest in the world. In 2010, Nevada mines produced 5,338,559 ounces of gold (Nevada Division of Minerals).
The Humboldt River Basin is the largest river basin that is entirely within the State covering more than 16,000 square miles. The Humboldt River Basin contains 34 hydrographic areas: Marys River, Area, Starr Valley, North Fork Area, Lamoille Valley, South Fork Area, Huntington Valley, Dixie Creek Area, Elko Segment, Susie Creek Area, Maggie Creek Area, Marys Creek Area, pine Valley, Crescent Valley, Carico Lake Valley, Upper Reese River Valley, Antelope Valley, Middle Reese River Valley, Lower Reese River Valley, Whirlwind Valley, Boulder Flat, Rock Creek Valley, Willow Creek, Clovers Area, pumpernickel Valley, Kelley Creek Valley, Little Humboldt Valley, Hardscrabble Area, paradise Valley, Winnemucca Segment, Grass Valley, Imlay Area, Lovelock Valley, and White plains.
USGS Nevada Water Science Center maintains more than 69 streamflow gages on the Humboldt River.
DATA
Real-Time Streamflow :: Daily Values :: Peak-Flow :: Water Quality
ACTIVE STUDIES IN THE HUMBOLDT RIVER BASIN
Evaluation of Streamflow Depletion Related to Groundwater Withdrawal, Humboldt River Basin
For more information, contact Kyle Davis.
The Humboldt River Basin (HRB) is the only major river basin that is entirely within the State of Nevada. Precipitation supplies all the water that enters the basin; consequently, the variability in climate has significant impacts on the hydrology of the area. In addition, increased development which has been superimposed on natural climate fluctuations affects the water resources of the basin. Continued groundwater withdrawals within the Humboldt River Basin are likely contributing to streamflow depletion of the Humboldt River. The timing and magnitude of the effects of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow of the Humboldt River are not well understood. Although groundwater use in the Humboldt River Basin is primarily for agriculture, a substantial quantity of groundwater has been removed from consolidated rock units and basin fill as part of mining activity in the middle Humboldt River basin. The contribution to streamflow depletion by mine dewatering is currently thought to be relatively small, largely because much of the water was or continues to be returned to the river or to unconsolidated deposits near the river. However, many Humboldt River water rights holders contend that mine dewatering contributes significantly to streamflow depletion.
To evaluate the impacts of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow, three transient, regional-scale flow models will be developed and documented. The three models will represent the upper, middle, and lower Humboldt River Basins, respectively. The middle HRB model will be developed by the USGS; the upper HRB model is being developed separately and simultaneously by the Desert Research Institute (DRI); and the lower HRB model will be co-developed by the USGS and DRI.
Visit the project web site: Evaluation of Streamflow Depletion Related to Groundwater Withdrawal, Humboldt River Basin
COMPLETED STUDIES IN THE HUMBOLDT RIVER BASIN
Not all completed studies are listed here. If you would like additional information about completed studies, please email the NVWSC at GS-W-NVpublic-info@ usgs.gov.
Water Resources of the Upper Humboldt River Basin
Any decisions to further develop the ground-water resources of the upper Humboldt River Basin will have to be balanced against the potential effects of such development on streamflow. County and state water-resource managers need information that will enable them to make informed decisions regarding future use and development of the water resources of the upper Humboldt River Basin. To address these needs and concerns, the NVWSC has adopted a phased approach for assessing the water resources of the upper Humboldt River basin in northeastern Nevada. Phase one was completed in 2007–08 and describes the hydrogeologic framework and groundwater conditions. Phase two took place in federal fiscal years 2009–11. The results from phase two were summarized in USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5077, which describes properties of basin-fill deposits, presents an overall water budget for the period 1971–2000, and describes interactions of groundwater and streamflow along the mainstem Humboldt River and its main tributaries.
Visit the project web page: Water Resources of the Upper Humboldt River Basin
- Science
Find out more about our work in the Humboldt River Basin from the links below.
- Data
Nevada Water Science Center data sets and tools for the Humboldt River Basin are listed below.
- Publications
USGS publications for the Humboldt River Basin are listed below. Some older publications are not yet available electronically. For a list of these publications, please email the NVWSC at GS-W-NVpublic-info@ usgs.gov.
Filter Total Items: 36Physical, chemical, and biological data for detailed study of irrigation drainage in and near Stillwater, Fernley, and Humboldt Wildlife Management Areas, and Carson Lake, west-central Nevada, 1987-89
No abstract available.AuthorsTimothy G. Rowe, M. S. Lico, R.J. Hallock, A.S. Maest, R.J. HoffmanPrincipal facts for gravity stations in Paradise and Stagecoach valleys, Humboldt and Lyon counties, Nevada
Principal facts for 178 gravity stations in Paradise Valley and 117 stations in Stagecoach Valley, are tabulated; they consists of latitude, longitude, altitude, observed gravity, free-air anomaly, terrain correction, and Bouguer gravity anomaly values at a bedrock density of 2.67 grams per cubic centimeter. (USGS)AuthorsD.H. Schaefer, B.G. Duffrin, R. W. PlumePrincipal facts for gravity stations in the Humboldt House geothermal area, Pershing County, Nevada
No abstract available.AuthorsB.G. Duffrin, D.L. Berger, D.H. SchaeferAppraisal of water resources in the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, Humboldt County, Nevada
Consideration of land-management alternatives in parts of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation has prompted an evaluation of water resources in the reservation and vicinity. The study area comprises (1) about 9 square miles of reservation land, plus adjacent areas, on and bordering the floor of Quinn River valley near McDermitt, Nev., and (2) the uninhabited 5.6-square-mile Hog John Ranch (also pAuthorsFreddy E. ArteagaEvapotranspiration by woody phreatophytes in the Humboldt River valley near Winnemucca, Nevada, with a section on soil-moisture determinations
No abstract available.AuthorsT. W. Robinson, A. O. WaananenGeologic map of the Winnemucca quadrangle, Pershing and Humboldt Counties, Nevada
No abstract available.AuthorsJames GillulyWater in the Humboldt River Valley near Winnemucca, Nevada
Most of the work of the interagency Humboldt River Research Project in the Winnemucca reach of the Humboldt River valley has been completed. More than a dozen State and Federal agencies and several private organizations and individuals participated in the study. The major objective of the project, which began in 1959, is to evaluate the water resources of the entire Humboldt River basin. However,AuthorsPhilip M. CohenWater resources of the Humboldt River Valley near Winnemucca, Nevada
This report, resulting from studies made by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of the interagency Humboldt River Research Project, describes the qualitative and quantitative relations among the components of the hydrologic system in the Winnemucca Reach of the Humboldt River valley. The area studied includes the segment of the Humboldt River valley between the Comus and Rose Creek gaging stations.AuthorsPhilip M. CohenPreliminary results of hydrogeologic investigations in the valley of the Humboldt River near Winnemucca, Nevada
Most of the ground water of economic importance and nearly all the ground water closely associated with the flow o# the Humboldt River in the. 40-mile reach near Winnemucca, Nev., are in unconsolidated sedimentary deposits. These deposits range in age from Pliocene to Recent and range in character from coarse poorly sorted fanglomerate to lacustrine strata of clay, silt, sand, and gravel. The mostAuthorsPhilip M. CohenGround water in the alluvium of Kings River Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada
No abstract available.AuthorsC.P. ZonesSpecific yield and particle-size relations of Quaternary alluvium, Humboldt River Valley, Nevada
No abstract available.AuthorsPhilip M. CohenHydraulic characteristics of aquifers penetrated by irrigation wells in the vicinity of Orovada, Humboldt County, Nevada, 1953
During the period April 21-23, 1953, a pumping test was made on several irrigation wells penetrating alluvium about a mile southwest of Orovada, Nev., in order to determine the hydraulic characteristics of the aquifers commonly penetrated by wells in that vicinity. The test was made by the writer, engineer, and J.L Poole, geologist, United States Geological Survey, as part of an investigation of tAuthorsOmar J. Loeltz - Partners
These are the partners that we are working with currently in the Humboldt River Basin. A complete list of our partners is available here: Partners page