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Show Sunday, March 7, THE HERALD, Provo, 1971 Utah-P- age Cones, Springs Mark Ancient Geyser Near Wasatch State Park Bv Shirley Chetwin matter where you travel in Utah you can find something unusual. One of the most unusual manifestations of nature is an ancient geyser basin ear the Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway. The basin is complete with pots, cones and warm springs. These same strange lime rock mounds with hot water and rising vapor were a mystery surrounded by superstition to the Ute Indians who roamed the valley long before the white men settled here. The largest group of craters is located at the mouth of Snake Creek Canyon and extends about two miles. Most craters have hot water with temperatures varying from 70 to 112 degrees. These waters have a large lime content and some of the pots have sealed themselves shut. No cone-shap- Depth Unknown The largest of the craters is located at the Homestead between 400 and 500 rattlesnake were killed in a single day. In the spring the snakes appeared on the outside of the crater and formed into groups that would fill a bushel basket. The snakes would tie themselves into knots with their heads sticking out in all directions for protection. The pioneers evidently a did thorough job of killing them for they xe unheard of today. Hollow Sound Mr. Epperson also recorded in the journal that he bclievet the country around these pots to be hollow because of the sounds caused by rumbling wheels passing over it. For many years the hot pots were thought to be useless. There was not much soil in these areas, mostly pot rock. The early homesteaders did find a use for the small dry pots. These served as pig pens, cellars, and shelter from other livestock. Simon Schnietter, owner of the Schnietter Hot Pots, first got the idea for a resort from the interest people showed. The pots were an attraction to the people of Provo who would come in their wagons to see the unusual craters. In 1886 he started the swimming pool, utilizing the hot water from the pots, and a two stot-brick hotel known as the Virginia House. This building is still used today. The Schnietter Hot Pots, now Resort. It rises out of the earth like a volcano and measures 15 feet in diameter at the opening. The depth in unknown. At one time residents attempted to measure it by lowering a weight into the hot water. They did not find a bottom at 150 feet. The pioneer journal of Simon S. Epperson records one of the dry craters called Snake Creek Den was the hibernating place the Homestead Resort, is for hundreds of snakes. He said presently owned by Ferria ."IK r 1 ' - i-- . - offers interesting study in Heber Valley scene looking easterly, Whi taker and brothers. Another summer resort, the Mt Sj ja was knwn for many years as Luke's Hot Pots. At one time these pots sold for an Indian Saddle horse and a second hand sewing machine. Later they sold for more than $100,000. resorts These feature swimming and health baths in hot pots, spring of volcanic origin. 4. , OLD FENCE ONE OF MANY cones near Mldwuy which have historic importance. K NATURAL GAS . Meets the Requirements of the Environment a r. . - ju - o '1r ff;;r If if TERRACED HILL on Nebo Loop near summit Is example of contour trenching used to rehabilitate vegetation and upgrade watershed. This type of effort has marked watershed management in Central Utah area. m these days is concerned about pollution, whether it be air, water more or land. We've been concerned ever since we began doing business and we've been doing something about it. than 41 years ago jveryone - - 9 Preservation of Our Watersheds these watersheds have been restored almost to their pristine conditions. Today, thousands of acres of seeded grasslands newly provide pasturage for livestock; good roads take people into these mountain retreats for recreation purposes; there has been an increase the numbers of game animals and animal life in Valley. : When the settlers came into general; fire stations have been Utah Valley in 1850, they were developed; timber is being dependent upon timber and annually harvested in a forage from the surrounding systematic manner; and most mountains of the valley. The important, the water runoff precipitous canyons, such as from these areas has been American Fork, Provo, Rock greatly The regulated. Canyon, Hobble Creek, Diamond terracing, gully plugging, and Fork, Spanish Fork, Payson and the restoration of a plant cover Santaquin, were relied upon for has made the mountains much timber and grazing. The safer from induced flooding. I pioneers were not aware of the There have been no floods or future consequences inai wouia damage from spring runoff in result from unwise timber the Utah Valley during the past and 35 years, which is due largely to fires harvesting, the management of these overgrazing of these areas. I By about 1920, the vegetative mountain lands by the Forest cover on the front of 'V" Service personnel. Mountain and on the steep slopes Today, the air waves and Of the canyon above the brush type had been greatly reduced. 2 By VASCOM. TANNER Member, Advisory Council ; Uinta National Forest -I am pleased to have this opportunity to meke a brief statement as to the amazing changes that have been wrought by the Forest Service since 1923 to healing the eroded sore spots on the watersheds of Utah From field studies, it was Mass Young Marrieds evident that damaging floods had their origin in most cases, on hird NEW YORK these steep slopes, which were of the nation's total practically devoid of vegetation. expected population increase between now and 1985 will be in Boundaries Changed 4 the age bracket, says Since most of these lands were Corporaprivately owned, it made a tion, a factoring and financing rehabilitation program a dif- firm. Government statistics ficult one. A project was show the population will be 1 Initiated by the Forest and increased by 28 million people conservation Committee of the in their 20s, 30s and early 40s in Provo Chamber of Commerce, the next 15 years. whereby an act of Congress I extended the forest boundaries Because of this anticipated and provided funds for the increase of persons in the purchase of private lands. Under customary marriageable age the skilled leadership of the bracket, household formations forest supervisors and the and birth rates should increase cooperation of forest permittees, rapidly, the study says. (UPI)-One-t- 25-3- Meinhard-Commerci- al papers carry discussions on ecology and the dire condition of our environment. Fifty years ago, this nation was being warned about the careless use of the renewable and resources of the country. These warnings were heeded by governmental and educational agencies, and has in resulted considerable progress having been made in the conservation of our national resources. True, technology through the development of great industries has contributed to the pollution of water, air and soil; but given time, the leaders in indiistry will make corrections. We all agree, I think, that we must understand and practice conservation. It should not be just a national policy, state policy, local policy; it must be everybody's policy. The of commissions, appointment committees, and writing of reports will not accomplish the desired end of improving our envirnment unless the overall program of conservation is understood and entered into be all the people. . Look to Future S. Clarence Supervisor Thornock and the Forest Service personnel should be proud of their achievements in the conservation programs on the watersheds of Utah. Much however, lies ahead, such as the realization of a comprehensive land-usstudy effort for the production of a recreation management composite plan for Fork-Prov- o the American and area Canyon development of a recreational program in conjunction with the enlarged Strawberry Reservoir complex and the Current Creek Reservoir area of the Central Utah Project. e AIR fuel that does not create and distribute natural gas, the smoke or deposit residue. Because 95 out of every 100 homeowners in Mountain Fuel Country use natural gas, the air is kept much cleaner than would be the case if other fuels were used. We sell clean-burni- WATER Wherever we operate, we take pains to abide by local ordinances and ulations covering the use of water and the disposal of waste. reg- LAND distribute natural gas to users through a pipeline network that is buried out of sight beneath the ground. Our pipelines do not clutter the landscape. Moreover, because they are buried, our pipelines escape the ravages of weather and thus can be relied upon for dependable service the year round. We Mountain Fuel Country is a relatively clean and uncluttered place in which to live, and, thanks to natural gas, we've helped make it that way. m. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY 7B |