U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5237

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Synoptic Discharge, Water-Property,

and pH Measurements for Muddy River

Springs Area and Muddy River, Nevada,

February 7, 2001

Synoptic Discharge, Water-Property,

and pH Measurements for Muddy River 

Springs Area and Muddy River, Nevada, 

February 7, 2001

By David A. Beck and Jon W. Wilson

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5237

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, Carson City, Nevada: 2006

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Suggested citation:

Beck, D.A., and Wilson, J.W., 2006, Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements for Muddy River 

Springs area and Muddy River, Nevada, February 7, 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2006-5237, 12 p. Available at <http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir2006-5237>.
iii

Contents

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

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

Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................... 1

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

Description of Study Area ........................................................................................................................... 2

Discharge Measurements........................................................................................................................... 3

Evaluation of Discharge Measurements ......................................................................................... 4

Muddy River Springs Area ........................................................................................................ 4

Muddy River................................................................................................................................. 5

Water-Property and pH Measurements......................................................................................... 10

Summary....................................................................................................................................................... 11

References Cited......................................................................................................................................... 12

Figures

1. Map showing location of study area............................................................................................ 2

2. Map showing location of discharge-measurement sites and tributary springs

to the Muddy River .......................................................................................................................... 3

3. Map showing location of discharge-measurement sites along the mainstem

of the Muddy River .......................................................................................................................... 4

4. Graph showing comparison of discharge measurements in the Muddy River 

Springs area and mainstem of the Muddy River and Moapa, Nevada, September 1963

and February 2001............................................................................................................................ 9

5. Graph showing mean discharge at selected sites in the Muddy River Springs area

and mainstem of the Muddy River, Nevada, September 10–12, 1963—February 7, 2001.. 10

6. Graph showing water-temperature and specific-conductance measurements 

at selected sites in the Muddy River Springs area and mainstem of the Muddy River, 

Nevada, February 7, 2001 ............................................................................................................. 11

Tables

1. Discharge and water-property measurements in the Muddy River Springs area

near Moapa, Nevada, September 1969 and February 2001..................................................... 6

2. Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements in the mainstem

of the Muddy River, February 7, 2001........................................................................................... 8

3. Maximum, minimum, and percent difference of discharge and stage 

measurements collected in the mainstem of the Muddy River, February 7, 2001................. 9
iv

Conversion Factors and Datums

Multiply By To obtain

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

mile per hour (mi/h) 1.609 kilometer per hour (km/h)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2)

Temperature: Degrees Celsius (°C) can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) by using the 

formula °F = (1.8 x °C) + 32.

Discharge or flow: The rate that matter passes through a cross section of a stream channel or 

other water body per unit of time. The term commonly refers to the volume of water (including, 

unless otherwise stated, any sediment or other constituents suspended or dissolved in the 

water) that passes a cross section in a stream channel, flume, weir, canal, pipeline, etc., within 

a given period of time (cubic feet per second).

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 

25°C).

Sea level: In this report, “sea level” refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NGVD of 1988, formerly called “Sea-level Datum of 1988”), which is derived from a general 

adjustment of the first-order leveling networks of the United States and Canada.

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) 

unless otherwise stated. 
Abstract

On February 7, 2001, synoptic discharge measurements

at selected sites along the Muddy River in Nevada, indicated

three trends in discharge resulting from contributions of spring

discharge, influences of diversionary flow, and contributions

from shallow ground water. Effects from diversionary and

tributary flow were local in nature and resulted in a net gain of

2.6 cubic feet per second throughout the measured reach. The

minor increase in discharge may be the result of contributions

from ground-water flow and measurement error. Comparison

of 1963 and 2001 discharge measurements within the Muddy

River Springs area indicated that discharge rates and trends

from these source waters were similar. Along the mainstem of

the Muddy River, water-temperature measurements indicated

a net decrease of 8.8 degrees Celsius. Water samples collected

and analyzed for specific conductance indicated a net increase

of 390 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius,

whereas pH measurements remained relatively constant.

Introduction

This report contains an examination of discharge, water

property, and pH data collected in the Muddy River Springs

area and Muddy River on February 7, 2001. Muddy River

originates from numerous seeps and springs at the northwest

corner of Moapa Valley, and flows in a southeast direction

discharging into Lake Mead (fig. 1). The Muddy River Springs

area is defined as the terminal discharge point of the White

River ground-water flow system (Eakin, 1966), which is part

of the Regional Carbonate-Rock Province that encompasses

about 100,000 mi2 of eastern Nevada, western Utah, and parts

of southeastern Idaho and California (Harrill and others, 1983;

fig. 1). The riparian habitat within the Muddy River area contains diverse wildlife, including the endangered Moapa dace

(Moapa coriacea).

The Nevada State Engineer’s Office is considering applications to develop ground-water resources near the Muddy

River and its source waters. Resource managers are concerned

about the potential effects of these proposed withdrawals on

the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge and other riparian

ecosystems and spring-discharge areas adjacent to the river.

