Description: The U.S. Geological Survey and the Nevada Division of Water Resources, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, have divided the state into discrete hydrologic units for Water Planning and management purposes. These have been identified as 232 Hydrographic Basins (1-232; hydrographic sub-basins designated A, B, C, etc.) within 14 major Hydrographic Regions. There are a total of 256 hydrographic basins and sub-basins.Designated groundwater basins are basins where permitted ground water rights approach or exceed the estimated average annual recharge and the water resources are being depleted or require additional administration. Under such conditions, the State Engineer may designate a groundwater basin and, in the interest of public welfare, declare preferred uses (e.g., municipal and industrial, domestic, agriculture, etc.) (Nevada Revised Statute 534.120) . The State Engineer has additional authority in the administration of the water resources within a designated groundwater basin.To review basin orders, please see http://water.nv.gov/StateEnginersOrdersList.aspx.