50 THE AMES FORESTER 



limited amount for local consumption. Now, however, a timber 

 sale of approximately 120,000 M. B. F. is under way. The 

 larger portion of the area of this Forest is chiefly valuable 

 for watershed protection and the forage over the entire area. 



The geological formation and consequent topographic con- 

 ditions of this region are in a large measure responsible for 

 the value of this Forest from a grazing standpoint. 



The entire Forest is part of that great lava flow known as 

 the Columbia River plateau which covers 250,000 square mile's 

 of this northwest territory. Thia great lava flow surrounds 

 several prominent mountain ridges which stand out boldly. Of 

 these mountain ranges, the Wallowa mountains are mostly 

 within the boundaries of this Forest. 



The entire Forest lies within the Snake River drainage area 

 Snake River itself forming the 70 miles of eastern boundary. 

 Along the boundary the river has a comparatively low eleva- 

 tion of from 900 to 1600 feet above sea level. From Snake 

 River the elevation rises by successive stages to about 10,000 

 feet in the Wallowa mountains with a consequent variation in 

 climate. It is this variation in climate that makes this For- 

 est of particular value from a grazing standpoint. 



The precipitation of the region varies from 12 inches at the 

 lower altitudes to 30 inches or more on the high mountains, 

 and either dry farming methods or irrigation are resorted to 

 on the ranches within or adjacent to the Forest. 



While the timber values of this region are great, it is prob- 

 able that the community and its development are more de- 

 pendent on the stock-raising industry than on any other one 

 thing, and the forage on the National Forest lands is the 

 greatest item in the stock-raising industry of this region, 

 comprising, as they do, a large percent of the available range. 

 Previous to the creation of this Forest there was a mad 

 scramble for the range, without system or regulation. This 

 state of affairs continued for years with a consequent deple- 

 tion of ranges and a gradual diminution of the forage re- 

 sources on which the community development is dependent. 

 It is safe to say, that had not the National Forest been estab- 

 lished and grazing regulated, much of the available range 

 would have been ruined. 



