A hydrogeologic framework of Washoe Valley, Nevada from joint gravity and magnetic modeling and terrain conductivity data
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
Gravity, ground magnetic, and terrain conductivity surveys were conducted in Washoe Valley, Nevada to define subsurface structure and lithology as part of an effort to assess groundwater resources and model basin recharge in this rapidly growing community between Reno and Carson City. The gravity results indicate the valley is an asymmetric fault-bounded half-graben, backtilted to the west where it is filled with nearly 2000 feet of coarse-grained sediments. A major fault runs beneath the axis of the valley, with considerably shallower basement beneath the upthrown eastern side. A magnetic high immediately south of New Washoe City suggests this shallower eastern basement is overlain by a volcanic unit. This unit is in turn overlain by electrically conductive fine-grained sediments. Together, these results suggest a more complex eastern subsurface with generally lower transmissivities relative to the thicker section of coarser-grained sediments filling the western side of the valley and that the locus of deposition has shifted eastward through time. These findings place important constraints on ongoing efforts to model groundwater recharge and availability. This study demonstrates the utility of using multiple geophysical surveys to map the spatial distribution of interbasin lithologies and estimate their hydraulic properties.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG08-92ER14235
- OSTI ID:
- 526126
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970344--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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