Artificial Recharge of Colorado River Water in Las Vegas Valley: Management Options and Potential Aquifer System Responses

摘要

Study was undertaken to assess whether and how southern Nevada can take maximum advantage of excess Colorado River (CR) diversion capacity that is expected to exist over the next 20 years through the southern Nevada water supply system. Analysis of the water resource system defined a range of potential groundwater (GW)-surface water management scenarios defined by the resource system model. Chemical equilibria calculations and sediment-water mixing experiments were also conducted. The study results led to conclusions that: the apparent least-cost management strategy is to continue GW pumping at the current rate without salvaging lost CR water, but failure to build a water reserve for future use would lead to problems.