NDOW Big Game Water Development Project
Horse Range – New Cove #3 Guzzler
May 27th 2017
The Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn and the Nevada Department of Wildlife will be constructing
a new big game guzzler in the Horse range northeast of Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area on
May 27th 2017. This activity will entail the construction of a new large game guzzler designed for use by
Mule Deer and Elk. The location is within the southern Horse Range in eastern Nye County. The
location is significant, as it is along a crucial migration corridor for Mule Deer during wintering and
summering grounds in the Grant and Horse Ranges. The construction site of the new Cove #3 guzzler is
located at UTMN 4275067 UTME 645923.
The new guzzler will consist of four 1,800 gallon tanks set upon a graded and leveled tank pad
measuring 16’x36’. The system when full will have a capacity of 7,200 available gallons of water. The
entire system relies on rainfall exclusively for recharge, and will accomplish this by collecting
precipitation on a 60’x40’ on-ground steel apron. The apron is capable of collecting 1,496 gallons per
inch of precipitation. Given the average rainfall in the area is approximately 10”, the apron is capable of
collecting up to14,961 gallons of water during an average rainfall year, hedging its ability to withstand
drought. The apron is set upon steel purlins which are anchored to the ground using a combination of
angled steel and rebar. Water is made available at an external drinker set at the same level as the tanks.
As the water column in the drinker declines, the water column in the tanks does so at the same rate. This
is a simple design with no moving parts which can fail providing a maintenance free water source to
wildlife. A 48’x48’ piperail fence will be constructed around the drinker to ensure the water is kept
wildlife specific.
Please arrive at the project site at 7:00 am for volunteer registration and a safety briefing. Since
parking at the project site is limited, carpooling is encouraged.
For additional information or questions about camping, please contact Matt Flores 702-290-5262
[email protected]. Thank you for your dedication and assistance in helping improve habitat for
wildlife in Nevada.
Driving directions to the Project site and recommendations (From Las Vegas: see map)
1. Take northbound US-15 towards Salt Lake City.
2. Take exit 64 and turn left underneath the highway onto US-93, head north on US-93. Follow for 85
miles
3. Turn left onto SR-318 north towards Hiko/Ely
4. Veer right on SR-318 towards Hiko/Ely. Follow for 83 miles
5. Turn left onto a dirt road (Wells Station road) just past mile marker 33. It is marked by a sizeable dirt
area and a wooden BLM sign. If you pass a sign for Gibson Road you have gone too far.
6. Follow this dirt road for 17.4 miles stay on the main road which is a will maintained road. See Map for
more detail
7. Turn right on a two track road follow this road for 1.1 miles to the project site. Road will be marked
with a temporary sign.
Camping will be made available at the Dave Deacon Campground at Kirch WMA (formerly Hot Creek
Campground). The camping provided is primitive RV camping without hookups. Water is available, as
are pit toilets, and established fire ring. Camping is first come first served and there are no designated
spots within the campground. To get to the campground follow these steps.
1. Take northbound US-15 towards Salt Lake City.
2. Take exit 64 and turn left underneath the highway onto US-93, head north on US-93. Follow for 85
miles
3. Turn left onto SR-318 north towards Hiko/Ely
4. Veer right on SR-318 towards Hiko/Ely. Follow for 83 miles
5. Traveling north on SR -318, at 67.5 miles from the junction with US-93, Just after mile marker 18 and
a brown sign for Kirch Wildlife Management Area, turn left onto a dirt road.
6. Follow this dirt road and the signs for Dave Deacon Campground. Take the right fork at 2.4 miles and
turn left for at 7.1 miles to reach the campground.