The Nature Conservancy in Nevada, the Desert Research Institute, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison have launched a new data tool to support groundwater planning in Nevada.
The Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer allows water managers to estimate how much groundwater ecosystems rely on across different regions of the state. The tool evaluates plant water use under varying groundwater depths, soil types, and climate conditions.
Users can analyze specific locations and ecosystem types to quantify groundwater contributions to plant water demand. The tool also models how ecosystem water access changes as groundwater levels rise or fall.
Project partners developed the tool to improve decision-making where groundwater withdrawals, drought, and ecosystem needs intersect. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation funded the project through its WaterSMART Applied Science program.
To access the tool, click here