THE SPRINGS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA.

BY D. A. LYLE, U. S. A.

T is the intention of the writer to merely jot down a few personal recollections of some of the springs visited in the arid region of Southern Nevada, while a member of one of the Wheeler expeditions.

To those who have experienced the pangs of thirst, while journeying over the desolate wastes that characterize this section, it will not be surprising that reminiscences of water should linger longest in the memory of the traveler. In fact the procurement of that necessity is a matter of such vital importance that all movements are subordinated and controlled by the answer to

the question, "Is there any water there ?" Should the reply be in the negative, some other route must be followed, or else a supply of water must be carried along. The springs in this portion of the Great Basin are few, and often far between. Their waters differ much in quantity, temperature and chemical composition. In quantity, the yield varies from a few gallons per day to a never failing supply. As to temperature, the heat of the waters range through cold, cool, tepid and warm to boiling. As regards chemical composition, some are fresh, others alkaline, and still others, sulphurous. In the waters of some springs, a mere trace of saline ingredients are found, while in other cases the salts are present in sufficient quantity to produce saturation.

The first that will be mentioned are Mud Springs (Fig. 1), also

known as Desert Wells, from the fact that parties passing that way, have dug pits from four to eight feet deep when there, in search of more water. These springs, when visited by the writer, were mere pools of muddy slime, with a slight film of stagnant water overlying the viscous blue marsh. So nauseous were these waters that neither men nor animals could drink them. Enough water, however, was obtained by digging new pits or "wells" near by, to partially alleviate the sufferings of man and beast, which were somewhat intense after marching over thirty miles through the heated sands of the Smoky Valley Desert upon a July day.

These springs-if, springs they may be called-were situated at the southern extremity of Smoky Valley surrounded by a dreary waste of sand and "alkali flats," with here and there a stunted sage bush.

Day break the following morning found the party en route to Silver Peak, the next objective point. Silver Peak, a small mining camp, is located near the west side of Clayton Valley, and at the eastern base of the Red Mountain range. Near this place and along the western border of the salt marsh which forms the major part of the basin are the Thermal Springs. The more important ones are eleven in number. With one exception they are contained in a narrow belt, running almost north and south. This belt is about a half mile in length, its width being but a few rods. Beginning at the southern limit of this line, the first spring we encounter is in a small depression in the general surface. (Fig. 2.) Its waters are slightly saline, but quite palatable, and are the best for use in the vicinity. The

temperature of the water is 69° Fahr. Just north of this is found. a cluster of springs; the largest and most central one is called Saturn. (Fig. 3.) Their temperatures are 69.5° Fahr. These springs are in close proximity to each other, and flow out upon a level area some twenty acres in extent, covered with a rank growth of coarse salt grass, from whence the water flows into the salt marsh.

Proceeding northward, we next meet with three salt springs arranged in the form of an isosceles triangle, differing widely in temperature and the degree of their saturation.

These are situated in the edge of the salt marsh, the two forming the base, being in an east and west line, twenty feet apart. The more westerly one has a temperature of 79° Fahr., while the other one in its quiescent state has a temperature of 117.8° Fahr., and at irregular intervals boils and emits steam. The third,

forming the apex of the triangle and lying ninety feet north, has a temperature of 116.5° Fahr.

Still further north are two more salt springs, situated also in an east and west line, only four feet apart; the westerly one, as before, having the lowest temperature, being 79° Fahr., while the other has a temperature of 117° Fahr. Another spring (Fig. 4), about one fourth of a mile north of the others, was constantly boiling and emitting steam. A gurgling noise could be heard in several places near the main opening, under the tufaceous crust of calcareous matter deposited by its waters. In approaching this spring the greatest caution had to be exercised to avoid breaking through the crust of tufa which bridged and in part, concealed the seething waters, which could be seen through the many perforations in this treacherous envelope. Every step in

advance was carefully tested by striking the tufa with a mining hammer, to see if it would bear the weight of a man. Thus, by slow degrees one or two members of the party succeeded, without accident, in reaching the main opening, which was about five feet in diameter. Regard for personal safety, however, soon overcame scientific curiosity, and the retreat was accomplished by separate routes in the same cautious manner, to avoid getting too much weight upon any one place. The waters were found to be impregnated with soda, lime and borax.

In the immediate vicinity of the hot springs were found numerous concretions, either on the surface or slightly imbedded. These had generally a prolate spheroidal form, although many eccentric shapes were seen. About half a mile out in the salt marsh was a remarkable spring (Fig. 5), nearly twenty feet in diameter. The water rose to the height of several inches above

the general surface, and was retained by a ring of earth elevated a foot above the terrain and thickly set with tules, a kind of rush, whose verdancy contrasted strangely with the sombre gray around, and gave to it the appearance of a miniature oasis. The water was quite clear and nearly fresh; this latter property was probably only apparent from the contrast, after imbibing the more brackish water of the other springs; its interior cylindrical walls extended to a depth of about five feet, below and under which, as far as could be reached by a pole, nothing like earth could be felt. There appeared to be a subterranean lake beneath the salt-marsh, of which this spring was the only visible portion. As to its depth we had no means of determining it; the temperature was 69° Fahr. The circumjacent earth was a mere superficial crust, five or six inches thick, which was springy beneath our tread, and breaking through which one sank into the viscous

mud. In walking over this area the ground constantly jarred and

trembled, thus in

dicating the elas

the marsh, when animals traveled over it, a dull, hol

low sound was heard, bearing out the hypothesis of the existence of a subterranean cavity. The plain is crossed in two or three places by roads and trails; and should animals get off these, they breakthrough and often become submerged in the mire. At one or two places shallow trenches or vats have been scooped out, and the salt water collecting and evaporating in

them leaves the walls and bottoms covered with beautiful crys

tals of pure salt.

Traveling westward from Silver Peak, a distance of eleven and three-fourth miles, during which the Red Mountain range is crossed, Mountain Spring is reached. This spring bubbles up at the foot of Red Mountain peak. The water is clear, cold and not in the slightest brackish. Its appearance was hailed with joy by men and animals. At last water had been found that would slake instead of increasing thirst. Here, in the short interval of less