The Ruby Mountain Springs have been measured to discharge between approximately 950 and 2,350 gpm, with an average flow rate of 1,460 gpm. The Bighorn Spring produces an average of 290 gpm, ranging from about 90 to 700 gpm depending upon time of year.
Currently The Bighorn Spring is not in the scope of this project and has been withdrawn from the permit application. If the 1041 permit is approved, only the Ruby Mountain Spring Site will be operational.
Based on pumping tests completed in both low-flow and high-flow conditions, the estimated sustainable production rate of 210 to 220 gpm will not exceed 10% of the average total spring flow. The total water to be extracted annually is approximately 200 acre-feet (= 124 gpm), which represents an average flow rate of less than 0.3 cubic feet per second (cfs). |
