Lehman Cave Area's Water and Wastewater Systems to be Rehabilitated at Great Basin National Park to Protect Long-Term Visitor Services through GAOA Funding

Lehman Caves

NPS Photo

Great Basin National Park, with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), will rehabilitate water and wastewater systems that serve the Lehman Caves area. From the summit of Wheeler Peak to the sage-covered foothills, 150,000 annual visitors come to Great Basin National Park to enjoy the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in dark night skies, and explore the mysterious passages of Lehman Caves. This project will replace the deteriorated wastewater collection system and the failing Cave Springs water distribution system–both constructed during the 1960s. Caves Springs is the park’s only source of potable water and also provides water to help fight fires in the park. Both systems are essential to protect long-term visitor services and the park’s administrative facilities in the Lehman Caves developed area of Great Basin National Park.

Project at a Glance: This $4.504 million project will replace the 1960s-era deteriorated wastewater collection system and the failing Cave Springs water distribution system.

What are the Benefits: Potable water and wastewater systems are essential to visitor use of the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, concessioner operated café, and public dump station. These systems also are essential to the park’s housing area, and park maintenance, law enforcement, interpretation, and administrative support services buildings.

Project Details

Anticipated Start Date*: 2023 Q4
Anticipated Completion*: 2025 Q4
Project Costs*: Approximately $4.5 million 
Visitor impact: There will be minimal visitor impacts during construction.

*These are estimates and subject to change

Project Purpose and Goals

• Replace deteriorating wastewater pipelines to prevent potential seepage of untreated wastewater into and contaminating nearby soil and groundwater
• Replace the Cave Springs water distribution system pipes to ensure compliance with Nevada Division of Environmental Protection potable water quality standards
• Replace approximately 5,000 linear feet of deteriorated clay and cast-iron wastewater collection system and 10 manholes with lids with new 4-inch and 6-inch HDPE pipe and new concrete manholes with lids
• The project also will replace approximately 11,250 linear feet of 4-inch or 6-inch corroded, leaking and improperly bedded cast iron pipe, and 12 main line valves of the Cave Springs water distribution system (The new pipe will be the HDPE type line with upgraded valves)
• Offset potential risks to visitor and employee health and safety
• Avoid the risk of untreated sewage seeping into nearby soil and groundwater
• Correcting $5.343 million of deferred maintenance and repairs

Find more information about Great American Outdoors Act projects

Current Status

Design is currently underway.