Regional carbonate flow systems in Nevada

Abstract

Carbonate rocks include some of the most extensive and productive aquifers in the world. In Nevada, the limited surface water supply has been extensively developed and most of the alluvial groundwater basins are used to the point of estimated perennial yield, thus are closed to further development. Based on the review of over 570 geologic/hydrologic references, 150 petroleum wildcat test-hole records, and cave and carbonate spring data it is believed that deep regional carbonate aquifers exist and that they are potentially favorable for development for water supplies. Approximately the eastern one-third of Nevada (105,000 km 2) is underlain by carbonate rock. Eastern Nevada lies within the miogeosynclinal belt of the cordilleran geosyncline, in which 9,000–12,000 m of marine sediments accumulated during the Precambrian and Paleozoic. Two major periods of deformation have affected the region. Cave, wildcat well and carbonate spring data indicate that the Cambrian and Devonian carbonate strata may generally have the highest permeability. Water quality at depth in general ranges between 300 and 600 mg/l TDS. A “Phase II” project has been designed to further these investigations and will increase our understanding of large regional carbonate aquifers in the Great Basin.