Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada 

Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and 

Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006

Data Series 269

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, 

National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office,

Office of Environmental Management under Interagency 

Agreement DE-A152-07NA28100

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada 

Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and 

Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006

By Steven R. Reiner

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy,

National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office,

Office of Environmental Management under Interagency 

Agreement DE-A152-07NA28100

Data Series 269

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark D. Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2007

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reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Reiner, S.R., 2007, Ground-water temperature data, Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, 

Nevada, 2000–2006: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 269, 20 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................1

Description of Study Area ...................................................................................................................3

Ground-Water Temperature Data-Collection Sites.........................................................................4

Ground-Water Temperature Data ...............................................................................................................4

Periodic Ground-Water Temperature Data ......................................................................................4

Data-Collection Method .............................................................................................................4

Instrumentation...................................................................................................................4

Calibration of Temperature Probe....................................................................................5

Procedure ............................................................................................................................5

Periodic Temperature Data........................................................................................................5

Ground-Water Temperature Profile Data .........................................................................................6

Data-Collection Method .............................................................................................................6

Instrumentation...................................................................................................................6

Calibration of Temperature Loggers ................................................................................6

Procedure ............................................................................................................................6

Temperature Profile Data ...........................................................................................................7

Summary..........................................................................................................................................................9

Acknowledgments.........................................................................................................................................9

References Cited............................................................................................................................................9

Appendix A. Periodic Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, 

2000–2006.........................................................................................................................................17

Appendix B. Ground-Water Temperature Profile Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, 

2004–2005.........................................................................................................................................19

Plate

Plate 1. Map showing ground-water temperature data-collection sites, Nevada Test Site and 

vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006

Figures

Figure 1. Map showing location of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nevada and 

California .................................................................................... 2

Figure 2. Graph showing periodic ground-water temperature data, well PM-1 

(7543-7858 ft), Nevada Test Site, Nevada, 2000–2006.................................... 5

Figure 3. Schematic diagram of ground-water temperature profile data-collection 

equipment .................................................................................... 7

Figure 4. Graphs showing ground-water temperature profile data, well PM-1 

(7543-7858 ft), Nevada Test Site, Nevada, November 3, 2004........................... 8
iv

Tables

Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the

vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.......... 11

Conversion Factors, Datums, Abbreviations and Acronyms

Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Datums

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 29).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations and 

Acronyms Definition

CET Calibrated electric tape

DTW Depth to water

DTWR Depth to water rounded to the nearest foot

HP Hang point

MP Measuring point

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

NTS Nevada Test Site

UET Uncalibrated electric tape

USDOE U.S. Department of Energy

USGS U.S. Geological Survey
Abstract

Ground-water temperature data were collected by the 

U.S. Geological Survey in wells at and in the vicinity of 

the Nevada Test Site during the years 2000–2006. Periodic 

ground-water temperatures were collected in 166 wells. In 

general, periodic ground-water temperatures were measured 

annually in each well at 5 and 55 feet below the water surface. 

Ground-water temperature profiles were collected in 73 

wells. Temperatures were measured at multiple depths below 

the water surface to produce these profiles. Databases were 

constructed to present the ground-water temperature data.

Introduction

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) is located in Nye County, 

southern Nevada (fig. 1). The NTS was established in 1950 

as a continental proving ground for the testing of nuclear 

weapons and alternative uses of nuclear explosions (U.S. 

Department of Energy, 2000, p. 48). Atmospheric nuclear 

testing at or above land surface at the NTS was conducted 

from 1951 to 1962. Underground nuclear testing at the NTS 

began in 1951 and continued until a worldwide moratorium 

on nuclear testing began in 1992. From 1951 to 1992, 828 

underground nuclear tests were completed at the NTS 

(Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 21–22, table 4). Radionuclide 

contaminants may be introduced to ground water during 

underground nuclear tests if the depth at which the nuclear 

device is detonated or the depth of the shock cavity produced 

by the detonation is below the pre-test water table. Of the 

828 underground nuclear tests conducted at the NTS, about 

220 were detonated below or near the water table and are 

considered by Laczniak and others (1996, table 4) certain or 

probable sources of ground-water contamination.

A long-term program to investigate and remediate 

radionuclide contaminants generated at the NTS is a mission 

of the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), National Nuclear 

Security Administration Nevada Site Office, Environmental 

Restoration Program. Models of the ground-water flow system 

at and in the vicinity of the NTS are being developed to help 

the USDOE evaluate the risk that radionuclide contaminants 

may have on the public and the environment (Waddell, 

1982; Belcher, 2004; Stoller-Navarro Joint Venture, 2006a, 

2006b). Accurate ground-water temperatures are useful when 

developing ground-water flow models. Periodic groundwater temperature measurements can be used to detect 

temporal changes in ground-water temperature. Ground-water 

temperature depth profiles provide the data needed to correct 

measured water levels for temperature effects, to evaluate the 

direction and magnitude of ground-water flow within a well, 

and to calibrate hydrologic models with temperature targets.

Purpose and Scope

This report presents ground-water temperature data 

collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at and in the 

vicinity of the NTS. Periodic ground-water temperatures were 

measured in 166 wells during calendar years 2000 through 

2006 (pl. 1). Generally, periodic ground-water temperatures 

were measured annually at about 5 and 55 ft below the water 

surface. Periodic ground-water temperature data are presented 

in appendix A.

Ground-water temperature profiles were collected in 73 

wells during calendar years 2004 and 2005 (pl. 1). Groundwater temperatures were collected on one occasion in each 

well at multiple depths within the accessible water column. 

Ground-water temperature profile data are presented in 

appendix B.

Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada 

Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and 

Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006

By Steven R. Reiner
NV19-4121_fig01

Alkali Flat–

Furnace Creek

Ranch groundwater subbasin

Oasis Valley

ground-water

subbasin

Ash Meadows

ground-water

subbasin

Death Valley

ground-water

flow system

Colorado

ground-water

South-Central flow system 

Marshes

ground-water

flow system

Northern

Big Smokey Valley

ground-water

flow system

Railroad Valley

ground-water

flow system

Diamond

Valley

ground-water

flow system

Penoyer

Valley

ground-water

flow system

Gabbs Valley

ground-water

flow system

Monte Cristo Valley

ground-water

flow system

Mesquite Valley

ground-water

flow system

Discharge areas—Modified

 after Reiner and others (2002)

Areas of underground nuclear testing—

 Modified after Laczniak and others (1996) 

Boundary of major ground-water flow system—

 Modified after Harrill and others (1988)

EXPLANATION

LINCOLN COUNTY

CLARK COUNTY

 INYO COUNTY

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ESMERALDA COUNTY NYE COUNTY

NYE COUNTY

LINCOLN COUNTY

NEVADA

 CALIFORNIA

Amargosa River

margosa River

Boundary of Nevada Test Site

Boundary of ground-water subbasin—

 Modified after Laczniak and others (1996)

Ash Meadows

Alkail

Flat

Pahrump

Tecopa

 Las

Vegas

Beatty

Death

Valley

Sarcobatus

Flat

Oasis

Valley

Tonopah

Figure 1. Location of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nevada and California.

   Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
Description of Study Area

The study area is the NTS and other areas in the vicinity 

of the NTS. The study area lies within the southern part of 

the Great Basin, an internally drained subdivision of the 

Basin and Range physiographic province (Fenneman, 1931). 

The predominant physiographic features of the Basin and 

Range are linear mountain ranges separating broad, elongated 

valleys. North-trending mountain ranges are elevated above 

the similarly trending sediment-filled valleys along large 

vertical fault displacements. Precambrian siliclastic and 

metamorphic rocks, Paleozoic carbonate and siliclastic rocks, 

and Tertiary volcanic rocks constitute the primary rock type 

of the hills, ridges, and mountain ranges in the study area. 

The valleys are filled with unconsolidated clastic sediment 

and semi-consolidated to consolidated clastic rocks, lacustrine 

limestone, and interbedded volcanic ash and lava flows 

(Reiner and others, 2002).

