La Junta tribune., 1911-08-05
Scenic Beauty SCOT Created BY Dam,

The engineers Of the reclamation
service have added a beautiful lake
TO wyoming's numerous scenic at
fractions BY closing the entrance
to narrow canyon in the Shoshone
River with the highest dam In the
world. broad mountain meadow has
been changed to a turquoise lake.
covering an area OF ten square miles
more than 100 feet deep The lake
is trimmed by lofty mountains which
In places slope 10 the waters edge.
and there are numerous bays where
the cliffs rise vertically two thous-
and feet Ia height As the lake Is
located in the region Of the yellow
stone National Park. the same wou-
derful and varied eolorings are found
on the rocks which make our national
park 50 interesting and attractive.
In early geologic times. the site %
the new lake vas occupied by sim
liar body Of water During count
less c.uiuri's its waters finding
cracks and crcvics-s In the mountain
barrier. gradually carved a canyon
through ahich the lake vas finally
empti-d The old lake b.d then BE-
came a vide grassy meadow over
which grazsd the herds Of buffalo.
ELK and deer. and later the cattle
and sheep OF the siogkmsn. When
the Shoshoue dam. concrete wedge
32s feet hish, Was placed in the
gorge. the meadow Sas submerged
and an enormous reservoir VAS ere
ated To-day this vast quantity Of
water Is perpetual guarantee 20
several hundred farmers that bounti-
fIl crops Will annually reward their
labors Twenty miles down the river
Is a broad level plain embracing li0.-
900 arras dotted with homes Of
pcW settlers Waving fields Of grain
and broad yistas Of alfalfa and suEar
be d have replaced a desert waste.
Located AZ favorable points 90 the
railroad which crosses the irrigated
lands are three thriving towrs. whose
substantial BUILDINGS and larEe stocks
oi goods reflect the prosperity and
success which has attended the =.
forts Of the farmer.
From a sheep pasture Of but little
yalu. this broad flat has become
rich agricultural region which In
scenic attractions, In d'ughtful cli.
mate and IN crop possibilities Is
. already taking first rank anon. the
prosperous farm communities Of the
. northwest
The settlers there are cosmopoli-
tan and up-to-daie. They come from
almost every part q the union and
goodly number are city bred The
subdivision OF the lands into farms
Of forty ard eiEhty acres each has
made the settlement compact Along
The main highways there are from
sixteen 20 thirtytgo homes to the
mile. giving M" country a suburban
appearance THIS grouping of farm
homes has numerous advantages II
eliminates tho loneliness and isola-
ton 10 common 10 country life.
with nclghbors all about social con.
ditions arr improved. The mono,ouy
which has always been the bane %
the farmers wife Is unknown In
these well irrigated valleys The rura
Telephone. circulating library and
woman's clubs all combine TO furnish
variety and relaxation. In the Sho.
shon" country the mountains all
about are inspiring In their beauty
aud grandeur. During the period
when the haryests are ripeninr or
after the crops ar. gathered. the
campers flock 10 them. The streams
teen ~ith trout and the national for.
esis abound with biz and little game.
To-day there are opportunities for ~
families To obtain homes on this
project. and the reclamation service
At Washington is ssnRnin. that every
one Of these farms will BE- occupied
before the end Of the present year.