Middle Humboldt River Basin Model

Title: The long awaited Middle Humboldt River Basin Model is out!

The Nevada Division of Water Resources announced the Middle Humboldt River Basin Model is released!  While a few portions of the model were identified as needing further updates, this release was long awaited by all Humboldt River water users. 

From NDWR Model Release:

June 18, 2026

Release of Nevada Water Resources Bulletin No. 51 — Middle Humboldt River Basin Model

The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is pleased to announce the release of Nevada Water Resources Bulletin No. 51: Evaluation of Stream Capture Related to Groundwater Pumping, Middle Humboldt River Basin, Nevada. Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and also published as USGS Professional Paper 1906, this report completes the series of technical studies undertaken to update and modernize the scientific understanding of water resources throughout the Humboldt River Region.

This publication presents a comprehensive numerical groundwater-flow model developed to improve understanding of how groundwater pumping influences the hydrology of the Humboldt River and tributaries within the Middle Humboldt River Basin. It provides a full technical evaluation of groundwater–surface water interactions across the basin, including historical conditions, current stresses, and long-term responses under continued pumping.

With the release of this model, NDWR now has an integrated scientific foundation spanning the Upper, Middle, and Lower Humboldt River Basins. This marks an important step forward in supporting conjunctive-management planning and ensuring that water-resource decisions continue to be informed by the best available science.

To maintain this strong scientific foundation, the model will be updated over time as new data becomes available. While the report identifies areas where further refinement and additional work will continue to strengthen understanding, it provides significant new insight and tools that will aid long-term management of the Humboldt River system. NDWR remains committed to a transparent, collaborative review of this work with stakeholders as this process moves forward.