Water-related scientific activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Nevada, fiscal years 1985-89

Kathryn C. Kilroy

doi:10.3133/ofr89264

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Water-related scientific activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Nevada, fiscal years 1985-89

Kathryn C. Kilroy

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey has been collecting water resources data in Nevada since 1890. Most of the projects in the current Nevada District program can be classified as either basic-data acquisition (about 25%) or hydrologic interpretation (about 75 %). About 52% of the activities are supported by cooperative agreements with State and local agencies. Technical projects supported by other Federal agencies make up about 23% of the program, and the remaining 25% consists of data collection, research, and interpretive projects supported directly by the U.S. Geological Survey. Water conditions in Nevada during the 4 years covered by this report were by no means average, with 1 very wet year (1986) and 2 very dry years (1987-88). The major water resources issues include: water allocation in the Truckee-Carson River basin; irrigation return flow contamination of the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area; effects of weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site; assessment of potential long-term impacts of the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository; and drought. Future water-resources issues in Nevada are likely to center on water supply for and the environmental effects of, the rapidly growing population centers at Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko; impacts of operations at the Nevada Test Site; management of interstate rivers such as the Truckee and Colorado Rivers; hydrologic and environmental impacts at heavily mined areas; and water quality management in the Lake Tahoe Basin. (Thacker-USGS-WRD)

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BibTeX RIS

Kathryn C. Kilroy. 1989. Water-related scientific activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Nevada, fiscal years 1985-89. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr89264

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