The climate at and in the vicinity of the NTS is arid. 

Climate information from Air Resources Laboratory, Special 

Operations and Research Division (2006), is summarized 

below. Annual precipitation ranges from about 2 in/yr at low 

altitudes (Laczniak and others, 1999, p. 7) to about 12 in. 

at high altitudes (Soule, 2006, p. vi). Precipitation is most 

common in winter, early spring, and mid-summer. Most 

precipitation is rain; however, snow is possible from autumn 

through late spring. Humidity at the NTS is fairly low, ranging 

from typically less than 35 percent in the summer to 70 

percent in the winter. Average daily minimum and maximum 

temperatures at lower altitudes at the NTS are about -5°C to 

15°C in the winter and about 15°C to 40°C in the summer. 

Average daily minimum and maximum temperatures at high 

altitudes are about -5°C to 5°C in the winter and about 15°C to 

30°C in the summer.

More than 90 percent of the study area is contained 

within the Death Valley ground-water flow system, one of the 

major hydrologic subdivisions of the southern Great Basin 

(fig.1; Harrill and others, 1988, sheet 1). Ground water moves 

southward from recharge areas in central Nevada through 

carbonate and volcanic rock aquifers (Laczniak and others, 

1996, p. 2). Precipitation at high altitudes along the flow 

path also recharges the carbonate and volcanic rock aquifers. 

Within the Death Valley ground-water flow system, ground 

water flows towards four major areas of surface discharge: 

Ash Meadows, Oasis Valley, Alkali Flat, and Death Valley 

(fig. 1). The remainder of the study area is contained within 

the Railroad Valley and South-Central Marshes ground-water 

flow systems.

The concept of ground-water subbasins helps explain 

regional ground-water flow at and in the vicinity of the 

NTS (fig. 1; Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 16–20). Groundwater subbasin boundaries are determined by the location of 

recharge and discharge areas, geology, hydraulic gradients, 

and ground-water chemistry. All ground water at the NTS 

flows within one of three ground-water subbasins of the Death 

Valley ground-water flow system: Ash Meadows, Oasis Valley, 

and Alkali Flat-Furnace Creek Ranch (fig. 1). Ground water in 

the vicinity of the NTS may flow either within these groundwater subbasins, in parts of the Death Valley ground-water 

flow system outside of these subbasins, or outside the Death 

Valley ground-water flow system. Ground-water levels at and 

in the vicinity of the NTS range in altitude from about 6,000 ft 

beneath the Kawich Range to below sea level at Death Valley 

(Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 16). The ground-water flow 

system or subbasin where ground-water temperature datacollection sites are located is provided in appendixes A and B.

A hydrogeologic unit is an assemblage of rocks and 

deposits of varying age, lithology, and structural properties 

(Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 10; Sweetkind and others, 

2004, p. 34). Each hydrogeologic unit has distinct hydrologic 

properties based on this assemblage. Five significant regional 

hydrogeologic units are at and in the vicinity of the NTS 

(Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 10–16). These five regional 

hydrogeologic units are, from oldest to youngest, 

(1) the basement confining unit, (2) the carbonate-rock aquifer, 

(3) the Eleana confining unit, (4) the volcanic aquifers and 

confining units, and (5) the valley-fill aquifer.

The basement confining unit is a low-transmissivity 

confining unit composed of Eocambrian to Cambrian 

quartzite, micaceous quartzite, and siltstone. This 

hydrogeologic unit acts as the hydrologic basement for most 

of the study area.

The carbonate-rock aquifer consists of Cambrian to 

Devonian dolomite, interbedded limestone, and thin layers of 

shale and quartzite. Secondary openings from fractures and 

ground-water dissolution in the carbonate rocks make this 

regional hydrogeologic unit highly transmissive (Winograd 

and Thordarson, 1975, p. C74; Dettinger, 1989, p. 5). An 

upper carbonate-rock aquifer of Pennsylvanian age is in 

parts of the study area but is not considered a regional 

hydrogeologic unit. The upper and lower carbonate-rock 

aquifers are separated from each other by the Eleana confining 

unit; where the Eleana confining unit is absent, the upper and 

lower carbonate-rock aquifers act as a single hydrogeologic 

unit.

The Eleana confining unit, although limited in areal 

extent, is considered a regional hydrogeologic unit. The unit 

is low permeability, Mississippian to Devonian age siltstone, 

sandstone, and conglomerate.

Tertiary age volcanic-rock aquifers and confining units 

form a regional hydrogeologic unit. Highly fractured, dense 

volcanic rocks with abundant fractures, such as welded 

tuffs or lava flows, make up the volcanic aquifers whereas 

confining units are formed generally by nonwelded tuff 

that may be zeolitized (Winograd and Thordarson, 1975, 

p. C44). In general, this hydrogeologic unit forms localized 

aquifers; however, deep fractured volcanic-rock units may be 

considered a regional aquifer (Blankennagel and Weir, 1973, 

p. 6).

Introduction 
The valley-fill aquifer regional hydrogeologic unit 

consists of unconsolidated coarse- to fine-grained sediments 

with localized carbonate, volcanic, and sedimentary rock 

units (Sweetkind and others, 2004, p. 39–44). Ground-water 

flow within this unit is dependent on physical properties of 

the sediment, including grain size and amount of cementation 

(Belcher and others, 2006). In general, transmissive units 

within the valley-fill aquifer consist of coarser grained 

sediments like gravel and sand which, when saturated, may 

have high porosity and permeability (Laczniak and others, 

1996, p. 15). Finer grained sediments, like silt, clay, and 

fine-grained sand, form confining units within the valley-fill 

aquifer.

The principal regional hydrogeologic unit contributing 

water to a well in which ground-water temperatures were 

measured is provided in appendixes A and B. Localized 

granitic stocks of Cretaceous age are not considered a regional 

hydrogeologic unit (Laczniak and others, 1996, p. 14, 25). 

However, granitic stocks are identified in appendixes A and 

B as a hydrogeologic unit when it is the principal rock type 

contributing water to a well.

Underground nuclear testing at the NTS (fig. 1) can 

affect local ground-water conditions. Any hydraulic property 

or water level measured in an underground nuclear test area 

may not be the same as pre-nuclear testing values (Laczniak 

and others, 1996, p. 42). Fractures resulting from underground 

nuclear testing can change aquifer permeability and storage 

properties. Interstitial fluid pressure in aquifers and groundwater temperature may be affected. Underground nuclear tests 

have changed water levels for months or years (Garber, 1971, 

p. C207; Thordarson, 1987, p. 12–16) and may affect groundwater flow rates and direction.

Ground-Water Temperature 

Data-Collection Sites

Periodic ground-water temperature data were collected 

in 166 wells located between latitude 36 and 39 degrees north 

and longitude 115 and 118 degrees west within Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nev. (pl. 1; table 1, at back of report). A 

well, for the purpose of this report, is a bored, drilled, or dug 

hole with a depth greater than its largest surface dimension 

and a discrete open interval (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1997; Fenelon, 2005, p. 6). Temperature data may 

be collected from multiple wells within a single borehole 

because each well has a distinct open interval. Ninety-two of 

the 166 wells at which periodic ground-water temperatures 

were collected are located within the boundaries of the NTS. 

About 95 percent of the wells with periodic ground-water 

temperature data are located in the Death Valley ground-water 

flow system (fig. 1). The remaining 5 percent are located 

either in the Railroad Valley or South-Central Marshes 

ground-water flow systems.

Ground-water temperature profiles were collected in 

73 wells located between latitude 36 and 38 degrees north 

and longitude 115 and 117 degrees west within Nye County, 

Nev. (pl. 1; table 1). Of the 73 wells in which groundwater temperature profiles were collected, 52 are located 

within the NTS boundaries and 21 are located outside the 

NTS boundaries. Forty-one of the wells with ground-water 

temperature profile data are in the Ash Meadows ground-water 

subbasin, 16 are in the Oasis Valley ground-water subbasin, 

and 16 are in the Alkali-Flat-Furnace Creek Ranch groundwater subbasin.

