Big Smoky Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Smoky Valley |
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Big Smoky Valley
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 Location in Nevada
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| Area | 4,960 sq mi (12,800 km2) (watersheds' area) |
| Geography | |
| Location | saddle of drainage divide (south of the Hadley Airport) |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Region | Northern and Southern Big Smoky Valley watersheds |
| Reference #: | 42 |
The Big Smoky Valley is a long, wide valley located in the state of Nevada in the United States. It sits between two large mountain ranges, the Toiyabe Range and the Toquima Range. This valley is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) long. It's part of a bigger area called the Great Basin Desert, which is known for its dry climate.
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What's in a Name?
The valley got its name, Big Smoky Valley, because of the haze that often hangs in the air there. This haze can make it look a bit smoky. You might also hear it called by other names, like Great Smoky Valley or just Smoky Valley. Sometimes, people even use older names like Wen-A-No-Nu-Fee Valley.
The United States Geological Survey, which studies the Earth, usually calls it "Big Smoky Valley." However, the local business group, the chamber of commerce, calls itself the Greater Smoky Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Life in the Valley
About 2,500 people live in the Big Smoky Valley. There are seven small communities spread out across the area.
What People Do There
The main jobs and industries in the valley include mining, agriculture, and ranching. At the southern end of the valley, there is a large open-pit gold mine. This means gold is dug up from a big hole in the ground. Agriculture involves growing crops, and ranching means raising animals like cattle.
Where is it Located?
The Big Smoky Valley stretches across three different counties in Nevada. These counties are Esmeralda, Nye, and Lander.
Water in the Valley
Most of the valley is quite dry. It gets less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain each year. Two rivers, the North Twin River and the South Twin River, flow into the Big Smoky Valley. The water from these rivers is mostly used up by people and farms. This happens unless there is a lot of rain or snowmelt, causing high water flows.
