242 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



which here descend abruptly to the plains. The length of this semicir- 

 cular belt, from the exit of the Jordan to Santaguin, is about fifty miles, 

 with an average width of six. This entire area of three hundred square 

 miles can be irrigated, the numerous streams that rush down from the 

 mountain canons affording sufficient water to irrigate not only the lower 

 bottoms, but also the broad elevated plateau that extends from Battle 

 Creek to Provo Kiver.* For a long time this plateau was supposed to 

 be beyond the reach of any of the streams in the vicinity, and was con- 

 signed to inutility, but a little energy has recently shown that this was 

 a mistake. A canal, commencing some distance up Provo Canon, has 

 been constructed along the steep mountain slopes, and now brings the 

 water from Provo Kiver to the highest point of this elevated plain, and 

 when I passed through here the secondary ditches were filled with water, 

 spreading here and there large pools over the dry plains. Although I 

 saw but one field in cultivation, farms were being marked off and prep- 

 arations made for cultivating the soil. And I believe that this once 

 rejected plat will prove the best wheat-growing tract in the valley of 

 Utah Lake, and that ere long it will be dotted over with farm-houses 

 and fields of golden grain. 



The following is a list of the streams that run down from the moun- 

 tain and cross this shore-strip, given in the order in which they come, 

 beginning at the north end of the lake. Dry Creek, American Fork, 

 Battle Creek, Provo Eiver, Spring Creek, Hobble Creek, Spanish Fork, 

 and Petenete Creek ; Summit Creek, which crosses the road south of the 

 lake, is a tributary of the Petenete. These streams are bordered by no 

 valleys or bottoms within the mountains, for, with the exception of 

 Provo Eiver, they do not reach beyond the first range, but rushing down 

 its slope enter suddenly upon the plain and sweep across it to the lake. 



The soil is generally very fertile, that along the margin of the lake 

 having a large proportion of vegetable mold mixed with it; that near 

 the mountain and on the plateau is intermingled with small boulders, 

 but not to such a degree as to injure it. From Battle Creek north, and 

 from Provo Biver south, it is pretty well settled and most of the choice 

 bottom lands occupied, but there is a broad strip along the lake margin 

 not cultivated but used as meadow land to graze the cattle belonging 

 to the citizens of the little villages located on the creeks. Including 

 Tintic and Cedar Valleys there are at least twenty-five thousand acres 

 of irrigated land in Utah County, and even this estimate may fall con- 

 siderably below the true figures, for if the canal cut from the Provo is 

 of . sufficient capacity to water the whole surface of the plateau, this 

 alone would amount to over twenty thousand acres, and would increase 

 my estimate to thirty-five thousand, as I include but ten thousand in the 

 first figures. ' 



Tintic Valley, which lies southwest of Utah Lake, is a narrow, bay- 

 like indentation in the range of hills or low mountains that sweeps 

 around the west side of the basin. It is about twenty-five miles long 

 north and south, and four or five miles wide, and is watered principally 

 by springs. As there are very few streams from which water can be 

 drawn to irrigate the soil, a small portion only of the land can be brought 

 under culture, but as a grazing section it probably stands next to the 

 Cache Valley. The grass grows luxuriantly and is kept fresh and nu- 

 tritious by the water from the numerous springs, and the comparatively 

 mild climate prevents the necessity of winter feeding or shelter, as some- 

 times required in the north part of the Territory. 



* This stream was formerly called the Timpanogas, and this is the na.me generally 

 found on the maps and in public documents. 



