Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

David W. Smith

David W. Smith is a hydrologist in the Northern Nevada Hydrologic Studies Unit.

David’s research focuses on water quality, quantifying tributary loads, surface-water groundwater interactions, and groundwater-supply investigations. He is currently the program lead for the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program and a member of the NWIS Modernization Program Management Team.

Professional Experience

  • 2010 - Present: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Nevada Water Science Center, Carson City, Nevada

  • 2009 - 2010: Research Assistant, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV

  • 2009: National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) and U.S. Geological Survey Fellowship, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

  • 2005 - 2009: Student Hydrologic Technician, Iowa Water Science Center, Iowa City, Iowa

Education and Certifications

  • M.S., Hydrology, University of Nevada, Reno

  • B.S., Geoscience and B.S. Environmental Science Hydrology, University of Iowa

Science and Products

Incorporating temperature into seepage loss estimates for a large unlined irrigation canal

Quantifying seepage losses from unlined irrigation canals is necessary to improve water use and conservation. The use of heat as a tracer is widely used in quantifying seepage rates across the sediment–water interface. In this study, field observations and two-dimensional numerical models were used to simulate seepage losses during the 2018 and 2019 irrigation season in the Truckee Canal system. N
Authors
Ramon C. Naranjo, David Smith, Evan J. Lindenbach
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Surface infiltration and unsaturated zone characterization in support of managed aquifer recharge in Bedell Flat, Washoe County, Nevada

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) expands the portfolio of public water supply and improves resiliency to drought and future water demand. This study investigated the feasibility of ASR in the Bedell Flat Hydrographic Area using land-based methods including in-channel managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and rapid infiltration basins (RIB). Bedell Flat, one of two flow-through groundwater basins near R
Authors
Todd Caldwell, Ramon C. Naranjo, David Smith, Christian Kropf
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Hydraulic characterization of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada

Understanding groundwater flow and pumping effects near pending mining operations requires accurate subsurface hydraulic characterization. To improve conceptual models of groundwater flow and development in the complex hydrogeologic system near Long Canyon Mine, in northwestern Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey characterized the hydraulic properties of carbonate rocks
Authors
C. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Philip M. Gardner, David W. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Estimates of groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada, 2016–18

This report documents methodology and results of a study that estimated groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) from phreatophytic vegetation in two desert riparian areas with ephemeral spring discharge in Clark County, southern Nevada. The phreatophytes consisted primarily of western honey mesquite [Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (L.D. Benson) M.C. Johnst.] at Stump Spring and mixe
Authors
Michael T. Moreo, Susan G. Buto, David W. Smith, Nora C. Nelson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

A process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, 2002–05

This report documents a process used to estimate net infiltration from precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil data acquired at two sites on Rainier Mesa. Rainier Mesa is a groundwater recharge area within the Nevada National Security Site where recharged water flows through bedrock fractures to a deep (450 meters) water table. The U.S. Geological Survey operated two ET stations on Rainie
Authors
David W. Smith, Michael T. Moreo, C. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Joseph M. Fenelon
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Nutrient processes at the stream-lake interface for a channelized versus unmodified stream mouth

Inorganic forms of nitrogen and phosphorous impact freshwater lakes by stimulating primary production and affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Communities around the world are motivated to sustain and restore freshwater resources and are interested in processes controlling nutrient inputs. We studied the environment where streams flow into lakes, referred to as the stream-lake interface (
Authors
Richard G. Niswonger, Ramon C. Naranjo, David Smith, James E. Constantz, Kip K. Allander, Donald O. Rosenberry, Bethany Neilson, Michael R. Rosen, David A. Stonestrom
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Quantifying seepage using heat as a tracer in selected irrigation canals, Walker River Basin, Nevada, 2012 and 2013

The Walker River is an important source of water for western Nevada. The river provides water for agriculture and recharge to local aquifers used by several communities. Farmers began diverting water from the Walker River in the 1860s to support growing agricultural development. Over time, the reduced inflows into Walker Lake from upstream reservoirs and diversions have resulted in 170 feet of lak
Authors
Ramon C. Naranjo, David W. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Groundwater-level change and evaluation of simulated water levels for irrigated areas in Lahontan Valley, Churchill County, west-central Nevada, 1992 to 2012

