144 EXPLORATION OF THE CANONS OF THE COLORADO. 
ets often occur, and, as every shower washes down great quantities of the 
soft, clayey soil of the basin, the stream frequently presents the appearance 
of a river of mud. So great is the quantity of the clay held in solution 
that considerable difficulty is experienced in using its waters for irrigation 
at the Paria settlement. When turned into the fields it soon covers the whole 
surface with an impervious coat, that effectually prevents the water from 
sinking into the soil. 
The canon of Table Cliff Creek is wider than that of the Paria, and 
contains some hundreds of acres of land that might be cultivated, except for 
the limited quantity of water the creek affords. 
On the mesas, in the Paria Basin, is a considerable extent of grazing 
land. The lower end of Potato Valley is elevated about five thousand feet 
above the sea level, and contains two thousand acres of arable land. Potato 
Creek would easily furnish sufficient water to irrigate it. In the upper por 
tion of this valley are many acres of fine, natural meadows, while on the 
mesas and in the broken country is a fine range for cattle. 
We found no arable land within the limits of Escalante Basin. 
The eastern slope of the Aquarius Plateau has an average elevation of 
7,000 feet, and, though too high for cultivation, it furnishes the finest natural 
facilities for grazing. Grass grows abundantly everywhere, and streams of 
pure, cool water are met at intervals of every two or three miles. Indeed, 
from the depth, rapidity, and number of the streams we crossed flowing into 
the Escalante Basin, we supposed the river of that name carried twice the 
amount of water as the Paria, but when the boat party arrived at its junc 
tion with the Colorado, they found only a small stream, that a man could 
leap across; the greater portion had been absorbed, or evaporated in the 
sandstone basin. 
Along Pleasant Creek are about a thousand acres of land, which the 
water of the creek might be used to irrigate. We saw no arable land, and 
but one spring that we thought permanent, m the Henry Mountains. There 
is a small stream, which we called Trachyte Creek, east of the range, and 
flowing into the Colorado. There are some good grazing lands along its 
course, but none fit for cultivation. 
I estimate that not more than one per cent, of the land adjacent to our 
