H\{\ SNAKE RIVER PLAINS OF IDAHO. [bwll.I&J. 
and the large springs in their vicinity, a detailed study would perhaps 
show that two or more water-charged layers are present. Before the 
relation of all the springs can be accurately determined and the best 
way to develop them pointed out it will be necessary to have an 
accurate topographic map of the region. 
In the bottom of Snake River Canyon near Bliss the water-charged 
stratum which supplies the springs upstream passes below the level of 
the river, on account of a gentle westward dip, and springs are rare 
for a distance of about iO miles. The reason for the general absence 
of springs in this section of the canyon is not only the greater depth 
of the layers which yielded water near Hagerman, the continuation of 
which to a considerable distance west of Bliss, however, is not 
positively known, but also the deep dissection of the portion of the 
plains lying north of Snake River. So far as T am aware, springs 
are absent or nearly so in Snake River Cany on between the mouth 
of Kinghill Creek to a locality several miles below the mouth of 
Rattlesnake Creek. North of the river in this section creeks, about 
eight in number, have cut deep canyons, which would prevent a 
water-bearing stratum above the level of the main stream from con- 
ducting its waters to the Snake River Canyon. It is to be expected, 
judging from the topographic and geologic conditions, that small 
springs occur in the canyon of the lateral streams, such as Alkali, 
Cold Spring, and Bennett creeks, but as to the fulfillment of this 
predication I am not informed. 
West of the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek, and near the point where 
Canyon Creek joins Snake River, large springs again occur. In that 
region there is a broad, uneroded plain leading from Snake River 
Canyon to the mountains north of Mountain Home. The canyon of 
Canyon Creek is short, and does not furnish an exception to the state- 
ment just made. For a distance of about 2 miles or more above the 
mouth of Canyon Creek soft sand and beds of gravel occur beneath the 
lava forming the upper portion of the canyon wall, and strong springs 
come out of the talus slopes and landslides encumbering the portion of 
the canyon's border below a prominent rim rock. These springs appear 
at a horizon about 500 feet below the top of the canyon, and have a tem- 
perature of 69° F. , or about 7° F. higher than the water of The Thou- 
sand Springs. The water of some of the springs referred to is used for 
the successful irrigation of orchards. Far more service could be 
obtained from the springs, however, by tracing up the water that 
emerges through talus to the horizon where it issues from a pervious 
stratum, and excavating horizontal wells. By this means a larger 
volume of water could be had, and at such elevation that it could be 
used over a much larger area than is at present possible. 
Canyon springs occur again, below the mouth of Canyon Creek, in 
the southeastern portion of Ada County, at Chapman's Ranch. They 
