DOCSLIB.ORG

2005 Old Ores

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2005 Old Ores Old Ores Mining History in the Eastern Mojave Desert Robert E. Reynolds, Editor The Oro Belle claim in Hart. Photograph courtesy Larry Vredenburgh. Old Ores: mines and mineral marketing in the east Mojave Desert—a field trip guide Robert E. Reynolds and Ted Weasma Abstracts from the 2005 Desert Symposium Robert E. Reynolds, compiler California State University, Desert Studies Consortium and LSA Associates, Inc. April 2005 The 2005 Desert Symposium Table of Contents Old ores: mines and mineral marketing in the east Mojave Desert—a field trip guide Robert E. Reynolds and Ted Weasma ...................................................................................................................................3 Cancelled due to flooding William Presch ........................................................................................................................................................................20 An overview of mining in the California Desert Larry Vredenburgh ................................................................................................................................................................22 The historical mining towns of the eastern Mojave Desert Alan Hensher ..........................................................................................................................................................................28 Railroads around Mojave National Preserve Gordon Chappell ...................................................................................................................................................................41 The mint at the Mescal Mine John E. Bennett .......................................................................................................................................................................49 Evaporative salt production on Soda Dry Lake Rob Fulton ............................................................................................................................................................................ 55 The Silver Lake talc deposits, San Bernardino County, California Lauren A. Wright ...................................................................................................................................................................61 Halloran turquoise: a thousand years of mining history Robert E. Reynolds ................................................................................................................................................................63 Recent rare mineral finds at the Noonday and War Eagle mines, Tecopa Pass, Inyo Co. CA Robert M. Housley .................................................................................................................................................................68 Recent rare mineral finds in southern California and Nevada desert mines Robert M. Housley .................................................................................................................................................................73 Rich Hill, Arizona: a modern gold rush to a historic gold district Erik Melchiorre, Dante Lauretta, M. Katherine Crombie and Chris Gholson ................................................................74 The 100% true story of Hubert Tecumseh Miller (except for the made-up bits) Steven W Smith ......................................................................................................................................................................77 Age constraints of the Copper Canyon Formation, Death Valley National Park, California Torrey Nyborg and H. PaulBuchheim .................................................................................................................................79 Landslide damage within Big Santa Anita Canyon, Los Angeles County, California Suzanne M. Baltzer .................................................................................................................................................................82 Abstracts of Proceedings, 2005 Desert Symposium Robert E. Reynolds (compiler) ...............................................................................................................................................87 — 2 — The 2005 Desert Symposium Old ores: mines and mineral marketing in the east Mojave Desert—a field trip guide Robert E. Reynolds, LSA Associates, Inc, 1650 Spruce Street Suite 500, Riverside, CA 92507. bob.reynolds@lsa-assoc. com and Ted Weasma, Mojave National Preserve, 2701 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA, 92311. [email protected] Summary (1) Sulfide ores run through a roasting furnace; oxide ores On Day 1 we will visit base metal mines: gold, lead, run through a blast furnace. silver, zinc and copper. These metals occur in relatively (2) Multiple runs through roasting and blast furnaces leave thin deposits in contrast to the bulk-commodity, open lead bullion, and continue the separation of copper pit mines we will visit on day two. Thin, metal-bearing matte and blister copper. hydrothermal dikes and secondary enrichment deposits required crushing, concentration and smelting to produce (3) Lead/silver bullion is put into acid solution that allows a marketable product. Free-milling gold in quartz simply lead chloride to be precipitated and roasted into bul- required crushing followed by water panning to concen- lion. trate the heavy metal. Complex processes were developed On Day 2 we will visit bulk commodity mines whose to extract low-grade ores of mixed metals associated with production was facilitated by the economics of population uneconomical “gangue” minerals of pyrite, calcite, barite growth and two World Wars. We will see mines for pure and fluorite. limestone (marble) that have produced raw material for Gold extraction (beyond simple arrastra crushing) cement since the 1930s. The first Portland cement factory required: was commissioned in 1900 at Alameda, California by F. (1) Classification and fine pulverization; density concentra- M. Smith (Hildebrand, 1982). Iron mines active from the tion on shaker table. 