The Reese River is a

tributary A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainag ...

of the Humboldt River, located in central

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a state in the Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the 7th-most extensive, ...

in the western United States. The Reese rises in the southern section of the Toiyabe Range, on the flanks of

Arc Dome Arc Dome is the highest mountain of the Toiyabe Range in northwestern Nye County, Nevada, United States. It is the thirteenth-highest mountain in the state. Arc Dome also ranks as the second-most topographically prominent peak in Nye County and t ...

. In its upper reaches, the Reese River is a fast-flowing mountain stream surrounded by relatively lush growth, including

Aspen Aspen is a common name for certain tree species; some, but not all, are classified by botanists in the section ''Populus'', of the ''Populus'' genus. Species These species are called aspens: *'' Populus adenopoda'' – Chinese aspen (Chin ...

groves and cottonwood trees. It then flows north between the Toiyabe Range and the Shoshone Mountains for approximately half its length. The river then passes through a low point in the Shoshone Mountains and continues north between that range and the Fish Creek Mountains. Once it exits the Toiyabe Range, it becomes a slow, muddy stream, and its waters are used for irrigation by scattered farms and ranches along its lower reaches. Although considered a

of the Humboldt, in most years, the Reese dwindles into a chain of shallow pools long before it reaches the

main stem In hydrology, a mainstem (or trunk) is "the primary downstream segment of a river, as contrasted to its tributaries". Water enters the mainstem from the river's drainage basin, the land area through which the mainstem and its tributaries flow.. ...

. Only during infrequent floods does the Reese contribute water to the Humboldt, entering near Battle Mountain.Horton, Gary A. (2000)
Humboldt River Chronology: an Overview
Carson City, Nev.: Nevada Division of Water Planning. pp. 55-59. Nevada State Route 305 parallels the lower, usually dry portion of the channel from the Austin area to Battle Mountain. The river is named after John Reese, who explored the area in 1854 as part of the expedition of Colonel Edward Steptoe, and who later served as a guide to Captain

James H. Simpson James Hervey Simpson (1813–1883) was an officer in the U.S. Army and a member of the United States Corps of Topographical Engineers. Early years He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on March 9, 1813, the son of John Simpson and Mary Bru ...

's survey of a military road through central Nevada. The mining boomtown of Austin, located in the upper reaches of the Reese River, names its long-lived newspaper the ''Reese River Reveille''."Reese River Reveille Newspaper, Austin, NV." Goaustinnevada.com. 2010. Web. 09 June 2012. .

Reese River excitement

The Reese River excitement took place in 1862 and 1863 in the river valley. During this period, the area was explored and settled. After Austin was founded, prospectors went south to explore the Toiyabe Range and crossed the border of Lander County and Esmeralda County. Three mining districts were organized in the Toiyabe Range in Esmeralda County, namely Marysville, Twin River, and Washington. Also, several villages and ranches were established in the county. After the Toiyabe Range, the Shoshone Mountains were found, and in 1863 silver was found on the western side of the mountain range. At that place, Union District was organized, and the village

Ione Ione may refer to: Places * Ione, California, a city * Ione, Colorado, an unincorporated community * Ione, Nevada, an unincorporated community * Ione, Oregon, a city * Ione, Washington, a town * Ionopolis or Ione, an ancient town near Antioch ...

was founded. Nye County was established as a result of the Reese River excitement: inhabitants of Union District signed a petition in which they said the district was far from

Aurora An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...

and Austin, the county seats of respectively Esmeralda and Lander County. Nye County was created by the Nevada Legislature on February 16, 1864.

References

{{authority control Pony Express stations Rivers of Nevada Tributaries of the Humboldt River Rivers of Lander County, Nevada Rivers of Nye County, Nevada Rivers of the Great Basin