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Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806

printed from the original manuscripts in the library of the American Philosophical Society and by direction of its committee on historical documents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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Munday 8th September 1806

Set out very early this morning, passed an old tradeing house
on the S W Side a few miles above the Council bluffs, at
11 A M we came too at the bluffs and Capt. Lewis and my
self walked up on the bluffs and around to examine the Country
and Situation more particularly, the Situation appeared to
us eaqually as eligable as when we passed up for an establishment,
the hill high and commanding with a high rich bottom
of great extent below. we proceeded on very well all being
anxious to get to the River Platt to day they ply'd their orers
very well, and we arived at our old encampment at White Catfish


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Page 380
Camp 12 miles above the river platt at which place we lay
from the 22th. to the 26th. of July 1804 here we encamped
haveing made 78 Miles to day. The Missouri at this place
does not appear to contain more water than it did 1000 Miles
above this, the evaperation must be emence;[13] in the last 1000
miles this river receives the water [of] 20 rivers and maney
Creeks Several of the Rivers large and the Size of this river or
the quantity of water does not appear to increas any.

 
[13]

The rate of evaporation in the region of the headwaters of the Missouri is
excessively high even in winter, and it becomes more rapid as you ascend the valley.
When the Chenook winds are blowing in winter, and the temperature is below freezing,
snow is observed to disappear as if by magic. Professor Newell tells me that there
is no probability that any water from the bed of the Missouri reaches the Dakota
sandstones, as they lie a full thousand or more feet below that level. The artesian
waters of the Dakotas come from the Black Hills region, where the Dakota sandstones
are exposed.—Prof. F. H. KING, Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture.