Dendrochronologic reconstruction of water levels for Pyramid Lake, Nevada, 1745 to 1904 A.D.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to reconstruct a lake level hydrograph of Pyramid Lake, Nevada over the period of 1745 to 1904 by using tree-ring widths. Validation of the model reproduced the observed elevations of the lake to within five percent using observed inflows, and to within twenty percent using tree-ring generated inflows. Modeling the lake between 1745 and 1904 indicates the fluctuations of the lake were relatively subdued, with the maximum range in elevation being only sixteen feet. It is expected from various limitations within the model that this range of elevation should be twenty-five to fifty percent greater. The mean elevation of the lake in this period is the spill elevation of 3863 feet. This mean elevation would largely be determined by the average long term climatic conditions which the tree-ring data suggest were fairly stable.