The acquisition and transfer of water rights to wetland areas of Lahontan Valley, Nevada, has caused concern over the potential effects on shallow aquifer water levels. In 1992, water levels in Lahontan Valley were measured to construct a water-table map of the shallow aquifer prior to the effects of water-right transfers mandated by the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribal Settlement Act of 1990 (Public
Authors
David W. Smith, Susan G. Buto, Toby L. Welborn
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Manual hierarchical clustering of regional geochemical data using a Bayesian finite mixture model

Interpretation of regional scale, multivariate geochemical data is aided by a statistical technique called “clustering.” We investigate a particular clustering procedure by applying it to geochemical data collected in the State of Colorado, United States of America. The clustering procedure partitions the field samples for the entire survey area into two clusters. The field samples in each cluster
Authors
Karl J. Ellefsen, David Smith
By
Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Groundwater exchanges near a channelized versus unmodified stream mouth discharging to a subalpine lake

The terminus of a stream flowing into a larger river, pond, lake, or reservoir is referred to as the stream-mouth reach or simply the stream mouth. The terminus is often characterized by rapidly changing thermal and hydraulic conditions that result in abrupt shifts in surface water/groundwater (sw/gw) exchange patterns, creating the potential for unique biogeochemical processes and ecosystems. Wor
Authors
James Constantz, Ramon C. Naranjo, Richard G. Niswonger, Kip K. Allander, B. Neilson, Donald O. Rosenberry, David W. Smith, C. Rosecrans, David A. Stonestrom
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Ecoregions of California

Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They are designed to serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. By recognizing the spatial differences in the capacities and potentials of ecosystems, ecoregions stratify the environment by
Authors
Glenn E. Griffith, James M. Omernik, David W. Smith, Terry D. Cook, Ed Tallyn, Kendra Moseley, Colleen B. Johnson
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link
Measuring a well in the Virginia City Highlands, Nev.

Evaluation of water-level decline and aquifer properties in the Virginia City Highlands and Highland Ranches Volcanic Rock aquifer system, Storey County, Nevada

The Virginia City Highlands and Highland Ranches (VC Highlands) are a rural residential housing area established along the ridge of the Virginia Range in Storey County, Nevada. Approximately 1,400 residents exclusively rely on domestic wells for water supply and domestic well depths range from 75 to 1,175 ft below land surface. NVWSC monitors water levels annually in two domestic wells in the VC...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
link

Evaluation of water-level decline and aquifer properties in the Virginia City Highlands and Highland Ranches Volcanic Rock aquifer system, Storey County, Nevada

The Virginia City Highlands and Highland Ranches (VC Highlands) are a rural residential housing area established along the ridge of the Virginia Range in Storey County, Nevada. Approximately 1,400 residents exclusively rely on domestic wells for water supply and domestic well depths range from 75 to 1,175 ft below land surface. NVWSC monitors water levels annually in two domestic wells in the VC...
Learn More
link
Black Rock High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nev.

Evaluation of Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area

Minimal hydrologic data are available for the Black Rock National Conservation Area (BRNCA). USGS scientists collected baseline spring flow, groundwater level, and precipitation data to support concurrent ecological studies of perennial springs in the BRNCA by the Desert Research Institute. The collection of baseline hydrologic data is the initial step for determining how ecosystems in the BRNCA...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
link

Evaluation of Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area

Minimal hydrologic data are available for the Black Rock National Conservation Area (BRNCA). USGS scientists collected baseline spring flow, groundwater level, and precipitation data to support concurrent ecological studies of perennial springs in the BRNCA by the Desert Research Institute. The collection of baseline hydrologic data is the initial step for determining how ecosystems in the BRNCA...
Learn More
link
lake basin with rocks in foreground and trees in the right

Lake Tahoe Tributary Monitoring

The Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP) is an essential part of integrated science in the Lake Tahoe Basin and has provided long-term, consistent, reliable, and accessible tributary monitoring data for decades.
By
Nevada Water Science Center
link

Lake Tahoe Tributary Monitoring

The Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP) is an essential part of integrated science in the Lake Tahoe Basin and has provided long-term, consistent, reliable, and accessible tributary monitoring data for decades.
Learn More

Supplemental data and documentation of VS2DH seepage models: Incorporating temperature into seepage loss estimates for a large irrigation canal

This USGS data release presents tabular data and a model archive used to estimate seepage rates at 19 locations on the Truckee Canal for the 2018 and 2019 irrigation seasons. This supplemental data release consists of two child items: (1) Model archive of two-dimensional variably saturated heat and flow models (VS2DH) used to examine seepage rates in the Truckee Canal at 19 transect locations (mo
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Documentation of VS2DH Seepage Models: Surface Infiltration and Unsaturated Zone Characterization in Support of Managed Aquifer Recharge, Washoe County, Nevada

