The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-03-12
we'll WATER FOR
IRRIGATION N NEVADA
Successful Test Wells Drilled
Near Ely by the United
States Geological
Survey
GeogogicaI Survey Bulletin.

partment of the Interior, by drilling
test wells in Steptoe Valley, a desert
basin near Ely, New. Three wells were
drilled, the deepest to a depth of 915
feet. but the largest supply of water
was found rather near the surface
and can be recovered at moderate
cost. The well that is regarded as a
model for use in irrigation is on lear
ly level arabic land 25 miles north of
Ely and 2h miles from the nearest
railroad. 1t Is 10 inches In diameter
and 1872 feet deep. 1t passes through
SIS feet of w~ater-bearing gravel, and
the water level In 1t is only IA feet
below the surface. 1t is finished with
double stovepipe casing, which is per-
forated at all water horizons. In a
test this we'll was pumped for 6 hours
at the rate Of 262 gallons a minute
with a drawdown Of less that 8 feet,
from which 1t is inferred that with a
drawdown of 20 feet 1t would de-
liver at least 1 second-foot of water,
or enough to- irrigate 80 acres of
land. Samples of water drawn from
several horizons were analysed, and
all we're found to be Of good quality
for use in irrigation.
Ground Water in Nevada
The surface features of Nevada
consist of rugged. nearly parallel
mountain ranges and broad interven-
ing valleys that are underlain togreat
depths with rock waste washed from
the mountains. These great deposits
of rock waste were in large part laid
down by ~torrential streams and are
therefore relatively coarse and porus,
so that the rain which falls upon
them and the run-off which reaches
them from the mountains sinks into
them, and the desert valleys in which
they lie consequently appear excep-
tionally arid. These deposits, how
ever, constitute huge reservoirs In
which water they receive is stored.
Sa well is this water hidden that it's
existence may not be suspected, and
there is necessarily much uncertainty
as to it's occurrence and quantity, but
by proper observations it is generally
possible to find areas where the
ground water is near the surface and
to make a forecast to the depth to
water in adjacent areas. 1t is also
generally possible to estimate rough
ly the quantity of water that is an
nually available and to predict to
some extent the capacity of wells, the
quality of the water, and the cost of
recovery. To begin to develop the
ground-water supply of one of these
valleys without first investigating it's
underground conditions is as unwise
as it would be to start to build a rail-
road without first having it surveyed,
and the financial results are likely to
be no less disastrous.
Suggestions to Prospective Settlers
Though Nevada and the adjacent
States contain in the aggregate a
large untitled supply of good water
that can be recovered by sinking
wells. prospective settlers must be
warned against undue optimism as to
the profits they can make BY irriga-
ton with well water. The cost of
drilling and pumping is high. es-
pecially at present, and the rather
rigorous climate prohibits the growth
Of certain crops. There are also great
differences between the different<val-
leys and different parts of the same
valley in the yield of wells. the depth
to water. and the quality of water
and soil.
Many failures in irrigation by
pumping from wells are due to the
poor judgment of prospective settlers
in locating their claims. The native
vegetation furnishes a valuable guide
to the quality of the soil and the
depth of the water table. Poor meth
DDS of drilling wells and fa~ultyinstal-
lation OF pumping plants have also
caused many failures In irrigation.
Investigations by Geological Survey
The Geological Survey has for many
years been making a survey OF the
ground waters Of the country with a
view to their larger recovery and use
for domestic and public supplies;
for supplies for railroads. mines
and other industrial plants; for wat
ering live stock on the range for
travellers along desert roads; and foI
supplies for irrigation. The ground
iwaters of Nevada are still for the