Geology topics

R. L. Carman

Publications and source records attributed to R. L. Carman.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1993

Measurement of evapotranspiration in phreatophyte areas, Smith Creek Valley and Carson Desert, west-central Nevada, 1983

Evaporation from bare soils and evapotranspiration from phreatophyte areas are major sources of natural groundwater loss in the Great Basin region of Nevada, Utah, and adjacent states. This study evaluated three methods for determining evapotrans- piration under natural conditions and provides quantitative estimates of evapotranspiration. Two of the methods used, the eddy-correlation and the Bowen ratio methods, measure actual evapotrans- piration under natural conditions, whereas the Penman method measures potential evapotranspiration. Phreatophytes at the Smith Creek Valley site (near Austin, Nev.) consist mainly of rabbitbrush. Actual evapotranspiration for 1983 at this site, estimated by the eddy-correlation method, was about 0.32 m/yr, compared with a calculated potential evapotrans- piration (measured by the Penman method) of about 2.0 m/yr. Phreatophytes at the Carson Desert site (near Fallon, Nev.) consist predominantly of greasewood. Estimated actual evapotranspiration at this site for 1983 (eddy-correlation method) was 0.18 m/yr, compared with a calculated potential evapotranspiration (Penman method) of 1.8 m/yr.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1986

Water-quality characteristics and nutrient and suspended-sediment loads, Carson River and Truckee Canal, western Nevada, water year 1980

Lahontan Reservoir is a major recreational site in the Carson River basin in western Nevada. The reservoir is fed by the Carson River and by the Truckee Canal which transports water from the adjacent Truckee River. Water quality in both rivers is influenced by agriculture and urbanization. Specific conductance tended to increase in a downstream direction. Generally, pH values ranged from 7.0 to 8.8. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations were greater than 5 milligrams/L. Calcium and sodium were the dominant cations and bicarbonate the dominant anion. Suspended-sediment concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,790 milligrams/L. Ultimate carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 1.2 to 19.6 milligrams/L. The codominant algal groups were the blue-greens, greens, and diatoms. Background total nutrient and suspended-sediment loads were about 490 tons nitrogen, 130 tons phosphorus, and 200,000 tons suspended sediment. Total nutrient and suspended-sediment loads to Lahontan Reservoir were about 980 tons nitrogen, 300 tons phosphorus, and 300,000 tons suspended sediment. Loads to the lower Carson River from the reservoir were about 820 tons total nitrogen, 180 tons total phosphorus, and 26,000 tons suspended sediment.

Nevada↗