Surface water interaction with the flood plain in the lower Virgin River Clark County, Nevada

Abstract

Surface Water Interaction with the Flood Plain in the Lower Virgin River Clark County, Nevada by Jeffrie L. Pompeo Dr. Zhongbo Yu, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Hydrology University of Nevada, Las Vegas Development of existing surface water rights on the Virgin River would decrease Southern Nevada's dependency on the Colorado River. Three monitoring sites were established to examine the relationship between Virgin River surface water flows and the floodplain aquifer. Automated water level measuring devices were installed in piezometers and wells to continuously track water levels and tlow direction. Pump tests were conducted to establish the hydraulic parameters of the floodplain aquifer. Water chemistry data was analyzed to help determine the correlation between the floodplain aquifer and Virgin River water. Precipitation, recharge, streamflow and ET estimates were used to discuss water budgets. Results from this study will increase knowledge of surface water interaction with the tloodplain aquifer in the lower Virgin River and provide additional information to assist on-going analyses associated with proposed surface water development projects in the lower Virgin River.