Carson River Basin
The Carson River Basin covers about 4,000 square miles in west-central Nevada and eastern California, flowing from its headwaters in the Sierra Nevada to the terminus at Carson Sink, 236 river miles downstream. The upper watershed is divided into two main drainages, the East Fork Carson River and the West Fork Carson River, both originating in Alpine County, Calif. The East and West Forks join in Carson Valley, northwest of Minden, Nev. The Carson River continues downstream passing through Eagle Valley on the east side of Carson City, before entering Dayton Valley. On leaving Dayton Valley, the Carson River bends eastward around Churchill Butte and Fort Churchill State Park. After this point, the Carson River enters Lahontan Reservoir. Prior to construction of Lahontan Reservoir, the Carson River terminated in an area known as the Carson Desert, the Basin’s lowest point and a “closed” basin with no outflow or discharge except through evaporation.
More descriptive information on the Carson River Basin can be found in the Carson River Atlas available from the State of Nevada, Division of Water Resources ().