Hydrogeology and Potential for Ground-Water Development, Carbonate-Rock Aquifers, Southern Nevada and Southeastern California By Thomas J. Burbey U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations 95-4168 Prepared in cooperation with the STATE OF NEVADA Carson City, Nevada 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GORDON P. EATON, Director Any use of trade names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government For additional information Copies of this report can be write to: purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 333 West Nye Lane, Room 203 Box 25286 Carson City, NV 89706-0866 Denver, CO 80225-0286 email: [email protected] CONTENTS Abstract.........................................................................................................................._^ 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Hydrogeology of Southern Nevada ........................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments.................................................................................................^^ 6 Potential for Ground-Water Development of Carbonate-Rock Aquifers in Selected Hydrographic Areas.......................... 6 Selection of Hydrographic Areas for Analysis .......................................................................................................... 6 Criteria Used to Assess Potential for Ground-Water Development........................................................................... 8 Pahranagat Valley....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Geology ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Potential for Ground-Water Development..................................................................................................... 12 Delamar Valley .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Geology ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Hydrology....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Potential for Ground-Water Development..................................................................................................... 15 Coyote Spring and Kane Springs Valleys and the Muddy River Springs Area ........................................................ 16 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Geology.......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Potential for Ground-Water Development..................................................................................................... 19 Lower Meadow Valley Wash..................................................................................................................................... 19 Hydrographic Setting...................................................................................................................................... 19 Geology.......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Hydrology....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Potential for Ground-Water Development..................................................................................................... 25 Hidden and Garnet Valleys......................................................................................................................................... 25 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Geology.......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Potential for Ground-Water Development...................................................................................................... 28 Las Vegas Valley........................................................................................................................................................ 29 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Geology.......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 Potential for Ground-Water Development..................................................................................................... 34 Tikaboo Valley........................................................................................................................................................... 34 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Geology ......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Potential for Ground-Water Development...................................................................................................... 37 Three Lakes Valley .................................................................................................................................................... 37 Hydrographic Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Geology ......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 39 Potential for Ground-Water Development...................................................................................................... 40 Indian Springs Valley................................................................................................................................................. 41 Hydrographic Setting...................................................................................................................................... 41 Geology.......................................................................................................................................................... 41 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 Potential for Ground-Water Development...................................................................................................... 44 CONTENTS III Amargosa Desert....................................................................................................................................................... 44 Hydrographic Setting...................................................................................................................................... 44 Geology.........................................................................................................................................................