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Eric Morway

Eric Morway is a Research Hydrologist in the Nevada Water Science Center.

Professional Experience

  • 2011 - Present: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 2014

Science and Products

Carson River, Nev.

Science in the Carson River Basin

The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Science in the Carson River Basin

Science in the Carson River Basin

The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
Learn More
Pyramid Lake, Nev.

Science in the Truckee River Basin

The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake and is the only source of surface-water outflow from Lake Tahoe. The majority of the streamflow in the Truckee River comes from the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Contributions to the river in Nevada are small due to the Sierra Nevada’s “rain shadow...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Science in the Truckee River Basin

Science in the Truckee River Basin

The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake and is the only source of surface-water outflow from Lake Tahoe. The majority of the streamflow in the Truckee River comes from the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Contributions to the river in Nevada are small due to the Sierra Nevada’s “rain shadow...
Learn More
Middle Carson River Basin, Nevada, looking toward the Sierra Nevada

Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Demand for water resources in the Carson River basin is increasing due to steady population growth and the resulting development and changes in land and water use throughout the middle part of the basin. Agricultural land is being urbanized while land not previously irrigated may be converted for agricultural use.
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Demand for water resources in the Carson River basin is increasing due to steady population growth and the resulting development and changes in land and water use throughout the middle part of the basin. Agricultural land is being urbanized while land not previously irrigated may be converted for agricultural use.
Learn More
View downstream, Carson River, Nevada

Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons (WftS) is a four year study funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WtfS uses the Truckee-Carson River System (TCRS) as a pilot study to learn how to best link science with decision-making in snow-fed arid-land river systems. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, WftS aims to create a model for improving community climate...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons (WftS) is a four year study funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WtfS uses the Truckee-Carson River System (TCRS) as a pilot study to learn how to best link science with decision-making in snow-fed arid-land river systems. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, WftS aims to create a model for improving community climate...
Learn More

Two 2-Dimensional models patterned after the Barends analytical solution for verifying the accuracy of the new Groundwater Energy (GWE) Transport model built for the MODFLOW 6 hydrologic simulator Two 2-Dimensional models patterned after the Barends analytical solution for verifying the accuracy of the new Groundwater Energy (GWE) Transport model built for the MODFLOW 6 hydrologic simulator

This data release contains two MODFLOW 6 simulations. Each simulation contains one groundwater flow (GWF) model and one groundwater energy (heat) (GWE) transport model. The GWF and GWE models are constructed to match the setup of the Barends analytical solution for two-dimensional heat transport. This allows the accuracy of the new GWE model to be verified so existing and prospective...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW 6 models for assimilating remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological models applied to support decision making MODFLOW 6 models for assimilating remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological models applied to support decision making

This data release contains MODFLOW 6 integrated hydrological model (IHM) that helps characterize the groundwater/surface-water interaction within the Sardon Catchment of western Spain. The model was used to quantify and reduce the overall model uncertainty to improve its reliability as a Decision Support Modeling (DSM) tool by improving the conceptualization and simulation of the...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for appraising parameter sensitivity and other controlling factors in a synthetic watershed accounting for variably-saturated flow processes MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for appraising parameter sensitivity and other controlling factors in a synthetic watershed accounting for variably-saturated flow processes

A 3-dimensional (3D) synthetic model, using MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS, explores the new unsaturated zone heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS. Model simulations were used to explore various parameter sensitivities and unsaturated zone thicknesses and their impact on heat transport as water enters the subsurface as infiltration, flows through the unsaturated zone to the water table...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for evaluating heat flows, lags and dampening under high emission climate forcing for unsaturated/saturated transport in a synthetic watershed MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for evaluating heat flows, lags and dampening under high emission climate forcing for unsaturated/saturated transport in a synthetic watershed

A 3-dimensional (3D) synthetic model, built for running with MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS, explores the new unsaturated zone heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS. Model simulations explore potential responses to within a watershed to climate warming along system pathways. The response analysis uses output from a 30-year warming period on a synthetic watershed patterned after a humid...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT, MT3D-USGS, and VS2DH models of 6 hypothetical 1-dimensional variably saturated systems to demonstrate the accuracy of new heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS MODFLOW-NWT, MT3D-USGS, and VS2DH models of 6 hypothetical 1-dimensional variably saturated systems to demonstrate the accuracy of new heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS

