WINNEMUCCA — Nevada State Engineer Adam Sullivan met with Nevada Farm Bureau members at their annual meeting in Winnemucca on Thursday, sharing with them a statement from the state Division of Water Resources regarding Humboldt River water management issues. “The system is over-allocated, meaning more water rights exist than the river and aquifers can reliably supply. Groundwater pumping near the river reduces surface flows, creating real and immediate conflicts between junior groundwater water right holders and senior surface water right holders,” the statement said. “To address this imbalance, Nevada Division of Water Resources may be required to take legal action. If no alternatives are implemented, the Division could issue a curtailment order based on water right priority, requiring some users to reduce or stop groundwater pumping altogether.” The statement said curtailment is the “primary tool” the state can use in these instances. “That’s why NDWR is preparing to release a draft curtailment order — not as a final decision, but as a starting point for public input and local solutions.” It said this could give an idea of what curtailment could do and help shape “practical, community-driven alternatives before any final decisions are made.” “For the past two years, a diverse group of stakeholders have been working with NDWR to explore community-driven alternatives, such as conservation districts or offset programs that could implement mitigation strategies. These efforts aim to protect water rights while being realistic about water availability and minimizing economic disruption,” the statement said. It said the draft is a proposed action by NDWR to reduce groundwater pumping in areas where it’s harming senior surface water rights. NDWR noted how the draft would allow officials “to be open about their approach, invite public feedback and encourage community-led alternatives.” It also could indicate when curtailment would be implemented, where it would be put in place and the options water users may have. “This is not about imposing cuts — it’s about working together to avoid them where possible,” NDWR said. “No one is being ordered to reduce water.” It said the draft order would would be in effect until after the 2027 legislative session. Then a final version “would be ready to come out as a full-fledged order,” Doug Busselman from Nevada Farm Bureau said. For more information, visit https://water.nv.gov/programs/humboldt.
The Nevada Division of Water Resources is hosting a series of public presentations in Elko, Winnemucca and Lovelock June 10th and 11th to discuss critical topics related to water rights in the Humboldt River region. Building on last year’s meeting, these sessions will focus on practical strategies for managing both groundwater pumping and surface water rights through conjunctive management. State Engineer Adam Sullivan and senior NDWR staff will lead these discussions, providing updates on Humboldt conjunctive management efforts to protect the region’s water resources, including an overview and summary of ongoing engagement with the Humboldt River Stakeholder Working Group. NDWR will also discuss the necessity and implications of a forthcoming draft curtailment order. The presentation series will provide an opportunity for the public to learn, ask questions, and provide feedback. Click here for more information.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released its Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report May 1, 2025. Last month’s April 1 report celebrated three consecutive winters with near normal to well above normal peak snowpacks for the eastern Sierra and northern Nevada. In Nevada, where multi-year drought is much more common than a string of strong winters, the last three years have been a welcome change. That said, overall conditions this year haven’t been as strong as either of the last two years. April didn’t help. Last month was drier than normal and snowmelt proceeded more rapidly than normal. Basin snowpack percentages are now below May 1 medians on the eastern side of the state including the Upper Humboldt, Clover-Franklin, Owyhee and Snake basins. Fortunately, most reservoirs important to northern Nevada are storing near normal to well above normal amounts for this time of year. Streamflow forecast percentages for the May-July period are lower than the April-July percentages at a number of points indicating that some of the runoff may have front-loaded into April this year. The May-July forecast is 70-106% for the mainstem of the Humboldt River where less runoff than was observed last year is predicted. This month’s 50% exceedance volumes are ~40% of last year’s observed May-July volume for points near Elko, Carlin and Palisade and ~30% of last year for points near Comus and Imlay.
Below are May 1 conditions for the Upper and Lower Humboldt Basins:
Snowpack in the Upper Humboldt River Basin is well below normal at 63% of median, compared to 110% at this time last year. Precipitation in April was well below normal at 37%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-April) to 103% of median. Soil moisture is at 76% saturation compared to 80% saturation last year.
Snowpack in the Lower Humboldt River Basin is above normal at 112% of median, compared to 181% at this time last year. Precipitation in April was well below normal at 53%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-April) to 113% of median. Soil moisture is at 71% saturation compared to 76% saturation last year. Reservoir storage is 60% of capacity, compared to 68% last year.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released its Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report for February 1, 2025. Snowpack in the Upper Humboldt River Basin is about normal at 93% of median, compared to 127% at this time last year. Precipitation in January was well below normal at 52%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-January) to 94% of median. Soil moisture is at 36% saturation compared to 54% saturation last year.
Snowpack in the Lower Humboldt River Basin is about normal at 95% of median, compared to 121% at this time last year. Precipitation in January was well below normal at 45%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-January) to 97% of median. Soil moisture is at 46% saturation compared to 62% saturation last year. Reservoir storage is 53% of capacity, compared to 37% last year.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released its Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report January 1, 2025. Nevada’s NRCS Snow Survey Program provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts across the state and the Eastern Sierra. This information is valuable for conservation planning, water supply management, flood control, drought and avalanche prediction, climate modeling, and recreation, especially for the Humboldt River Basin. It is published monthly from January to May. First of month data are summarized and used to forecast summer streamflow. Water year 2025 is off to a good start, however, it is still too early to predict whether we will have a repeat of the above median peak snowpacks of 2023 and 2024. Below are January 1 conditions for the Upper and Lower Humboldt Basins:
Snowpack in the Upper Humboldt River Basin is well above normal at 143% of median, compared to 84% at this time last year. Precipitation in December was well above normal at 139%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-December) to 112% of median. Soil moisture is at 35% saturation compared to 50% saturation last year.
Snowpack in the Lower Humboldt River Basin is well above normal at 149% of median, compared to 74% at this time last year. Precipitation in December was about normal at 107%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-December) to 117% of median. Soil moisture is at 51% saturation compared to 60% saturation last year. Reservoir storage is 54% of capacity, compared to 35% last year.
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Substantial snow water equivalent (SWE) deficits emerged across areas in the Rocky Mountains, where above-average temperatures and drought persisted into the new water year.
Snow drought is most prevalent across Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and southwest Montana. Low precipitation is driving snow drought across these states.
An active weather pattern across the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada in November buffered snowpack conditions despite a recent multi-week dry spell.
Temperature will play a key role in snow drought development. Current National Weather Service outlooks favor above-normal temperatures for all of the western states through December.
Early season snow drought conditions can change rapidly, especially at lower elevations with increased variability in weather patterns during late fall and early winter. Early in the season, snow drought recovery can be rapid. Recovery from snow drought in late winter and early spring, when snowpack is typically near peak, can be slower.
