Reese River facts for kids

Location of the Reese River within Nevada

The Reese River near Austin

The Reese River is a 181-mile (291 km) long river in central Nevada, USA. It is a tributary of the Humboldt River. This means it usually flows into the Humboldt River.

Where the Reese River Flows

The Reese River Pony Express station was burned during the 1860 Paiute War.

The Reese River starts in the southern Toiyabe Range mountains. It begins near a peak called Arc Dome. At its start, the river is a fast-moving mountain stream. It flows through areas with green plants like Aspen and cottonwood trees.

The river then flows north between the Toiyabe Range and the Shoshone Mountains. After a while, it goes through a low part of the Shoshone Mountains. It keeps flowing north between the Shoshone Mountains and the Fish Creek Mountains.

Once the river leaves the Toiyabe Range, it changes. It becomes a slow, muddy stream. Farmers and ranchers use its water to irrigate their fields. Most years, the Reese River dries up into small pools before it reaches the Humboldt River. It only connects to the Humboldt River during big floods. This connection happens near Battle Mountain. Nevada State Route 305 follows the lower, often dry, part of the river from the Austin area to Battle Mountain.

How the River Got Its Name

The Reese River is named after John Reese. He explored this area in 1854. He was part of an expedition led by Colonel Edward Steptoe. Later, John Reese helped Captain James H. Simpson map a military road through central Nevada.

The old mining town of Austin is located near the upper part of the Reese River. Its local newspaper, which has been around for a long time, is called the Reese River Reveille.

The Reese River Silver Rush

The "Reese River excitement" was a time of discovery in 1862 and 1863. During this period, people explored and settled the river valley. After the town of Austin was founded, people looked for more silver. They went south into the Toiyabe Range. They crossed into what is now Esmeralda County.

Three mining areas were started in the Toiyabe Range in Esmeralda County. These were called Marysville, Twin River, and Washington. Many small villages and ranches also grew in the area. After the Toiyabe Range, silver was found in the Shoshone Mountains in 1863. This led to the creation of the Union District and the town of Ione.

The excitement around the Reese River even led to the creation of Nye County. People in the Union District felt they were too far from the main towns of Aurora and Austin. These were the county seats for Esmeralda and Lander County. So, they asked for a new county. The Nevada Legislature created Nye County on February 16, 1864.

See also

In Spanish: Río Reese para niños