Nevada

Nevada is the driest state in the United States, so water is often a limiting resource for our people and ecosystems. The average annual precipitation across the state is 9.5 inches (~240 mm), but many parts of Nevada average 4 inches (100 mm) or less in precipitation each year. Thousands of springs, wetlands, and other groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) throughout the state provide evidence of the connections between groundwater, surface water, and terrestrial landscapes. GDEs are natural communities including plants, animals, and microbes that rely on groundwater for all or part of their water needs. Groundwater is water that is stored below the ground surface, and it provides a buffer to ecosystems and water supplies during dry periods, and critical habitat for rare and endemic species found only in Nevada. In addition to being essential places for Nevada’s terrestrial and aquatic species, GDEs benefit human well-being by providing water storage and purification, soil preservation, carbon storage, and recreational activities, and having cultural importance.

The aim of TNC-Nevada’s Resilient Waters Initiative is to ensure water security for critical freshwater systems by protecting and restoring critical freshwater and groundwater dependent habitats and species, developing the science to inform sustainability planning, developing multi-benefit approaches that will provide solutions in over-appropriated groundwater basins, and developing efficient and effective restoration approaches. Our Sustainable Waters Strategy aims to ensure reliable water supplies for priority groundwater-dependent ecosystems and species in Nevada and enhance their resilience in a changing climate.

If you have questions or comments about anything you see here on the Groundwater Resource Hub, please send an email to gwrhubcontactus@tnc.org, or contact any of our staff listed below.

Laurel Saito
Nevada Water Strategy Director
laurel.saito@tnc.org

Sarah Byer
Spatial Analyst
sarah.byer@tnc.org