The Hot Creek Railroad Valleys Watershed, located in eastern California, covers an area of approximately 2,164 square miles. Its hydrology is dominated by the Owens River, which flows through the valley, and its tributaries. The watershed receives most of its precipitation during the winter months, primarily in the form of snow. The snowpack is critical for the water supply in the area, as it melts in the spring and summer to provide surface water for irrigation and domestic use. The surface water in the watershed is primarily used for agricultural purposes, with irrigation being the largest water user. The dominant reservoir in the watershed is the Crowley Lake Reservoir, which is used for both irrigation and hydropower. The area experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Over the past century, there has been a trend of decreasing snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which has the potential to impact the water supply in the watershed.