Six hypothetical 1-dimensional models are used to verify and demonstrate new unsaturated-zone heat transport functionality added to MT3D-USGS (version 1.1.0). Because the governing equations describing groundwater solute transport and heat transport have a similar form, MT3D-USGS may be applied to heat transport problems. Published examples of MT3DMS, from which MT3D-USGS is derived, as...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate Potential Effects of Changes in Water Use in the Middle Carson River Basin for Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central, Nevada MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate Potential Effects of Changes in Water Use in the Middle Carson River Basin for Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central, Nevada

A three-dimensional MODFLOW-NWT groundwater flow model was developed to evaluate the impacts of alternative water management scenarios on the groundwater resources of Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada. In addition, the resulting impact on flows in the Carson River and Lahontan Reservoir are also evaluated. During the economic boom that occurred from 2004-2006 in northwestern...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW 6 model of two hypothetical stream-aquifer systems to demonstrate the utility of the new Mover Package available only with MODFLOW 6 MODFLOW 6 model of two hypothetical stream-aquifer systems to demonstrate the utility of the new Mover Package available only with MODFLOW 6

Two MODFLOW 6 (version 6.2.1) models of hypothetical stream-aquifer systems are presented for the demonstration and utility of the Water Mover (MVR) Package available only with MODFLOW 6. Using a generalized approach, MVR facilitates the transfer of water among many arbitrary combinations of simulated features (i.e., pumping wells, stream, drains, lakes, etc.) within a MODFLOW 6...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

GSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada GSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada

The USGS developed an integrated river operations-groundwater model using GSFLOW and MODSIM GSFLOW to simulate streamflow derived from snowmelt, the distribution of surface water based on the existing prior appropriations water doctrine, supplemental pumping in response to surface water shortfalls, and the resulting surface water-groundwater interactions in the Carson Valley in...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Discharge, nutrient, and suspended sediment data for selected streams in the Lake Tahoe watershed Discharge, nutrient, and suspended sediment data for selected streams in the Lake Tahoe watershed

A time series of nutrient and mean daily discharge data were used to create models of daily concentration and loads for selected streams of the Lake Tahoe watershed. A total of 15 sites have records ranging from as early as 1972 to 2017. Nutrients in the data set include nitrate, ammonium, Kjeldahl Nitrogen, orthophosphate, and total phosphorus. Total suspended sediment concentrations...
By
California Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 22

Assessing nonpoint-source uranium pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system Assessing nonpoint-source uranium pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system

Uranium (U) in rocks and soils of arid and semi-arid environments can be mobilized by irrigation and fertilization, posing environmental and health risks. Elevated U, along with selenium (Se) and nitrate (NO3) co-constituents, necessitates careful monitoring and management. We developed a distributed-parameter numerical model to assess U pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system...
Authors
Ibraheem A. Qurban, Timothy K. Gates, Eric D. Morway, John T. Cox, Jeremy T. White, Ryan T. Bailey, Michael N. Fienen
By
Nevada Water Science Center

A new groundwater energy transport model for the MODFLOW hydrologic simulator A new groundwater energy transport model for the MODFLOW hydrologic simulator

Heat transport in the subsurface is an important aspect of research related to the effects of a warming climate on ecological services (i.e., cold-water refugia); the development of geothermal resources for energy banking schemes (i.e., aquifer thermal energy storage [ATES]); and the effects of temperature on other aspects of groundwater quality, such as nutrient cycling. Historically...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Alden M. Provost, Christian D. Langevin, Joseph D. Hughes, Martijn J. Russcher, Chieh-Ying Chen, Yu-Feng Lin
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological model applied to support decision making Remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological model applied to support decision making

Integrated hydrological models (IHMs) help characterize the complexity of surface–groundwater interactions. The cascade routing and re-infiltration (CRR) concept, recently applied to a MODFLOW 6 IHM, improved conceptualization and simulation of overland flow processes. The CRR controls the transfer of rejected infiltration and groundwater exfiltration from upslope areas to adjacent...
Authors
Mostafa Gomaa Daoud, Jeremy T. White, Eric D. Morway, Christiaan van der Tol, Maciek W. Lubczynski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Long-term mercury loading and trapping dynamics in a Western North America reservoir Long-term mercury loading and trapping dynamics in a Western North America reservoir

