240 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



the higher lands south of Weber River may be rendered fit for cul- 

 ture. 



The soil, although in many places covered with artemisia, and more 

 or less impregnated with saline matter, is very rich and productive, as 

 the farms already under cultivation show. 



The northern and southern portions contain the principal settlements, 

 as there the land is lowest and most easily irrigated. 



As the productions of this and the remaining portions of the basin are 

 similar, I will speak of them after I have described the different sec- 

 tions. 



The valley of the Jordan extends almost directly north and south from 

 Utah Lake to Great Salt Lake ; the lofty peaks of Wahsatch range 

 walling it in on the east, and theOquirrh Mountains bounding it on the 

 west. 



From the lower end of the canon to its northern extremity, where it 

 spreads out and becomes a part of what I have included in the Salt 

 Lake Valley, is about twenty-six miles, and its average width fully 

 fifteen miles. This gives nearly four hundred square miles as its area, 

 which may appear small to those who have read the glowing descrip- 

 tions of it. Lieutenant Beckwith gives thirty miles as its length, and 

 twenty as its width ; but he counts from Utah Lake and includes the 

 mountain slopes, while I confine my estimate to the valley plains, four- 

 fifths of which can be irrigated ; and I also exclude from the calculation 

 that part of the lake shore bordering the river, which I have included 

 in the former section. 



The direct length, by Government survey, from the base line which 

 runs near the north side of the city to the southern line of Salt Lake 

 County, which crosses near the caiion, is just twenty-four miles.* The 

 greater part of this beautiful valley can be irrigated, and I estimate its 

 cultivable area at four-fifths, or about three hundred square miles. 



Most of the tributaries of the Jordan enter it from the east side, and 

 south of the creek that waters the city the only ones of any importance 

 are Mill, Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Willow Creeks. 

 Ditches have recently been made along the eastern border of the valley, 

 drawing the water from Cottonwood Creeks near the mountain and 

 carrying it on the plateau that occupies a considerable area on this side 

 of the river. 



This effort has clearly demonstrated the possibility and practicability 

 of irrigating nearly every acre on the east side of the river, north of 

 Willow Creek. Although but little of this plateau or higher level has 

 been tilled, yet the primary canals and a number of the smaller ditches 

 are already made, and when I passed through the valley in September 

 last were filled with running water. 



In the vicinity of Willow Creek there is a small area of slightly rolling 

 land, which probably cannot be irrigated from any of the streams, not 

 because of its elevation, but because this creek does not furnish suf- 

 ficient water. If it is possible to establish reservoirs along the base of 

 the mountain there will be no necessity for even this remaining idle. 



An extensive canal is now in course of construction for the purpose 

 of irrigating the great body of land on the west side of the river. Start- 

 ing within the caiion, and but a few feet below the level of Utah Lake, 

 the intention is to carry the water from the Jordan along the base of 

 the Oquirrh Mountains, at as high a level as possible. This will furnish 



* The table of distances given iu Stansbury's Report, p. 294, makes the distance from 

 the State House to the summit of the hill at the caiion twenty-five miles, which is tho 

 correct road measure. 



