Science in the Carson River Basin Active
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 begins in the Sierra Nevada as the East Fork and West Fork of the Carson River. These two forks come together in the Carson Valley, not far from Carson City, Nev. The river then flows through the Carson River Basin until its terminus at the Carson Sink. The Carson River is a popular recreation spot with rafters, hikers, and fishermen.
Discharge data for the Carson River Basin
Water Quality data for the Carson River Basin
The Carson River Basin (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.
USGS Water Data for the Nation data:
- Real-Time Streamflow
- Daily Value Streamflow
- Peak Streamflow
- Groundwater Level Measurement Map help
- Water Quality Map help
- Groundwater Quality ( Arsenic, Nitrate) help
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.
ACTIVE STUDIES IN THE CARSON RIVER BASIN
Modeling Tools
Water Quality Science
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, NevadaChemical Quality of Water Deliveries to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Nevada Water Science Center projects in the Carson River Basin are linked below.
USGS Nevada Water Science Center data releases and tools listed below. Links to other available tools and data can be found on the Overview tab.
Nevada Water Science Center publications for the Carson River Basin are listed below.
Predicted nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the Southwestern United States
Physical setting and natural sources of exposure to carcinogenic trace elements and radionuclides in Lahontan Valley, Nevada
The occurrence of trace elements in bed sediment collected from areas of varying land use and potential effects on stream macroinvertebrates in the conterminous western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, 1992-2000
Precipitation and runoff simulations of select perennial and ephemeral watersheds in the middle Carson River basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada
Geologic framework and hydrogeology of the middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central Nevada
Effects of natural and human factors on groundwater quality of basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States: Conceptual models for selected contaminants
Conceptual understanding and groundwater quality of selected basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States
In-situ arsenic remediation in Carson Valley, Douglas County, west-central Nevada
Monitoring for Pesticides in Groundwater and Surface Water in Nevada, 2008
Sediment Loads and Yield, and Selected Water-Quality Parameters in Clear Creek, Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada, Water Years 2004-07
Analysis of Streamflow Trends, Ground-Water and Surface-Water Interactions, and Water Quality in the Upper Carson River Basin, Nevada and California
Precipitation and Runoff Simulations of the Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains, and Updated Estimates of Ground-Water Inflow and the Ground-Water Budgets for Basin-Fill Aquifers of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California
These are the partners that we are working with currently in the Carson River Basin. A complete list of our partners is available here: Partners page
- Overview
The Carson River begins in the Sierra Nevada as the East Fork and West Fork of the Carson River. These two forks come together in the Carson Valley, not far from Carson City, Nev. The river then flows through the Carson River Basin until its terminus at the Carson Sink. The Carson River is a popular recreation spot with rafters, hikers, and fishermen.
Discharge data for the Carson River BasinWater Quality data for the Carson River BasinThe Carson River Basin (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.
USGS Water Data for the Nation data:
- Real-Time Streamflow
- Daily Value Streamflow
- Peak Streamflow
- Groundwater Level Measurement Map help
- Water Quality Map help
- Groundwater Quality ( Arsenic, Nitrate) help
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.
ACTIVE STUDIES IN THE CARSON RIVER BASIN
Modeling Tools
Water Quality Science
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, NevadaChemical Quality of Water Deliveries to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
- Science
Nevada Water Science Center projects in the Carson River Basin are linked below.
- Data
USGS Nevada Water Science Center data releases and tools listed below. Links to other available tools and data can be found on the Overview tab.
- Publications
Nevada Water Science Center publications for the Carson River Basin are listed below.
