6 



MISC. PUBLICATION 9 0, U. S. DEPT. OP AGRICULTURE 



crops without irrigation are narrow strips at the foot of the west 

 slope of the higher mountain ranges. Although only a little of the 

 foothill and valley land is capable of being farmed, it all receives 

 sufficient rainfall to support a vegetative cover that is of consider- 

 able economic value. As the air rises and strikes the mountains it 

 cools, and the cooling condenses much of the vapor, causing it to be 

 precipitated. As the air descends on the other side of the moun- 



JL 



V IRRIGATED LAND 



® HYbROELECTRlC POWER PLANT 



Figure 3. — Map showing irrigation and hydroelectric plants and national forests 



tains it tends to take up rather than to lose moisture, so that the 

 lowlands in Utah are very dry. Were it not for the high mountains 

 running from the north to the south end of the State, Utah would 

 all be semidesert. 



WATER FOR IRRIGATION 



In spite of the limited area suitable for farming, the production of 

 farm crops holds high rank among the State's industries. This 



