Living With Drought Publication Library

H-2A: The Hands Behind Nevada’s Harvest The film highlights the contributions of H-2A workers to Nevada’s agricultural sector and underscores the importance of understanding agricultural labor inputs within rural, agriculture-dependent economies. Cruz de la Pavas, V., Fitzgerald, K., Singletary, L., and Ilchuk, O. 2026, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, YouTube Channel
Water Reuse in Rural Nevada: Challenges, Opportunities and Pathways for Adoption This publication examines the factors influencing water reuse adoption in rural Nevada. Through focus group discussions with water professionals and local leaders, it identifies key barriers, including infrastructure, funding, staffing and public perception challenges. Boateng, M.M., and Singletary, L. 2026, University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, SP-26-02
Sustainable Gardening in Arid Climates: Efficient Strategies for Plant Selection, Water Management and Soil Treatment in Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas gardeners can thrive in arid conditions by using drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation, and weather-based controllers. Soil improvement, mulching, shading, and interplanting boost moisture retention, reduce stress, and support sustainable urban agriculture. Alizadeh, A., Robinson, M.L., 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-25-03
The Humboldt River Basin: A Chronology of the Humboldt’s Historical Development and Water Resources This document seeks to provide a timely update to the Chronology Series while expanding on contemporary resource management issues. Moreover, as this document aims to clarify, many of these issues are entangled in the Basin’s history of economic expansion, social development, resource extraction, and evolution of water Henzl, E.M., and Singletary, L. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, SP-25-02
Water Markets of the Walker Basin. Hear from water managers, farmers, Indigenous leaders, and conservation groups who are turning to water markets systems for buying, selling, and leasing water rights - to support more flexible, collaborative, and resilient water use into the future.  De la Cruz Pavas, V., Fitzgerald, K., Singletary, L., and Ilchuk, O. 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Extension AV-25-01
Getting started with climate change planning: understanding and using climate projections More and more communities are planning for climate change, but it can be hard to know where to start. This document answers some common questions about using future climate scenarios from global climate models and provides tips about how to choose climate projections and links to reliable sources of climate projections Kalansky, J., McAfee, S., and Rhodes, K. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-17
Stakeholder Engagement in Knowledge Co-Production for Climate Resilience SNOWPACS is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aiming to optimize water policy for agriculture under changing snowpack and snowmelt conditions. The project engages stakeholders in research to co-produce knew knowledge to inform and support actionable change on the ground. Singletary, L., Koebele, E., Evans, W., Copp, C., Hockaday, S. and Rego, J.J. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-28
Watering Trees in Hot, Dry Home Landscapes Droughts in the western U.S. are becoming more frequent and severe. They are particularly hard on our trees. Learn how to properly water your landscape trees, lower your monthly water bill and keep you home and landscape cool and livable. Kratsch, H. and Jensen, C. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP-22-02
A role for water markets in enhancing water security in the western United States?: Lessons from the Walker River Basin. Climate change is increasing water scarcity in many semi-arid snow-fed river basins; competition over water resources challenges water security in the western U.S.; water markets reallocate water via voluntary trading among water right holders; understanding perspectives on water allocation and market design. Koebele, E.A., Singletary, L., Hockaday, S., and Ormerod, K.J. 2022, Water Policy 24(11): 1757–1771
Drought and Fire in Nevada: Is fire risk higher during drought? This short factsheet describes the relationship between fire and drought in Nevada. It contradicts the common misperception that drought always leads to more fire and provides detailed information about how drought relates to fire in different kinds of ecosystems. Davis, A., McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K.J. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno Factsheet
Climate Change Impacts in Nevada Summarized in this fact sheet are specific details about how climate change has already and will continue to impact the state of Nevada and strategies that can be used to prepare for these changes. McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
Climate Resilient Tribal Waters Stakeholder Perspectives on Climate Information and Data Needs to Enhance the Resiliency of Water Resources on Reservation Lands in the Southwestern United States Fillmore, H. & Singletary, L. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno | SP-21-04
Nevada Flood After Fire Guide The Nevada Flood After Fire Guide provides resources and guidance for Nevada residents on how to prepare for a flood after wildfire, how to stay safe during a flood, and what steps to take after the flood. Restaino, C., Jarrett, E., Olsen, D., Simmons, E., Bardsley, T., Fichtner, S., Rendo, C., Woodward, J., Schembre, C., James, E., Putz, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno SP-21-14
Tips for Keeping Your Landscape Plants Alive During a Drought A brief list of tips on how to protect your landscape during drought. Kratsch, H. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
Reclaimed Water: Uses and Definitions Reclaimed water is commonly defined as treated municipal wastewater that is able to be used again, a practice known as water reuse. Municipal water reuse in the United States occurs mostly in California, Florida, Arizona and Texas; but it is growing in other states, including Nevada. Ormerod, K.J., Redman, S., and Singletary, L. 2020, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno FS-20-34
Four Climate Scenarios Developed to Explore Adaptation Strategies for the Truckee-Carson River System. This fact sheet reports results from Water for the Seasons, a collaborative modeling research program that partners an interdisciplinary research team with water managers representing the diverse water-use communities in the Truckee-Carson River System in California and Nevada. Christine M. Albano, Kelley M. Sterle, Michael D. Dettinger and Loretta Singletary 2019, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, FS-19-09.
