The Nevada Water Initiative is excited to announce the next two study areas proposed under the NWI program pending available funding.
The first area proposed is a reassessment of water availability and development of a water resource management tool in the Carson Desert (Fallon area). Economic development in the Fallon area is stifled by a lack of water availability as determined from the reconnaissance era science reporting a perennial yield estimate of 2,500 acre-feet per year. Current NWI work, as well as other studies since the Reconnaissance investigation, indicate that potentially many times as much water is available, if developed responsibly. Additionally, with the advances in water treatment technology, water historically considered unusable should be re-evaluated and brines that may be important mineral resources, should also be considered. Many factors require consideration and better understanding to allow for effective and safe development of this potential water supply: existing domestic well use and protection of water quality; a very sensitive basalt aquifer containing good quality water that currently supplies the City of Fallon, Naval Air Station, and the Toi-Ticutta (Fallon-Shoshone Paiute Tribe); environmental concerns related to the Stillwater Wildlife Management and Carson Lake areas; and the preservation and protection of indigenous cultural resources. A detailed water resource assessment and management tool is needed in the Carson Desert Hydrographic Basin to allow for water right applicants and the Nevada Division of Water Resources to effectively and safely develop and manage the additional water that is available.
The second area proposed is the South-Central Marshes Flow System, where a reassessment of water availability and detailed information on the connection of groundwater flow between hydrographic basins is needed. This system is a 15 hydrographic basin area within the Central Region of Nevada centered on Tonopah with the terminus of the flow system being Clayton Valley. Economic opportunity in this area is being hindered by our outdated understanding of water availability. It is known that previous water availability estimates in these basins are significantly at odds with more recent understandings. Additionally, interbasin groundwater flow connections between basins that were conceptualized from historic water budget estimates are also in need of re-evaluation. This proposed study will provide the necessary information to allow for more economic opportunity related to development of renewable energy, mining, and public uses.