1930 produced iron as an additive for cement and for the (2) Amalgamation. Gold has an affinity for, and sinks in, steel industry. Talc was used in cosmetics, ceramics, and mercury, which floats other materials. Heating drives manufacturing rubber products. These mines were mainly off mercury for collection and reuse, leaving gold open pits where precision ore removal was followed by behind. crushing and size classification that allowed shipment of a marketable product. (3) Cyanidation. Gold attaches to cyanide, and can be fil- tered in charcoal. Roasting the charcoal leaves behind the gold. Historic mining: what to look for 1. Claim Location (location monument, claim notice cor- Copper extraction is accomplished by leaching. ner posts, discovery prospect) (1) Copper ore is pulverized and saturated with sulfuric acid (pyrite helps). 2. Ore (vein, lode, or placer; stockpile) (2) The copper sulfate solution is mixed with tin (cans), 3. Mine workings (adit, shaft, tunnel, stope decline, tunnel, causing precipitation of native copper, then sent to winze, raise, prospect pits, open pits) blast furnace for purification. 4. Equipment (collar, winch, headframe, bin, shoot, hoist, (3) Copper ore needs sulfides for roasting (mix of ox- tram chute, hoist, ball mill, Wilfley concentrating table) ides with copper sulfides or pyrite). The blast furnace 5. Milling equipment (arrastra, crusher, grizzly) produces native copper “matte” which can be shipped economically. 6. Smelting equipment (assay shop, ovens, slag) (4) Ultimate refinement involves dissolving copper into a 7. Leaching equipment (reservoirs, ponds, tanks, tin cans, sulfate solution, and using electrolysis to separate pure sludge) copper from gold and silver. 8. Ore transport (conveyor, tram, roads, wagon ruts, rail Lead and silver extraction involves furnaces. beds) — 3 — The 2005 Desert Symposium Introduction Planck, 1961; Vredenburgh and others,1981; Vreden- Native Americans in the Mojave Desert used fine- burgh, 1995, 1996a, 1996b, 1996c; Hensher, 1996; Hewett, grained volcanic rocks, chalcedony, and chert for cutting, 1956; Shumway, 1980; Casebier, 1973, 1974. Also see chopping, and piercing tools. They used coarse crystalline articles by Vredenburgh and by Hensher in this volume. rocks and vesicular basalt to abrade and grind vegetable and animal material, clays for pottery, salts for tanning, and metallic oxides for pigment. Turquoise and other stones were used for jewelry and ceremonial objects. Day 1 Gold and silver were located in the Mojave Desert in Early exploration, transportation, ore deposits, mines, and 1849 by immigrants on their way to the gold fields of the prospects. Sierra Nevada foothills. We will visit the Amargosa Gold Mine at Salt Springs on the Spanish Trail, and the Mojave 0.0 (0.0) Convene at Zzyzx with a full tank of gas for the Road will take us through the early Rock Springs mining 212 mile trip. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the occa- district of the Mid Hills. sion; bring water, hats and sunscreen. Many early strikes were of high-grade (secondary 4.7 (4.7) Enter I-15 eastbound, toward Baker. enrichment) concentrate. The low cost of extraction by 11.0 (6.3) Continue past Kelbaker Road and central Baker. simple mining tools (pick and shovel) and concentration Proceed eastbound on I-15. in arrastras was offset by the expense of transporting ore to mills and smelters as distant as Wales, Utah, or Alame- 24.4 (13.4) continue
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Section 3.3 Geology Jan 09 02 ER Rev4
    3.3 Geology and Soils 3.3.1 Introduction and Summary Table 3.3-1 summarizes the geology and soils impacts for the Proposed Project and alternatives. TABLE 3.3-1 Summary of Geology and Soils Impacts1 Alternative 2: 130 KAFY Proposed Project: On-farm Irrigation Alternative 3: 300 KAFY System 230 KAFY Alternative 4: All Conservation Alternative 1: Improvements All Conservation 300 KAFY Measures No Project Only Measures Fallowing Only LOWER COLORADO RIVER No impacts. Continuation of No impacts. No impacts. No impacts. existing conditions. IID WATER SERVICE AREA AND AAC GS-1: Soil erosion Continuation of A2-GS-1: Soil A3-GS-1: Soil A4-GS-1: Soil from construction existing conditions. erosion from erosion from erosion from of conservation construction of construction of fallowing: Less measures: Less conservation conservation than significant than significant measures: Less measures: Less impact with impact. than significant than significant mitigation. impact. impact. GS-2: Soil erosion Continuation of No impact. A3-GS-2: Soil No impact. from operation of existing conditions. erosion from conservation operation of measures: Less conservation than significant measures: Less impact. than significant impact. GS-3: Reduction Continuation of A2-GS-2: A3-GS-3: No impact. of soil erosion existing conditions. Reduction of soil Reduction of soil from reduction in erosion from erosion from irrigation: reduction in reduction in Beneficial impact. irrigation: irrigation: Beneficial impact. Beneficial impact. GS-4: Ground Continuation of A2-GS-3: Ground A3-GS-4: Ground No impact. acceleration and existing conditions. acceleration and acceleration and shaking: Less than shaking: Less than shaking: Less than significant impact.