This study is limited to the Muddy River Springs area

(fig. 2) and to the upper 18-mile reach of the Muddy River

ending just south of Overton, Nev. (fig. 3). For the purposes

of this report, site names in the text have been abbreviated, but

are listed in tables 1 and 2. All references to the Muddy River

Springs area are defined as that part of the valley upstream

of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) surface-water gaging

station, MR Moapa (site 09416000). References to the Muddy

River indicate the river between MR Moapa (site 09416000)

and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) surfacewater gaging station, MR at Lewis Ave. (site 09419507).

This investigation was developed, in cooperation with the

National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

to provide measured discharge, water temperature, specific

conductance, and pH at multiple sites within the Muddy River

Springs area and the Muddy River.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Bureau of Indian Affairs,

the Nature Conservancy, Southern Nevada Water Authority,

Nevada Division of Water Resources, Moapa Valley Water

District, Nevada Power Company, and the Moapa Band of

Paiutes-Tribal for their participation in this effort.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to present synoptic measurements collected within the Muddy Springs area and along the

Muddy River, and to characterize changes in discharge within

these areas. Data collected on February 7, 2001, include

measurements of discharge, water temperature, and specific

conductance from 15 sites within the Muddy River Springs

area; measurements of discharge, water temperature, specific

conductance, and pH from 14 sites along the Muddy River;

and discharge measurements from 1 municipal and 4 agricultural diversions.

Synoptic Discharge, Water-Property,

and pH Measurements for Muddy River

Springs Area and Muddy River, Nevada,

February 7, 2001

By David A. Beck and Jon W. Wilson
Discharge, water-property, and pH data were collected

during a period of minimal evapotranspiration, and municipal

and agricultural diversions. An evaluation of changes in these

data helps to: (1) assess surface-water and ground-water interaction and (2) account for losses or gains of river discharge

within the spring and river areas.

Description of Study Area

The location of the study area is considered the terminal

drainage area of the White River ground-water flow system

(Eakin, 1966), located within the Regional Carbonate-Rock

Province (fig. 1). The Muddy River Springs area and the

Muddy River are bounded by the Meadow Valley Mountains

to the north, the Morman Mountains to the northeast, the

Muddy Mountains to the south, and Arrow Canyon Range to

the west (fig. 1).

The Muddy River originates from a system of spring

tributaries described by Eakin (1964), which are clustered

along the northeast slope of Arrow Canyon Range (fig. 2).

These tributaries generally consist of warm-water springs and

seeps that emanate from alluvial deposits, occuring near surface exposures of carbonate rocks. These springs and

seeps discharge into the mainstem of the Muddy River

through three spring tributaries that include South Fork

Muddy River, Muddy Springs Tributary, and Refuge Stream

EXPLANATION

UT

CA

NV

ID

AZ

AREA OF STUDY

White River Ground-Water Flow System

Regional Carbonate-Rock Province

Location of springs (Note: Tail indicates 

 general direction of flow)

0 10 20 Kilometers

0 5 10Miles

Muddy River

Muddy River

Springs area

M O R M A N M O U N T A I NS

M U D D Y M O U N T A I NS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1978-1989; Universal Transverse

Mercator projection, Zone 11. Shaded relief base from 1:250,000-scale Digital Elevation

Model; sun illumination from northwest at 30 degrees avove horizon

100,000-foot grid based on Nevada State Plane coordinate system, central zone.

115°0' 114°45' 114°30' 114°15'

36°30'

36°45'

37°0

LINCOLN COUNTY

CLARK COUNTY

AR ROW

C

A

N

Y

O

N RANGE

MEADOW VALLEY MOUNTAINS

Virgin River

Lake Mead

Figure 1. Location of study area.

   Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
(fig. 2). Streams in the Muddy River Springs area typically are

meandering, shallow channels consisting mainly of mud and

organic debris. Most banks are thickly overgrown by Saltcedar

(Tamarix ramosissima), cattails (Typha latifolia), and reeds

(Phragmites communis).

Many irrigation diversions and ditches previously

existed in the Muddy River Springs area. Most of the ditches

have been abandoned with the exception of channels near

Cardy Lamb Springs and Unnamed Springs near LDS East

Well (fig. 2).

The Muddy River flows through four farming communities (Moapa, Glendale, Logandale, and Overton) and through

the northeast corner of the Moapa River Indian Reservation

draining about 6,940 mi2 (fig. 3). Diversions from the Muddy

River primarily are used to irrigate nearby farm land and to

supply water for the Reid Gardner Power Generating Station

and Moapa Valley Dairy (fig. 3). The Muddy River is incised

moderately (about 20 ft deep), with the channel consisting of

mud, sand, gravel, and organic debris. Most banks of the river

are overgrown thickly with Saltcedar and other vegetation.

California Wash and Meadow Valley Wash systems

contribute surface water to the Muddy River during periods of

heavy rainfall. These two systems enter the Muddy River near

the towns of Moapa and Glendale, respectively (fig. 3).

Discharge Measurements

Data-collection sites were selected to match locations

of previous measurements (as indicated in earlier reports),

and to document changes in discharge at points of inflow and

diversion. Furthermore, measurements were collected during a

period of expected minimal evapotranspiration and steady base

flow to constrain human and natural influences on streamflow.

