Water characterization and sediment transport analyses of the upper Walker River

rom July 2007 through June 2008 water samples were gathered and analyzed from the upper Walker River. Water quality parameters including both field and laboratory measurements were monitored. Appropriate comparisons between the current data and available historical data were completed. During this time, river bed sediments were collected two separate times and then analyzed and utilized in flume experiments to determine the critical velocity (Vc) associated with incipient motion.;The upper Walker River continues a general trend of reduced flow toward the lower Walker River. Calculations of the dissolved salt mass balance at the confluence of the east and west Walker Rivers indicated that the West Walker River has approximately twice the dissolved salts when compared to the East Walker River. A comparison between the historical data for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) site at Wabuska, Nevada and CWR ;A determination of Vc through flume experiments with comparisons to measured velocities (Vm) indicated that Vc was exceeded about 82% of the time during this study and that significant sediment transport was occurring.;Significant statistical correlations were observed for both the West Walker River (except West Walker sampling site...