    [Show full text]
  • Alluvial Fans in the Death Valley Region California and Nevada
    Alluvial Fans in the Death Valley Region California and Nevada GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 466 Alluvial Fans in the Death Valley Region California and Nevada By CHARLES S. DENNY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 466 A survey and interpretation of some aspects of desert geomorphology UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1965 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director The U.S. Geological Survey Library has cataloged this publications as follows: Denny, Charles Storrow, 1911- Alluvial fans in the Death Valley region, California and Nevada. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1964. iv, 61 p. illus., maps (5 fold. col. in pocket) diagrs., profiles, tables. 30 cm. (U.S. Geological Survey. Professional Paper 466) Bibliography: p. 59. 1. Physical geography California Death Valley region. 2. Physi­ cal geography Nevada Death Valley region. 3. Sedimentation and deposition. 4. Alluvium. I. Title. II. Title: Death Valley region. (Series) For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C., 20402 CONTENTS Page Page Abstract.. _ ________________ 1 Shadow Mountain fan Continued Introduction. ______________ 2 Origin of the Shadow Mountain fan. 21 Method of study________ 2 Fan east of Alkali Flat- ___-__---.__-_- 25 Definitions and symbols. 6 Fans surrounding hills near Devils Hole_ 25 Geography _________________ 6 Bat Mountain fan___-____-___--___-__ 25 Shadow Mountain fan..______ 7 Fans east of Greenwater Range___ ______ 30 Geology.______________ 9 Fans in Greenwater Valley..-----_____. 32 Death Valley fans.__________--___-__- 32 Geomorpholo gy ______ 9 Characteristics of fans.._______-___-__- 38 Modern washes____.
    [Show full text]
  • Fine Tuning Your GOLD BUDDY Drywasher. Drywashers Are an Excellent Tool to Recover Gold from Dry Material
    Drywasher Components Hopper: This is where you place the raw material. A classifier screen separates the material by size allow- ing the smaller material to enter the hopper and discarding the material that is too large to pass through the machine. Angle Adjustment: Changes the angle of the Recovery Box by adjusting the chain length. Flow Gate: This is a slide gate that controls the size of Recovery Box: This is the the opening at the bottom of lower box that is pressurized the hopper which regulates by the blower and collects how fast the material in the values in the riffle system. hopper enters the recovery box. Rear Leg: Frame: This is the steel structure that holds the components in place. For illustration purposes we are calling the leg where the fine material exits the drywasher the “Front Leg” and the leg where the larger material falls off the drywasher Front Leg: the “Rear Leg”. Setting up the Hopper / Frame Step 1: Your drywasher may have slightly different frame components than the illustration but the easiest way to as- semble a drywasher is usually to place the Hopper on the ground upside down. The upper part of the front and rear legs are at- tached to the hopper and need to be lifted so that the point where they intersect can be bolted together making the frame rigid. Step 2: Attach the bottom portions of the legs and secure them with the hardware provided. The bottom portions are differ- ent widths so you cannot get them mixed up. Step 3: Flip the assembled unit right side up and it should look like this.
