Nevada Geographic and GIS Resources

Nevada Geographic and GIS Resources

Nevada’s vast and varied geography—spanning deserts, mountain ranges, playas, and alpine basins—makes it a rich subject for mapping, land use planning, and spatial analysis. Geographic and GIS (Geographic Information System) tools are used throughout the state by researchers, state agencies, tribal nations, land managers, and the general public.

This page provides an overview of Nevada’s geographic features and links to key GIS resources available to the public.

Geographic Overview

• **Total Area**: Approximately 110,577 square miles (7th largest U.S. state)
• **Elevation Range**: From 481 feet (Colorado River) to 13,147 feet (Boundary Peak)
• **Regions**:

 * **Great Basin Desert** – Covers most of northern and central Nevada
 * **Mojave Desert** – Found in the southern tip, including Las Vegas
 * **Sierra Nevada foothills** – Along the western edge, near Lake Tahoe

• **Major Features**:

 * **Lake Tahoe**, **Pyramid Lake**, **Walker Lake**
 * **Humboldt River**, **Truckee River**, **Carson River**
 * **Ruby Mountains**, **Toiyabe Range**, **Spring Mountains**

• Over **80% of Nevada’s land** is federally managed—by the BLM, Forest Service, Department of Defense, or other agencies

GIS in Nevada

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to:

• Analyze land use and zoning
• Track water resources and drought conditions
• Map wildlife habitat and migration corridors
• Support emergency response and wildfire planning
• Visualize demographic and infrastructure data

Statewide GIS Resources

• Nevada Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI):

 * Managed by the **Nevada State Demographer’s Office** and **State GIS Coordinator**
 * Hosts statewide GIS data layers: parcels, hydrography, transportation, political boundaries, and elevation
 * Portal: https://gis.nv.gov

• Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG):

 * Offers geologic maps, mineral data, fault mapping, and interactive map services
 * Great resource for researchers, miners, and environmental planners
 * Portal: https://nbmg.unr.edu

• Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) GIS:

 * Publishes statewide roadway, traffic, and transportation datasets
 * GIS-based tools for highway planning, public works, and infrastructure maintenance

• Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR):

 * Offers mapping tools for groundwater basins, water rights, wells, and hydrographic areas
 * Tools support water law compliance and drought response

Local and Regional GIS Portals

• **Clark County GIS**: https://gis.clarkcountynv.gov
• **Washoe County GIS**: https://gis.washoecounty.gov
• **City of Las Vegas Open Data**: https://opendata.lasvegasnevada.gov
• **TRPA (Lake Tahoe region)**: Parcel maps, elevation models, and zoning tools for cross-state planning

Federal GIS Resources for Nevada

• **USGS National Map** – Topographic maps, aerial imagery, hydrography
• **BLM GeoCommunicator** – Land status and mineral claims
• **USDA Web Soil Survey** – Soil classification and ag suitability data
• **FEMA Flood Map Service Center** – Flood risk zones and insurance maps

Tribal GIS Initiatives

Some Nevada tribes manage or are developing GIS systems to:

• Map cultural sites and environmental resources
• Support water rights claims
• Monitor land stewardship and restoration efforts

Tribes often collaborate with universities or the BIA for GIS training and hosting.

Educational and Public Tools

• **Nevada Map Atlas** (UNR): A general-purpose map collection of counties, climate zones, and hydrology
• **GeoNevada StoryMaps**: Interactive web-based maps for tourism, education, and outreach
• **ArcGIS Online Hubs**: Local governments share live data dashboards and mapping tools with residents

Applications and Use Cases

• Wildfire modeling and evacuation mapping
• Urban development tracking and zoning compliance
• Renewable energy siting (solar and geothermal)
• Sage-grouse habitat mapping and NEPA assessments
• Emergency response and public safety coordination