All wells in which ground-water temperatures were 

measured are part of a USGS water-level monitoring network. 

This network is supported by the USDOE National Nuclear 

Security Administration Nevada Site Office, Environmental 

Restoration Program.

Ground-Water Temperature Data

Data presented for each well consist of depth-to-water 

measurements, depth below water level where ground-water 

temperature was measured, and ground-water temperature. 

Distances are reported in inch-pound units (feet) and 

temperatures in degrees Celsius.

Periodic Ground-Water Temperature Data

Data-Collection Method

Periodic ground-water temperature data were collected 

with a temperature probe attached to the end of a calibrated 

electric tape. In general, temperatures in each well were 

measured annually at depths of 5 and 55 ft below the water 

surface. If necessitated by well conditions, the depths of 

ground-water temperature measurements were varied.

Instrumentation

A temperature probe was used to collect periodic 

ground-water temperature data. The temperature probe 

protects a thermistor in which electrical resistance varies 

with temperature. The probe can be used to depths of 1,500 ft 

below the water surface and has a temperature range of -5°C to 

50°C (Solinst Canada Ltd., 1995).

The temperature probe was attached to the bottom of a 

calibrated electric tape. A calibrated electric tape also was 

used to measure depth to water prior to temperature data 

collection. The calibrated electric tape measurements are 

considered accurate to within 0.1 ft.

 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
Calibration of Temperature Probe

The temperature probe was calibrated annually. The 

calibration procedure begins by determining the “before” 

resistance of an electric tape without a temperature probe. 

The temperature probe is then attached to the electric tape 

and placed into a water-filled container. Measurements 

of the resistance of electric tape plus the resistance of the 

temperature probe thermistor are recorded at various water 

temperatures ranging from about 0°C to 50°C. During the 

procedure, water temperature is determined using a National 

Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-calibrated 

thermometer. After all measurements of the resistance of 

the electric tape plus the resistance of the thermistor are 

completed, the “after” resistance of the electric tape without 

the temperature probe is again measured. The average 

resistance of the electric tape is the average of the “before” 

and “after” measurements of electric tape resistance. The 

average resistance of the electric tape is subtracted from 

the resistance of the electric tape plus the resistance of the 

thermistor to determine the resistance of the thermistor at 

various water temperatures. An equation is used to convert the 

resistance of the thermistor to a temperature. A regression or 

best-fit line is fitted to thermistor-derived temperatures versus 

calibrated thermometer temperatures. The equation of the bestfit line is then used to adjust field-measured temperatures to a 

calibrated temperature.

Procedure

The general steps used for collecting periodic groundwater temperature data at 5 and 55 ft below the water surface 

are as follows:

Depth to water below measuring point (DTW) for the well 

is measured using a calibrated electric tape (CET). No 

correction factor is applied to the measurement. The DTW 

is then rounded to the nearest foot and recorded as the 

rounded depth to water below measuring point (DTWR).

A “before’’ resistance for a CET is measured before the 

temperature probe is attached to the CET.

The CET is lowered into the well to the depth at which 

the temperature probe would be 5 ft below the DTWR. 

The resistance of the CET plus the resistance of the 

temperature probe thermistor is recorded.

The CET is lowered into the well to the depth at which 

the temperature probe would be 55 ft below the DTWR. 

The resistance of the CET plus the resistance of the 

temperature probe thermistor is recorded. The CET is 

removed from the well.

The temperature probe is removed from the CET and an 

“after’’ resistance for CET is measured.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Periodic Temperature Data

Periodic ground-water temperature data collected in the 

field were processed using a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. 

The “before” and “after” measured resistances of the electric 

tape were averaged to determine an average electric tape 

resistance. The average electric tape resistance was subtracted 

from the resistance of the electric tape plus the resistance of 

the temperature probe thermistor to determine the resistance of 

the thermistor while submerged below water within the well. 

A raw water temperature is calculated from the resistance 

of the submerged thermistor. The raw water temperature is 

corrected for the temperature probe calibration to determine 

a final calibrated water temperature. Based on data-collection 

methods, periodic ground-water temperatures are considered 

accurate to within 1°C.

A table of periodic ground-water temperature 

measurements collected during calendar years 2000–2006 

in 166 wells at and in the vicinity of the NTS is presented 

in appendix A. The appendix provides information on site 

location, well construction, hydrogeologic unit, depths-towater, and temperature data for each of the wells.

Periodic ground-water temperatures measured in wells 

at and in the vicinity of the NTS ranged from about 10.7°C to 

50.4°C. The minimum temperature was measured in well TTR 

Antelope Mine 1 at 11 ft below land surface and the maximum 

in well ER- 3-1-2 (shallow) at 55 ft below land surface. An 

example of the results from periodic ground-water temperature 

collection is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2. Periodic ground-water temperature data, well 

PM-1 (7543-7858 ft), Nevada Test Site, Nevada, 2000–2006.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

GROUND-WATER TEMPERATURE, 

IN DEGREES CELSIUS

35

34

33

32

31

30

5 FT BELOW WATER SURFACE

55 FT BELOW WATER SURFACE

WELL PM-1 (7543-7858 ft)

SITE IDENTIFICATION NO. 371649116242102

Ground-Water Temperature Data 
Ground-Water Temperature Profile Data

Data-Collection Method

Ground-water temperature profile data were collected 

with temperature loggers attached to an electric tape. 

Temperatures were collected at multiple depths throughout the 

water column.

Instrumentation

Sealed underwater temperature loggers were used to 

collect ground-water temperature profile data. The loggers 

were depth rated to 1,000 ft, but have been known to work at 

pressures equivalent to 10,000 ft of water (Onset Computer 

Corporation, 1996). The temperature range of the loggers is 

-20°C to 50°C, but they will record temperatures as much as 

70°C.

The sealed temperature loggers were attached to an 

uncalibrated electric tape at 20-ft intervals. The tape was 

believed to be accurate to at least the nearest foot based upon 

its previous use as a calibrated electric tape. This accuracy was 

sufficient for the ground-water temperature profiles.

Calibrated electric tapes were used to measure depth 

to water prior to temperature-data collection. The calibrated 

electric tape measurements are recorded as being accurate to 

within 0.1 ft.

Calibration of Temperature Loggers

Prior to field use, temperature loggers were checked 

for accuracy, precision, resolution, and the time needed to 

equilibrate to surrounding fluid temperature. To evaluate 

accuracy, precision, and resolution, multiple temperature 

loggers were activated and submerged into a container of 

water. The water was stabilized at various temperatures within 

the range of temperatures expected to be encountered in the 

field. Temperature loggers were allowed to equilibrate at these 

stable temperatures for at least 10 minutes. The accuracy of an 

individual logger was determined by comparing its recorded 

temperatures with temperatures from an NIST-calibrated 

thermometer. The precision of an individual logger was 

determined by comparing its recorded temperatures with the 

recorded temperatures from other loggers. The resolution of 

an individual logger was determined by noting the minimum 

difference between temperature readings that each logger 

could record. Each logger has 255 different temperature 

steps in its measurement range that can be recorded (Onset 

Computer Corporation, 1996).

The accuracy, precision, and resolution of the loggers 

are temperature dependent. The measured accuracies of the 

temperature loggers, which are the differences between logger 

temperature readings and measurements from an NISTcalibrated thermometer, range from ± 0.2°C to ± 0.7°C. The 

measured accuracies are within ± 0.3°C of the manufacturer’s 

specifications of ± 0.4°C from 0°C to about 30°C and ± 0.5°C 

from about 30°C to 50°C.

The temperature logger precisions, which are the 

maximum differences between temperatures measured 

simultaneously by multiple loggers, are between 0.3°C 

and 0.6°C. Measured resolutions are within 0.1°C of 

manufacturer’s resolution specifications of ± 0.3°C from about 

0°C to 25°C and ± 0.4°C from 25°Cto 50°C.

