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Nevada Water Science Center
The Nevada Water Science Center is committed to providing reliable and unbiased information on Nevada's water resources to the public, partners, and stakeholders. Our broad data collection network and research provide timely, useful information to keep the public informed, protect life and property, and improve our understanding of water supply and availability across Nevada and adjacent states.
National Water Dashboard
National Water Dashboard
See current streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions with this new map interface to USGS data.
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USGS Water Science Centers Partner at 2025 Lake Tahoe Summit
USGS Water Science Centers Partner at 2025 Lake Tahoe Summit
New USGS-NNSS Regional Groundwater Explorer
New USGS-NNSS Regional Groundwater Explorer
Central Plains Water Science Center Quarterly Newsletter - March 2025
Central Plains Water Science Center Quarterly Newsletter - March 2025
Publications
Streamflow extents and hydraulic characteristics of Meadow Valley Wash at Stuart Ranch, near Rox, Nevada Streamflow extents and hydraulic characteristics of Meadow Valley Wash at Stuart Ranch, near Rox, Nevada
The former Stuart Ranch, now managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is transected by Meadow Valley Wash, where 4,600 feet of perennial stream and adjacent riparian vegetation provide critical habitat for several wildlife and aquatic species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The stream has been altered by prior construction of irrigation diversions, gravel mining, and removal...
The influence of mountain streamflow on nearshore ecosystem metabolism in a large, oligotrophic lake across a drought and a wet year The influence of mountain streamflow on nearshore ecosystem metabolism in a large, oligotrophic lake across a drought and a wet year
The influence of streamflow can be highly heterogeneous around lake edges, making it challenging to predict how benthic productivity in the littoral zone responds to hydroclimatic change. The degree to which streamflow affects nearshore productivity varies as a function of catchment characteristics, internal lake morphometry, and processes. This study investigates the relative influence...
Analysis of summer water temperatures of the lower Virgin River near Mesquite, Nevada, 2019–21 Analysis of summer water temperatures of the lower Virgin River near Mesquite, Nevada, 2019–21
The lower Virgin River is a sandy, shallow reach of the Virgin River that flows from northern Arizona to Lake Mead in Nevada. The Virgin River hosts several native fish species, including two endangered fish, woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimu) and Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda). All native fish species in the lower Virgin River have experienced reductions in population sizes in the...
Science
U.S. Geological Survey-U.S. Department of Energy Cooperative Studies
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides hydrologic, scientific, and technical expertise to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to address environmental and scientific issues at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) and surrounding area. The NNSS, in Nye County, Nevada, was the site of historical nuclear testing. An overview of selected USGS program efforts in cooperation with DOE are...
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Prey Availability
Migratory wildlife need to balance the benefits of migration and reproduction with the physiological costs. This is particularly challenging in dynamic environments like wetlands, where food levels can vary greatly from year to year. For shorebirds in the Great Basin region, saline or terminal lakes provide essential habitats during their annual life cycle. To understand how changes in hydrology...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment