Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-07-06

summer and fall spent considerable
time in Shasta Valley, California, and
entered two great volcanic caverns
that underlie the valley near the
northwest base of Mt. Shasta. From
what l saw there am led to believe
that such caverns of volcanic origin
are of frequent occurrence and of
great extent. 1t would not surprise
me if the disappearance of Lost river
near the head of Langells Valley and
it's temperance in immense springs
at Bonanza (if we could trace it, is
through volcanic conduits. The great
springs about the upper klamath also
suggest relief to the big klamath
marsh" and Crater Lake.
Il find the study of Shasta Valley
particularly interesting and believe
a careful study of it will be of great
benefit as we'll as scientific interest.
At the risk of tiring you, I'll venture
a few facts and suggestions l deduce
from them.
"a big irrigation scheme is being
projected for Shasta Valley and the
preliminary work is in progress.
Water is what they need most The
soil is rich and the climate good for
agriculture. Where they have water
the results are good, but the region
is volcanic ash and sand lying upon
a very porous Gaping of basaltic
lava, in and under which are volcanic
caverns and tunnels. 1 was in one
for distance of perhaps three-quar-
ters of mile. 1t declined at mod
crate angle. It's sides were very reg
ular and showing beyond doubt that
molten masses had used it as high
way to the surface. 1t was quite reg
ular and had an arched roof. It's
average width 1 would estimate at
40 feet and its height at 80 feet.
The floor is good and not very un-
even except where-during that
volcanic energy was expiring-lava
masses not having force enough to
expel them, were deposited on the
floor and broke up in the course of
cooling. In such places we had to
climb over the masses of great angu-
lar blocks. At the extreme point
reached by us a greater mass had
completely blocked the way, but be-
tween this mass and the roof and
sides l could plainly see that the tun-
mel continued but with a much great
er decline in its downward course. l
was told that extensive side passages
had been found and followed for con-
siderable distances, but l did not en-
ter them. The entrance is from an
almost level plain. found the horns
and bones of mountain sheep. l en-
tered and traveRsed another such cav
ern few miles nearer to Mt. Shasta,
also in the level plain, not quite so
large, but equally striking.
At what is known as the Big
Springs, about sixteen miles south
east of Montague, the greatest part
of Big" Shasta River comes to the
surface, forming a small lake. This
water is now being pumped with elec-
trio power and large area of other
wise desert land is reclaimed and
very productive. In this immediate
vicinity eleven large flowing wells
have been opened, for irrigation
About two miles above these springs
and directly toward Mt. Shasta, Mr.
Williams last summer started to drill
well in a draw" At five feet he
struck the lazy cap. Two feet more
he got through it and a great volume
of water flowed out. He went or
down for 80 feet, and while he
seemed to be passing a medium that
yielded easily, he got no residue from
hlo ulhliuSoi lid Suuu DuChcI DIlu6'
ing up only water. He then cleared
off space 10 feet wide and 80 feet
long down to the lava cap and in II
bored three more holes and got four
monstrous flowing wells in this small
space. from which he has, perhaps
800 inches of water flowing away
There are other interesting phenom-
ena in this immediate neighborhood
but l am inflicting you too much,
fear, and yet 1 am not done.
You have noticed the great mum.
ber of volcanic cones that dot the
floor of Shasta Valley think
have read somewhere that you give
their number at $40. Now between
these cones are valleys of varying
sizes. generally drained into Shasta
River by means of "salt draws" /. e.
depressions continuing in the direc
tion of the fall of the valley with
more or less of alkaline deposits and
attendant salt grass" noticed
that at the heads of these draws
around the foot Of the volcanic cones
where the water table seems to be
fractured, the salt grass and alkal
indicated water near the surface.
selected several of these places and