Indian Springs Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian Springs Pass |
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Location | Indian Springs, Clark County, Nevada, United States |
Indian Springs Pass is a mountain pass located in Nevada, about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Las Vegas. It's in the northwest part of Clark County. A mountain pass is like a low spot or gap between mountains. It makes it easier to travel from one side of a mountain range to another.
Indian Springs Pass is in an interesting area where several different land features meet. These include valleys and mountain ranges. It sits near the northern edge of a large area where water collects, known as the Ivanpah-Pahrump Watershed.
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Understanding the Landscape Around Indian Springs Pass
The area around Indian Springs Pass is where several natural landforms come together. Imagine it as a meeting point for different valleys and mountain ranges. This spot is important because it helps define how water flows (or doesn't flow) in this desert region.
Valleys and Water Basins
- Pahrump Valley: To the north, you'll find the Pahrump Valley. This valley stretches south and is part of a larger watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point, like a river or a lake.
- Indian Springs Valley: Directly north of the pass is the Indian Springs Valley. This valley is an endorheic basin. This means that any water that falls here, like rain, stays within the valley and doesn't flow out to the ocean. It usually evaporates or sinks into the ground.
- Three Lakes Valley: To the east, you'll find the Three Lakes Valley. This is another endorheic basin, similar to Indian Springs Valley, where water stays trapped.
Mountain Ranges
The Spring Mountains are a major mountain range in this area. They extend from the Indian Springs Pass region towards the southeast. These mountains help shape the valleys and direct the flow of water in the region.
Connection to Las Vegas Valley
The southern parts of the Three Lakes Valley are located on the edge of the Las Vegas Valley. This means that the landscape around Indian Springs Pass is connected to the larger area that includes the famous city of Las Vegas.