With the exception of several flume sites, all discharge

measurements were made with a current meter using standard

methods of the USGS (Buchanan and Somers, 1969). An

average discharge for each site was computed from synoptic

measurements made at each site in the Muddy River Springs

area and the mainstem of the Muddy River and are listed in

114°44'24" 114°43'48" 114°43'12" 114°42'36" 114°42'0"

36°

42'

36"

36°

43'

12"

36°

43'

48"

09416000

Cardy Lamb Springs

Baldwin Springs

Apcar (Pipeline Jones) Springs

Pederson Springs

Plummer (Iverson) Springs

Unnamed Springs near LDS East Well

Refuge Stream

09415875

09415880

09415900 09415885

09415905

09415906

09415940

09415920

364236114424301

09415927

09415945

09415930

09415955 364240114414001

364241114424801

MOAPA VALLEY 

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

South Fork Muddy River

Muddy Springs Tributary

0 0.5 1 Kilometers

0 0.25 0.5 Miles

Muddy Springs

Muddy River

Muddy River

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1978-1989; Universal Transverse

Mercator projection, Zone 11. Shaded relief base from 1:250,000-scale Digital Elevation

Model; sun illumination from northwest at 30 degrees avove horizon

100,000-foot grid based on Nevada State Plane coordinate system, central zone.

NEVADA

Study area

EXPLANATION

Discharge-measurement sites 

(numbers refer to table 1).

Muddy River (mainstem)

Tributary springs

Irrigation diversion

Figure 2. Location of discharge-measurement sites and tributary springs to the Muddy River.

Discharge Measurements 
tables 1 and 2, respectively. Discharge measurements made

within the Muddy River Springs area were rated fair or good

(within 5 percent or 8 percent of actual flow, respectively), and

discharge measurements made in the Muddy River were all

rated good (within 5 percent of actual flow). Discharge ratings

are based on estimates of the standard error for each currentmeter discharge measurement (Sauer and Meyer, 1992).

Staff gages were installed at selected sites and used to

monitor changes in water stage during periods of data collection. Stage at most sites remained steady (within a few

hundredths of a foot) during the measurement period as documented by field observations. Stage was unsteady at several

sites, and is discussed later in this report.

Evaluation of Discharge Measurements

Measurements of discharge on the Muddy River Springs

area and the mainstem of the Muddy River are discussed in

the following sections. Measurements on February 7, 2001, in

the Muddy River Springs area range from a minimum average

discharge of 2.39 ft3/s at WS East (site 364236114424301) to a

maximum average discharge of 41.8 ft3/s at MR below Refuge

(site 09415955; table 1). Measurements from sites along the

mainstem of the Muddy River range from a minimum average discharge of 32.2 ft3/s at MR at Narrows (site 09416500)

to a maximum average discharge of 41.3 ft3/s at MR below

Anderson Wash (site 09419490; table 2). A comparison of discharges shows a net increase of 2.6 ft3/s between the terminous

of the spring tributaries within Muddy River Springs area (MR

below Refuge, site 09415955) and the site upstream of the

flow diversion into Bowman Reservoir (MR below Anderson

Wash, site 09419490; fig. 3).

Muddy River Springs Area

Discharge measurements were made at 15 sites within

the Muddy River Springs area. Included are three major tributaries—South Fork Muddy River, Muddy Springs Tributary,

!

!

!

!

!

!

114°42' 114°36' 114°30' 114°24'

36°

30'

36°

36'

36°

42'

MOAPA INDIAN 

RESERVATION

BOUNDARY

(approximately located)

09416000

09416500

364102114405901

09417000

363922114382001

09417380

09417380

09417390

09418890

09418900

09419000

09419490 363715114295501

09419507

Power Plant

Dairy

Glendale

Logandale

Overton

M O R M A N

M O U N T A I N S

M O R M A N

M E S A

Moapa

M O A PA

V A L L EY

M O A PA

V A L L EY

A R R O W C A N Y O N 

R A N G E

California Wash

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1978-1989; Universal Transverse

Mercator projection, Zone 11. Shaded relief base from 1:250,000-scale Digital Elevation

Model; sun illumination from northwest at 30 degrees above horizon

100,000-foot grid based on Nevada State Plane coordinate system, central zone.

P D

Muddy River

Muddy River

Lake Mead

M U D D Y

M O U N T A I N S

Bowman

Reservoir

Meadow Valley Wash

0 2 4 6 8 KILOMETERS

0 1 2 3 4 MILES

EXPLANATION

River discharge measurement sites 

(numbers refer to table 2).

Diversion discharge measurement 

sites (numbers refer to table 2).

NEVADA

Study area

I5

Figure 3. Location of discharge-measurement sites along the mainstem of the Muddy River.

 Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
and Refuge Stream—and five sites along the mainstem of the

Muddy River (fig. 2, table 1).

An average of two discharge measurements per site

were made between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on February 7, 2001.

