Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-02-13
THE GREAT SALT LAKE.

THE GREAT SALT LAKE.
Among the great natural curiosities of North
america, the great saline body of water in
ofah Territory, known as the Great Salt Lake,
stands in the first order. The Lake itself is not
individually so great curiosity, as when view
ed in connection with correlative indications,
which gives us combination of natural Won
ders, truly astounding. The water rmarks S
snow that the Lake is now mere remnant of
what was one of the mighty water collections
OF the earth-perhaps of body of water that
spread itself throughout the whole Utah basin.
Provo Lake, body of water distant perhaps
seVenty-tye miles from the great Lake is sur
rounded by indications of a. ike character. that
directly point to an early poriod when its jndi-
viduallty was lost within the limits of mighty
sea that absorbed both itself and Great Salt
Lake. Along the base of the mountain-wails
OF the valley, if we may so term the limits of
the basin, are distinct water marks of various
elevations. They are clearly discernible at a
distance of twenty five miles, the more eleva-
ted being from twenty-five to one hundred feet
above the level of the valley. They are al
most conclusive evidence that great sea once
existed in Utah valley, whose breakers have
left their power indented upon the rocky front
OF their mountain confines as monument of
their power. The different elevations of these
water-marks show the gradual declnation of
this sea from body of water covering, may
present salinas body of about sixty miles in
length and forty or fifty in width. This pre-
sumption is strengthened by the existence,
throughout the entire valley, of aqutile de-
posits, such as shells, petriied fishes, water
worms, rocks. etc. Upon this theory, the III
ference may be drawn that Great Salt Lake is
gradually diminishing, but this is not the case !;
it is now reduced to basis of fixed causes
which will give it perpetuity in its present ex-
tent. The moisture of the atmosphere of
those ATTITUDES is sufficient to always keep it
supplied with uniform quantity Of water.
The melting snow Of the noun tains swells the
rivers in the spring and summer that empty
into it, and when this melting is prevented by
the GOODNESS of the fall and winter, those riv-
ers fall, and by evaporation the lake rapidly
declines-the evaporation carrying off more
water than the streams deposit. 1t is in this
declining condition that coarse salt is obtain
ed from the beach of the lake in quantities dd
infinifum. Now, so long as the same meteoro
logical sy stem prevails, the lake must contin-
lie the same as now.
No theory is settled upon by scientific men
as to the cause of the salty nature of the lake.
We have an opinion of our own, which We be-
ffeve to be rational. The rivers emptying in
to it-Canaan, Jordan, Webber, Malade, and
numerous smaller streams-head in the noun
tains, where they are supplied by myriads Of
mountain brooks, some OF which undoubtedly
nave tneiT Salt springs. 1neSe OrOOkS lmpreg-
nate the great water-carriers of the lake with
salt-to so small an extent, though it be, that
it is not perceptible to the taste; and they
carry it into the lake, where it must forever
remain and accumulate, as evaporation increa-
ses the proportion of the salt to the water.
The salt may have been carried to the lake o.
yer hundred miles, and it has perhaps been
accumulating there for thousands of years, and
thus 1t must continue to accumulate through
ali time if the supply should be inexhaustible
The volcanic indications surrounding the
lake are peculiarly impressive, and could well
be made the subject of the natural phloso-
piers study. The whole face of the country
appears to have passed through caloric infuen-
ces of the intensest character. Enorm Gus
rocks fringe its margin, which are charred as
black as ebony from the operation of heat,
and their fragmentary condition bespeaks the
mighty commissions which they have passed
through. Near the lakes centre there is quite
a large island, upon which these volcanic in
dications are equally emphatic. This island
is very fertile, and is owned by the Church,
which institution holds it for the exclusive
purpose of grazing. All the stock which
comes into the tithing- -office-all Mormons are
compelled to pay one-tenth of everything that
they make or raise, to the Church-are taken
to this island, and there must be thousands of
head upon it. 1t is reached by small sailing
vessels. So extremely salt is the water of the
Lake that piscatory life is impossible. Its
average depth is ifty feet.-Oregon News.