Water quality in the Las Vegas Valley area and the Carson and Truckee River basins, Nevada and California, 1992-96

Bevans, Hugh E.; Lico, Michael S.; Lawrence, Stephen J.

doi:10.3133/cir1170

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…Although the area is 94% agricultural land, nitrogen fertilizer loading around sampled wells is low (52 kg/ha) ( Figure 6). Nitrogen loading from fertilizer and manure in western Nevada is significantly less than in the upper midwestern United States (35). Selected areas in western Nevada are planted in alfalfa, a legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen.…”

Section: Figure 2 Distributions Of (A) Nitrite Plus Nitrate (B) Ammmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrients in Groundwaters of the Conterminous United States, 1992−1995

Nolan

Stoner

2000

Environ. Sci. Technol.

212

180

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Results of a national water quality assessment indicate that nitrate is detected in 71% of groundwater samples, more than 13 times as often as ammonia, nitrite, organic nitrogen, and orthophosphate, based on a common detection threshold of 0.2 mg/L. Shallow groundwater (typically 5 m deep or less) beneath agricultural land has the highest median nitrate concentration (3.4 mg/L), followed by shallow groundwater beneath urban land (1.6 mg/L) and deeper groundwater in major aquifers (0.48 mg/L). Nitrate exceeds the maximum contaminant level, 10 mg/L as nitrogen, in more than 15% of groundwater samples from 4 of 33 major aquifers commonly used as a source of drinking water. Nitrate concentration in groundwater is variable and depends on interactions among several factors, including nitrogen loading, soil type, aquifer permeability, recharge rate, and climate. For a given nitrogen loading, factors that generally increase nitrate concentration in groundwater include well-drained soils, fractured bedrock, and irrigation. Factors that mitigate nitrate contamination of groundwater include poorly drained soils, greater depth to groundwater, artificial drainage systems, intervening layers of unfractured bedrock, a low rate of groundwater recharge, and anaerobic conditions in aquifers.

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Section: Figure 2 Distributions Of (A) Nitrite Plus Nitrate (B) Ammmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrients in Groundwaters of the Conterminous United States, 1992−1995

Nolan

Stoner

2000

Environ. Sci. Technol.

212

180

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“…It is unclear if organic compounds such as pesticides are impacting invertebrates. Bevans et al (1998), however, detected a wide range of organic compounds in the Wash. Wang et al (2001) suggest that large-scale landscape features have a major impact on urban streams and can overwhelm local structures designed to improve habitat. Walsh et al (2001) suggest that the most effective means of restoring degraded urban streams may be retrofitting stormwater drainage systems to decrease flood flows along with minimizing catchment imperviousness.…”

Section: Relationship Between Biota and Erosion Control Structuresmentioning

confidence: 93%

Response of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages to erosion control structures in a wastewater dominated urban stream in the southwestern U.S.

Nelson

2010

Hydrobiologia

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Effects of stream erosion control structures on aquatic macroinvertebrates were studied (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009) in a wastewater dominated drainage (Wash) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mainstem sites with and without structures, wastewater treatment plant outfalls, a reference site above treatment plant inputs, and tributary sites were sampled. Ordination suggested hydrology and channel characteristics (current velocity, stream depth, and width), and water quality (conductivity) were primary factors in organizing macroinvertebrate communities, with some variables altered at structures. Treatment plant inputs changed hydrology (increased flows), water chemistry (conductivity decreased below treatment plants), and temperature. Assemblages differed between site types, with midges and damselflies important at tributary sites and Fallceon mayflies and Smicridea caddisflies common at erosion control structures. Locally unique communities developed at structures which also may have facilitated exotic species invasions. Analyses showed that taxa richness increased over time at these sites and differed significantly from richness at sites without structures.Structures appeared important in retaining organic matter and, among mainstem sites, coarse particulate organic matter was highest, but variable, at structures and at wetlands above the structures. Erosion control structures, coupled with warm effluent, high baseflows, and altered water quality resulted in development of a macroinvertebrate community that did not trend towards reference or tributary sites. In this case, ecological communities at structures used for river restoration were not on a continuum between disturbed and reference sites. Goal setting of community responses at these structures would have required insight beyond the simple use of reference site attributes.

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“…Las Vegas receives, on average, 11.7 cm year -1 of rainfall, mostly during December through March from localized storms (Longwell et al 1965). Precipitation totals may exceed 51 cm year -1 at higher elevations in the mountains surrounding the Las Vegas valley (Bevans et al 1998). During the summer, intense but short-lived thunderstorms can deliver a lot of precipitation within a short time frame, increasing the potential for flood events (Longwell et al 1965).…”

Section: Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water within the Las Vegas basin, which stretches over 412,800 ha 2 , flows west and discharges into Lake Mead (Bevans et al 1998). The main components of flow include shallow groundwater, urban runoff, and storm water.…”

Section: Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Metal Mobilization from Redevelopment Activities in Hyperarid Climates: A Laboratory Experiment and Discussion

Sims

Keller

2014

Mine Water Environ

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The reclamation and redevelopment of abandoned mine sites into parks, golf courses, and residential communities in arid and hyperarid regions has been caused, in part, to rising land costs. A laboratory experiment using three columns was monitored for 273 days to evaluate trace metal and metalloid availability. The sediment from the Three Kids Mine that was used in this study is documented to contain high levels of trace metals and metalloids. The experiment simulated agricultural activities over time to assess whether fertilizers would mobilize trapped contaminants. Results indicate that irrigation and fertilizers can provide conditions for Pb, Mn, Zn, Al, Ba, Cu, and As to become mobile, though on a limited basis. There was an increase in Pb, Mn, Zn, Al, Ba, Cu, and As within the first 30 days followed by a decrease at 90 days. Concentrations of Pb, Mn, and Zn increased at 273 days due to application of fertilizer-fortified waters. This study shows the potential for mobilized trace metals and metalloids to enter the wider environment after developmental activities are finished.

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Water quality in the Las Vegas Valley area and the Carson and Truckee River basins, Nevada and California, 1992-96

Cited by 20 publications

References 20 publications

Nutrients in Groundwaters of the Conterminous United States, 1992−1995

Nutrients in Groundwaters of the Conterminous United States, 1992−1995

Response of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages to erosion control structures in a wastewater dominated urban stream in the southwestern U.S.

Risk of Metal Mobilization from Redevelopment Activities in Hyperarid Climates: A Laboratory Experiment and Discussion

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