The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-09-06
THE WONDERS OF THE NORTH WEST.

PROF. HAYDEN's REPORT IMPORTANT
GEOGRAPHICAL DIsCovERIEs-NEw LAKES
AND NUMEROUS GEYsERs FOUND.
1t is stated in the sixth annual report Of
the United States Geological Survey of the
Territories, by F. V. Hayden, United States
Geologist, that there is perhaps no more
unknown Or more interesting geographical
region in America than the different
branches of Snake River and the Madison
the great water divide of the Continent.
The maps now in process of construction
will almost entirely change the geography
of this wonderful region. Within radius
of ten miles may be found the sources of
the three 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 a height of 10000 to
$4,000 feet. Moving northward are the
various branches of the Missouri, Yellow
stone, and Wind rivers, which ali eventual
ly unite into one mighty stream, the Mis-
souri,. To the south are branches of Green
River, which untes with the Colorado and
probably entities into the Gulf of California,
while south and west flow the branches of
Snake River, which, uniting with the Co
lumbia, pour their vast volume of water
into the Pacific. The exploration of this
remarkable water divide proves that the
Madison Fork has its source in a small lake
ri
the so-called Madison Lake belongs entire
ly to the Pacific slope.
This latter lake was found to be about
twelve miles long and eight miles wide.
From this body of water flows stream
nearly 100 feet wide, which, after distance
of about five miles, empties into second
lake, which is four miles long and one and
a half miles wide. The former of these
lakes was named Shoshone and the latter
Lake Lewis, in honor to the great pioneer
explorer of the North West. AT the upper
end of Lake Shoshone, new geyser basin
was discovered, with from IS to 100 springs,
many of them geysers of considerable pow
or. The ornamentation about these springs
crate than those in Fire Hole Basin. The
divide between the Yellowstone lakes and
Lake Lewis was found to be about so feet
above the former and 200 feet above the
latter. This low ridge in the great water
divide of tho 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 sum
NIT Of the mountain the scope Division en-
braced radius of $50 miles, within which
40 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 so, 900 square miles,
o, nbracng every variety of grand and beau
tirul s'cenery of mountain and valley, prob
ably will, "ut parallel on the continent.
Ten large lakes and several smaller ones
were embraced in The view, and the entire
Yellowstone Park was spread out under the
eve. To the east the Wind River and Big
Horn ranges with the snow-clad SUBMITS
of Freemont's, Union, and Cloud Peaks
bounded the view; on the north, the Yellow
stone range, with Emigrant 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 wall-
satch range completed the mighty amphl-
:theater.
This remarkable view embraced large
yes1sion of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and
Utah Territories. About 40 small streams,
which unite and form the upper portion OF
Snake River, were carefully examined
The party then proceeded down the Valley
of Snake River through it's remarkable can
ons, examined Jackson's Lake and the
numerous streams that empty intothc main
river on either side. The report contains
S44 printed octave pages.