The spring used at the ranch had slowed to the point where stock could not be supported. Bracken recommended drilling a well.

Creek on the Las Vegas Ranch with a footbridge built over it

Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from back of photo: "The little creek at the Old Ranch used for irrigation - taken about 1940"

Letter to the president of the Las Vegas Land and Water Company complaining of the railroad pumping oil from a sump into Las Vegas Creek.

Letter to the Las Vegas Land and Water Company president about the cost of turning the Las Vegas Ranch into a demonstration ranch. The letter makes it very clear that the primary motivation in creating a demonstration ranch is the protection of their water rights.

McNamee states that although the Union Pacific Railroad owns the land that the springs are on and all the land it historically watered, to further protect their water right they should apply for the right to appropriate the water.

By virtue of having used it for decades, the Las Vegas Land and Water Company acquired the right to the water it used on the Las Vegas Ranch, independent of any deed.

Letter from H. C. Mann discussing Walter Bracken's recommendation to drill a new well to guarantee water for irrigation on the Las Vegas Ranch. Bracken's letter is referenced below.