Evaluation of streamflow extent and hydraulic characteristics of a restored channel at Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada
The Soldier Meadows spring complex provides habitat for the desert dace, an endemic and threatened fish. The spring complex has been altered with the construction of irrigation ditches that remove water from natural stream channels. Irrigation ditches generally provide lower quality habitat for the desert dace. Land and wildlife management agencies are interested in increasing habitat extent and quality by filling in irrigation ditches and restoring streamflow to natural channels. The U.S. Geological Survey measured streamflow, surveyed topography, and combined light detection and ranging data to create a two-dimensional hydraulic model of the study area to understand how restoration would change streamflow extents and hydraulic characteristics. Streamflow measurements indicate that, except for a section of one irrigation ditch at the upstream end of the study area, the total volume of streamflow diverted into the irrigation ditches in the study area was minimal. Hydraulic modeling indicates filling in the irrigation ditch at the upper end of the study area would return streamflow to the natural channel, resulting in an increase in natural channel surface water extent, and a reduction of irrigation ditch surface water flow. The result would be a more heterogenous natural stream channel, ranging from shallow and slow to narrow and fast.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Title | Evaluation of streamflow extent and hydraulic characteristics of a restored channel at Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20205143 |
| Authors | Christopher M. Morris |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series Number | 2020-5143 |
| Index ID | sir20205143 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Nevada Water Science Center |
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Geospatial data and surface-water model archive for evaluation of streamflow extent and hydraulic characteristics of a restored channel at Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada
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- Data
Geospatial data and surface-water model archive for evaluation of streamflow extent and hydraulic characteristics of a restored channel at Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada
This U.S. Geological Survey data release consists of a geospatial dataset containing information on estimated streamflow extent, stream velocity, and stream depth at Soldier Meadows Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada, and the data acquired and processed to support the estimation of those attributes. Supporting datasets include topographic survey - Connect