BLM issues proposed decision for Dry Canyon water development
CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management has issued a proposed Decision to provide a reliable water source for desert bighorn sheep away from Highway 95, in Hawthorne, Nevada in Mineral County. This proposal would be used to discourage movement toward the roadway and Walker Lake. Water would be sourced from the existing spring in Dry Canyon. A spring box and 2‑inch high density polyethylene pipe would be installed, with approximately 1,550 feet of pipeline buried beneath or adjacent to the existing road. The pipeline would feed four 2,000‑gallon storage tanks connected to a wildlife drinker modeled after NDOW’s standard guzzler design. This system would ensure year‑round water availability in upland habitat, reducing dependence on highway‑adjacent water sources. A wildlife friendly two rail pipe fence would be installed around the tanks and drinker, encompassing approximately 0.5 acres.
The Decision Record and other documents are available at BLM National NEPA Register | DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2026-0012-CE Project Home
For more information, please contact Jonathan Gordon, Wildlife biologist, at 775-885-6105 or jgordon@blm.gov
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.