Based on data-collection methods and the accuracy, 

precision, and resolution testing, ground-water temperature 

profile measurements between 0.5°C and 50°C are considered 

accurate to within 1°C. Temperatures measured greater than 

50°C may be less accurate.

The equilibration time needed for the loggers to record 

a consistent temperature was measured. Temperature loggers 

were quickly moved from a container of relatively cold, 

warm, or hot water and placed into a container with water of 

different temperature. The amount of time the logger needed 

to equilibrate after these changes was recorded. Equilibration 

times ranged from 7 to 16 minutes. Equilibration times when 

temperature changes were less abrupt were as short as 2 

minutes.

Procedure

The general steps used for collecting ground-water 

temperature profile data are as follows (fig. 3):

Prior to data collection, the temperature loggers are 

attached to an uncalibrated electric tape (UET). The 

temperature loggers are spaced at 20-ft intervals with 

the initial logger to enter the well located 5 ft above the 

bottom of the UET and the final logger to enter the well 

located 185 ft above the bottom of the UET.

DTW for the well is measured using a calibrated electric 

tape. No correction factor is applied to the measurement. 

The DTW value is then rounded to the nearest foot and 

recorded as the DTWR.

The length of water column is estimated by subtracting 

the DTWR from the most recent measured accessible 

well depth. The length of the water column is needed to 

estimate the length of UET that will be lowered into the 

well or borehole.

The UET is lowered into the well. Each temperature 

logger is activated and time synchronized before being 

lowered into the well.

If the estimated water column length is less than 200 

ft, the UET is lowered to the maximum accessible 

depth of the well. The UET is then raised so that the 

nearest whole number foot marking on the UET above 

that accessible depth lines up with the measuring point 

(MP). The whole number foot marking is recorded as 

the hang point (HP).

1.

2.

3.

4.

•

   Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
If the estimated water column length is equal to or 

greater than 200 ft, the UET is lowered to a HP such 

that the temperature logger located 185 ft above the 

bottom of the UET will be 5 ft below DTWR and 

the temperature logger located 5 ft above the bottom 

of UET will be 185 ft below DTWR (fig. 3). If the 

maximum accessible depth is reached before the 

temperature loggers are located at these depths, then 

the procedures used for an estimated column length of 

less than 200 ft should be used.

5. The UET is secured at the HP and a start time recorded. 

The UET is not moved from the HP for at least 10 

minutes to allow the temperature loggers to equilibrate 

to the surrounding water temperature. Before the UET is 

moved, an end time is recorded.

•

INITIAL HANG POINT

UNCALIBRATED 

ELECTRIC

TAPE (UET)

TEMPERATURE

DATALOGGER

WELL

WELL

LAND

SURFACE

5 FEET

BELOW

DTWR

185 FEET

BELOW

DTWR

MAXIMUM

ACCESSIBLE

DEPTH

385 FEET

BELOW

DTWR

205 FEET

BELOW

DTWR

DEPTH 

TO WATER

ROUNDED

(DTWR)

SUBSEQUENT HANG POINT

MEASURING

POINT (MP)

EXPLANATION

Figure 3. Ground-water temperature profile data-collection 

equipment.

6. The UET is moved to a different HP.

If the water column length was determined in step 4 

to be less than 200 ft, the UET is moved so that one 

temperature logger measures ground-water temperature 

about 5 ft below the water surface. Other temperatures 

will be measured in 20-ft intervals below the logger at 

5 ft below the water surface.

If the water column length was determined in step 4 to 

be equal to or greater than 200 ft, the UET is lowered 

so that the HP is 200 ft greater than in step 4 (fig. 3). If 

a maximum accessible depth is reached before the HP 

is lowered the additional 200 ft, then the UET is raised 

so that the nearest whole number foot marking on the 

UET above that maximum accessible depth lines up 

with the MP.

7. The UET is secured at the HP and a start time recorded. 

The UET is not moved from the HP for at least 8 minutes 

to allow the temperature loggers to equilibrate to the 

surrounding water temperature. Before the UET is moved, 

an end time is recorded.

8. In wells that have not reached maximum accessible depth 

by the end of step 7, steps 6 and 7 are repeated until 

maximum accessible depth is reached in the well, or the 

UET has been extended to its maximum length.

9. The UET is raised out of the well. Data is collected from 

each temperature logger. Each temperature logger is then 

deactivated.

Temperature Profile Data

Temperature profile data collected in the field were 

processed using a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. The 

spreadsheet used the HP, data collection times at each HP, and 

the position of the logger on the UET to determine the depth 

of each logger below the water surface and the temperature 

at that depth (K.J. Halford, U.S. Geological Survey, written 

commun., 2004). Temperature correction factors only slightly 

affected temperature logger readings and were not applied to 

these values.

A table of the ground-water temperature profiles 

collected in 73 wells at and in the vicinity of the NTS is 

presented in appendix B. The appendix provides information 

on site location, well construction, hydrogeologic unit, 

depths-to-water, and temperature data. Two graphs of 

temperature versus depth below land surface for each well 

with temperature profiles greater than 50 ft in length also are 

presented in appendix B. The scale chosen for one of these 

graphs is customized for each well to illustrate detailed changes 

in temperature with depth. The scale chosen for the other 

•

•

Ground-Water Temperature Data 
graph is standardized for all wells to illustrate the relative 

temperature profile length and change in temperature at each 

well when compared to all collected temperature profiles. An 

example of the ground-water temperature profile graphs is 

shown in figure 4.

Figure 4. Ground-water temperature profile data, well PM-1 (7543-7858 ft), 

Nevada Test Site, Nevada, November 3, 2004. The scale chosen for graph A 

is customized for this well to illustrate detailed changes in temperature with 

depth. The scale chosen for graph B is standardized to illustrate the relative 

temperature profile length and change in temperature of this profile when 

compared to all collected ground-water temperature profiles.

DEPTH, IN FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE

2,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

1,000

0

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

30 40 50 60 15 25 35 45 55 65

GROUND-WATER TEMPERATURE, IN DEGREES CELSIUS

A. B.

Temperatures measured while collecting ground-water 

temperature profiles in wells at and in the vicinity of the 

NTS during the period of record ranged from about 18.8°C 

to 59.0°C. The minimum temperature was measured in wells 

ER- 2-1 piezometer (deep) and UE- 4t 1 (1906–2010 ft) at 5 ft 

below land surface and the maximum in well PM-1 at 3,565 ft 

 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
below land surface. The deepest temperature measurement 

was at 3,982 ft below land surface and the longest groundwater temperature profile was 3,977 ft.

When available, ground-water temperature profile 

measurements in a well were compared to periodic 

temperature measurements closest in depth and measurement 

date in the same well. The ground-water temperature profile 

measurements were collected at or within 10 ft of the periodic 

measurements and, except in three cases, within 400 days. The 

maximum difference between temperature profile and periodic 

temperature measurements at similar depths was 1.1°C, but 

was less than 0.5°C in about 90 percent of the compared 

measurements.

Summary

Periodic ground-water temperature data and groundwater temperature profiles were collected in wells at and in 

the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) during the years 

2000 through 2006. Periodic ground-water temperatures 

were collected in 166 wells at and in the vicinity of the 

NTS. In general, these periodic ground-water temperatures 

were measured at about 5 and 55 ft below the water surface. 

Periodic ground-water temperatures are measured using a 

calibrated temperature probe attached to the bottom of a 

calibrated electric tape. Depth measurements are considered 

accurate to the nearest foot and temperatures are considered 

accurate to the nearest degree Celsius.

Ground-water temperature profiles were measured in 73 

wells at and in the vicinity of the NTS. Temperature loggers 

attached to an uncalibrated electric tape recorded temperatures 

at multiple depths below the water surface to produce these 

profiles. Depth measurements are considered accurate to the 

nearest foot and temperature measurements accurate to the 

nearest degree Celsius. The deepest temperature measurement 

was measured at 3,982 ft below land surface. Differences 

between periodic and ground-water temperature profile 

measurements at similar depths were typically less than 0.5°C.

