17 



Sometimes, usually iu late winter or enrly spring, but liable to come 

 at any time, there occur snowstorms of great severity — blizzards wbich 

 last from one to three days. Inasmuch as these are accompanied or 

 followed by high winds, the plains or level stretches are soon blown 

 bare, the snow being i)iled in great drifts under the brow' of some range 

 of hills, in the many draws and ravines, and to the leeward of patches 

 of sage-brush and grease-wood. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



To say that the water supply is very limited and of poor quality is 

 hardly necessary. The name of the region and the names of its creeks 

 tell the tale without comment. Bitter Creek, with its tributaries, con- 

 stitutes the drainage system. This creek originates in the height of 

 land in the southeastern portion, takes a westward course, and, after a 

 tortuous Journey of probably 75 miles, empties into Green River. 



Probably at no time is it quite dry, but in no part of its course, except 

 iu flood time, is it so wide that one can not in many places step from 

 bank to bank. Its only tributary from the north is Killpacker Creek, 

 while from the south it receives Little Bitter Creek and South Bitter 

 Creek. The latter is very generally called Salt Wells Creek, but in 

 character of water is very similar to the others, and in size almost 

 equals the main stream. 



In the northern part of the desert a few other small creeks originate, 

 but they are all entirely lost in the sandy depressions toward which 

 they flow or in the nearly dry alkali lakes which they feed. The names 

 of these are suggestive, such as Lost Creek, Alkali Creek, Lost Soldier 

 Creek, Separation Creek, and others nearly as significant. 



As may be expected, the waters of these creeks are practically satu- 

 rated solutions of the soluble mineral ingredients found in the soils of 

 the tributary basins. At no time either during flood or drought are 

 their waters suitable for domestic use. 



There are, however, within the region a number of springs, or rather 

 groups of springs, but these are often at great distances from each 

 other. The waters of most of them are of a mineral character, iron and 

 sulphur being of most frequent occurrence. These latter, with the few 

 non mineral springs, furnish the available potable waters of the region, 

 at present at least, with one exception noted below. 



If the surface waters are bad, the artesian waters are not much bet- 

 ter. The Union Pacific Railroad Company has put down wells at sev- 

 eral points between Rawlins and Creen River, some of which furnish 

 an abundance of water for steam puri)()ses, but so far only one has been 

 found suitable for domestic use. This one, located at Point of Rocks, 

 furnishes an almost unlimited supply of " good " sulphur water. It is 

 the only source of water supply for all stations between Rawlins and 

 Rock Springs, the latter securing its water from Green River by pipe 

 line. To a score of stations and section houses, covering 121 miles of 



3018— No. 13 2 



