394 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



up, although, during prolonged dry seasons, and, in fact, to a limited 

 extent every Summer and Autumn, the water falls sufficiently to expose a 

 vast tract of land on the southern and northern shores. 



The scenery of this valley and lake presents many elements of beauty. 

 The soil and geological formation is similar to that of Surprise Valley, with 

 perhaps a larger admixture of clay. The best soil is found on the eastern 

 half of the valley, or west slope of the Warner Mountains, owing, doubtless, 

 to the erosive action of the elements and mountain torrents on the volcanic 

 rocks which abound in this range. The soil of the west side of the valley 

 is a mixture of clay and sand, impregnated with alkali, and supports a 

 luxuriant growth of sagebrush. Along some of the watercourses on that 

 side the soil is more fertile. The principal settlement is at Davis Creek, 

 on a gradual slope towards the southeastern shores of the lake. Here the 

 action of Davis Creek has formed a peninsula, which extends two and 

 one half to three miles into the lake. This hamlet is about twenty-five 

 miles in a northeastern direction from Alturas, the county seat. Another 

 thrifty settlement, known as Willow Ranch, is located about fourteen miles 

 north of Davis Creek; and still another settlement on New Pine Creek, ten 

 miles north of the latter place, and close to the Oregon boundary line. 

 The various mountain streams, especially those in the localities mentioned, 

 have carried immense deposits into the lake and formed numerous deltas. 

 This new formation is more or less marshy, and portions of it are covered 

 with tules, but the land lying somewhat higher, is good meadow land, and 

 the higher tracts, as in Surprise Valley, are specially adapted for the 

 production of cereals, requiring not infrequently irrigation, especially 

 for garden produce. Numerous settlements are scattered throughout the 

 valley, some occupying the low lands, but most of the settlers have built 

 their premises on the western slope of the Warner Mountains. It will be 

 observed that Surprise Valley is bounded with low mountains on the east 

 and high mountains on the west, while the inverse condition obtains in 

 Goose Lake Valley. In consequence thereof, the latter valley receives a 

 larger precipitation of snow and moisture, and is more exposed to the pre- 

 vailing winds from the west. The arrangement of the mountains, the con- 

 sequent water supply and fertility of the soil, also influences the settlement 

 of the two valleys. While in Surprise Valley most of the settlements are 

 in the west half of the valley, the majority of the people in Goose Lake 

 Valley have selected the eastern half. The combined population is prob- 

 ably over two thousand. 



Both valleys contain numerous thermal springs, especially Surprise Val- 

 ley; some of these are very justly believed to possess medicinal properties. 

 The alkaline taste and temperature of the water, 100° Fahrenheit, point to 

 desirable properties in the treatment of rheumatic affections. Unfortunately 

 no analysis has been made. 



I need scarcely mention that an analysis of the alkaline lakes in Sur- 

 prise Valley might benefit the resources of the State by inducing enter- 

 prising capitalists to utilize these waters in the manufacture of chemicals. 



Climatology of Surprise and Goose Lake Valleys. 



1. Temperature. 



Table No. 1 covers a period of twenty years, and may be regarded as an 

 established standard of the climate of this beautiful mountain valley of 

 California. It is my impression that the climate of Goose Lake Valley does 

 not materially differ from that of Surprise Valley, except that it receives a 



