Little Salmon River EarthCache

Welcome to the Little Salmon River. I would recommend following the “Flow of the river” With this cache, though it can be done by going upstream as well.

The 576-square mile basin is located in northeastern Adams and southwestern Idaho Counties, and flows into the Salmon River at the northern side of Riggins (RM 86.7). The basin is mountainous and sparsely populated. Occupations in ranching, logging, and lumber manufacturing contribute much to the basin's economy. Tourism and related services are becoming more important locally, potentially helping to support the area during downturns typically experienced by natural resources-based economies.

Landslides occurred throughout southwestern and west-central Idaho during a major flooding event in 1996/1997. The landslides were associated with heavy and prolonged precipitation, warm temperatures, and certain topographic, geologic, and soil characteristics. The effects of these landslides included a comprehensive state water plan for the entire Little Salmon River basin in order to provide an analysis of the basin’s resources, and to develop recommendations that help guide resource decisions in the future, but with considerations for floods and landslides being a prominent part of the Plan.

For the Geology of the site, you will notice that most of the rocks are of the Calc-AlkalineMeta-Volcanic consistency. Also, the Soil makeup was Dystric Cryochrepts, GR-L (55%) Vay Family, SIL (13%) Rock Outcrop, UWB (11%) Both of these were figures from the ID Water Resource Board. Paying attention to the makeup of the rocks and soils in the area helped in the reconstruction of Hwy 95, and the overall canyon ecosystem. If you were to travel further downstream, just before Pinehurst, you will notice the changing of the makeup of the rocks. This change is to a Mafic Volcanic Flow. A mafic lava flow tends to be gentler than some other forms, because its primary component is basalt, rather than more explosive silicates. A mafic lava flow also tends to be of lower viscosity, and mafic flows are thin and very evenly spread as a result.

At the posted coordinates, you will find yourself at River Mile 24.7.

1. Take a picture of yourself at the Larger of the two falls. (See example)
2. Estimate the distance between the Upper and Lower falls.
3. Estimate the distance across the river at the posted coordinates.
4. Gather the flow rate of the river.
   1. The best way to do this is to have 2 people, roughly 50 Feet apart, and the Upper person throw a pinecone into the river. When the cone hits the water, start a timer, and it stops when the cone passes the second person.
   2. I.E. If you have 2 people standing 50 feet apart and the time is 40 seconds, then the flow rate is 1.25 fps.

5. At the lower falls, there is some concrete, Why is it there, and What was it used for.