Acknowledgments

This study was prepared in cooperation with the U.S. 

Department of Energy under Interagency Agreement DEAI52-07NV28100. Special thanks to USGS employees 

Gary Otto and Terry Miller, who collected all ground-water 

temperature data. Thanks to Peggy Elliott (USGS) for entering 

the majority of the periodic ground-water temperature data 

into databases and performing quality assurance. Thanks 

also to USGS employees Joseph Fenelon, Keith Halford, and 

Randell Laczniak for writing spreadsheets used to process 

field data and general guidance in the compilation and basic 

interpretation of data.

References Cited

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Division, 2006, Overview of the climate of the Nevada Test 

Site: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

accessed December 26, 2006, at http://www.sord.nv.doe.

gov/climate/climate.nts.general.pdf.

Belcher, W.R., 2004, ed., Death Valley regional groundwater flow system, Nevada and California—hydrogeologic 

framework and transient ground-water flow model: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2004-5205, 408 p.

Belcher, W.R., Faunt, C.C., Sweetkind, D.S., Blainey, J.B., 

San Juan, C.A., Laczniak, R.J., and Hill, M.C., 2006, 

Ground-water modeling of the Death Valley Region, 

Nevada and California: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 

2006-3120, 6 p.

Blankennagel, R.K., and Weir, J.E., Jr., 1973, Geohydrology 

of the eastern part of Pahute Mesa, Nevada Test Site, Nye 

County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

712-B, 35 p.

Dettinger, M.D., 1989, Distribution of carbonate-rock 

aquifers in southern Nevada and the potential for their 

development—Summary of findings, 1985–1988: Carson 

City, Nev., Program for the Study and Testing of CarbonateRock Aquifers in Eastern and Southern Nevada, Summary 

report No. 1, 37 p.

Fenelon, J.M., 2005, Analysis of ground-water levels and 

associated trends in Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nye 

County, Nevada, 1951–2003: U.S. Geological Survey 

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5175, 97 p.

Fenneman, N.M., 1931, Physiography of the Western United 

States: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 534 p.

Garber, M.S., 1971, A method for estimating effective porosity 

in a rubble chimney formed by an underground nuclear 

explosion, in U.S. Geological Survey Research 1971: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 750-C, p. C207-

C209.

Harrill, J.R., Gates, J.S., and Thomas, J.M., 1988, Major 

ground-water flow systems in the Great Basin region of 

Nevada, Utah, and adjacent states: U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-694-C, 2 sheets, scale 

1:1,000,000.

Laczniak, R.J., Cole, J.C., Sawyer, D.A., and Trudeau, D.A., 

1996, Summary of hydrogeologic controls on ground-water 

flow at the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

96-4109, 59 p.

References Cited 
Laczniak, R.J., DeMeo, G.A., Reiner, S.R., Smith, J.L., and 

Nylund, W.E., 1999, Estimates of ground-water discharge 

as determined from measurements of evapotranspiration, 

Ash Meadows area, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4079, 

70 p.

Onset Computer Corporation, 1996, Stowaway®TidbiT User’s 

Manual, accessed December 26, 2006, at http://www.

onsetcomp.com/support/manual_pdfs/loggers/3050_H_

MAN_TBI32.pdf.

Reiner, S.R., Laczniak, R.J., DeMeo, G.A., Smith, J.L., 

Elliott, P.E., Nylund, W.E., and Fridrich, C.J., 2002, 

Ground-water discharge determined from measurements of 

evapotranspiration, other available hydrologic components, 

and shallow water-level changes, Oasis Valley, Nye 

County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 01-4239, 65 p.

Solinst Canada Ltd., 1995, Conductivity and Temperature 

Profiler Model 101/C4-T4, accessed December 26, 2006, at 

http://www.solinst.com/Prod/Data/101C4.pdf.

Soule, D.A., 2006, Climatology of the Nevada Test Site: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Air 

Resources Laboratory - Special Operation and Research 

Division, Technical Memorandum SORD 2006-03, 165 p.

Stoller-Navarro Joint Venture, 2006a, Phase II ground-water 

flow model of Corrective Action Unit 98—Frenchman Flat, 

Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada: Stoller-Navarro 

Joint Venture Report S-N/99205—074 prepared for the 

U.S. Department of Energy, various pagination, accessed 

February 8, 2007, at http://www.osti.gov/bridge.

Stoller-Navarro Joint Venture, 2006b, Ground-water flow 

model of Corrective Action Units 101 and 102—Central 

and Western Pahute Mesa, Nye County, Nevada: StollerNavarro Joint Venture Report S-N/99205–076 prepared for 

the U.S. Department of Energy, various pagination.

Sweetkind, D.S., Belcher, W.R., Faunt, C.C., and Potter, C.J., 

2004, Chapter B. Geology and hydrogeology in Belcher, 

W.R., 2004, ed., Death Valley regional ground-water flow 

system, Nevada and California—hydrogeologic framework 

and transient ground-water flow model: U.S. Geological 

Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5205, 408 p.

Thordarson, William, 1987, Hydrogeology of the Faultless 

Site, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 86-4342, 40 p.

U.S. Department of Energy, 2000, Origins of the Nevada Test 

Site: U.S. Department of Energy DOE/MA-0518, 95 p.

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environment—glossary, abbreviations, and acronyms: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA# 175-B-97-

001, accessed October 2, 2006, at http://www.epa.gov/

OCEPAterms/wterms.html.

Waddell, R.K., 1982, Two-dimensional, steady-state model of 

ground-water flow, Nevada Test Site and vicinity, NevadaCalifornia: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 82-4085, 77 p.

Winograd, I.J., and Thordarson, William, 1975, 

Hydrogeologic and hydrochemical framework, south-central 

Great Basin, Nevada–California, with special reference to 

the Nevada Test Site: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 712-C, 126 p.

10 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.

[USGS site identification No.: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) site identification number. Each site is identified by a unique 15-digit number based on 

the original latitude-longitude of the site. The first six digits denote degrees, minutes, and seconds of latitude; the next seven digits denote degrees, minutes, 

and seconds of longitude; and the last two digits are the sequence number of the well within the 1-second grid of latitude and longitude. The assigned number is 

retained as a permanent identifier even if a more precise latitude and longitude are later determined. To determine the geographic location of a well, the latitude 

and longitude coordinates should be used rather than the site identifier. Latitude and Longitude: In decimal degrees; referenced to the North American Datum 

of 1983 (NAD 83). Land-surface altitude: Altitude is in feet above or below the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 1929). Depth drilled:

Total depth to which the hole was drilled, in feet below land surface. Well depth: Accessible depth of the well, in feet below land surface. Well depths are 

obtained from drilling records or field measurements. Open interval: Depth range, in feet below land surface, within the well where, if surrounding lithologic 

units are saturated, ground water may enter. The open interval of the well may be openings in the casing and (or) uncased borehole. When more than one open 

interval occurs in a well, depths are in feet below land surface to the top of the uppermost opening and the bottom of the lowermost opening. Hydrogeologic 

unit: Principal hydrogeologic unit contributing water to the well. B, basement confining unit; C, carbonate-rock aquifer; F, valley-fill aquifer; S, Eleana 

confining unit; V, volcanic-rock aquifers and confining units; X, other (granitic stocks). Ground-water flow system or subbasin: The ground-water flow 

system or, when defined, ground-water subbasin where the well is located. Ground-water subbasins are subdivisions of the Death Valley ground-water flow 

system (Laczniak and others, 1996). AFFCR, Alkali Flat-Furnace Creek Ranch ground-water subbasin; AM, Ash Meadows ground-water subbasin; DTVSU, 

Death Valley ground-water flow system, undivided; OV, Oasis Valley ground-water subbasin; RDVSU, Railroad Valley ground-water flow system, undivided; 

SCMU, South-Central Marshes ground-water flow system, undivided. Available ground-water temperature data: Periodic, periodic ground-water temperature 

measurements available; Profile, periodic ground-water temperature and ground-water temperature profile measurements available. Abbreviations: –, unknown]

USGS site 

identification No.

