The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-04-03
RIVER SURVEY
SHOWS POWER
Government Analyses
Situation in Snake
Canyon

The study OF the power resources
of Snake River begun in 1920 by an
examination OF the river between Hun
iington. Greg. and Lewiston. Idaho
by engineers OF the L. s Geological
Survey OF the Interior Department
was continued in 1921 by a similar cN-
animation OF the river in southern
Idaho. between Miner and Weiser.
The report on this work will not
be published for several months. bu;
in the meantime in order to make the
data it contains available. manuscript
copies OF it will be open for public in
spection at the Office OF meteorological
Survey in Washington. d. C.. and at
the office OF the engineer al Boise,
Idaho in room 6l5 OF the Idaho Build
ing.
In ITS western course across south
ern idaho Snake River has cut
through the basalt and the siatifed
sediments that make up the extensive
plains bordering the river. and be
tween Milner and Weiser il has to-
tai fall of nearly 1000 feet OF this
drop $40 feet is concentrated at two
points-at Twin Falls, where fall is
l40 feet. and at Shoshone Falls. where
il is 200 feet AT high stages of the
river both these ialls compare favor
ably in grandeur with Niagra. Sho-
shone Falls is now utilized for the dev
elopement OF power, but Twin Falls
and many other places, which are full
iy described in the report, are valuable
potential power sites not yet develop
ed
Prior to 1884 when the main line of
the Oregon Short Line Railroad was
completed across southern Idaho. the
Snake river plain from Pocatello west
ward was a sagebrush desert. Boise
had a population OF about So and 9th
er points at which there are now large
villages or cities were little more than
stage stations. By 1880 the total pop
ulation OF the plain was perhaps 49,
900. and a small amount Of land was
being irrigated. About 1907 the coun-
try began to realize that desert lands
could be reclaimed by irrigation. and
between 1900 and 1910 many ex,en-
sive Government and private irriga-
ton systems were put into operation
in southern Idaho and in other west
ern states. Tracts in southern Idaho
to more than 100000
acres are now being irrigated With |
the growth of population that follow
ed the opening OF these vast tracts /
there came naturally a demand for /
power. The Geological Surveys report |
gives history OF the development OF
power in this region: The first dev-
elopments were small and were under /
local control. but as the field of oper-
ations widened interference bctwcen |
companies led to intense rivalry and |
to over development, which was fol- /
lowed by depression and reorgani2a
ton, resulting finally in the formation
Of the Idaho Power Co. which now /
owns and operates practically all ''ic
nydroelectric Developments in soI;h-
,rn Idaho along Snake river. The re
port gives the history OF each project
N detail and describes the 2roicc'
works, at which over 10000 horscpow-
,r is now being made available for
use.
l he report contains maps and dcs-
,rip'ions OF 10 sites al which 251 900
horsepower could probably be dov.
.loped. even during times OF low wa,-
n flow. II sets forth the amOar:
of water available for power develop
nent and the schemes by which the
ullest use may be made of the water
Chapters of the report are devoted to
he physiography and geology OF the
iver valley and to the springs along
he river.