Many aquifer tests have been conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to estimate hydraulic properties of aquifers in Nevada and adjacent states. Transmissivity is the principal hydraulic property that has been estimated from the aquifer tests in Nevada because these values directly affect estimates of ground-water flow. Aquifer tests have been described well by Stallman (1971), who reported:
“An aquifer test is a controlled field experiment made to determine the hydraulic properties of water-bearing and associated rocks. The test is made by observing ground-water flow that is produced by known hydraulic boundary conditions such as variations of head along a connected stream, pumping wells, changes in weight imposed on the land surface, or changes in recharge. The hydraulic boundary conditions may be imposed as part of the natural hydrologic system or by an act of man. Ground-water flow varies in space and time and is dependent on the hydraulic properties of the rocks and the boundary conditions imposed on the ground-water system.”
Stallman, R.W., 1971, Aquifer-Test Design, Observation, and Data Analysis: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 3, chap. B1, 31 p.