Study RegionThe Carson River including Lahontan Reservoir in Northwestern Nevada, USAStudy FocusThe discovery, mining, and processing of silver and gold from the Comstock Lode in northwestern Nevada heavily contaminated the Carson River system with mercury (Hg). The river now contains some of the highest recorded water column and bed sediment Hg concentrations reported in peer-reviewed...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Robert M. Hirsch, Angela Paul, Mark C. Marvin-DiPasquale, Carl E Thodal
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

New capabilities in MT3D-USGS for simulating unsaturated-zone heat transport New capabilities in MT3D-USGS for simulating unsaturated-zone heat transport

Changes in climate and land use will alter groundwater heat transport dynamics in the future. These changes will in turn affect watershed processes (e.g., nutrient cycling) as well as watershed characteristics (e.g., distribution and persistence of cold-water habitat). Thus, groundwater flow and heat transport models at watershed scales that can characterize and quantify thermal impacts...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Daniel T. Feinstein, Randall J. Hunt, Richard W. Healy
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Assessing potential effects of changes in water use in the middle Carson River Basin with a numerical groundwater-flow model, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada Assessing potential effects of changes in water use in the middle Carson River Basin with a numerical groundwater-flow model, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada

During the economic boom of the mid part of the first decade of the 2000s in northwestern Nevada, municipal and housing growth increased use of the water resources of this semi-arid region. In 2008, when the economy slowed, new housing development stopped, and immediate pressure on groundwater resources abated. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Susan G. Buto, Richard G. Niswonger, Justin L. Huntington
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Simulation of heat flow in a synthetic watershed: Lags and dampening across multiple pathways under a climate-forcing scenario Simulation of heat flow in a synthetic watershed: Lags and dampening across multiple pathways under a climate-forcing scenario

Although there is widespread agreement that future climates tend toward warming, the response of aquatic ecosystems to that warming is not well understood. This work, a continuation of companion research, explores the role of distinct watershed pathways in lagging and dampening climate-change signals. It subjects a synthetic flow and transport model to a 30-year warming signal based on...
Authors
Daniel T. Feinstein, Randall J. Hunt, Eric D. Morway
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Nevada Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

The MODFLOW Application Programming Interface for simulationcontrol and software interoperability The MODFLOW Application Programming Interface for simulationcontrol and software interoperability

The MODFLOW API allows other programs to control MODFLOW and interactively change variables without having to modify the source code. The MODFLOW API is based on the Basic Model Interface (BMI), which is a set of conventions that define how to initialize a simulation, update the model state by advancing in time, and finalize the run. For many existing MODFLOW coupling applications, the...
Authors
Joseph D. Hughes, Martijn J. Russcher, Christian D. Langevin, Eric D. Morway, Richard R. McDonald
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Use of the MODFLOW 6 water mover package to represent natural and managed hydrologic connections Use of the MODFLOW 6 water mover package to represent natural and managed hydrologic connections

The latest release of MODFLOW 6, the current core version of the MODFLOW groundwater modeling software, debuted a new package dubbed the “mover” (MVR). Using a generalized approach, MVR facilitates the transfer of water among any arbitrary combination of simulated features (i.e., pumping wells, stream, drains, lakes, etc.) within a MODFLOW 6 simulation. Four “rules” controlling the...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Christian D. Langevin, Joseph D. Hughes
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Integrated hydrology and operations modeling to evaluate climate change impacts in an agricultural valley irrigated with snowmelt runoff Integrated hydrology and operations modeling to evaluate climate change impacts in an agricultural valley irrigated with snowmelt runoff

Applying models to developed agricultural regions remains a difficult problem because there are no existing modeling codes that represent both the complex physics of the hydrology and anthropogenic manipulations to water distribution and consumption. We apply an integrated groundwater – surface water and hydrologic river operations model to an irrigated river valley in northwestern...
Authors
Wesley Kitlasten, Eric D. Morway, Richard G. Niswonger, Murphy Gardner, Jeremy T. White, Enrique Triana, David J. Selkowitz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Trends in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations and loads in streams draining to Lake Tahoe, California, Nevada, USA Trends in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations and loads in streams draining to Lake Tahoe, California, Nevada, USA

Lake Tahoe, a large freshwater lake of the eastern Sierra Nevada in California and Nevada, has 63 tributaries that are sources of nutrients and sediment to the lake. The Tahoe watershed is relatively small, and the surface area of the lake occupies about 38% of the watershed area (1313 km2). Only about 6% of the watershed is urbanized or residential land, and as part of a plan to...
Authors
Joseph L. Domagalski, Eric D. Morway, Nancy L. Alvarez, Juliet Hutchins, Michael R. Rosen, Robert Coats
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

Managed aquifer recharge in snow-fed river basins: What, why and how? Managed aquifer recharge in snow-fed river basins: What, why and how?

