The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-28

AcSS'NND Ff-EA AnpNH IhE Lev FL VI
THE SEA-
WASHINGTON, August lit is stated in
the sixth annual report Of the United States
geological survey Of the territories, by II.
V. Hayden, United States Geologist, that
there is perhaps no more unknown or more
interesting geographical region in America
than the different branches of the Snake
river and the Madison--the great water di-
vide of the continent. The maps now in
process of construction will almost entirely
change the geography of this wonderful re
gion. Within a radius of ten miles may be
found the sources of three of the largest
rivers in America. The general elevation is
from 1000 to 5000 feet above the sea, while
the mountains, whose eternal SHOWS form
the sources of these great rivers, rise to q
height af 10, 900 to 10, 900 feet. Flowing
northward are the various branches of the
Missouri, Yellowstone and Wind rivers,
which all eventually unite into one mighty
stream, the Missouri. To the south are the
branches of Green river, which unites with
the Colorado, and empties into the Gulf of
California; while south and west flow the
branches of Snake river, which, uniting
with the Columbia, pour their vast vOlumo
of water into the Pacific.
The exploration of this remarkable water
divide proves that the Madison Fork has It's
source in small lake not hitherto noted On
any map, and that the sO-called Madison
lake belongs entirely on the Pacific slope.
This latter lake was found to he about
twelve miles long and eight miles wide.
From this body of water flows a stream
nearly one hundred feet wide, which, after
distance Of about FIVE miles, empties into
second lake, which is four miles long and
one and half miles wide. The former ol
these lakes was named Shoshone, and the
latter Lake Lewis, in honor of the great
pioneer explorer of the Northwest. At the
upper end of Lake ShOshOne new geyseI
basin was discovered with from seventy-fivc
to one hundred springs, many of them gey-
sers of considerable power. The Ornamen-
tation about these springs was regarded as
more interesting and elaborate than those in
Five-IIole Basin. The divide between the
Yellowstone lake and Lake Lewis was found
to be about fifty feet above the former, and
two hundred feet above the latter. This
low ridge in the great water divide of the
continent has doubtless given rise to the
story of the Two Ocean river, and such a
stream has found its way to most of our
printed maps.
From the summit of the mountain the
scope of vision embraced radius of one
hundred and fifty miles, within which -four
hundred and seventy mountain peaks
worthy of name could be distinctly observed.
The area that could be swept by the eye
from this point could not have been less
than fifty thousand square miles, embracing
every variety of grand and beautiful
scenery of mountain and valley, probably
without parallel on the continent. Ten
large lakes and several smaller ones were
embraced in the view, and the entire Vel
lOwstone Park was spread out under the
eye. To the east the Wind river and Big
Horn ranges, with the snow-clad SUBMITS OF
FremOnt's, Union and Cloud Peaks bounded
the view. On the north the Yellowstone
range, with EmigTant Peak, and many OF
the loftiest mountains of Montana were
clearly seen. To the west the numerous
ranges comprised in what are called the
Salmon river mountains of Idaho form the
horizon of vision in that direction, while
the mountains near Fort Hall and the Wah-
satch range completed the mighty amphi-
theatre. This remarkable view embraced a
large portion of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
and Utah territories. About forty small
streams, which unite and form the upper
portion of Snake river, were carefully ex-
amined.
The party then proceeded down the val
ley of Snake river, through its remarkable
canOns, examining JacksOn's lake and the
numerous streams that empty into the main
river on either side.
The report contains s44 printed octave
pages.