USGS local 

site name Latitude Longitude

Landsurface 

altitude

Depth 

drilled

Well 

depth

Open interval Hydrogeologic 

unit

Groundwater flow 

system or 

subbasin

Available 

ground-water 

temperature 

data

Depth to 

top

Depth to 

bottom

362936116153001 Amargosa Flat Playa Well 36.493 116.259 2,322 15 15 9 14 F AM Periodic

363255115515801 Army 2 36.548 115.867 3,813 658 627 6 658 F AM Periodic

363238115464601 Army 3 36.544 115.780 3,617 826 826 310 826 V AM Periodic

363437116010801 Army 6A 36.577 116.020 3,445 1,253 1,253 1,157 1,228 B AM Periodic

364329116402901 Ash-B Deep Well 36.726 116.676 2,677 1,220 1,214 1,062 1,185 V AFFCR Periodic

364329116402902 Ash-B Shallow Well 36.726 116.676 2,677 1,220 457 362 428 F AFFCR Periodic

371309117074901 BC-1 37.219 117.131 4,001 410 410 339 410 V DTVSU Periodic

371309117074902 BC-2 37.217 117.130 4,000 125 103 63 103 V DTVSU Periodic

365640116431501 Beatty Wash Terrace Well 36.944 116.722 3,460 75 39 55 75 – OV Periodic

361515116100901 BLM Stewart Valley Well 36.254 116.170 2,469 69 69 – – – DTVSU Periodic

363422115433701 Cactus Springs 3 36.573 115.728 3,265 100 100 83 100 – AM Periodic

370725116033901 ER- 2-1 main (shallow) 37.125 116.063 4,216 2,600 2,079 1,642 2,177 V AM Profile

370725116033902 ER- 2-1 piezometer 

(deep)

37.125 116.063 4,216 2,600 2,559 2,313 2,600 V AM Profile

370116115561302 ER- 3-1-2 (shallow) 37.019 115.937 4,407 2,807 2,310 2,208 2,310 C AM Periodic

370214116021002 ER- 3-2-2 (middle) 37.037 116.037 4,010 3,000 2,655 2,588 2,636 F AM Profile

365223115561702 ER- 5-3 deep piezometer 36.873 115.939 3,334 2,606 2,212 1,995 2,235 F AM Profile

365223115561701 ER- 5-3 main (upper 

zone)

36.873 115.939 3,334 2,606 1,890 1,446 1,782 F AM Profile

365223115561703 ER- 5-3 shallow 

piezometer

36.873 115.939 3,334 2,606 1,237 105 1,048 F AM Profile

365223115561801 ER- 5-3-2 36.873 115.939 3,334 5,683 4,908 4,674 5,683 C AM Profile

365223115561704 ER- 5-3-3 36.873 115.939 3,335 1,800 1,745 1,412 1,800 F AM Profile

364928115574801 ER 5-4 main 36.824 115.964 3,132 3,732 3,438 1,715 3,732 F AM Profile

364928115574802 ER 5-4 piezometer 36.824 115.964 3,132 3,732 814 119 813 F AM Profile

364927115574801 ER 5-4-2 36.824 115.964 3,132 7,000 6,658 4,850 7,000 V AM Periodic

365904115593405 ER-6-1 main (2243 ft) 36.984 115.994 3,937 3,206 2,243 1,819 2,243 C AM Periodic

Table 1 11
USGS site 

identification No.

USGS local 

site name Latitude Longitude

Landsurface 

altitude

Depth 

drilled

Well 

depth

Open interval Hydrogeologic 

unit

Groundwater flow 

system or 

subbasin

Available 

ground-water 

temperature 

data

Depth to 

top

Depth to 

bottom

365904115593401 ER- 6-1 main (3206 ft) 36.984 115.994 3,937 3,206 3,045 1,819 3,206 C AM Profile

365904115593403 ER- 6-1 piezometer 36.984 115.994 3,937 2,129 1,790 1,435 1,542 V AM Periodic

365904115593402 ER- 6-1-1 36.984 115.994 3,937 2,085 1,940 1,835 2,052 C AM Profile

365901115593501 ER- 6-1-2 main 36.984 115.994 3,935 3,200 3,070 1,775 3,200 C AM Profile

365901115593502 ER- 6-1-2 piezometer 36.984 115.994 3,935 3,200 1,587 120 1,587 V AM Profile

365740116043501 ER- 6-2 36.961 116.077 4,231 3,430 3,408 1,746 3,430 C AM Profile

370424115594301 ER- 7-1 37.073 115.996 4,246 2,500 2,500 1,775 2,500 C AM Periodic

371106116110401 ER-12-1 (1641-1846 ft) 37.185 116.185 5,817 3,588 3,434 1,641 1,846 C AM Profile

371019116072102 ER-12-2 main (lower 

zone)

37.171 116.123 4,705 6,883 6,883 5,203 6,883 S AM Profile

371019116072103 ER-12-2 main (upper 

zone)

37.171 116.123 4,705 6,883 5,203 2,964 5,203 S AM Profile

371019116072104 ER-12-2 piezometer 37.171 116.123 4,705 6,883 579 120 650 V AM Profile

371142116125101 ER-12-3 piezometer 37.195 116.215 7,391 4,908 1,532 55 2,210 V AFFCR Periodic

371311116105902 ER-12-4 main 37.220 116.184 6,884 3,715 3,713 2,501 3,715 C AM Periodic

371311116105901 ER-12-4 piezometer 37.220 116.184 6,884 3,715 1,968 56 1,988 V AM Periodic

370615116222401 ER-18-2 37.104 116.374 5,437 2,500 2,143 1,351 2,500 V AFFCR Profile

371043116142101 ER-19-1-1 (deep) 37.178 116.240 6,140 3,595 3,578 3,210 3,560 S AFFCR Profile

371043116142102 ER-19-1-2 (middle) 37.178 116.240 6,140 3,595 2,720 2,550 2,738 V AFFCR Profile

371043116142103 ER-19-1-3 (shallow) 37.178 116.240 6,140 3,595 1,381 1,301 1,422 V AFFCR Periodic

371321116292301 ER-20-1 37.222 116.492 6,181 2,065 2,065 1,940 2,065 V AFFCR Profile

371246116240101 ER-20-2-1 37.213 116.401 6,705 2,524 2,494 2,293 2,524 V AFFCR Profile

371537116251501 ER-20-6-1 (3-in string) 37.260 116.422 6,475 3,200 2,930 2,437 2,947 V AFFCR Periodic

371536116251601 ER-20-6-2 (3-in string) 37.260 116.422 6,475 3,200 2,933 2,414 2,945 V AFFCR Periodic

371533116251801 ER-20-6-3 (3-in string) 37.259 116.422 6,466 3,200 2,790 2,436 2,807 V AFFCR Periodic

371223116314701 ER-EC-1 37.206 116.531 6,026 5,000 4,791 2,258 4,895 V OV Profile

370852116340502 ER-EC-2a (1635-2236 ft) 37.145 116.568 4,902 4,974 2,450 1,635 2,236 V OV Profile

370852116340501 ER-EC-2a (1635-4973 ft) 37.145 116.568 4,902 4,974 4,961 1,635 4,974 V OV Periodic

370935116375302 ER-EC-4 (952-2295 ft) 37.159 116.632 4,760 3,487 2,365 952 2,296 V OV Profile

370935116375301 ER-EC-4 (952-3487 ft) 37.159 116.632 4,760 3,487 3,445 952 3,487 V OV Periodic

370504116335201 ER-EC-5 37.084 116.565 5,077 2,500 2,449 1,169 2,500 V AFFCR Profile

371120116294802 ER-EC-6 (1581-3820 ft) 37.189 116.498 5,604 5,000 4,302 1,581 3,820 V AFFCR Profile

365910116284401 ER-EC-7 36.985 116.479 4,805 1,386 1,304 890 1,386 V AFFCR Profile

370610116375301 ER-EC-8 37.103 116.632 4,334 2,000 1,950 632 2,000 V OV Profile

370504116404901 ER-OV-01 37.084 116.681 4,073 180 180 150 170 V OV Profile

370210116421501 ER-OV-02 37.036 116.705 3,880 200 200 170 190 F OV Profile

365956116421601 ER-OV-03a 36.999 116.705 3,844 251 251 220 240 V OV Profile

365956116421602 ER-OV-03a2 36.999 116.705 3,844 821 642 602 622 V OV Profile

Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.—Continued

12 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
USGS site 

identification No.