What does climate change mean for snow-fed river basins?Climate change poses unique challenges in snow-fed river basins across the western United States because the majority of water supply originates as snow (Dettinger, Udall, & Georgakakos, 2015). In the Sierra Nevada, recent observations include changes in snow accumulation and snowmelt, and shifts in peak streamflow timing (Barnhart...
Authors
Kelley Sterle, Wesley Kitlasten, Eric D. Morway, Richard G. Niswonger, Loretta Singletary
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Version 2.3.0 of Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model Based on the Integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model Version 2.3.0 of Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model Based on the Integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model

GSFLOW is a coupled Groundwater and Surface-Water Flow model based on the integration of the U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS; Markstrom and others, 2015) and the U.S. Geological Survey Modular Groundwater Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005, Harbaugh, 2005; MODFLOW-NWT, Niswonger and others, 2011). In addition to the basic PRMS and MODFLOW simulation methods...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

MT3D-USGS: Groundwater Solute Transport Simulator for MODFLOW MT3D-USGS: Groundwater Solute Transport Simulator for MODFLOW

MT3D-USGS is a USGS updated release of the groundwater solute transport code MT3DMS. MT3D-USGS includes new transport modeling capabilities to accommodate flow terms calculated by MODFLOW packages that were previously unsupported by MT3DMS and to provide greater flexibility in the simulation of solute transport and reactive solute transport.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Science and Products

Carson River, Nev.

Science in the Carson River Basin

The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Science in the Carson River Basin

Science in the Carson River Basin

The Carson River is an important water resource for residents, agriculture, and wildlife. The USGS provides science support on water quality and quantity, as well as on the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin.
Learn More
Pyramid Lake, Nev.

Science in the Truckee River Basin

The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake and is the only source of surface-water outflow from Lake Tahoe. The majority of the streamflow in the Truckee River comes from the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Contributions to the river in Nevada are small due to the Sierra Nevada’s “rain shadow...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Science in the Truckee River Basin

Science in the Truckee River Basin

The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake and is the only source of surface-water outflow from Lake Tahoe. The majority of the streamflow in the Truckee River comes from the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Contributions to the river in Nevada are small due to the Sierra Nevada’s “rain shadow...
Learn More
Middle Carson River Basin, Nevada, looking toward the Sierra Nevada

Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Demand for water resources in the Carson River basin is increasing due to steady population growth and the resulting development and changes in land and water use throughout the middle part of the basin. Agricultural land is being urbanized while land not previously irrigated may be converted for agricultural use.
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Evaluation of Groundwater Flow in the Middle Carson River Basin, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada

Demand for water resources in the Carson River basin is increasing due to steady population growth and the resulting development and changes in land and water use throughout the middle part of the basin. Agricultural land is being urbanized while land not previously irrigated may be converted for agricultural use.
Learn More
View downstream, Carson River, Nevada

Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons (WftS) is a four year study funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WtfS uses the Truckee-Carson River System (TCRS) as a pilot study to learn how to best link science with decision-making in snow-fed arid-land river systems. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, WftS aims to create a model for improving community climate...
By
Nevada Water Science Center
Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons

Water for the Seasons (WftS) is a four year study funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WtfS uses the Truckee-Carson River System (TCRS) as a pilot study to learn how to best link science with decision-making in snow-fed arid-land river systems. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, WftS aims to create a model for improving community climate...
Learn More

Two 2-Dimensional models patterned after the Barends analytical solution for verifying the accuracy of the new Groundwater Energy (GWE) Transport model built for the MODFLOW 6 hydrologic simulator Two 2-Dimensional models patterned after the Barends analytical solution for verifying the accuracy of the new Groundwater Energy (GWE) Transport model built for the MODFLOW 6 hydrologic simulator

