Ground-water pumpage and artificial recharge estimates for calendar year 2000 and average annual natural recharge and interbasin flow by hydrographic area, Nevada

Abstract

Nevada's reliance on groundwater resources has increased because of increased development and surface-water resources being fully appropriated. The need to accurately quantify Nevada's water resources and water use is more critical than ever to meet future demands. Estimated groundwater pumpage, artificial and natural recharge, and interbasin flow can be used to help evaluate stresses on aquifer systems. In this report, estimates of groundwater pumpage and artificial recharge during calendar year 2000 were made using data from a variety of sources, such as reported estimates and estimates made using Landsat satellite imagery. Average annual natural recharge and interbasin flow were compiled from published reports. An estimated 1,427,100 acre-feet of ground water was pumped in Nevada during calendar year 2000. This total was calculated by summing six categories of groundwater pumpage, based on water use. Total artificial recharge during 2000 was about 145,970 acre-feet. At least one estimate of natural recharge was available for 209 of the 232 hydrographic areas (HAs). Natural recharge for the 209 HAs ranges from 1,793,420 to 2,583,150 acre-feet. Estimates of interbasin flow were available for 151 HAs. The categories and their percentage of the total groundwater pumpage are irrigation and stock watering (47 percent), mining (26 percent), water systems (14 percent), geothermal production (8 percent), self-supplied domestic (4 percent), and miscellaneous (less than 1 percent). Pumpage in the top 10 HAs accounted for about 49 percent of the total groundwater pumpage. The most groundwater pumpage in an HA was due to mining in Pumpernickel Valley (HA 65), Boulder Flat (HA 61), and Lower Reese River Valley (HA 59). Pumpage by water systems in Las Vegas Valley (HA 212) and Truckee Meadows (HA 87) were the fourth and fifth highest pumpage in 2000, respectively. Irrigation and stock watering pumpage accounted for most groundwater withdrawals in the HAs with the sixth through ninth highest pumpage. Geothermal production accounted for most pumpage in the Carson Desert (HA 101). Reinjection of ground water pumped for geothermal energy production accounted for about 64 percent (93,310 acrefeet) of the total artificial recharge. The only artificial recharge by water systems was in Las Vegas Valley, where 29,790 acrefeet of water from the Colorado River was injected into the aquifer system. Artificial recharge by mining totaled 22,870 acre-feet. Net groundwater flow was estimated only for the 143 HAs with available estimates of both natural recharge and interbasin flow. Of the 143 estimates, 58 have negative net groundwater flow, indicating that groundwater storage could be depleted if pumpage continues at the same rate. The State has designated HAs where permitted groundwater rights approach or exceed the estimated average annual recharge. Ten HAs were identified that are not designated and have a net groundwater flow between-1,000 to-35,000 acre-feet. Due to uncertainties in recharge, the water budgets for these HAs may need r...

Hydrologic Setting and Conceptual Hydrologic Model of the Walker River Basin, West-Central Nevada

“…The geothermal power station started operating in 1984, was expanded in 1987, and pumps from two wells less than 500 ft deep in Quaternary gravels and sand (Sapp, 2007). In 2000, the geothermal power station pumped 2,360 acre-ft (3.2 ft 3 /s) of groundwater (Lopes and Evetts, 2004). The water is discharged to wetlands rather than reinjected into the aquifer.…”

Water-Table Levels and Gradients, Nevada, 1947-2004

“…The contours were digitized and entered into the GIS. Diamond Valley has had large amounts of ground-water pumpage for agricultural use since contours were first published by (Lopes and Evetts, 2004). Comparison of 1962 contours with 2001 contours indicates that depth to water has increased tens of feet in southern Diamond Valley.…”

“…10). Except for Yucca Flat, these HAs are areas where large amounts of ground water have been pumped for agricultural irrigation and municipal supply (Lopes and Evetts, 2004). Natural variations in water-table levels due to climate and recharge were determined using 444 measurements in HAs where pumpage during 2000 was 10 percent or less of the average annual natural recharge (Lopes and Evetts, 2004).…”

“…Except for Yucca Flat, these HAs are areas where large amounts of ground water have been pumped for agricultural irrigation and municipal supply (Lopes and Evetts, 2004). Natural variations in water-table levels due to climate and recharge were determined using 444 measurements in HAs where pumpage during 2000 was 10 percent or less of the average annual natural recharge (Lopes and Evetts, 2004). These HAs include 2-8, 10-21, 23, 25-28, 34-44, 46, 47, 50, 53, 55, 62, 63, 68, 79-82, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 106, 109, 111-116, 118-121, 124, 125, 127, 130, 131, 132, 134-136, 138-141, 144, 145, 147, 148, 150, 151, 152, 155, 157, 158, 161, 168, 169, 171-176, 178-182, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 190, 192-197, 200, 201, 204-208, 210, 211, 217, 221, 227, 231, and 232.…”

“…Maurer and others (2004) describe the hydrogeology of Nevada and areas with similar horizontal hydraulic conductivity, soil permeability, precipitation, slope, and aspect. Lopes and Evetts (2004) estimated ground-water pumpage and artificial recharge for the year 2000 and compiled estimates of average annual natural recharge and interbasin flow by hydrographic area. Lopes (2006) described methods and results of evaluating the quality of Nevada's aquifers and their susceptibility to contamination.…”