USGS local 

site name Latitude Longitude

Landsurface 

altitude

Depth 

drilled

Well 

depth

Open interval Hydrogeologic 

unit

Groundwater flow 

system or 

subbasin

Available 

ground-water 

temperature 

data

Depth to 

top

Depth to 

bottom

365956116421603 ER-OV-03a3 36.999 116.705 3,844 821 133 113 133 V OV Profile

370139116390501 ER-OV-03b 37.027 116.652 4,233 400 395 353 373 F OV Profile

365948116360401 ER-OV-03c 36.997 116.602 4,192 542 542 512 532 V AFFCR Profile

365948116360402 ER-OV-03c2 36.997 116.602 4,192 321 321 292 312 V AFFCR Profile

365705116424201 ER-OV-04a 36.951 116.713 3,491 151 151 111 131 F OV Profile

370246116461901 ER-OV-05 37.046 116.773 3,938 200 200 170 190 F OV Profile

370504116404902 ER-OV-06a 37.084 116.681 4,073 536 536 506 526 V OV Profile

370504116404903 ER-OV-06a2 37.084 116.681 4,073 71 65 56 65 V OV Profile

373228116472001 Hammel Mine Well 37.541 116.790 5,540 – 123 – – – DTVSU Periodic

383734116124501 HTH-1 38.626 116.213 6,011 3,704 3,695 150 3,665 V RDVSU Periodic

383023116012201 HTH-23 38.506 116.024 5,797 7,503 6,445 4,510 7,503 – RDVSU Periodic

363317116270801 LWS-A Deep Well 36.555 116.453 2,396 2,025 1,859 1,706 1,827 F AFFCR Periodic

363317116270802 LWS-A Shallow Well 36.555 116.453 2,396 2,025 312 212 278 F AFFCR Periodic

365253116450801 Narrows South Well 2 36.881 116.753 3,180 120 120 20 120 F AFFCR Periodic

370753116502701 NDOT TPJ-2 37.131 116.842 4,005 – – – – – DTVSU Periodic

371649116242102 PM- 1 (7543-7858 ft) 37.280 116.407 6,558 7,858 7,731 7,543 7,858 V AFFCR Profile

372042116340501 PM- 2 37.345 116.569 5,592 8,788 8,788 2,506 8,788 V OV Periodic

371421116333703 PM- 3-1 (1919-2144 ft) 37.239 116.561 5,823 3,019 2,145 1,872 2,192 V OV Profile

371421116333704 PM- 3-2 (1442-1667 ft) 37.239 116.561 5,823 3,019 1,667 1,379 1,687 V OV Profile

375533116580601 Ralston Valley Well 37.926 116.969 5,219 – – – – – SCMU Periodic

373320117090601 Ralston Well 37.555 117.152 4,756 – 409 – – – DTVSU Periodic

364928115580101 RNM-1 36.824 115.968 3,135 1,302 999 120 999 F AM Periodic

364923115575701 RNM-2 36.823 115.967 3,129 935 825 118 935 F AM Profile

364922115580101 RNM-2S 36.823 115.968 3,130 1,156 1,120 118 1,156 F AM Periodic

371615117053601 SF-1 37.271 117.094 4,022 899 879 839 879 V DTVSU Periodic

371615117053602 SF-2 37.271 117.094 4,021 496 496 456 496 F DTVSU Periodic

363905116005801 SM-23-1 36.651 116.017 3,543 1,338 1,332 1,298 1,338 C AM Periodic

362521116160801 Spring Meadows 11 36.422 116.270 2,442 215 215 – – – AM Periodic

370131116440801 Springdale Upper Well 37.025 116.736 3,775 – 91 – – – OV Periodic

375045116460201 TTR 3A WW 37.846 116.768 5,362 805 805 537 805 – SCMU Periodic

375055116460201 TTR 3BB 37.849 116.768 5,358 – – – – – SCMU Periodic

373622116434601 TTR Antelope Mine 1 37.606 116.730 6,350 – – – – – DTVSU Periodic

373622116434701 TTR Antelope Mine 2 37.606 116.730 6,356 – – – – – DTVSU Periodic

373623116434701 TTR Antelope Mine 3 37.606 116.730 6,362 – – – – – DTVSU Periodic

374619116435401 TTR EH-4 37.771 116.734 5,458 743 490 150 490 – DTVSU Periodic

375139116460001 TTR EH-6 37.861 116.767 5,355 535 535 0 310 – SCMU Periodic

375453116450501 TTR Reeds Ranch Well 37.915 116.752 5,384 – 127 – – – SCMU Periodic

374725116452701 TTR Sandia 2 37.790 116.758 5,478 525 525 325 485 – DTVSU Periodic

374739116453401 TTR Sandia 4 37.794 116.760 5,468 580 580 351 466 – DTVSU Periodic

374959116431301 TTR Sandia 5 37.833 116.721 5,334 300 300 – – – DTVSU Periodic

Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.—Continued

Table 1 13
USGS site 

identification No.