This data release contains two MODFLOW 6 simulations. Each simulation contains one groundwater flow (GWF) model and one groundwater energy (heat) (GWE) transport model. The GWF and GWE models are constructed to match the setup of the Barends analytical solution for two-dimensional heat transport. This allows the accuracy of the new GWE model to be verified so existing and prospective...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW 6 models for assimilating remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological models applied to support decision making MODFLOW 6 models for assimilating remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological models applied to support decision making

This data release contains MODFLOW 6 integrated hydrological model (IHM) that helps characterize the groundwater/surface-water interaction within the Sardon Catchment of western Spain. The model was used to quantify and reduce the overall model uncertainty to improve its reliability as a Decision Support Modeling (DSM) tool by improving the conceptualization and simulation of the...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for appraising parameter sensitivity and other controlling factors in a synthetic watershed accounting for variably-saturated flow processes MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for appraising parameter sensitivity and other controlling factors in a synthetic watershed accounting for variably-saturated flow processes

A 3-dimensional (3D) synthetic model, using MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS, explores the new unsaturated zone heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS. Model simulations were used to explore various parameter sensitivities and unsaturated zone thicknesses and their impact on heat transport as water enters the subsurface as infiltration, flows through the unsaturated zone to the water table...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for evaluating heat flows, lags and dampening under high emission climate forcing for unsaturated/saturated transport in a synthetic watershed MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS models for evaluating heat flows, lags and dampening under high emission climate forcing for unsaturated/saturated transport in a synthetic watershed

A 3-dimensional (3D) synthetic model, built for running with MODFLOW-NWT and MT3D-USGS, explores the new unsaturated zone heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS. Model simulations explore potential responses to within a watershed to climate warming along system pathways. The response analysis uses output from a 30-year warming period on a synthetic watershed patterned after a humid...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT, MT3D-USGS, and VS2DH models of 6 hypothetical 1-dimensional variably saturated systems to demonstrate the accuracy of new heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS MODFLOW-NWT, MT3D-USGS, and VS2DH models of 6 hypothetical 1-dimensional variably saturated systems to demonstrate the accuracy of new heat transport capabilities in MT3D-USGS

Six hypothetical 1-dimensional models are used to verify and demonstrate new unsaturated-zone heat transport functionality added to MT3D-USGS (version 1.1.0). Because the governing equations describing groundwater solute transport and heat transport have a similar form, MT3D-USGS may be applied to heat transport problems. Published examples of MT3DMS, from which MT3D-USGS is derived, as...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate Potential Effects of Changes in Water Use in the Middle Carson River Basin for Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central, Nevada MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate Potential Effects of Changes in Water Use in the Middle Carson River Basin for Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, West-Central, Nevada

A three-dimensional MODFLOW-NWT groundwater flow model was developed to evaluate the impacts of alternative water management scenarios on the groundwater resources of Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, Nevada. In addition, the resulting impact on flows in the Carson River and Lahontan Reservoir are also evaluated. During the economic boom that occurred from 2004-2006 in northwestern...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

MODFLOW 6 model of two hypothetical stream-aquifer systems to demonstrate the utility of the new Mover Package available only with MODFLOW 6 MODFLOW 6 model of two hypothetical stream-aquifer systems to demonstrate the utility of the new Mover Package available only with MODFLOW 6

Two MODFLOW 6 (version 6.2.1) models of hypothetical stream-aquifer systems are presented for the demonstration and utility of the Water Mover (MVR) Package available only with MODFLOW 6. Using a generalized approach, MVR facilitates the transfer of water among many arbitrary combinations of simulated features (i.e., pumping wells, stream, drains, lakes, etc.) within a MODFLOW 6...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

GSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada GSFLOW and MODSIM-GSFLOW model used to evaluate the potential effects of increased temperature on the Carson Valley watershed and agricultural system in eastern California and western Nevada

The USGS developed an integrated river operations-groundwater model using GSFLOW and MODSIM GSFLOW to simulate streamflow derived from snowmelt, the distribution of surface water based on the existing prior appropriations water doctrine, supplemental pumping in response to surface water shortfalls, and the resulting surface water-groundwater interactions in the Carson Valley in...
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Discharge, nutrient, and suspended sediment data for selected streams in the Lake Tahoe watershed Discharge, nutrient, and suspended sediment data for selected streams in the Lake Tahoe watershed

