Visitors to the Jack and Bernice Newell Open Space Preserve, a 640-acre property east of American Canyon, could have a source of drinking water, thanks to a well the city plans to dig on the property.

The American Canyon City Council on Oct. 2 unanimously approved to pay for a well that would allow the city to provide water troughs for the cattle that graze the land, for a fee.

The city would then fence off the creek that runs through the vacant land, all in an effort to preserve and restore the creeks' banks and watershed.

American Canyon Public Works Director Robert Weil said the plans and construction of the well, a project estimated at $24,800, will be paid in part with grazing fees totaling $5,000.

The grazing cattle, owned by a local rancher, help keep the fire danger down, according to the city.

The rancher leases the land, Weil said.

American Canyon, which primarily relies on the North Bay Aqueduct for its water supplies, has discussed alternative sources of water, including ground water.

Weil said the city wanted to better understand its groundwater supply, hoping to find a real "gusher."

A technical survey of the site, however, indicates that wells at Newell Opens Space would only provide low-yield water supplies.

Access to the property, which connects to Lynch Canyon in Solano County, has been problematic, primarily because of the lack of water.

The construction of the solar-powered pump could be paid with county grant money.

Scouts are among the volunteers who have cleared brush at the site. A group of scouts are now building a picnic area.

Jim Mates, Boy Scouts Troop 62's assistant scout master, said having water at Newell Open Space will encourage more hikers to go there.