Nevada Water-Quality Networks

Nevada continues to be a prime area of interest for Federal, State, and local agencies because of tremendous population growth. Surface- and ground-water quality are important issues as agencies attempt to supply water to growing communities. Furthermore, attention is given to protecting sensitive areas of surface- and ground-water resources from contaminants brought on by increased development and use.

A detailed appraisal of water quality is needed to provide information for water-resource managers and planners. Information about the quality of surface- and ground-water resources is needed on a consistent and continuing basis so that water-resource managers, policymakers, and the public will have a scientifically sound basis for evaluating resources, determining the effectiveness of water-quality management programs, and predicting effects of land and water management practices.

Objectives

The Nevada Water Quality Networks investigate current water-quality conditions; define long-term trends in water quality; and identify, describe and explain, when possible, the major factors that affect observed water-quality conditions and trends.

Strategy and Approach

Operation of a network of water-quality stations to provide average chemical concentrations, loads, and time trends as required by planning and management agencies.

Data Availability

Data collected as part of the USGS Nevada Water Science Center ground-water network are available from the National Water Information System Web interface (NWISweb). Data are also published in the Annual Data Report (ADR). The ADR is now available online and can be accessed using a text or map interface.

Relevance and Benefits

An important part of the USGS mission is to provide scientific information to manage the water resources of the Nation. To help assess the Nation's water resources, the USGS established water-quality programs to (1) describe the status and trends in the quality of a local surface-water and ground-water resources using nationally consistent methods and approaches; (2) provide an improved understanding of the primary natural and human factors affecting these conditions; and (3) provide information that supports development and evaluation of management, regulatory, and monitoring decisions by other Federal, state and local agencies.

Publications

Annual Data Report: Text || Map