A time series of nutrient and mean daily discharge data were used to create models of daily concentration and loads for selected streams of the Lake Tahoe watershed. A total of 15 sites have records ranging from as early as 1972 to 2017. Nutrients in the data set include nitrate, ammonium, Kjeldahl Nitrogen, orthophosphate, and total phosphorus. Total suspended sediment concentrations...
By
California Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 22

Assessing nonpoint-source uranium pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system Assessing nonpoint-source uranium pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system

Uranium (U) in rocks and soils of arid and semi-arid environments can be mobilized by irrigation and fertilization, posing environmental and health risks. Elevated U, along with selenium (Se) and nitrate (NO3) co-constituents, necessitates careful monitoring and management. We developed a distributed-parameter numerical model to assess U pollution in an irrigated stream-aquifer system...
Authors
Ibraheem A. Qurban, Timothy K. Gates, Eric D. Morway, John T. Cox, Jeremy T. White, Ryan T. Bailey, Michael N. Fienen
By
Nevada Water Science Center

A new groundwater energy transport model for the MODFLOW hydrologic simulator A new groundwater energy transport model for the MODFLOW hydrologic simulator

Heat transport in the subsurface is an important aspect of research related to the effects of a warming climate on ecological services (i.e., cold-water refugia); the development of geothermal resources for energy banking schemes (i.e., aquifer thermal energy storage [ATES]); and the effects of temperature on other aspects of groundwater quality, such as nutrient cycling. Historically...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Alden M. Provost, Christian D. Langevin, Joseph D. Hughes, Martijn J. Russcher, Chieh-Ying Chen, Yu-Feng Lin
By
Nevada Water Science Center

Remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological model applied to support decision making Remote sensing evapotranspiration in ensemble-based framework to enhance cascade routing and re-infiltration concept in integrated hydrological model applied to support decision making

Integrated hydrological models (IHMs) help characterize the complexity of surface–groundwater interactions. The cascade routing and re-infiltration (CRR) concept, recently applied to a MODFLOW 6 IHM, improved conceptualization and simulation of overland flow processes. The CRR controls the transfer of rejected infiltration and groundwater exfiltration from upslope areas to adjacent...
Authors
Mostafa Gomaa Daoud, Jeremy T. White, Eric D. Morway, Christiaan van der Tol, Maciek W. Lubczynski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Long-term mercury loading and trapping dynamics in a Western North America reservoir Long-term mercury loading and trapping dynamics in a Western North America reservoir

Study RegionThe Carson River including Lahontan Reservoir in Northwestern Nevada, USAStudy FocusThe discovery, mining, and processing of silver and gold from the Comstock Lode in northwestern Nevada heavily contaminated the Carson River system with mercury (Hg). The river now contains some of the highest recorded water column and bed sediment Hg concentrations reported in peer-reviewed...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Robert M. Hirsch, Angela Paul, Mark C. Marvin-DiPasquale, Carl E Thodal
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

New capabilities in MT3D-USGS for simulating unsaturated-zone heat transport New capabilities in MT3D-USGS for simulating unsaturated-zone heat transport

Changes in climate and land use will alter groundwater heat transport dynamics in the future. These changes will in turn affect watershed processes (e.g., nutrient cycling) as well as watershed characteristics (e.g., distribution and persistence of cold-water habitat). Thus, groundwater flow and heat transport models at watershed scales that can characterize and quantify thermal impacts...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Daniel T. Feinstein, Randall J. Hunt, Richard W. Healy
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Assessing potential effects of changes in water use in the middle Carson River Basin with a numerical groundwater-flow model, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada Assessing potential effects of changes in water use in the middle Carson River Basin with a numerical groundwater-flow model, Eagle, Dayton, and Churchill Valleys, west-central Nevada

During the economic boom of the mid part of the first decade of the 2000s in northwestern Nevada, municipal and housing growth increased use of the water resources of this semi-arid region. In 2008, when the economy slowed, new housing development stopped, and immediate pressure on groundwater resources abated. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Susan G. Buto, Richard G. Niswonger, Justin L. Huntington
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Simulation of heat flow in a synthetic watershed: Lags and dampening across multiple pathways under a climate-forcing scenario Simulation of heat flow in a synthetic watershed: Lags and dampening across multiple pathways under a climate-forcing scenario

