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LAS VEGAS EVENING REVIEW JOURNAL Las Vegas, Nevada March 15, 1945 wacn lu iiie airstrip. WATER LEVEL DECLINE SHOWN A sharp decline in the water level of the Las Vegas valley is reported in survey of G. B. Maxey, resident engineer with the United States geological sur­vey, and Harry Jamison, artesian well supervisor of the state en­gineer’s office, who is collabor­ating in the survey. Specifically, the survey shows on hydrographs a flow of 25,000,- 000 gallons daily, during 1944, for population of 18,000 as com­pared to 20,000 in 1942, and the average flow, indicating a tre­mendous waste, according to the authorities. It also shows 450 wells operat­ing in the valley,*’ compared to 125 wells, 21 years ago. The hydrograph shows the sharpest decline in 1944. The survey finished over an area of 3,600 miles with assists m bet Till 5-tf ance of aerial maps and all facilities of the government and state’ offices interested, is made to ascertain discharge and amount of recharge from aqua-fiers, or water bearing beds to balancing the discharge for prop­er usage in domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes, also to ascertain the reserve. It includes observation of the watersheds in the Charleston range from the north side of Lee’s canyon to Potosi moun­tain, also that of precipitation. In the latter the mean since 1937 has been i 4.62 * inches annually, with a-maximum of 8 inches in 1941*. Although the graph on precipitation may lag behind that of water levels, it corresponds, on rise and fair and shows defin­ite relationship to the water supply from artesian sources. Maxey and Jamison have been working under usual manpower, shortage disadvantages. With completion of the survey pic­tured on graphs, they are work­ing to complete the narrative re­port. With seasonal increase in water usages, particularly for irrigation, cooling systems and gardening, both advise conserva­tion with least possible waste as best method to assist in solution of the Las Vegas valley water problem. ?________ P P R MAR 17 1945 V * ^V