Springs Ecological Evaluation and Mapping of Biological Resources, Nevada and Utah

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) proposed to construct and operate the Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development (GWD) Project. The majority of the proposed GWD Project Area falls within the Great Basin. RedFISH staff co-directed project implementation in 2008 and trained SNWA staff in 2009. Surveyed aquatic ecosystems, field tested and refined methodologies and standardized data collection protocols. Conducted physical habitat delineations (based on hydro-morphological unit, depth, flow, and vegetation). Collected macroinvertebrates using EPA’s protocols, conducted springsnail surveys, conducted fish surveys using multiple techniques (e.g., minnow trapping, seining, electrofishing), conducted northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) surveys, assessed levels of human disturbance, analyzed data and prepared technical reports.