    [Show full text]
  • The Winners Tab
    The Winners Tab 2013 BETTER NEWSPAPERS CONTEST AWARDS PRESENTATION: SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION INSIDE ESTABLISHED 1888 2 General Excellence 5 Awards by Newspaper 6 Awards by Category 10 Campus Awards normally loquacious violinist is prone to becoming overwhelmed with emotion The Most Interesting Man in the Phil when discussing the physical, psychologi- How Vijay Gupta, a 26-Year-Old Former Med Student, cal and spiritual struggles of his non-Dis- Found Himself and Brought Classical Music to Skid Row ney Hall audience. “I’m this privileged musician,” he said recently. “Who the hell am I to think that I By Donna Evans could help anybody?” On a sweltering day in late August, raucous applause. Chasing Zubin Mehta Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Vijay Screams of “Encore!” are heard. One Gupta will be front and center this week Gupta steps in front of a crowd and bows man, sitting amidst plastic bags of his when the Phil kicks off the celebration of his head to polite applause. belongings, belts out a curious request for the 10th anniversary of Walt Disney Con- He glances at the audience and surveys Ice Cube. Gupta and his fellow musicians, cert Hall. Along with the 105 other mem- the cellist and violist to his left . He takes Jacob Braun and Ben Ullery, smile widely bers of the orchestra, he’ll spend much of a breath, lift s his 2003 Krutz violin and and bow. the next nine months in formal clothes tucks it under his chin. Once it’s settled, Skid Row may seem an unlikely place and playing in front of affl uent crowds.
    [Show full text]
  • Demography of Desert Mule Deer in Southeastern California
    CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME California Fish and Game 92(2):55-66 2006 DEMOGRAPHY OF DESERT MULE DEER IN SOUTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA JASON P. MARSHAL School of Natural Resources University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 [email protected] LEON M. LESICKA Desert Wildlife Unlimited 4780 Highway 111 Brawley, CA 92227 VERNON C. BLEICH Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program California Department of Fish and Game 407 West Line Street Bishop, CA 93514 PAUL R. KRAUSMAN School of Natural Resources University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 GERALD P. MULCAHY California Department of Fish and Game P. O. Box 2160 Blythe, CA 92226 NANCY G. ANDREW California Department of Fish and Game 78-078 Country Club Drive, Suite 109 Bermuda Dunes, CA 92201 Desert mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus eremicus, occur at low densities in the Sonoran Desert of southeastern California and consequently are difficult to monitor using standard wildlife techniques. We used radiocollared deer, remote photography at wildlife water developments (i.e., catchments), and mark-recapture techniques to estimate population abundance and sex and age ratios. Abundance estimates for 1999-2004 ranged from 40 to 106 deer, resulting in density estimates of 0.05-0.13 deer/km2. Ranges in herd composition were 41-74% (females), 6-31% (males), and 6-34% (young). There was a positive correlation (R = 0.73, P = 0.051) between abundance estimates and number of deer photographed/ catchment-day, and that relationship may be useful as an index of abundance in the absence of marked deer for mark-recapture methods. Because of the variable nature of desert wildlife populations, implementing 55 56 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME strategies that recognize that variability and conserving the habitat that allow populations to fluctuate naturally will be necessary for long-term conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • Alex Gallardo Irene Carlson Gallery of Photography Eyes on the Ball April 11 Through May 20, 2011
    Alex Gallardo Irene Carlson Gallery of Photography Eyes on the Ball April 11 through May 20, 2011 An exhibition of photographs Miller Hall, University of La Verne Photographer’s Statement My start in photojournalism began with a slide show program during a beginning photo class at the University of La Verne. It was presented by a well-known photojournalist at the The Sun in San Bernardino, Tom Kasser. His work opened my eyes. Once I had seen what he could do with a camera, it brought me to see, and not just look, at the world around me. Kasser gave me a goal to strive for, to work at The Sun as a staff photographer. Through my undergraduate career I learned the mechanics of the craft. As a lifetime baseball player I already had the competitive gene so I redirected my passion for athletics toward photography. I took a detour in my quest to be a photojournalist after graduating from ULV. A huge mistake cost me thirteen months of my professional life, and almost the use of my legs. I drove a dump truck backwards over a cliff, spent three months in a hospital and at home in a body cast recuperating from injuries. I spent another nine months in physical therapy learning to walk. Doctors told me that I might not regain the use of my legs or walk without assistance for least five years, if ever. Luckily, I had a great physical therapist. We worked hard every day and prayed to regain the use of my legs. Once I began to walk doctors cleared me to continue as a photographer and stay away from driving trucks.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Tailings1
    A HISTORY OF MINERAL CONCENTRATION: A HISTORY OF TAILINGS1 by Timothy c. Richmond2 Abstract: The extraction of mineral values from the earth for beneficial use has been a human activity- since long before recorded history. Methodologies were little changed until the late 19th century. The nearly simultaneous developments of a method to produce steel of a uniform carbon content and the means to generate electrical power gave man the ability to process huge volumes of ores of ever decreasing purity. The tailings or waste products of mineral processing were traditionally discharged into adjacent streams, lakes, the sea or in piles on dry land. Their confinement apparently began in the early 20th century as a means for possible future mineral recovery, for the recycling of water in arid regions and/or in response to growing concerns for water pollution control. Additional Key Words: Mineral Beneficiation " ... for since Nature usually creates metals in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of these impurities from the ores as far as can be, and therefore I will now describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed ..•. " Agricola, 1550 Introduction identifying mining wastes. It is frequently used mistakenly The term "tailings" is to identify all mineral wastes often misapplied when including the piles of waste rock located at the mouth of 1Presented at the 1.991. National mine shafts and adi ts, over- American. Society for Surface burden materials removed in Mining and Reclamation Meeting surface mining, wastes from in Durango, co, May 1.4-17, 1.991 concentrating activities and sometimes the wastes from 2Timothy c.
