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Show 1268 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. body of rock; the water was plenty for us, though not ab mid ant. It did not flow, but stood in the sand of one of the rockyravines. Here we were a few miles east of the F » ir-view Mountains. Our next camp was at an old arrastra on the went slope of a peak we called Si ate Peak. This peak is in the southern extension of the Fair view Range, and there was noticeable another drain cutting through this range to the north of Siate Peak, with sides much more precipitous, however, than those of the West Gate wash that cuts it to the north. Noticing also that Fair view Range is a different formation from those in its vicinity, we can readily conclude that it is much older. At the arrastra referred to was worked the first ore from a mine supposed to be rich in gold; the location is at the head of Fairview Valley. A small mill ( 5- stamp) was afterward erected in Hot Springs Valley, where water was obtained by sinking a well. Want of capital is assigned as the cause for quitting the work. The mill is still stauding and nearly complete. At the arrastra we managed to obtain a little muddy water by cleaning out the bottom of an excavation previously made for that purpose; there were indications of a spring during part of the year. F- om this place we crossed the divide at the head of Fairview Valley to Hot Springs Valley, following a road but seldom used since the mine ceased to be worked. The roat led to the mill. The whole party then crossed the valley to Dead Horse Well, ou the west side of the val ey. There is a copious flow of water from the Hot Springs, in the eastern part of the valley; the water is too hot to bear the hand in it. The deposit is like that of the springs in Smith's Creek Valley. The alkali flat in this valley contains abont 14,000 acres. It is rich in borax, and has been worked to some extent. At Dead Horse Well observations for azimuth were taken, in connection with Basalt Peak near by, which was occupied as a primary truiu-gulation- station. Belleville is south of Dead Horse Well, about 50 miles distant. There are several wells at this place and an abundant supply of tolerably good water. Our route thence was north, along the Belleville and Wads worth freight- road, to Sulphur Spring, in the Sand Spring flat, 31.7 miles. The road is along the west slope of the Sand Spring Range, and there is no water. At one of the stations ( Deep Hollow) water is sold for $ 1.50 per barrel; it is hauled a distance of 14 miles, from Dead Horse Well. Salt Well is a station three miles short of Sulphur Spring, but the water of the well is not fit for drinking purposes. The Sand Spring flat covers an area of 20,000 acres; it opens on the northwest to the Carson Slough; the divide i s scarcely perceptible. The soil is wet, and water stands in the lowest part. The water at 8ulphur Spring is not very good. Drinking- water is brought from the slough, 10 miles distant. There is a station at the spring. The wood used is brought about 50 miles, by the return freight- teams from Belleville. In the Sand Spring Range, nine print* were occupied, from Tarogqnasouth to Basalt, 44 miles. We next moved by the southeast of Carson Lake to Alleu's Springs. These are the calcareous springs spoken of by Simpson in 1859. At the southwest of Carson Lake there is a large area oi porous alkaline ground, that is bnt little raised above the surface of the lake, aud comparatively recent beach- marks indicate the more modem overflows of the water. Our next rendezvous was appointed in Mason Valley. Mr. Spiller, with the train, proceeded south to Walker River, crossed it at the old Indiau agency, and th » nce moved along the road to Lee's Mill. With Mr. Cowles and oue packer I returned to Carson Lake and camped on its southwest shore, near the ruins of an old station. The tules said to be here formerly are entirely gone. We had to carry an old telegraph-pole about half a mile to camp to make our tire; there was no drift- wood. The telegraph line formerly here now passes through R& gtown, & c. The mules would not drink the water of the lake, even after they had been without water for more than 24 hours. The lake was swarming with water- fowl. From here we followed the old road west, past Hon ton Well, ( uow deserted,) to Backland's, where had been our second camp ont from Carson; thence we proceeled, by the good wagon- road, to M tson Valley. The Hot Springs in the northern part of this valley have been long known. I here observe that there is an east and west water- shed extending across onr whole area from the Toyabe Range, and extending to the Sierras. Stirtiug around the head of Reese River, it joins the Shoshone, then divides Smith Creek aud lone Valleys, and so continues to the west, abont the latitude 39° 15'. It finally forms the divide between the Carson and Walker Rivers. It is most marked south of the West Gate Wash, the Farview Valley, and Carson Lake to Buckland's. To follow from the mouth of Churchill Cafion the broad open drain, one will be surprised to find that it separates from the canon about 4£ miles from the Carson, aud continues with a very slight rise to the divide between the Carson and Walker Rivers, and from this divide to the valley of Walker River. The drain continues the same; indeed the summit cannot be perceived in traveling. Our barometric observations show a constant rise from the mouth of Churchill Canon south through this drain to Walker River. It would seem to indicate that there had been a connection at oue |