USGS local 

site name Latitude Longitude

Landsurface 

altitude

Depth 

drilled

Well 

depth

Open interval Hydrogeologic 

unit

Groundwater flow 

system or 

subbasin

Available 

ground-water 

temperature 

data

Depth to 

top

Depth to 

bottom

373446116433301 TTR Sulfide Mine 37.579 116.727 6,130 – – – – – DTVSU Periodic

370929116132311 TW- 1 (1615-4206 ft) 37.158 116.224 6,156 4,206 3,694 1,615 4,206 V AFFCR Profile

370353116020201 TW- 7 37.065 116.035 4,058 2,272 2,239 41 2,272 V AM Profile

365849116002101 TW- B 36.979 116.015 3,932 1,675 1,670 1,432 1,675 V AM Profile

370418116044501 TW- D 37.074 116.076 4,150 1,950 1,950 1,700 1,950 C AM Profile

364534116065902 TW- F (3400 ft) 36.759 116.117 4,143 3,392 3,392 3,142 3,392 C AM Periodic

370720116041601 U - 2gk 37.122 116.072 4,242 1,809 1,802 116 1,809 F AM Periodic

370320116012001 U - 3cn 5 37.059 116.023 4,009 3,030 2,830 2,832 3,030 C AM Profile

370020115593001 U - 3mi 37.006 115.993 4,006 1,794 1,651 372 1,794 V AM Profile

370451116024101 U - 7cd 37.081 116.046 4,115 1,625 1,523 117 1,625 V AM Periodic

371342116125102 U -12s (1480 ft) 37.228 116.217 6,794 1,596 1,467 12 1,480 X AFFCR Periodic

371346116032601 U- 15k Test Hole 37.229 116.058 5,168 857 857 404 857 X AM Profile

371349116222001 U -19bh 37.230 116.373 6,768 2,148 2,107 72 2,148 V AFFCR Periodic

371736116184701 U -19bj 37.293 116.314 7,035 2,153 2,149 57 2,153 V AFFCR Periodic

371714116230301 U -19bk 37.287 116.385 6,670 2,198 2,192 57 2,198 V AFFCR Profile

371505116254501 U -20 WW (cased) 37.251 116.430 6,468 3,268 3,268 65 3,268 V AFFCR Periodic

371414116242901 U -20bg 37.237 116.409 6,567 2,200 2,200 58 2,200 V AFFCR Periodic

383806116125951 UC-1-P-2SR 38.635 116.216 6,084 3,600 2,734 1,148 2,790 – RDVSU Periodic

370254116070601 UE- 1a 37.048 116.119 4,304 957 562 78 957 S AM Profile

370254116064201 UE- 1b 37.048 116.112 4,273 1,254 701 76 1,254 S AM Periodic

370253116055201 UE- 1c 37.048 116.099 4,207 1,880 1,772 74 1,880 C AM Periodic

370005116040301 UE- 1h 37.001 116.068 3,995 3,358 3,228 2,134 3,358 C AM Profile

370254116082002 UE- 1L (recompleted) 37.048 116.140 4,457 5,339 2,284 716 2,284 S AM Periodic

370337116033002 UE- 1q (2600 ft) 37.060 116.059 4,081 2,600 2,600 2,459 2,600 C AM Profile

370831116080701 UE- 2ce 37.142 116.136 4,765 1,650 1,505 1,377 1,650 C AM Periodic

370411116025910 UE- 3e 4-1 (2181 ft) 37.070 116.051 4,081 2,300 2,181 2,094 2,192 V AM Periodic

370411116025911 UE- 3e 4-2 (1919 ft) 37.070 116.051 4,081 2,300 1,919 1,832 1,926 V AM Profile

370411116025912 UE- 3e 4-3 (1661 ft) 37.070 116.051 4,081 2,300 1,661 1,540 1,668 V AM Periodic

370556116025405 UE- 4t 1 (1906-2010 ft) 37.099 116.049 4,141 2,413 1,993 1,906 2,010 V AM Profile

370556116025406 UE- 4t 2 (1564-1754 ft) 37.099 116.049 4,141 2,413 1,724 1,564 1,754 V AM Profile

364915115574101 UE- 5n 36.821 115.962 3,113 1,687 1,523 82 1,460 F AM Periodic

365905116033201 UE- 6d 36.985 116.060 3,947 3,896 3,864 2,125 3,896 F AM Profile

365905116012002 UE- 6e (2090-2230 ft) 36.985 116.023 3,938 4,209 2,230 2,090 2,230 V AM Profile

Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.—Continued

14  Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
USGS site 

identification No.

USGS local 

site name Latitude Longitude

Landsurface 

altitude

Depth 

drilled

Well 

depth

Open interval Hydrogeologic 

unit

Groundwater flow 

system or 

subbasin

Available 

ground-water 

temperature 

data

Depth to 

top

Depth to 

bottom

370556116000901 UE- 7nS 37.099 116.003 4,367 2,205 2,022 1,707 2,205 C AM Periodic

371108116045303 UE-10j (2232-2297 ft) 37.185 116.082 4,574 2,613 2,532 2,232 2,297 C AM Profile

371332116112802 UE-12t 6 (1461 ft) 37.225 116.192 6,907 1,461 1,461 23 1,461 V AM Periodic

365550116091101 UE-14b 36.931 116.154 4,353 3,680 3,680 2,051 3,680 V AM Profile

370208116092402 UE-16f (1479 ft) 37.036 116.158 4,651 1,479 1,409 1,293 1,479 S AM Profile

370425116095801 UE-17a 37.074 116.167 4,697 1,214 1,207 745 1,214 S AM Profile

370806116264001 UE-18r 37.135 116.446 5,538 5,004 2,183 1,629 5,004 V AFFCR Profile

370741116194501 UE-18t 37.128 116.330 5,201 2,600 2,600 120 2,600 V AFFCR Periodic

371608116191002 UE-19c WW 37.269 116.320 7,033 8,489 2,493 2,421 8,489 V AFFCR Periodic

372034116222504 UE-19h (recompleted) 37.343 116.374 6,780 3,705 2,288 2,050 2,287 V AFFCR Profile

371442116243301 UE-20bh 1 37.245 116.410 6,637 2,810 2,810 1,941 2,810 V AFFCR Profile

371425116251902 UE-20n 1 (2834 ft) 37.240 116.423 6,461 3,300 2,834 2,308 2,834 V AFFCR Periodic

363045115280201 USAF Alpha 2 36.512 115.468 3,066 200 200 165 195 – AM Periodic

363135115281401 USAF Alpha 3 36.526 115.471 3,057 210 210 155 205 – AM Periodic

363529115392101 USAF MW-20 36.591 115.657 3,093 65 65 35 65 – AM Periodic

363529115391301 USAF MW-21 36.591 115.654 3,095 76 75 45 75 – AM Periodic

363508115391701 USAF MW-22 36.586 115.656 3,100 65 65 35 65 – AM Periodic

363447115404601 USAF Well 106-2 36.580 115.681 3,085 604 604 133 418 – AM Periodic

363205115335601 USAF Well 2278-1 36.535 115.567 3,200 400 353 240 353 – AM Periodic

362830115270501 USAF Well 2372-1 36.475 115.450 3,180 300 300 – – – AM Periodic

363452115405101 USAF Well 3 36.580 115.682 3,130 600 600 210 600 – AM Periodic

370840116510101 USBLM TPJ-1 37.145 116.851 3,991 107 107 – – – DTVSU Periodic

363332115244001 USFWS DR-1 36.558 115.411 3,579 957 930 870 930 C AM Periodic

363212115240301 USFWS SBH-1 36.537 115.402 3,475 720 720 665 695 – AM Periodic

363407115215301 USGS - Cow Camp 36.569 115.366 4,175 1,403 1,403 – – – AM Periodic

365502115134101 USGS DDL-2 36.917 115.229 3,288 460 460 13 460 C AM Periodic

370958116051512 WW- 2 (3422 ft) 37.166 116.088 4,470 3,422 3,422 2,700 3,412 C AM Profile

365942116032901 WW- 3 (1800 ft) 36.995 116.059 3,969 1,800 1,800 1,209 1,800 F AM Profile

365418116012601 WW- 4 36.905 116.025 3,602 1,479 1,438 115 1,479 V AM Periodic

365412116013901 WW- 4A 36.903 116.028 3,606 1,517 1,502 536 1,517 V AM Periodic

364635115572901 WW- 5A 36.776 115.959 3,093 910 910 642 910 F AM Profile

364805115580801 WW- 5B 36.801 115.970 3,092 900 900 700 900 F AM Periodic

370142116021101 WW- A (1870 ft) 37.037 116.037 4,006 1,870 1,870 1,555 1,870 F AM Periodic

Table 1. Characteristics of ground-water temperature data-collection sites at and in the vicinity of the Nevada Test Site, Nye, Clark, 

and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.—Continued

Table 1 15
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16 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
Appendix A. Periodic Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and 

Vicinity, 2000–2006

Data from periodic ground-water temperature measurements in 166 wells at and in the vicinity of the NTS are presented in a 

Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet provides information on site location, well construction, hydrogeologic unit, 

depths-to-water, and temperature data for these wells. Appendix A data are available for download at URL:

 http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ds269/.

Appendix A 17
This page is intentionally left blank.

18  Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
Appendix B. Ground-Water Temperature Profile Data, Nevada Test Site and 

Vicinity, 2004–2005

Data from ground-water temperature profile measurements in 73 wells at and in the vicinity of the NTS are presented in a 

Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet provides information on site location, well construction, hydrogeologic unit, 

depths-to-water, and temperature data for these wells. Two graphs of temperature versus depth below land surface for each 

well with temperature profiles greater than 50 feet are also presented in appendix B. The scale chosen for one of these graphs 

is customized for each well to illustrate detailed changes in temperature with depth. The scale chosen for the other graph is 

standardized for all wells to illustrate the relative temperature profile length and change in temperature at each well when 

compared to all collected temperature profiles. Data are available for download at URL:

 http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ds269/.

Appendix B 19
This page is intentionally left blank.

20 Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006
For more information contact:

Director, Nevada Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey

2730 N. Deer Run Road

Carson City, Nevada 89701

http://nevada.usgs.gov
DS 269 Reiner Ground-Water Temperature Data, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, Nye, Clark, and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, 2000–2006