    [Show full text]
  • Secretary Old Arrastra Gold Mining Co
    Wednesday, March 25, 1905 THE SUMPTER MINER &XWaMWWWMto t If you will plve us just n few min- i utes of your valuable timo we will briefly set forth the Merits and Future Possibilities of Our Property. We know we have a splendid Busi- ness Proposition, and believe we are rendering good service in spreading the Untinted Facts before you. We wish we had an hour to talk the mat- ter all over with you; better still, we should like to take you to our Property and show you every Foot of Gold Bearing Ground. Since these are impossibilities, for the present at least, we kindly ask you to listen to our story. We are an Incorporated Body, known as the OLD ARRA8TRA GOLD MINING COMPANY. The Capitalization has been fixed at One Million Dollars, Divided into One Million Shares of the Par Value of One Dollar Each. One half of this stock has been Reserved as Treasury Stock, the sale of whloh will provide ample funds to Further Exploit the Property and Purchase the Necessary Machinery to make it a steady and Profitable Producer. This Stock is and carries no Personal Liabili- ties. Since our Incorporation is Under the Laws of Arizona. It is also Fully Paid when the Certificate is Issued to the Purchaser. In view of our very reasonable capitalization, Net Profit of only Ten Thousand Dol- V lars Per Month, would pay Twelve per cent per annum, on the par value of the entire stock, or the Enormous Profit of .Ono Hundred and Twenty per cent per annum on the present price of Btock.
    [Show full text]
  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Bibliography Compiled and Edited by Jim Dice
    Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center University of California, Irvine UCI – NATURE and UC Natural Reserve System California State Parks – Colorado Desert District Anza-Borrego Desert State Park & Anza-Borrego Foundation Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Bibliography Compiled and Edited by Jim Dice (revised 1/31/2019) A gaggle of geneticists in Borrego Palm Canyon – 1975. (L-R, Dr. Theodosius Dobzhansky, Dr. Steve Bryant, Dr. Richard Lewontin, Dr. Steve Jones, Dr. TimEDITOR’S Prout. Photo NOTE by Dr. John Moore, courtesy of Steve Jones) Editor’s Note The publications cited in this volume specifically mention and/or discuss Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, locations and/or features known to occur within the present-day boundaries of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, biological, geological, paleontological or anthropological specimens collected from localities within the present-day boundaries of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, or events that have occurred within those same boundaries. This compendium is not now, nor will it ever be complete (barring, of course, the end of the Earth or the Park). Many, many people have helped to corral the references contained herein (see below). Any errors of omission and comission are the fault of the editor – who would be grateful to have such errors and omissions pointed out! [[email protected]] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As mentioned above, many many people have contributed to building this database of knowledge about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. A quantum leap was taken somewhere in 2016-17 when Kevin Browne introduced me to Google Scholar – and we were off to the races. Elaine Tulving deserves a special mention for her assistance in dealing with formatting issues, keeping printers working, filing hard copies, ignoring occasional foul language – occasionally falling prey to it herself, and occasionally livening things up with an exclamation of “oh come on now, you just made that word up!” Bob Theriault assisted in many ways and now has a lifetime job, if he wants it, entering these references into Zotero.