Measurements were made using standard methods described

above with the exception of discharge values obtained from

three flume sites: Baldwin Springs (site 09415875), MS at

LDS (site 09415900), and WS West (site 09415920). At these

sites, discharge was computed using measured depths of water

within flume structures and standard flume ratings (Rantz and

others, 1982).

A net increase of 26.2 ft3/s occurred between MR below

Upper Confluence (site 09415880) and MR below Refuge (site

09415955; fig. 2). Flows from Muddy Springs Tributary and

Refuge Stream accounted for approximately 16 ft3/s (about 60

percent) of this increase in discharge.

Eleven sites from table 1, including MR Moapa

(site 09416000), were available to compare discharge

measurements from February 2001 to measurements from

September 10–12, 1963 (Eakin, 1964). Graphical comparison

of 1963 and 2001 discharge measurements are shown in figure

4. Maximum differences between 1963 and 2001 measurements are within the mainstem of the Muddy River and range

between 1.9 ft3/s and 4.2 ft3/s. Differences within the springtributary sites were less than 1 ft3/s with the exception of

Refuge Stream above Confluence (site 09415930) which had

a difference of ‐1.3 ft3/s (table 1). Minimum differences in

discharge measurements made between 1963 and 2001 were

-0.08 ft3/s and 0.04 ft3/s at MS at LDS (site 09415900) and

WS West (site 09415920) in the Refuge Stream, respectively.

Discharge measurements made in 1963 remained about the

same between MR below Refuge (site 09415955) and MR

Moapa (site 09416000) with discharge values of 43.7 ft3/s and

42.8 ft3/s, respectively; however, in 2001, discharge between

the same sites decreased by 3.2 ft3/s, after accounting for MR

Power Diversion (fig. 4). This value is based on the difference between 41.8 ft3/s measured at MR below Refuge (site

09415955) and a discharge of 35.5 ft3/s measured at MR

Moapa (site 09416000) combined with 3.10 ft3/s at MR Power

Diversion (site 09415950).

Muddy River

On February 7, 2001, discharge measurements were

made at 11 sites downstream of and including MR Moapa (site

09416000), and at three diversions (fig. 3; table 2).

Twelve of the measurement sites (upstream of Logandale Diversion, site 363715114295501) are upstream of

Bowman Reservoir, where a majority of flow was diverted

during the study period (fig. 3). Six discharge measurements

were made at most sites on the Muddy River between 9 a.m.

and 3 p.m. on February 7, 2001. Discharge measurements

also were collected at three irrigation diversions (Moapa

Indian Diversion, site 364102114405901; Dairy Diversion, site 363922114382001; and Logandale Diversion,

site 363715114295501). Water pumped from the river at

MR Power Diversion (site 09415950) was determined from

hourly observations of the flowmeter on the transmission pipe

(table 2).

An irrigation-diversion gate was opened upstream of MR

at Narrows (site 09416500) during the time of data collection. Approximately 12 percent of the total flow was diverted

from the river based on measurements made at Moapa Indian

Diversion (site 364102114405901) and MR at Narrows (site

09416500). This diversion of flow is believed to have temporarily affected discharge measurements at MR at Railroad

(site 09417000), MR above California Wash (site 09417270),

MR below California Wash (site 09417380), and MR above

Meadow Valley Wash (site 09417390). Differences between

maximum and minimum discharge measurements at these

sites ranged from 11 to 14 percent (table 3). Although the

individual discharge measurements at these sites are rated

good, the computed average discharges are not considered to

accurately represent base flow conditions as well as average

measurements for the other sites. These average discharges

are included in this report to help approximate changes in

discharge and trends within the affected reach of the river.

The diversion of water upstream of MR at White Narrows

(site 09416500) is not considered to have affected sites at and

below MR at I-15 (site 09418890) during the period of data

collection.

Discharge measurements in February 2001 along

the Muddy River show three trends (fig. 5). Between MR

Moapa (site 09416000) and MR above California Wash (site

09417270), measured discharge indicated an approximate

net decrease of 3 ft3/s. Diverted water between this section of

the Muddy River totaled 6.0 ft3/s; however, on the day of the

measurements, most of the flow diverted by the Dairy Diversion (site 363922114382001, 1.5 ft3/s), discharged directly

back to the river just upstream of MR above California Wash

(site 09417270).

Between MR above California Wash (site 09417270) and

MR at I-15 (site 09418890), measured discharge indicated an

approximate net increase of 6.2 ft3/s, which is 0.2 ft3/s more

than the sum of all upstream diverted flows, excluding water

used by Nevada Power Company, which was not returned to

the river. Finally, discharge measurements made between MR

at I-15 (site 09418890) and MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490) had an increase of 2.6 ft3/s.

Discharge measured at MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490) is equivalent nearly to the discharge obtained at

the outflow of springs in the Muddy River Springs area (at

MR below Refuge, site 09415955) with values of 41.3 ft3/s

and 41.8 ft3/s, respectively. Because 3.10 ft3/s was diverted at

Muddy River Power Diversion (site 09415950) and was not

returned to the river, flow downstream of this diversion from

the Muddy River Springs area was 38.7 ft3/s (41.8 ft3/s minus

3.10 ft3/s). By taking the diversion into account, the net change

in discharge between the Muddy River Springs area and

MR below Anderson Wash (site 09419490) is an increase

of 2.6 ft3/s. The maximum computed error for the discharge

measurements made at the two sites is about 4.2 ft3/s, which is

Discharge Measurements 
Table 1. Discharge and water-property measurements in the Muddy River Springs area near Moapa, Nevada, September 1963 and February 2001. 