Filter Total Items: 58Predicted nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the Southwestern United States
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifer systems across the United States. The Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers in the region to groundwater contamination by synthesizAuthorsDavid W. Anning, Angela P. Paul, Tim S. McKinney, Jena M. Huntington, Laura M. Bexfield, Susan A. ThirosPhysical setting and natural sources of exposure to carcinogenic trace elements and radionuclides in Lahontan Valley, Nevada
In Lahontan Valley, Nevada, arsenic, cobalt, tungsten, uranium, radon, and polonium-210 are carcinogens that occur naturally in sediments and groundwater. Arsenic and cobalt are principally derived from erosion of volcanic rocks in the local mountains and tungsten and uranium are derived from erosion of granitic rocks in headwater reaches of the Carson River. Radon and 210Po originate from radioacAuthorsRalph L. SeilerThe occurrence of trace elements in bed sediment collected from areas of varying land use and potential effects on stream macroinvertebrates in the conterminous western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, 1992-2000
As part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey, this study examines the occurrence of nine trace elements in bed sediment of varying mineralogy and land use and assesses the possible effects of these trace elements on aquatic-macroinvertebrate community structure. Samples of bed sediment and macroinvertebrates were collected from 154 streams at sites represeAuthorsAngela P. Paul, Nicholas V. Paretti, Dorene E. MacCoy, Anne M.D. BrasherPrecipitation and runoff simulations of select perennial and ephemeral watersheds in the middle Carson River basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada
The effect that land use may have on streamflow in the Carson River, and ultimately its impact on downstream users can be evaluated by simulating precipitation-runoff processes and estimating groundwater inflow in the middle Carson River in west-central Nevada. To address these concerns, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, began a study in 2008 to evaluate grAuthorsAnne E. Jeton, Douglas K. MaurerGeologic framework and hydrogeology of the middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central Nevada
Changes in land use and water use and increasing development of water resources in the middle Carson River basin may affect flow of the river and, in turn, affect downstream water users dependent on sustained river flows to Lahontan Reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, began a study in 2008 of the middle Carson River basin, extending from Eagle VallAuthorsDouglas K. MaurerEffects of natural and human factors on groundwater quality of basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States: Conceptual models for selected contaminants
As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the factors that affect water quality in basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States. The SWPA study area includes four principal aquifers of the United States: the Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers in California, NAuthorsLaura M. Bexfield, Susan A. Thiros, David W. Anning, Jena M. Huntington, Tim S. McKinneyConceptual understanding and groundwater quality of selected basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey has been conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifer systems in the southwestern United States (hereinafter, “Southwest”) since 2005. Part of the NAWQA Program, the objective of the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is to develop a better understanding of water quality in basin-AuthorsSusan A. Thiros, Laura M. Bexfield, David W. Anning, Jena M. HuntingtonIn-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 feasibiAuthorsAngela P. Paul, Douglas K. Maurer, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Alan H. WelchMonitoring for Pesticides in Groundwater and Surface Water in Nevada, 2008
Commercial pesticide applicators, farmers, and homeowners apply about 1 billion pounds of pesticides annually to agricultural land, non-crop land, and urban areas throughout the United States (Gilliom and others, 2006, p. 1). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) defines a pesticide as any substance used to kill or control insects, weeds, plant diseases, and other pest organisms. AlthouAuthorsCarl E. Thodal, Jon Carpenter, Charles W. MosesSediment Loads and Yield, and Selected Water-Quality Parameters in Clear Creek, Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada, Water Years 2004-07
Some reaches of Clear Creek above U.S. Highway 395 have experienced severe erosion as a result of fires, extreme precipitation events, and past and current human activities in the basin. Previous evaluations of erosion in the basin have concluded that most of the sediment produced and transported in the basin was associated with U.S. Highway 50, a four-lane highway that roughly parallels Clear CreAuthorsRalph L. Seiler, James L. WoodAnalysis 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 DistAuthorsDouglas K. Maurer, Angela P. Paul, David L. Berger, C. Justin MayersPrecipitation and Runoff Simulations of the Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains, and Updated Estimates of Ground-Water Inflow and the Ground-Water Budgets for Basin-Fill Aquifers of Carson Valley, Douglas County, Nevada, and Alpine County, California
Recent estimates of ground-water inflow to the basin-fill aquifers of Carson Valley, Nevada, and California, from the adjacent Carson Range and Pine Nut Mountains ranged from 22,000 to 40,000 acre-feet per year using water-yield and chloride-balance methods. In this study, watershed models were developed for watersheds with perennial streams and for watersheds with ephemeral streams in the CarsonAuthorsAnne E. Jeton, Douglas K. Maurer - Partners
These are the partners that we are working with currently in the Carson River Basin. A complete list of our partners is available here: Partners page
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