Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho, full lateral view on upper level - 828e7672b246350cd901ecd7469aaba5 (page 1)

; On item: War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Geographical Explorations and Surveys. West of the 100th Meridian. Expedition of 1874. Under Command of Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps of Engrs.; Plate number: No. 24; Descriptive legend of view no. 24: This picture affords a good view of the numerous bowlder islands which are scattered in the river above Shoshone Falls. They are 20 or 30 in number, and are separated by as many rapids and cascades, the most important of which are Lace Falls. These diminutive isles are clothed with moss and cedar trees, whose deep green is in vivid and pleasing contrast with the white foam of the fretting and dashing water. Apparently these are the remains of a wall of rock which once dammed the river here and restrained it a moment before its final leap. Near the center of the stream is Cave Island, a large rock, which is penetrated by an archway of entrance 25 feet high, forming a Titanic grotto whose mysteries have never yet been explored. The Shoshone Falls are but one of three cascades, which occur in immediate succession in the descent of the Snake River. Three miles above are the Little Falls, 110 feet high, and a short distance below are the Salmon Falls, 30 feet high. The latter mark the upper limit of possible navigation of the Snake River.