[Site altitude in feet above mean sea level. Abbreviations: ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius]

Site 

number Site name Abbreviated name Latitude Longitude Site altitude, in ft

Discharge Specific conductance Water 

temperature,

2/7/2001

in °C

Average

Difference,3

in ft3/s

field

9/10–

12/1963,

4

in μS/cm

laboratory

2/7/2001,5

in μS/cm

9/10–

12/1963,

1

in ft3/s

2/7/2001,2

in ft3/s

South Fork Muddy River

09415875 Baldwin Springs Flume near

Moapa

Baldwin Springs 36°43'16" 114°43'14" 1,770 NA 4.11 NA NA 977 27

Muddy Springs Tributary

09415900 Muddy Spring at LDS Farm

near Moapa

MS at LDS 36°43'18" 114°42'53" 1,745 7.25 7.17 [-0.08] NA 974 27

09415905 Muddy Springs Tributary

above Confluence withMuddy River near Moapa

MS Tributary 36°43'00" 114°42'45" 1,760 8.32 9.16 0.84 NA 999 NA

Refuge Stream

09415940 Apcar Stream at Pipeline Jones

Flume near Moapa

Apcar at PJF 36°42'51" 114°42'50" 1,735 NA 2.54 NA NA 1,010 NA

09415945 Apcar Stream above Confluence with Refuge Stream

near Moapa

Apcar above

Confluence

36°42'46" 114°42'32" 1,770 2.94 3.86 0.92 1,160 1,060 NA

09415920 Warm Springs West near

Moapa

WS West 36°42'41" 114°42'48" 1,770 3.78 3.82 0.04 NA 969 27

364236114424301 Warm Springs East (Plummer

Main) near Moapa

WS East 36°42'36" 114°42'43" 1,750 2.26 2.39 0.13 1,040 1,000 27

09415927 Warm Springs Confluence at

Iverson Flume near Moapa

WS Confluence 36°42'41" 114°42'32" 1,745 NA 8.00 NA NA 1,000 NA

09415930 Refuge Stream above Confluence with Apcar Stream

near Moapa

Refuge Stream

aboveConfluence

36°42'42" 114°42'30" 1,770 8.37 7.04 [-1.33] 1,050 1,000 NA

364241114424801 Warm Springs Irrigation Diversion below Warm Springs

Road near Moapa

WS Diversion 36°42'41" 114°42'48" 1,770 (0.74) (1.13) 0.39 1,050 NA NA

   Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
Table 1. Discharge and water-property measurements in the Muddy River Springs area near Moapa, Nevada, September 1963 and February 2001—Continued. 

[Site altitude in feet above mean sea level. Abbreviations: ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius]

Site 

number Site name Abbreviated name Latitude Longitude Site altitude, in ft

Discharge Specific conductance Water 

temperature,

2/7/2001

in °C

Average

Difference,3

in ft3/s

field

9/10–

12/1963,4

in μS/cm

laboratory

2/7/2001,5

in μS/cm

9/10–

12/1963,1

in ft3/s

2/7/2001,2

in ft3/s

Mainstem—Muddy River

09415880 Muddy River below North and

South Fork Confluence nearMoapa

MR below Upper

Confluence

36°43'23" 114°42'54" 1,755 NA 15.6 NA NA 989 26

09415885 Muddy River near LDS

Farm near Moapa

MR near LDS 36°43'14" 114°42'52" 1,750 19.5 16.0 [-3.5] 1,290 988 26

09415906 Muddy River below Confluence with Muddy Springs

Tributary near Moapa

MR below Spring

Confluence

36°42'59" 114°42'42" 1,745 31.8 28.0 [-3.8] 1,190 990 NA

09415955 Muddy River below

Confluence with RefugeStream near Moapa

MR below Refuge 36°42'51" 114°42'13" 1,730 43.7 41.8 [-1.9] 1,120 1,000 NA

09415950 Muddy River Power

Diversion near Moapa

MR Power

Diversion

36°42'40" 114°41'40" 1,710 NA (3.10) NA NA NA NA

09416000 Muddy River near Moapa6 MR Moapa 36°42'40" 114°41'40" 1,710 42.8 35.5 [-4.20]7 NA 1,010 26

1 Discharge measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey during September 10–12, 1963. A value in parentheses denotes diverted discharge.2 Discharge is mean of multiple instantaneous discharge measurements made at each site. A value in parentheses denotes diverted discharge.3 Difference is expressed as the result of the 1963 discharge value minus the 2001 discharge value. Value in brackets denotes a loss in discharge.4 Specific-conductance measurements made in the field, September 10–12, 1963.5 Specific-conductance measurements made in the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory in Henderson, Nev., February 8, 2001.6 River site is not part of Muddy River Springs area, but is included in table for comparison with 1963 measurements.7 Difference is 2001 discharge values for MR Moapa and MR power diversion minus 1963 discharge value for MR Moapa.

