The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority on Jan. 9 accepted a groundwater monitoring report that found long‑term water‑level declines in several central Nevada basins and identified multiple wells at risk of being lost.

Chris, the contractor who carried out the field program, told the board the monitoring effort covered about 51 wells in 14 basins and revealed both site‑specific and basin‑level trends: a straight‑line decline at Stone Corral in southern Railroad Valley, a 15.71‑foot drop at the Midway well in White River Basin over 15 years, and two Clayton Valley index wells that have gone dry. Chris also said some wells show oil contamination, open casings and obstructions that make measurement difficult.

The report documented late‑season site visits (October–November) and noted access and historic‑data gaps. Division of Water Resources staff returned the submitted water‑level report because they want the data in Excel with specific site fields rather than the contractor's Word format; the contractor said NDWR prepopulated 40 wells but 14 still require manual historical entries.

Board members and staff pressed for follow‑up actions. Jeff (Executive Director) said the monitoring program's scope and objectives should be revisited in light of the findings, especially for basins under heavy demand such as Clayton Valley. He recommended evaluating whether some index wells should be replaced or whether additional instruments (transducers) could give more frequent records.

Concerns about third‑party water uses surfaced during public comment. Chris told the board that Albemarle's expanded evaporation ponds and active pumping have likely worsened local declines in Clayton Valley; a public commenter asked whether Albemarle or Schlumberger could provide monitoring wells or access. Board members said they would explore partnerships and additional funding rather than contracting to drill or permanently operate replacement wells themselves.

The board voted to accept the report by voice vote with no opposition. Members said the next steps would include a staff proposal at a future meeting outlining options for: (1) finding or rehabbing index wells, (2) ensuring data are submitted in the NDWR‑required format, and (3) assessing whether more frequent monitoring is needed in high‑stress basins. "You can't manage what you don't measure," an executive said during the discussion.

The contractor's presentation and the board's acceptance conclude the monitoring contractor's first season; staff and the board indicated they will return with a work plan and cost estimate at a later meeting.