Although there is widespread agreement that future climates tend toward warming, the response of aquatic ecosystems to that warming is not well understood. This work, a continuation of companion research, explores the role of distinct watershed pathways in lagging and dampening climate-change signals. It subjects a synthetic flow and transport model to a 30-year warming signal based on...
Authors
Daniel T. Feinstein, Randall J. Hunt, Eric D. Morway
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Nevada Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

The MODFLOW Application Programming Interface for simulationcontrol and software interoperability The MODFLOW Application Programming Interface for simulationcontrol and software interoperability

The MODFLOW API allows other programs to control MODFLOW and interactively change variables without having to modify the source code. The MODFLOW API is based on the Basic Model Interface (BMI), which is a set of conventions that define how to initialize a simulation, update the model state by advancing in time, and finalize the run. For many existing MODFLOW coupling applications, the...
Authors
Joseph D. Hughes, Martijn J. Russcher, Christian D. Langevin, Eric D. Morway, Richard R. McDonald
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Use of the MODFLOW 6 water mover package to represent natural and managed hydrologic connections Use of the MODFLOW 6 water mover package to represent natural and managed hydrologic connections

The latest release of MODFLOW 6, the current core version of the MODFLOW groundwater modeling software, debuted a new package dubbed the “mover” (MVR). Using a generalized approach, MVR facilitates the transfer of water among any arbitrary combination of simulated features (i.e., pumping wells, stream, drains, lakes, etc.) within a MODFLOW 6 simulation. Four “rules” controlling the...
Authors
Eric D. Morway, Christian D. Langevin, Joseph D. Hughes
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Integrated hydrology and operations modeling to evaluate climate change impacts in an agricultural valley irrigated with snowmelt runoff Integrated hydrology and operations modeling to evaluate climate change impacts in an agricultural valley irrigated with snowmelt runoff

Applying models to developed agricultural regions remains a difficult problem because there are no existing modeling codes that represent both the complex physics of the hydrology and anthropogenic manipulations to water distribution and consumption. We apply an integrated groundwater – surface water and hydrologic river operations model to an irrigated river valley in northwestern...
Authors
Wesley Kitlasten, Eric D. Morway, Richard G. Niswonger, Murphy Gardner, Jeremy T. White, Enrique Triana, David J. Selkowitz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Trends in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations and loads in streams draining to Lake Tahoe, California, Nevada, USA Trends in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations and loads in streams draining to Lake Tahoe, California, Nevada, USA

Lake Tahoe, a large freshwater lake of the eastern Sierra Nevada in California and Nevada, has 63 tributaries that are sources of nutrients and sediment to the lake. The Tahoe watershed is relatively small, and the surface area of the lake occupies about 38% of the watershed area (1313 km2). Only about 6% of the watershed is urbanized or residential land, and as part of a plan to...
Authors
Joseph L. Domagalski, Eric D. Morway, Nancy L. Alvarez, Juliet Hutchins, Michael R. Rosen, Robert Coats
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

Managed aquifer recharge in snow-fed river basins: What, why and how? Managed aquifer recharge in snow-fed river basins: What, why and how?

What does climate change mean for snow-fed river basins?Climate change poses unique challenges in snow-fed river basins across the western United States because the majority of water supply originates as snow (Dettinger, Udall, & Georgakakos, 2015). In the Sierra Nevada, recent observations include changes in snow accumulation and snowmelt, and shifts in peak streamflow timing (Barnhart...
Authors
Kelley Sterle, Wesley Kitlasten, Eric D. Morway, Richard G. Niswonger, Loretta Singletary
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Version 2.3.0 of Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model Based on the Integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model Version 2.3.0 of Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model Based on the Integration of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground-Water Flow Model

GSFLOW is a coupled Groundwater and Surface-Water Flow model based on the integration of the U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS; Markstrom and others, 2015) and the U.S. Geological Survey Modular Groundwater Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005, Harbaugh, 2005; MODFLOW-NWT, Niswonger and others, 2011). In addition to the basic PRMS and MODFLOW simulation methods...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

MT3D-USGS: Groundwater Solute Transport Simulator for MODFLOW MT3D-USGS: Groundwater Solute Transport Simulator for MODFLOW

MT3D-USGS is a USGS updated release of the groundwater solute transport code MT3DMS. MT3D-USGS includes new transport modeling capabilities to accommodate flow terms calculated by MODFLOW packages that were previously unsupported by MT3DMS and to provide greater flexibility in the simulation of solute transport and reactive solute transport.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center
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