Goshute Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goshute Valley |
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The abandoned Nevada Northern Railway depot in Currie, September 2007
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 Goshute Valley
Location in Nevada
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| Length | 60 mi (97 km) north-south trending |
| Width | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| District | Elko County |
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The Goshute Valley is a large valley located in Elko County, Nevada, in the United States. It is part of the Great Basin, a huge area where rivers and streams do not flow into an ocean. Instead, their water stays within the basin, often ending up in lakes or dry lakebeds. This type of landform is called an endorheic basin.
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Exploring Goshute Valley's Geography
The Goshute Valley stretches for about 60 miles (97 km) from north to south and is about 12 miles (19 km) wide. It is surrounded by several mountain ranges, including the Toano Range and the Cherry Creek Range.
Towns and Flatlands
In the northern part of the valley, you'll find the small towns of Oasis and Cobre. The central and northern areas of the valley are mostly flatlands. These flat areas have many small, dry streambeds called washes. These washes carry water from the surrounding mountains when it rains.
Roads and Railways
Interstate 80, a major highway, crosses through the Goshute Valley. At Oasis, it connects with State Route 233. The Nevada Northern Railway also runs through the valley. This railway travels north from Ely, connecting with other important railroads like the Western Pacific Railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Southern Valley Features
The southern 25 miles (40 km) of the valley turn towards the southwest. This area includes Nelson Creek, which flows northeast into a flat, low area called a sink. A sink is a natural depression in the ground where water collects and cannot drain away.
The town of Currie is located near the southwest end of the Goshute Valley. It sits close to a drainage divide. A drainage divide is a high ridge of land that separates two different drainage basins. Here, it separates Nelson Creek, which flows north, from other waters that flow south into an area near the ghost town of Goshute. This southern area sometimes forms a temporary lake called Goshute Lake.
The Great Basin Salt Desert
The Goshute Valley is home to the largest part of the Nevada salt desert ecoregion. An ecoregion is a large area of land or water that contains a distinct group of natural communities and species. These salt deserts are unique environments with special plants and animals adapted to the salty soil and dry conditions.
