The primary water source for the Great Basin is snowmelt, which sustains its streams, rivers, and groundwater systems.

Snowmelt from the mountain ranges in the Great Basin provides most of the region’s water supply. During winter, snow accumulates at high elevations, and as temperatures rise in spring and summer, it melts, feeding streams, rivers, and aquifers. This process is crucial in the arid Great Basin, where precipitation is limited. Snowmelt supports ecosystems, agriculture, and human water needs, ensuring survival in this challenging environment. Because the Great Basin is endorheic (water does not drain to the ocean), snowmelt also replenishes salt flats and playa lakes, shaping the region’s unique hydrology.