Two-dimensional variably saturated heat and flow models (VS2DH) were used to examine seepage rates along the Birdspring drainage for the purpose of exploring the drainage channel for use in an managed aquifer recharge project. Six transect models were separately calibrated to sediment temperatures observed during episodic runoff events during water year 2017 and 2018. The models were calibrated to
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Supplemental Data: Surface Infiltration and Unsaturated Zone Characterization in Support of Managed Aquifer Recharge in Bedell Flat, Washoe County, Nevada

This USGS data release presents tabular data and photos used to determine (1) the duration of flow, subsurface temperature, and concurrent infiltration along an ephemeral channel and (2) vertical change of soil moisture, texture, and pore-water chemistry in the unsaturated zone at selected locations. The data were collected to investigate the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) for aquif
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Model Archive Summary for Surrogate Regression of Fine-Sediment Particles for Lake Tahoe Tributaries

This USGS data release presents Model Archive Summaries (MAS) and tabular calibration data used to develop surrogate regressions to estimate fine sediment particles flowing into Lake Tahoe. Fine sediment particles in the size range of 0.5 to 16.0 micrometers (μm) represent the primary size range of suspended sediment responsible for clarity reduction in Lake Tahoe. Models will be used to create es
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Stream Temperature of Desert Dace Habitat, Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada, 2017-2020.

This U.S. Geological Survey data release consists of a tabular dataset containing stream temperature data. Data were collected every 12-hours from 15 sites in Soldier Meadows, Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, Nevada. The sites were established by the Bureau of Land Management - Winnemucca District Office in 2017. The data release includes tabular dat
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Appendixes and Supplemental Data: Hydraulic Characterization of Carbonate-Rock and Basin-Fill Aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, Northeastern Nevada, 2011-2016

This USGS data release presents data used to interpret aquifer tests and ultimately characterize the hydraulic properties of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada. The supplemental data consist of 2 child items and 3 attached appendix datasets. The child items are: (1) 2011?2016 Single Well Aquifer Tests: Pumping Schedules, Water-Level Data i
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Supplemental Evapotranspiration Gap-filled Datasets from Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18

This USGS data release represents supplemental tabular data for an annual groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (ET) from areas of spring-fed riparian vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18. The raw ET dataset contained multiple data gaps that were simulated and gap-filled with the water-level model utility in SeriesSEE, a USGS developed Microsoft Excel addi
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Nitrogen and phosphorus, other water quality parameters, and sediment temperature data for Incline Creek and Marlette Creek stream-lake interface, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, September 2013

This data set contains the following parameters: sediment and water temperature, dissolved nitrate plus nitrite dissolved, ammonium, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, soluble orthophosphate, dissolved phosphorus, total phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon.
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Supplemental data from: A Process to Estimate Net Infiltration using a Site-Scale Water-Budget Approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05

This USGS data release represents tabular data for a process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05. This dataset consists of the following: (1) Measured and corrected precipitation data from A12 weather station, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. (2) Inventory of net radia
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Go to View Manage Groundwater-level and groundwater-level change contours for the Lahontan Valley shallow aquifer near Fallon, Nevada, 2012

This USGS data release consists of two geospatial datasets. One dataset contains contours representing water levels based on depth-to-groundwater measurements made at 98 wells in July of 2012 in the Lahontan Valley near Fallon, NV. The second dataset contains contours representing water level change in the shallow aquifer in Lahontan Valley from 1992 - 2012 based on depth-to-groundwater measureme
By
Nevada Water Science Center
No results found.
USGS Water Science Centers Join Forces at the 2023 Lake Tahoe Summit

USGS Water Science Centers Join Forces at the 2023 Lake Tahoe Summit

Scientists from the California and Nevada Water Science Centers attended the 27th annual Lake Tahoe Summit to discuss the work the USGS is doing in...

Read Article
USGS to Present Preliminary Findings from the Virginia City Highlands Groundwater Investigation in May

USGS to Present Preliminary Findings from the Virginia City Highlands Groundwater Investigation in May

Are you interested in learning more about the preliminary findings from the Virginia City Highlands Groundwater Investigation? Please join scientists...

Read Article

Science and Products