Discharge Measurements   
Table 2. Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements in the mainstem of the Muddy River, February 7, 2001. 

[Site altitude in feet above mean sea level. Abbreviations: ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius]

Site number Site name Abbreviated site name Latitude Longitude

Site

altitude,

in ft

Average

discharge,1

in ft3/s

Specific

conductance,2

laboratory, 

in μS/cm

Water 

temperature,

in °C

pH,3

field, in 

standard 

units

09416000 Muddy River near Moapa MR Moapa 36°42'40" 114°41'40" 1,710 35.5 1,010 26.0 8.2364102114405901 Moapa Indian Reservation Irrigation

Diversion (north gage) at WhiteNarrows near Moapa

Moapa Indian

Diversion

36°41'02" 114°40'59" 1,675 (4.50) NA NA NA

09416500 Muddy River at White Narrows

near Moapa

MR at Narrows 36°41'02" 114°40'59" 1,670 32.2 1,020 23.4 8.4

09417000 Muddy River at Railroad Pump

Plant near Moapa

MR at Railroad 36°39'22" 114°38'32" 1,585 34.1 1,020 21.4 8.5

363922114382001 Dairy Irrigation Diversion below

Railroad Pump Plant near Moapa

Dairy Diversion 36°39'22" 114°38'20" 1,575 (1.50)4 NA NA NA

09417270 Muddy River above California Wash

near Moapa

MR above California

Wash

36°39'12" 114°36'52" 1,555 32.5 1,090 20.6 8.5

09417380 Muddy River below California Wash

near Moapa

MR below California

Wash

36°39'21" 114°35'50" 1,530 35.0 1,150 19.6 8.4

09417390 Muddy River above Meadow Valley

Wash near Glendale

MR above Meadow

Valley Wash

36°39'33" 114°34'54" 1,510 35.6 1,260 19.4 8.4

09418890 Muddy River at I-15 near Glendale MR at I-15 36°39'48" 114°34'11" 1,500 38.7 1,360 18.8 8.409418900 Muddy River near Lewis Ranch near

Glendale

MR near Lewis Ranch 36°39'10" 114°33'20" 1,490 39.3 1,380 18.2 8.4

09419000 Muddy River near Glendale MR near Glendale 36°38'35" 114°32'20" 1,460 37.4 1,380 17.8 8.309419490 Muddy River below Anderson Wash

near Logandale

MR below Anderson

Wash

36°37'26" 114°30'29" 1,430 41.3 1,400 17.2 8.4

363715114295501 Irrigation Diversion near Logandale Logandale Diversion 36°37'15" 114°29'55" 1,380 (5.00) NA NA NA

09419507 Muddy River at Lewis Avenue at

Overton

MR at Lewis Ave. 36°32'07" 114°25'42" 1,250 4.17 3,390 10.7 8.0

1 Discharge is mean of multiple instantaneous measurements made at site on February 7, 2001.

A value in parentheses denotes diverted discharge.

2 Specific-conductance measurements made in the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory in Henderson, Nev., February 8, 2001.3 Field pH measurements made by National Park Service.4 Discharge measurement made on February 6, 2001.

 Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
Figure 4. Comparison of discharge measurements in the Muddy River Springs area and mainstem of the Muddy River and Moapa, 

Nevada, September 1963 and February 2001.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

DIS

C

H

A

R

GE, IN

C

U

BIC FEET

PER

SEC

O

N

D

September 10–12, 1963

February 7, 2001

09415900 Muddy Spring at LDS Farm

09415905 Muddy Springs Tributary

09415920 Warm Springs West

364236114424301 Warm Springs East

364241114424801 Warm Springs

09415930 Refuge Stream above Confluence with Apcar Stream

09415885 Muddy River near LDS Farm

09415906 Muddy River below

Confluence with Muddy Springs

Tributary

09415955 Muddy River below Confluence with Refuge Stream

09416000 Muddy River near Moapa

09415945 Apcar Stream above Confluence with Refuge Stream 

Muddy River Springs area Mainstem Muddy River

Includes 3.10 cubic feet per second from Muddy River Power Diversion

Table 3. Maximum, minimum, and percent difference of discharge and stage measurements collected in the mainstem of the Muddy 

River, February 7, 2001. 

