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Show VALLEY 07 THE JORDAN AND 0? LAKE UTAH. 215 torrent, at a narrow chasm, where the banks were high enough for landing, and then the frail, bending boat, by repeated journeys, carried us all over safe, with our baggage and instruments. It was a severe day's work, however, and the risk of life and property • ery g* e* t> *> ut the only insurance to be had was in the company of 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. Along the Weber, below the cafion, is a narrow meadow strip, and to the south a flanking spur from the mountains, of six successive terraces, ten miles broad, and sloping to the lake. These are grazing lands for Weber settlement South of the terrace pastures commences a series of creeks of bright, sparkling water, that irrigate a strip of land averaging two miles in width, and extending to the vicinity of Hot' Spring, three miles from Salt Lake City. This includes Miller's and Session's settlements, and is covered with lovely fields and gardens. From the hot spring to the city are numerous warm fountains that deposite gypsum and other sulphates. These waters give delightful baths, but destroy the fertility of the soil. The south shore- line of the lake, from the mouth of Jordan River, was measured by the chain on the soft, sandy beach and barrens. The line of the Jordan river was previously chained, and I passed over the traverse range with the triangulation in the valley of Lake Utah. From the Jordan cafion to Dry Cotton- wood is a grazing range. At the outlet of the lake there is a reed marsh which, by early cutting the dense growth, a pretty hay can be made. It will be difficult to obtain irrigable land until we reach the Spring creek, and we have to rely on the American Fork for water to irrigate with. A beautiful and wide bottom land lies along the lake shore, for some miles under the control of this stream; and from the crossing to the heads of Fomont- quint is a rich alluvial soil, mixed with vegetable mould. A series of rolling, round hills now occur between the Pomont creek and Timpanogas, well grassed for cattle ranges. On the Timpanogas bottoms wheat grows most luxuriantly, and root- crops are seldom excelled. A continuous field can be made thence to the Wa- ke- te- ke creek, and the lovely Utah valley made to sustain a population of more than a hundred thousand inhabitants. The west of the lake is grazing land, and a road on this side to the southern settlements is the natural line of travel from the capital city below. Warm springs issue near the outlet, and the mists from the cooling waters give at all sea- |
