Evaluation of Streamflow Depletion Related to Groundwater Withdrawal, Humboldt River Basin Active
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.
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.
Geospatial data for Gumboot Lake extents from the report Effects of ground-water development on the water regimen of Paradise Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada, 1949-1968 and Hydrologic Reconnaissance of the Tributary Areas
River Channel Cross-Sections, Middle Humboldt River, North-Central Nevada
Evapotranspiration units and potential areas of groundwater discharge delineated July 2024, 2009 in the upper Humboldt River Basin, northeastern Nevada
Groundwater discharge areas for the 14 hydrographic areas in the middle Humboldt River Basin, north-central Nevada
Evaluation of stream capture related to groundwater pumping, Lower Humboldt River Basin, Nevada
Evaluation of bias associated with capture maps derived from nonlinear groundwater flow models
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.
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.