. Exploration and survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah : including a reconnoissance of a new route through the Rocky Mountains. . ngcanals seldom equalled. On its bank is the sight of Ogden meadows, the river level of which is subject to overflow,are below the junction with the Weber; and I estimate forty squaremiles on these streams as capable of cultivation. The freshets had swept off all the bridges, and embarrassed usmuch. To survey the delta of Weber and cross the rivers re-quired boats. We obtained hides, and, by the aid of some Flat-head Indians, constructe
. Exploration and survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah : including a reconnoissance of a new route through the Rocky Mountains. . ngcanals seldom equalled. On its bank is the sight of Ogden meadows, the river level of which is subject to overflow,are below the junction with the Weber; and I estimate forty squaremiles on these streams as capable of cultivation. The freshets had swept off all the bridges, and embarrassed usmuch. To survey the delta of Weber and cross the rivers re-quired boats. We obtained hides, and, by the aid of some Flat-head Indians, constructed a bull-boat, by taking willow rods andlaying a keel and longitudinal ribs between two stakes driven intothe ground, marking the length, and then cross-sticks, tied withthongs, making the skeleton of a canoe. Three hides were sewedtogether, the sides of the centre one and one end of each of theothers being joined and then softened in water: they were nowstretched over the willow work, and the seams made tight by acomposition of melted tallow and ashes. Our wagons were takeninto parts, a rope was stretched over a foaming, tossing, boiling. VALLEY OF THE JORDAN AND OF LAKE UTAH. 215 torrent, at a narrow chasm, where the banks were high enoughfor landing, and. then the frail, bending boat, by repeated journeys,carried us all over safe, with our baggage and instruments. Itwas a severe days work, however, and the risk of life and propertyvery great; but the only insurance to be had was in the companyof prudence, skill, and perseverance. Between Weber and Ogden the land is too high for irrigation,except by some rivulets which afford but a small supply. Alongthe Weber, below the canon, is a narrow meadow strip, and to thesouth a flanking spur from the mountains, of six successive teiTaces,ten miles broad, and sloping to the lake. These are grazing landsfor Weber settlement. South of the terrace pastures commences aseries of creeks of bright, sparkling water, that irrigate a strip ofl
Size: 1224px × 2041px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorbairdspencerfullerton, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850
