Nevada Water-Resources Data 

The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) mission is to provide reliable scientific information about the Nation’s natural 

resources. An integral part of that mission is to provide consistent, long-term water-resources data to customers, cooperators, 

and the public. The first streamflow measurements by the USGS in Nevada were collected in 1889. Since then, the USGS 

Nevada Water Science Center (NWSC) has built a state-wide, cooperative hydrologic data-collection network.

To assist customers, cooperators, and the public in understanding and managing Nevada’s water resources, the USGS 

NWSC operates a widespread surface- and ground-water data-collection network that includes:

• maintaining a comprehensive network of streamgaging stations; 

• monitoring stage in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs; 

• measuring flow on rivers and streams periodically; 

• collecting water-quality data for surface- and ground-water sites; and

• making periodic measurements at regionally representative well networks.

The data collected are stored and archived in a national database, the USGS National 

Water Information System (NWIS). Public access to the database is available through 

the NWIS web site (NWISWeb). Because the data collected by the USGS are critical 

to managing Nevada’s water resources, much of the data are available on NWISWeb in 

near real-time or at periodic intervals <http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nv/nwis/nwis>. Data 

also are compiled and published annually in the Nevada water-data report. To better 

meet the needs of customers, cooperators, and the public, the water-data report for 

Nevada will now be published only on the USGS NWSC web site.

<http://nevada.usgs.gov/adr/index.htm>

Surface Water

Surface water in Nevada varies both areally and seasonally. Total precipitation in 

Nevada averages less than 10 inches per year, making Nevada the driest state in the 

Nation. To effectively manage the limited water resources within the State, information 

about flow and stage of streams, as well as stage and volume of lakes and reservoirs, 

needs to be collected and compiled. This information can then be used by a wide 

variety of water-resources projects and programs including 

• warnings for and assessing floods;

• operating reservoirs;

• determining water allocations;

• monitoring water quality and setting water-quality standards; 

• designing infrastructure such as bridges, culverts, and dams; 

• evaluating the effects of changing land use;

• detecting long-term changes in climate; and 

• administering compacts, decrees, and/or treaties on interstate bodies of water.

Surface-water data are collected from streamgaging stations in all the major river 

basins in Nevada. Near-real-time data are available for more than 120 stations; periodic 

and miscellaneous flow measurements are made at numerous sites, including springs. 

Water-quality data are collected at more than 100 sites, which vary from year to year. 

Precipitation data also are collected at more than 35 sites.

USGS hydrologic technicians 

measuring surface-water 

discharge.
Ground Water

How regional aquifers respond to changes in climate and stresses to the aquifer system, 

such as pumping over long periods of time, is largely unknown in Nevada. Understanding, 

planning, and managing Nevada’s water resources requires long-term data to define trends, 

uncover issues, and take corrective actions. Ground-water data are collected from regionally 

representative well networks that allow for the measurement of water levels in most aquifers 

within the State. Measurements of recharge to, and discharge from, ground-water systems 

provide data to assist in evaluating the effects of managing, developing, and determining 

future water supplies.

Continuous well measurements are made at more than 15 wells throughout the State.

Periodic well measurements are made at more than 800 wells but the number of wells can 

vary from year to year. Periodic measurements are made at approximately the same times 

each year to reduce seasonal effects. Water-quality data are collected at more than 130 wells 

and can vary depending on project needs. New wells are added to the network as old wells 

are destroyed, local land use changes, and other needs arise.

Data Availability

Surface-water records and ground-water levels were initially published as USGS water-supply papers. For water years1

1961 through 1974, streamflow data were released in annual reports on a state-by-state basis. Water-quality records for water 

years 1964 through 1974 were similarly released, either in separate reports or in conjunction with the streamflow records. 

Beginning in 1975, surface-water, ground-water, and water-quality data for each state were compiled into an annual waterdata report by water year and were released each spring.

Beginning in calendar year 2005, the water-data report for Nevada will be published on the USGS NWSC web site rather 

than printed as a book <http://nevada.usgs.gov/adr/index.htm>. The water-resources data web site can be navigated through 

a series of map interfaces or station lists. Data tables, formatted 

as in previously published water-data reports, are available as 

individual Portable Document Format (PDF) files; the entire 

book also is available for downloading or printing. In addition 

to the data tables, new hydrologic summary graphs have been 

added for surface-water stations throughout the State. These 

graphs show annual daily mean discharge, monthly streamflow 

statistics, annual mean streamflow, annual minimum 7-day 

average streamflow, and annual peak streamflow. The new web 

site also includes photographs of stations (if available) and 

links to near-real-time, historic, daily-value, and water-quality 

data (if available). Publishing the Nevada water-data report on 

the NWSC web site allows data to be compiled and reported

throughout the year; statistical summaries will be available at 

the end of each water year.

Because the Nevada water-data report will no longer 

be published as a book, a limited number of compact discs 

containing the 2004 water-data report are available. To request 

a compact disc, please contact the USGS NWSC Public 

Information Assistant at (775) 887-7649 or by sending email to 

GS-W-NVpublic-info@usgs.gov.

Compiled by Angelia M. Thacker and Shannon C. Watermolen

1 Water year is the 12-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 

30 and is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. For example, the 

water year from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004 is designated as the 

2004 water year.

USGS hydrologic technician 

collecting ground-water data 

from a well.

Screen image of a station from the water-data report 

available on the USGS NWSC web site.

For more information on the USGS NWSC data 

program, please contact:

Kerry Garcia, Assistant State Director

USGS Nevada Water Science Center

333 W. Nye Lane

Carson City, NV 89706

Phone: (775) 887-7659 Email: ktgarcia@usgs.gov

URL: http://nevada.usgs.gov

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

USGS Fact Sheet 2005-3071

Last printed June 3, 2005