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Collection of arsenic and associated geochemical data important to occurrence and mobility of arsenic in groundwater used for public supply in southern Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada Active

By Nevada Water Science Center July 17, 2018

The Nevada Water Science Center (NVWSC) is increasing the spatial understanding of the distribution of arsenic and important geochemical information in groundwater resources near select water-supply wells in southern Carson Valley by collecting groundwater samples to complement the existing dataset (2006 – 2015).

To further characterize and develop a better understanding of factors influencing the mobility of arsenic in the southern Carson Valley aquifer, the USGS is collaborating with the Carson Water Subconservancy District to evaluate the distribution of arsenic and other geochemical parameters important to its mobility near pubic supply wells in southern Carson Valley. To maximize the applicability of the data collection effort, the USGS is requesting information from Douglas County water purveyors regarding wells they are most concerned with regarding pumping effects and water chemistry.

The final well selection will be made based on aquifer penetration depth of the available wells in order to maximize the spatial and sampling-depth representation within the 4 square mile (mi2) buffer area surrounding the selected water-supply wells. In the event that the specified number of wells representative of each penetration depth representation within the buffer area are not available, the buffer area may be expanded as appropriate.

Ideally, three wells representing shallow, moderate, and deep penetration depths within the buffer area surrounding the selected water-supply well will be sampled. The “key” water supply well will be selected in consultation with Douglas County water purveyors.

Samples will be analyzed by USGS Nevada Water Science Center Staff (alkalinity, DO, pH, specific conductance and temperature), the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (ammonia, chloride, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, DOC, orthophosphate, dissolved phosphorus, and sulfate), RTI Laboratories (arsenic speciation), and National Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado (iron speciation).

Below are publications associated with this project.

The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, 1993-2009

The Southwest Principal Aquifers consist of many basin-fill aquifers in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Demands for irrigation and drinking water have substantially increased groundwater withdrawals and irrigation return flow to some of these aquifers. These changes have increased the movement of contaminants from geologic and human sources to depths used to supply dri
Authors
Susan A. Thiros, Angela P. Paul, Laura M. Bexfield, David W. Anning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Assessing potential effects of changes in water use with a numerical groundwater-flow model of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California

Rapid growth and development within Carson Valley in Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California, has caused concern over the continued availability of groundwater, and whether the increased municipal demand could either impact the availability of water or result in decreased flow in the Carson River. Annual pumpage of groundwater has increased from less than 10,000 acre feet per year (a
Authors
Richard M. Yager, Douglas K. Maurer, C.J. Mayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

In-situ arsenic remediation in Carson Valley, Douglas County, west-central Nevada

Conventional arsenic remediation strategies primarily involve above-ground treatment that include costs involved in the disposal of sludge material. The primary advantages of in-situ remediation are that building and maintaining a large treatment facility are not necessary and that costs associated with the disposal of sludge are eliminated. A two-phase study was implemented to address the feasibi
Authors
Angela P. Paul, Douglas K. Maurer, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Alan H. Welch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Nevada Water Science Center

Analysis of Streamflow Trends, Ground-Water and Surface-Water Interactions, and Water Quality in the Upper Carson River Basin, Nevada and California

Changes in land and water use and increasing development of water resources in the Carson River basin may affect flow of the river and, in turn, affect downstream water users dependent on sustained river flows to Lahontan Reservoir. To address these concerns, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Churchill County, and the Truckee-Carson Irrigation Dist
Authors
Douglas K. Maurer, Angela P. Paul, David L. Berger, C. Justin Mayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Ground-water depletion across the nation

No abstract available.
Authors
J. R. Bartolino, W. L. Cunningham
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Assessing ground-water vulnerability to contamination: Providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers

Throughout the United States increasing demands for safe drinking water and requirements to maintain healthy ecosystems are leading policy makers to ask complex social and scientific questions about how to assess and manage our water resources. This challenge becomes particularly difficult as policy and management objectives require scientific assessments of the potential for ground-water resource
Authors
Michael J. Focazio, Thomas E. Reilly, Michael G. Rupert, Dennis R. Helsel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Ground-water-level monitoring and the importance of long-term water-level data

Water-level measurements from observation wells are the principal source of information about the effects of hydrologic stresses on ground-water systems. Long-term water-level data are required to address the effects of aquifer development and to compile a hydrologic record of water-level monitoring, uses of long-term water-level data, and improvements in the collection and accessibility of water-
Authors
Charles J. Taylor, William M. Alley
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Ground-water quality and geochemistry in Carson and Eagle Valleys, western Nevada and eastern California

Aquifers in Carson and Eagle Valleys are an important source of water for human consumption and agriculture. Concentrations of major constituents in water from the principal aquifers on the west sides of Carson and Eagle Valleys appear to be a result of natural geochemical reactions with minerals derived primarily from plutonic rocks. In general, water from principal aquifers is acceptable for dri
Authors
Alan H. Welch

Below are partners associated with this project.

