The Carson Desert Watershed, located in Nevada, has a land area of approximately 2,700 square miles. The hydrology of the watershed is characterized by low precipitation and high evapotranspiration rates, resulting in limited surface water availability. The area receives an average of 5-10 inches of precipitation per year, with most of it falling as snow in the winter months. Snowpack is an important water source for the watershed and contributes to the Carson River's flow during the spring and summer months. The reservoirs in the watershed are primarily used for irrigation purposes and contain water with high levels of dissolved minerals, including sodium and sulfate. The area experiences hot and dry summers, with average temperatures reaching 90°F in July. Climate trends in the area include a decrease in snowpack and an increase in temperature and drought severity.