COMPARING METHODS TO QUANTIFY GROUNDWATER/SURFACE WATER INTERACTIONS ALONG THE TRUCKEE RIVER WITHIN EASTERN TRUCKEE MEADOWS

The Truckee River and surrounding aquifers in the Truckee Meadows are sources for municipal water and some agricultural irrigation. For much of the past the Truckee River was primarily gaining, but increased groundwater pumping has caused some sections to convert to losing reaches. Hence understanding groundwater and surface water interactions is key to managing water resources in the Reno and Sparks metropolitan area. Different methods are considered to estimate groundwater/surface water interactions in the eastern portion of the Truckee Meadows. A standard discharge differencing method is compared against estimates derived from detailed temperature data gathered along the streambed. A third method involves assessment of the potentiometric surface along the river corridor. This information will provide useful information on seasonal variations of the regional aquifer and its interactions with the Truckee River.