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Cold Springs water-balance model identifies data gaps in north-south connectivity; stakeholders to help scope scenarios
Summary
Stantec presented a Cold Springs Valley groundwater and surface-water model that finds uncertainty in hydraulic connection north and south of White Lake and estimated recharge numbers that differ from previous work; staff will incorporate more monitoring and conduct scenario runs with stakeholders.
Washoe County and consultant Stantec on May 7 presented findings from an ongoing Cold Springs Valley water-balance analysis and groundwater–surface water model and identified key data gaps, including uncertainty about hydraulic connectivity across White Lake and the extent of clay layers that affect groundwater flow.
Dwayne Smith of Washoe County introduced the project and said it was conceived “to understand the relationship between the ground and surface water hydrology within a closed basin area,” particularly to assess how new development and other stresses affect basin hydrology. Claire Archer, a hydrogeologist with Stantec, walked commissioners through the model construction, calibration and initial results.
Stantec’s modeling work used a linked surface-water model (USGS PRMS) and a groundwater model (MODFLOW-NWT). The transient simulation period ran from water years 1999 through 2023. The…
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