Site 

number Site name

Discharge measurements Stage measurements

maximum minimum

Percent 

range1

maximum minimum

Percent 

range in cubic feet 1

per second

in cubic feet 

per second

09416000 Muddy River near Moapa 37.1 33.8 9 0.78 0.77 1

09416500 Muddy River at White Narrows near Moapa 33.3 30.4 9 9.30 9.30 1

09417000 Muddy River at Railroad Pump Plant near Moapa 37.6 32.3 14 8.32 8.24 1

09417270 Muddy River above California Wash near Moapa 34.8 31.0 11 9.28 9.16 1

09417380 Muddy River below California Wash near Moapa 37.2 32.9 12 9.56 9.35 2

09417390 Muddy River above Meadow Valley Wash near Glendale 37.3 32.7 12 7.84 7.68 2

09418890 Muddy River at I-15 near Glendale 39.2 36.9 6 8.89 8.83 1

09418900 Muddy River near Lewis Ranch near Glendale 39.6 38.8 2 9.13 9.11 0

09419000 Muddy River near Glendale 38.8 36.5 5 5.22 5.20 0

09419490 Muddy River below Anderson Wash near Logandale 43.3 40.2 7 8.31 8.28 0

1 Denotes percent difference from "maximum" to "minimum" measured value.

Discharge Measurements   
larger than the increase in flow between the two sites. Therefore, no measurable change in discharge as a result of groundwater inflow or evapotranspiration was observed between the

Muddy River Springs area and MR below Anderson Wash

(site 09419490).

River discharge below MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490) is affected by diversion into Bowman Reservoir

(fig. 3) and the Irrigation Diversion near Logandale (site

363715114295501). Between MR below Anderson Wash

(site 09419490) and Muddy River at Lewis Avenue at Overton

(site 09419507), the total decrease in discharge is 37.1 ft3/s

(table 2).

Water-Property and pH Measurements

Water samples were collected concurrently with synoptic

discharge measurements for the Muddy River Springs area

and Muddy River and analyzed for specific conductance at the

USGS laboratory in Henderson, Nevada. Water temperature

was measured at many of the sites; whereas, field pH readings were obtained only at selected Muddy River sites. Mean

values were computed for specific conductance and water

temperature where multiple measurements were collected.

Water-temperature, specific-conductance, and pH data for the

Muddy River Springs area and the Muddy River are listed in

tables 1 and 2. Figure 6 shows water-temperature and specificconductance measurements made between MR below Upper

Confluence (site 09415880) and MR below Anderson Wash

(site 09419490).

In the Muddy River Springs area, water-temperature and

specific-conductance measurements ranged from 26 to 27oC

and 969 to 1,060 μS/cm, respectively (table 1). These measurements indicate that waters within the Muddy River Springs

area have similar temperatures and specific conductance.

Water temperature in the Muddy River remained stable and

specific conductance increased slightly by the time discharge

reached MR Moapa (site 09416000; fig. 6).

Specific-conductance, water-temperature, and pH data

collected at Muddy River sites between MR Moapa (site

09416000) and MR below Anderson Wash (site 09419490)

ranged from 1,010 to 1,400 μS/cm, from 10.7 to 26.0oC, and

from 8.2 to 8.5, respectively (table 2). A specific conductance of 3,390 μS/cm was measured at MR at Lewis Ave.

(site 09419507), which is downstream of Bowman Reservoir.

Specific-conductance measurements made at sites between the

MR Moapa (site 09416000) and MR below Anderson Wash

Figure 5. Mean discharge at selected sites in the Muddy River Springs area and mainstem of the Muddy River, Nevada, 

September 10–12, 1963—February 7, 2001.

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

DISTANCE, IN MILES

DIS

C

H

A

R

GE, IN

C

U

BIC FEET

PER

SEC

O

N

D

0941588

09415885

09415955

09416000

09416500

09417000

09415906 09417270

09417380

09418890 09418900

09417390

09419000

09419490

EXPLANATION

Warm Springs Diversion (1.13 ft3/s)

Nevada Power Diversion (3.10 ft

3

/s)

Moapa Reservation Diversion (4.50 ft

3

/s)

Dairy Diversion (1.53 ft

3

/s)

California Wash

Meadow

Valley Wash

Anderson Wash

1963 Discharge measurements (value at site 09419000 is

average of daily mean, September 10–12, 1963)

Mean discharge, error bars indicate a 5 percent

variation (February 7, 2001)

Muddy River

Springs area

Mainstem Muddy River

10 Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
(site 09419490) indicated three trends: (1) specific conductance was stable or increased slightly between MR Moapa

(site 09416000) and MR at Railroad (site 09417000), (2)

specific conductance increased by 340 μS/cm between MR

at Railroad (site 09417000) and MR at I-15 (site 09418890),

and (3) specific conductance increased by 40 μS/cm between

MR at I-15 (site 09418890) and MR below Anderson Wash

(site 09419490). The increase in specific conductance between

sites MR at Railroad (site 09417000) and MR at I-15 (site

09418890) is indicative of water entering the river through a

shallow ground-water system. A net decrease in water temperature of 8.8°C was noted between MR Moapa (site 09416000)

and MR below Anderson Wash (site 09419490). Between

these sites, measurements of pH remained relatively stable and

ranged from 8.2 to 8.5 (table 2).

Summary

Synoptic discharge, specific-conductance, water-temperature, and pH measurements were made between 9 a.m.

and 3 p.m. on February 7, 2001, in the Muddy River Springs

area and mainstem of the Muddy River. These data were

collected at 29 sites to help assess the spatial variability of

discharge in the tributary springs and river during a period

of low evapotranspiration, and municipal and agricultural

diversion. Two discharge measurements were made at most

sites within the Muddy River Springs area and six discharge

measurements were made at most sites on the Muddy River.

An average discharge was computed and used to represent the

discharge rate at each measurement site. For the Muddy River

Springs area, the lowest discharge, 2.39 ft3/s, occurred at WS

East (site 364236114424301) and the highest discharge, 41.8

ft3/s, occurred at MR below Refuge (site 09415955). Along

the mainstem of the Muddy River, downstream of MR Moapa

(site 09416000), the lowest discharge, 32.2 ft3/s, occurred at

MR at Narrows (site 09416500) and the highest discharge,

41.3 ft3/s, occurred at MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490). Within the Muddy River Springs area, discharge

measurements made on February 7, 2001, were compared with

measurements made during September 10–12, 1963.

Discharge data indicated a net increase of 26.2 ft3/s

between MR below Upper Confluence (site 09415880) and

MR below Refuge (site 09415955). This increase in discharge

Figure 6. Water-temperature and specific-conductance measurements at selected sites in the Muddy River Springs area and 

mainstem of the Muddy River, Nevada, February 7, 2001.

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

DISTANCE, IN MILES

TEM

PER

A

T

U

RE, IN

DEG

REES

CELSIU

S

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,500

S

PECIFIC

C

O

N

D

U

C

T

A

N

CE, IN

MIC

R

O

SIEMEN

S

PER

CEN

TIMETER

A

T 25 DEG

REES

CELSIU

S

09415880

09415885

09416000

09416500

09417000

09417270

09417380

09417390

09418890

09418900

09419000

09419490 09415906

09415955

Nevada Power Diversion

Moapa Reservation Diversion

Dairy Diversion

Warm Springs Diversion

California Wash

Meadow

Valley Wash

Anderson Wash

Muddy River

Springs Area Mainstem Muddy River

Summary 11
primarily is the result of tributary inflow from Muddy Springs

Tributary and Refuge Stream. An approximate net decrease

in discharge of 10.4 ft3/s, occurred between MR below

Refuge (site 09415955) and MR above California Wash (site

09417270) primarily because of water diversions. An approximate net increase in discharge of 9.9 ft3/s occurred between

MR above California Wash (site 09417270) and MR below

Anderson Wash (site 09419490) primarily because of return

flows. Measurements of discharge within the mainstem of the

Muddy River indicate a net loss of 0.5 ft3/s between MR below

Refuge (site 09415955) and MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490). However, when the diverted flow into the Nevada

Power Pump Station near Moapa (site 364240144414001) is

subtracted from the discharge measured at the Refuge Stream

site, change in discharge for the same reach indicates a net

gain of 2.6 ft3/s. This increase in discharge falls within the

maximum computed-measurement error.

Specific-conductance, water-temperature, and pH data

also were collected and analyzed for trends between measurement sites. Specific-conductance measurements were

similar within the Muddy River Springs area. An increase of

390 μS/cm was evident between MR Moapa (site 09416000)

and MR below Anderson Wash (site 09419490), with most

of that increase occurring between the MR at Railroad (site

09417000) and MR at I-15 (site 09418890). Water-temperature measurements also were similar within the Muddy River

Springs area, but decreased downstream along the Muddy

River. Measurements of pH within the river remained relatively constant.

The net increases in discharge and specific conductance

for the selected reach of the Muddy River between MR below

Refuge (site 09415955) and MR below Anderson Wash (site

09419490), indicate contribution from a shallow ground-water

system. Measurements of discharge from the Muddy River

Springs area to the diversion into Bowman Reservoir indicate

the local influences from diversions and tributaries. However,

no measurable net gain or loss in streamflow was observed

along the entire reach.

References Cited

Buchanan, T.J., and Somers, W.P., 1969, Discharge measurements at gaging stations: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. A8,

65 p.

Eakin, T.E., 1964, Ground-water appraisal of Coyote Spring

and Kane Spring Valleys and Muddy River Springs area,

Lincoln and Clark Counties, Nevada: Nevada Department

of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ground-Water

Resources Reconnaissance Series, Report 25, 40 p.

Eakin, T.E., 1966, A Regional Interbasin Groundwater System

in the White River area, Southeastern Nevada: Nevada

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Water

Resource Bulletin no. 33, 271 p.

Harrill, J.R., Welch, A.H., Prudic, D.E., Thomas, J.M.,

Carman, R.L., Plume, R.W., Gates, J.S., and Mason, J.L.,

1983, Aquifer systems in the Great Basin region of Nevada,

Utah, and adjacent states—A study plan: U.S. Geological

Survey Open-File Report 82-445, 49 p.

Rantz, S.E., and others, 1982, Measurement and computation

of streamflow, volume 2, computation of discharge: U.S.

Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2175, v. 2, 346 p.

Sauer, V.B., and Meyer, R.W., 1992, Determination of error in

individual discharge measurements: U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 92-144, 21 p.

12 Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurements Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., 2001
Beck and Wilson—Synoptic discharge, water-property, and pH measurments, Muddy River Springs area and Muddy River, Nev., February 7, 2001—USGS SIR 2006-5237