CHAPTER III. 

 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE LAHONTAN BASIN. 



VALLEYS. 



The region once occupied by Lake Lahontan is a typical portion of 

 the great area of interior drainage of which it forms a part. The valleys 

 throughout the region have an elevation of from 3,900 to 4,500 feet above 

 the sea, and are approximately level plains that have been regions of accu- 

 mulation for an indefinite period Separating the valleys are rugged and 

 angular mountain ranges rising from a few hundred to four or five thousand 

 feet above the adjacent lowlands The basin of the ancient lake, as well as 

 the greater part of the region that drained into it, may with truth be called 

 a desert country. The absolutely barren portions, however, with the excep- 

 tion of the mountain tops, are mostly confined to the Carson, Smoke Creek, 

 and Black Rock deserts, which are completely destitute of vegetation over 

 hundreds of square miles 



The smaller valleys, although mostly desolate and valueless for agri- 

 culture, are usually covered with a scattered growth of sage-brush and 

 sometimes with other desert shrubs, and perhaps produce sufficient bunch- 

 grass to form natural pastures. The soil throughout the valleys is usually 

 more or less alkaline, but where water can be had for irrigation it is fre- 

 quently found to be capable of producing good crops of grass and cei'eals. 



The areas where irrigation has been successful are along the immediate 

 banks of the Humboldt and Reese rivers, in the canon of the Truckee, and 

 narrow strips bordering the Carson and the Walker. Some portions of the 



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