Carson Water Subconservancy District

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

The Nevada Water Science Center (NVWSC) is increasing the spatial understanding of the distribution of arsenic and important geochemical information in groundwater resources near select water-supply wells in southern Carson Valley by collecting groundwater samples to complement the existing dataset (2006 – 2015).

To further characterize and develop a better understanding of factors influencing the mobility of arsenic in the southern Carson Valley aquifer, the USGS is collaborating with the Carson Water Subconservancy District to evaluate the distribution of arsenic and other geochemical parameters important to its mobility near pubic supply wells in southern Carson Valley. To maximize the applicability of the data collection effort, the USGS is requesting information from Douglas County water purveyors regarding wells they are most concerned with regarding pumping effects and water chemistry.

The final well selection will be made based on aquifer penetration depth of the available wells in order to maximize the spatial and sampling-depth representation within the 4 square mile (mi2) buffer area surrounding the selected water-supply wells. In the event that the specified number of wells representative of each penetration depth representation within the buffer area are not available, the buffer area may be expanded as appropriate.

Ideally, three wells representing shallow, moderate, and deep penetration depths within the buffer area surrounding the selected water-supply well will be sampled. The “key” water supply well will be selected in consultation with Douglas County water purveyors.

Samples will be analyzed by USGS Nevada Water Science Center Staff (alkalinity, DO, pH, specific conductance and temperature), the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (ammonia, chloride, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, DOC, orthophosphate, dissolved phosphorus, and sulfate), RTI Laboratories (arsenic speciation), and National Research Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado (iron speciation).

Below are publications associated with this project.

The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, 1993-2009

The Southwest Principal Aquifers consist of many basin-fill aquifers in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Demands for irrigation and drinking water have substantially increased groundwater withdrawals and irrigation return flow to some of these aquifers. These changes have increased the movement of contaminants from geologic and human sources to depths used to supply dri
Authors
Susan A. Thiros, Angela P. Paul, Laura M. Bexfield, David W. Anning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Assessing potential effects of changes in water use with a numerical groundwater-flow model of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California

Rapid growth and development within Carson Valley in Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California, has caused concern over the continued availability of groundwater, and whether the increased municipal demand could either impact the availability of water or result in decreased flow in the Carson River. Annual pumpage of groundwater has increased from less than 10,000 acre feet per year (a
Authors
Richard M. Yager, Douglas K. Maurer, C.J. Mayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

In-situ arsenic remediation in Carson Valley, Douglas County, west-central Nevada

Conventional arsenic remediation strategies primarily involve above-ground treatment that include costs involved in the disposal of sludge material. The primary advantages of in-situ remediation are that building and maintaining a large treatment facility are not necessary and that costs associated with the disposal of sludge are eliminated. A two-phase study was implemented to address the feasibi
Authors
Angela P. Paul, Douglas K. Maurer, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Alan H. Welch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Nevada Water Science Center

Analysis of Streamflow Trends, Ground-Water and Surface-Water Interactions, and Water Quality in the Upper Carson River Basin, Nevada and California

Changes in land and water use and increasing development of water resources in the Carson River basin may affect flow of the river and, in turn, affect downstream water users dependent on sustained river flows to Lahontan Reservoir. To address these concerns, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Churchill County, and the Truckee-Carson Irrigation Dist
Authors
Douglas K. Maurer, Angela P. Paul, David L. Berger, C. Justin Mayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Ground-water depletion across the nation

No abstract available.
Authors
J. R. Bartolino, W. L. Cunningham
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Assessing ground-water vulnerability to contamination: Providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers

Throughout the United States increasing demands for safe drinking water and requirements to maintain healthy ecosystems are leading policy makers to ask complex social and scientific questions about how to assess and manage our water resources. This challenge becomes particularly difficult as policy and management objectives require scientific assessments of the potential for ground-water resource
Authors
Michael J. Focazio, Thomas E. Reilly, Michael G. Rupert, Dennis R. Helsel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Ground-water-level monitoring and the importance of long-term water-level data

Water-level measurements from observation wells are the principal source of information about the effects of hydrologic stresses on ground-water systems. Long-term water-level data are required to address the effects of aquifer development and to compile a hydrologic record of water-level monitoring, uses of long-term water-level data, and improvements in the collection and accessibility of water-
Authors
Charles J. Taylor, William M. Alley
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Ground-water quality and geochemistry in Carson and Eagle Valleys, western Nevada and eastern California

Aquifers in Carson and Eagle Valleys are an important source of water for human consumption and agriculture. Concentrations of major constituents in water from the principal aquifers on the west sides of Carson and Eagle Valleys appear to be a result of natural geochemical reactions with minerals derived primarily from plutonic rocks. In general, water from principal aquifers is acceptable for dri
Authors
Alan H. Welch

Below are partners associated with this project.

Carson Water Subconservancy District

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology