Nevada

Where to Live seeks to enable improved adaptation planning and action by exploring how a variety of small changes can enhance responsiveness in Nevada’s rural communities. Nevada is the driest state in the nation and is experiencing more frequent, longer, warmer drought periods. Under this program, scientists are partnering in applied research with rural communities located within the Humboldt River Basin, the largest river basin wholly located within the state of Nevada. Our community research partners represent local water managers and users, all reliant upon winter snowpack accumulation and spring snowmelt for their water supply. By addressing these critical challenges through direct engagement with community research partners, we have the potential to advance innovation and promote economic stability and recovery.

Rural communities nationwide constitute 84% of the United States land area and are home to only 14% of the population. These areas serve as critical sources of the nation’s food supply, freshwater, wildlife habitat and energy as well as supporting carbon sequestration, recreation and tourism. Therefore, our outreach includes informing and verifying research underway at the national scale to identify human and physical factors that may contribute to resilience unique to rural communities.

From September to December 2025, our team engaged rural communities across the Humboldt River Basin to better understand how residents experience and respond to climate-related hazards. Initial engagement introduced the project and survey to members of the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority, County Commissioners in 7 basin counties, members of 6 Resource Conservation Districts within the basin, and Extension faculty located in field offices across the basin in addition to campus-based faculty with research projects underway within the basin.

Community Survey

  • Collected 636 in-person surveys across the Upper, Middle, and Lower subbasins
  • Used a stratified sampling approach to ensure geographic representation
  • Included questions about experiences with drought, heat, and wildfire, and how residents are adapting
  • Administered surveys in public spaces situated in rural communities and at public events held within the basin

Stakeholder Interviews

We conducted 36 key informant interviews with basin representatives from:

  • Agriculture and mining
  • Municipal water providers
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Federal and state natural resource agencies

These conversations provide deeper insight into regional challenges and priorities.

What We’re Learning

Our surveys indicate that residents in the Humboldt River Basin perceive hotter, drier, and longer-lasting hazards. The strongest consensus on perceptions is related to increased drought and heat severity. Our interviews have revealed why perceptions are important to decision-makers, including to inform a shared problem definition, to address legal challenges, and to build trust and legitimacy.

Ongoing Analysis

Our ongoing analysis will provide more details about what informs perceptions and pathways forward for adaptation actions, including around the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater.

Ongoing Partnerships, Outreach and Community Engagement

We have established a strong partnership specifically with the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority, sharing updates at quarterly meetings and incorporating stakeholder feedback into our research and engagement efforts. We are actively collaborating with partners serving rural communities across the basin, including:

  • County and municipal governments within the HRB
  • Stakeholder meetings such as the Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Cattlemen’s Updates, and Nevada Tribal Summit
  • State and federal agencies including the Nevada Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Nevada Resource Conservation Districts, US Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, non-profit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, and water sub-conservancy districts established in other basins in Nevada