The Middle Carson watershed (HUC 16050202) covers an area of approximately 757 square miles in western Nevada. The hydrology of the watershed is dominated by the Carson River, which flows for 50 miles through the area before entering Lahontan Reservoir. The region receives an average of 10-20 inches of precipitation per year, with a significant portion of this falling as snow during the winter months. The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that feed the watershed vary from year to year, with significant impacts on surface water availability. Lahontan Reservoir serves as a key surface water storage facility for the region, supplying irrigation, municipal, and industrial water needs. The reservoir is also an important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species. In recent years, the region has experienced drought conditions, with declining snowpack and increased temperatures. These trends are likely to continue as a result of climate change.