ABSTRACT
The Great Basin of Nevada has abundant small sand dunes and other aeolian features leeward of most intermittent lakes or major drainage courses. Repetitive movement of salt crystals, silt, and clay by “dust-devils” is relatively insignificant and ceases when deflation reaches a resistant substrate. Presently active dune sand is derived from remobilization of preexisting dune forms, and where disturbed by man’s activities, movement is sufficient to endanger highways and range land or greatly increase soil erosion. Increased agribusiness and installation of deep-well irrigation systems in desert valleys where electric power is just now becoming available results in a threshold crossing that is reactivating stabilized dunes or sand sheets.