    [Show full text]
  • About the University (PDF)
    About the University Courses Academic Welcome to California State University, Fullerton, where we create opportunities in and out of the classroom for students, faculty and staff to work and learn together. Our campus offers a student-centered atmosphere – an atmosphere that is responsive to who our students are, and what they hope to become. This is possible because our highly qualified and diverse faculty provide undergraduate and graduate programs that help our students reach their personal and professional best. Our professors do an exceptional job of providing students with undergraduate and graduate programs that reflect the best of current practice, theory and research. Faculty members work directly with our students in their classrooms, laboratories and studios. At California State University, Fullerton, our students have so many opportunities to reach their full potential. Our eight colleges offer more than 100 degree programs, so students can explore new areas and find a major that is right for them. With full overall accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, many of our programs are further distinguished by discipline-specific national accreditations and associations. In addition, many have achieved national prominence because of the excellence of our faculty and the achievements of our alumni. As a Cal State Fullerton student, you will learn from highly accomplished faculty members who create an exceptional learning environment. We encourage you to go beyond the classroom, and apply knowledge to real-world experiences – undergraduate research, professional internships, prestigious competitions, study abroad and more. On our campus you experience real life – a vibrant, metropolitan university environment with real-world connections to business, government, entertainment and the arts.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrologic Basin Death Valley California
    Hydrologic Basin Death Valley California GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 494-B Hydrologic Basin Death Valley California By CHARLES B. HUNT, T. W. ROBINSON, WALTER A. BOWLES, and A. L. WASHBURN GENERAL GEOLOGY OF DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 494-B A! description of the hydrology, geochemistry, and patternedground of the saltpan UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1966 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY William T. Pecora, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS Page Page Abstract BI Hydrology-Continued Hydrology, by Charles B. Hunt and T. W. Robinson_ - 3 Descriptions and discharges of springs and of Introduction- 3 marshes-Continued Fieldwork- 3 Discharge of springs in the Furnace Creek fault Climate- 5 zone B35 Rainfall 5 Evapotranspiration discharge from the valley floor Evaporation 7 above the saltpan 37 Temperature- 8 Divisions of the valley according to sources of Humidity- 10 ground water 37 Wind- 11 Possible sources of water at Cottonball Marsh- 37 Rock types in the Death Valley hydrologic basin --- 11 Possible source of water at springs along Fur- Hard-rock formations 12 nace Creek fault zone 38 Unconsolidated Quaternary deposits 13 Geochemistry of the saltpan by Charles B. Hunt 40 Gravel deposits 13 General features 40 Fine-grained alluvial and playa deposits - 15 Fieldwork and acknowledgments 41 Salt deposits and saliferous playa deposits- 15 Geologic
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Source of Water for Selected Springs Within Mojave Trails National Monument, California
    ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS, 2018 VOL. 19, NO. 2, 99–111 https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2018.1448909 Understanding the source of water for selected springs within Mojave Trails National Monument, California Andy Zdon, PG, CHg, CEGa, M. Lee Davisson, PGb and Adam H. Love, Ph.D.c aTechnical Director – Water Resources, PARTNER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE, INC., Santa Ana, CA, Sacramento, CA; bML Davisson & Associates, Inc., Livermore, CA; cVice President/Principal Scientist, Roux Associates, Inc., Oakland, CA ABSTRACT KEYWORDS While water sources that sustain many of the springs in the Mojave Desert have been poorly Water resources; clipper understood, the desert ecosystem can be highly dependent on such resources. This evaluation mountains; bonanza spring; updates the water resource forensics of Bonanza Spring, the largest spring in the southeastern groundwater; forensics; Mojave Desert. The source of spring flow at Bonanza Spring was evaluated through an integration isotopes of published geologic maps, measured groundwater levels, water quality chemistry, and isotope data compiled from both published sources and new samples collected for water chemistry and isotopic composition. The results indicate that Bonanza Spring has a regional water source, in hydraulic communication with basin fill aquifer systems. Neighboring Lower Bonanza Spring appears to primarily be a downstream manifestation of surfacing water originally discharged from the Bonanza Spring source. Whereas other springs in the area, Hummingbird, Chuckwalla, and Teresa Springs, each appear to be locally sourced as “perched” springs. These conclusions have important implications for managing activities that have the potential to impact the desert ecosystem. Introduction above Bonanza Spring. Identification of future impacts General information and data regarding springs in the from water resource utilization becomes problematic if Mojave Desert are sparse, and many of these springs are initial baseline conditions are unknown or poorly under- not well understood.
    [Show full text]