The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-11-18
SURVEY OF UNDER
GROUND WATERS

What may be characterized as a pre-
liminary survey of the underground
water resources of Nevada is in prog
ress under the personal direction of
Prof. J. G.. Scrugham, dean of engi-
Eeers of the University of Nevada, in
cooperation with the United States
Bureau of Irrigation Investigation.
Hean Scrugham is now in Southern Ne
vada, having arrived at Goldfield yes
terday, says the Tribune. He proceeded
at once to Fish Lake valley, accompa-
MED by Fred Mechin and l.. B. Curtis,
Of the Nevada California Power COM
pany, and C. G.. Patrick, of the Gold
field Consolidated Water company.
Fish Lake valley, about 65 miles
west of Goldfeld, is one of the most
attractive valleys of the state from the
standpoint of irrigation and agricul-
tural development possibilities. 1t has
an area of approximately 10000 acres,
or $4,000 acres more than is provided
for under the Carson-Truckee project
at Fallon, of the United States recla-
nation service.
Just what the water resources of the
valley are can be determined only by
en- exhaustive survey and the gather.
ihg of data that will more completely
determine the amount of rainfall and
the area of the watershed draining in
20 this valley and the depth at which
! the water can be found for pumping
/ ii we assume that even 40 per cent OF
the area could be supplied with water
tie magnitude of the possibilities Of
this valley become at once apparent
One well drilled to a depth of % feet
and tested for a period of As hours
showed an undiminished flow of one
second-foot, which would be sufficient
p, for the irrigation of 100 acres of land
Lands in that valley already supplied
with water have sold at varying prices
and while, of course, there is no fixed
value, prices have reached 800 per
acre. The several ranches already par
tially developed, include the Oasis, or
Stewart ranch Patterson Brothers, the
Mill and the-Chiatovich. Probably not
more than 1000 acres are really devel-
oped in all.
The well above referred to was sunk
by man named Hoyt, a recent set
tier, and is one of the best in the state
| Regardless of the supply that might
be found, development would be slow
and impractieable without transporta-
ton, but it is only 20 miles from Coal
dale into the valley, with no difficult
tgrades intervening and construction
would be comparatively cheap.
| The work in which Prof. Scrugham
IS engaged has been in progress fol-
some time and has touched the Amar
gosa valley and the region around Las
| vegas and Indian Springs; also the
| Carson Valley and the Lemon Valley
north of Reno; the districts of La
inoille, Battle Mountain and Grass val
| ley south of Winnemueca, where pump
| ing plants are already in operation and
approximately 1000 acres of high
grade land has been or will very seen
be brought under cultivation.
Prof. Scrugham referred also to the
possibilities of important development
in Big Smokey valley, Nye county, par.
| tieularly in the northern end of the
valley. He says this present opportu
mites similar to those of Grass valley
The Big Smokey has about the same
area as the Fish Lake valley.
| At Tobar on the Western Pacific, 81
miles this side of the Utah line, splen
did showing has been made where the
water is found at depth of approx
mately 100 feet and rises to point
from five to ten feet from the surface
An artesian flow is considered posi-
BILE.
Prof. Scrugham, Mr.. Mechlin ant
others left this morning for Bonnie
C!aire, where pumping with specia
test plant has been in progress. The
Ralston valley, where there is bis
drainage area, will also be examined
this week.
The work of this preliminary survey
is supported by a fund of approximate
" $4,000, of which $4,000 is eontribut
ed by the government and $4,000 b.
the state of Nevada, through the Uni
versity.