Know the Status of Your Soils Before You Plant. Soil sampling for field crop production. Walia, M.K. and Hefner, M. 2019, University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, FS-19-17
Elasticity of Price Demand for Water for Residential and Commercial Sectors in Nevada This publication reports the findings of several studies conducted in Nevada, that estimate the elasticity of demand for municipal water. We discuss why water utilities rely on representative elasticity measurements and why these measurements can vary. Bowman, A., Lott, C., Meenan, C., Rollins, K., Stoddard, S., and Singletary, L. 2018, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-05
Climate Scenarios for the Truckee-Carson River System. Water for the Seasons partners scientists with community stakeholders in the Truckee-Carson River System to explore new strategies and solutions for dealing with extreme climate events such as droughts and floods. Dettinger, M.D., Sterle, K., Simpson, K., Singletary, L., Fitzgerald, K., and McCarthy, M. 2017, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, SP-17-05.
Collaborative Modeling to Assess Drought Resiliency of Snow-Fed River Dependent Communities in the Western United States: A Case Study in the Truckee-Carson River System The research presented here provides measured insight into local water managers’ perceptions of drought resiliency in the Truckee-Carson River System in northwestern Nevada. These findings are reported in the context of the collaborative modeling research design developed for this case study. Singletary, L. and Sterle, K. 2017, Water, 9(2), 99
Get ready in case of heavy rain or flood events this winter This fact sheet contains information on things to prepare before a heavy rain or flood event during winter. Andrews, A. 2017, Reno Gazette-Journal
Nevada's Weather and Climate Weather and climate are related, but they are not the same. The difference between weather and climate is time. Practically speaking, weather determines which clothes you decide to put on today, but climate determines the type of clothes that are in your closet. Ormerod, Kerri Jean; McAfee, Stephanie 2017, Extension | Fact Sheet 17-04
Developing a Drought Management Plan Foster, S.S. 2016, Cattle Producer’s Handbook, Drought and Other Natural Disasters Section
Prepare for winter river floods Andrews, A. 2016, Reno Gazette-Journal
Designing Landscapes for Northern Nevada's Arid Climate This fact sheet contains information on designing landscapes for an arid climate in northern Nevada. Learn more about factors that influence a landscape design, potential goals for the landscape, water-efficient landscaping, and many more. Kratsch, H. and Skelly, J. 2015, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-11-15
Floodplain Protection Inventory for the Carson River The floodplain of a river is the adjacent low-lying land that temporarily stores floodwater. This riverine floodplain is an integral part of a river. In most cases, the soil on floodplains was deposited by the river or creek over an extended period of time. Cobourn, J. and Lewis, S. 2015, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, Fact Sheet FS-15-05
Soil and Climate Considerations of Alternative Crops To determine which alternative crop or crops are best suited to a particular producer, it is necessary to determine the soil and climatic conditions under which the crop will be grown. This will influence the amount of probable yield, which impacts the possible economic returns. Bishop, C., and Emm, S. 2013, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-27
Agriculture is a Good Fit in Floodplains The floodplain plays a vital role in the safety of our community and downstream communities when large rain-on-snow floods occur, about every 15 or 20 years. Learn more about agricultural land use and communities mistakes involving floodplain in this factsheet. Cobourn J. and Lewis S. 2011, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-69
Low Impact Development in Northern Nevada: Rainwater Harvesting This fact sheet contains information on ways to harvest rainwater for Low Impact Development (LID) in Northern Nevada. Learn more about the benefits of rainwater harvesting, things rainwater could be used for, storing rainwater, rain barrels, cisterns, and many more. Donaldson, S. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-24
The Carson River’s New Regional Floodplain Management Plan This fact sheet contains information on ways to create a good floodplain management plant. Learn more about the benefits of good floodplain management, how one can do it, limiting river flood damage, and how floodplain management works. Cobourn, J., Lewis, S., and Skelly, J. 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-20
An Overview of Water Scarcity and Water Market Development Water Issues Education Series – No.5 This fact sheet contains information on water scarcity and water market development by examining market-based approaches to manage water conflict, the potential for third-party injuries and negative economic externalities, water rights, and many more. L. Singletary 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-23
Nonpoint Source Pollutants Associated with Nevada Agriculture Water Issues Education – No.3 This fact sheet contains information on pollutants associated with Nevada agriculture by understanding the impairments affecting Nevada's waters. Learn about NPS programs and management practices to control water quality. Singletary, L. 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-21
Public Policies Affecting Water Use in Nevada Water Issues Education Series – No. 1 Singletary, L. 2005, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-19
Public Policies Affecting Water Use in Nevada Water Issues Education Series – No.1 This fact sheet contains information on water issues that get affected by population growth and changing attitudes. Learn more about federal policies that affect water use, water rights, and many more. Singletary, L. 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-19
The Clean Water Act and Nonpoint Source Pollution: Implications for Nevada Agriculture Water Issues Education Series – No. 2 This fact sheet contains information on the clean water act, the benefits of water use, how to monitor water quality, and many more. Singletary, L. 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-20
Water Quality Trading: A Tool to Strengthen NPS Pollution Control Water Issues Education Series – No.4 This fact sheet contains information on water quality trading by looking at what it is and the potential of water quality trading. Singletary, L. 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-22
River Corridor Protection: Carson River Coalition’s Main Message This fact sheet contains protection plain for the Caron River by looking at flood plains, projects, and the history of the river. Lewis, S. and Cobourn, J. 2004, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-04-71