Dixie Valley Ground Water Export Study

This study will determine how much water is available for export from Dixie Valley, and evaluate the feasibility of conveying the water to various points of use within Churchill County, Nevada. It will be completed in three phases over a 6 year period, beginning in late 2008 through 2014. The first phase includes data collection/analysis to develop an understanding of the study area’s hydrogeologic framework, ground-water flow, and water quality. The second phase will include development of ground-water models for estimating hydrologic impacts and analyses of associated economic and environmental impacts. The third phase will include pipeline design and cost estimating activities. Phase 1 (2009-2012) hydrogeologic framework will be developed from geologic and geophysical data and ground-water flow will be evaluated using ground-water levels and subsurface inflow estimates. Ground-water discharge for the Dixie Valley flow system will be estimated based on spring and well flow, ground-water evapotranspiration by phreatophytes and evaporation from playas. Ground-water evapotranspiration estimates will be extrapolated across the study area using remote sensing. Water quality will be characterized using existing data and periodic measurement of major constituents in ground water and springs. Phase 2 (2012-2013), a steady state ground-water model with a solute transport component will be developed and calibrated. Then a transient ground-water model will be developed to simulate the hydrologic impacts the proposed water export would have. Environmental impacts will be evaluated and an economic analysis of the proposed export project will be performed. A near-appraisal level” pipeline design and cost estimates will be developed during Phase 3 (2013-2014).