The Snake River Canyon
The Snake River Canyon at the north edge of the city of Twin Falls is one of the most
spectacular canyons on the Snake River. This is the story of the origin of the canyon and
some of the reasons for its many unusual geologic features.
spectacular canyons on the Snake River. This is the story of the origin of the canyon and
some of the reasons for its many unusual geologic features.
THE SNAKE RIVER PLAIN: The canyon of the Snake River is located near the south edge
of the Snake River Plain, one of the great volcanic plains of the world. In cross-section, the
Snake River Plain is a depression filled with a layer cake of rocks over 5000 feet thick.
These rocks include sedimentary deposits resulting from the outpouring of mountain glaciers,
the deposits of ancient lakes, streams and rivers and molten lava, erupted from over 1,000
volcanoes located throughout the Snake River Plain.
of the Snake River Plain, one of the great volcanic plains of the world. In cross-section, the
Snake River Plain is a depression filled with a layer cake of rocks over 5000 feet thick.
These rocks include sedimentary deposits resulting from the outpouring of mountain glaciers,
the deposits of ancient lakes, streams and rivers and molten lava, erupted from over 1,000
volcanoes located throughout the Snake River Plain.
VOLCANOES: The basalt or lava flows of the Snake River Plain were generated by
hundreds of volcanoes of a type known as shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are so named
because highly liquid lava erupts from cracks or vents and spreads out creating a feature with
the appearance of an ancient shield. The basalt flows of the Snake River Plain are said to be
of the Hawaiian type - that is, the lava is so liquid that it flows out and conforms to the other
volcanic cones, and fills in canyons and other openings.
hundreds of volcanoes of a type known as shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are so named
because highly liquid lava erupts from cracks or vents and spreads out creating a feature with
the appearance of an ancient shield. The basalt flows of the Snake River Plain are said to be
of the Hawaiian type - that is, the lava is so liquid that it flows out and conforms to the other
volcanic cones, and fills in canyons and other openings.
The majestic Snake River winds across the bottom of the Snake River Plain, twisting between
the saddles formed by the numerous shield volcanoes that popped up along course of the
river. Sometime in history, the river found cracks in the basalt flows caused by contraction
during the cooling of the molten lava. The river settled into these cracks, and over time
enlarged them to create the canyons we see today.
the saddles formed by the numerous shield volcanoes that popped up along course of the
river. Sometime in history, the river found cracks in the basalt flows caused by contraction
during the cooling of the molten lava. The river settled into these cracks, and over time
enlarged them to create the canyons we see today.
THE BONNEVILLE FLOOD: About one million years ago, a gigantic ancient lake called Lake
Bonneville covered a large part of northern Utah and parts of southern Idaho. Some 30,000
years ago, the lake broke out south of Pocatello to create one of the greatest floods known in
the history of the world - The Bonneville Flood.
Bonneville covered a large part of northern Utah and parts of southern Idaho. Some 30,000
years ago, the lake broke out south of Pocatello to create one of the greatest floods known in
the history of the world - The Bonneville Flood.
After breaking out, almost one cubic mile of water crashed into the Snake River at Pocatello,
following the river and its canyon until it reached the area near Rupert. There the canyon was
to narrow to contain the entire flood. Part of the floodwater filled the Snake River Canyon to
the point that it overflowed, while the rest spread out over land into a narrow trough called the
Rupert Channel. The two arms of the flood met on the river in the Shoshone Falls area.
following the river and its canyon until it reached the area near Rupert. There the canyon was
to narrow to contain the entire flood. Part of the floodwater filled the Snake River Canyon to
the point that it overflowed, while the rest spread out over land into a narrow trough called the
Rupert Channel. The two arms of the flood met on the river in the Shoshone Falls area.
The destruction caused by this massive amount of water can be seen as huge depressions and
side canyons in and along the canyon near Twin Falls. These features are most interesting of
any and caused by the flood along the Snake River. It is without a doubt, one of the most
unique geologic sites in the world.
side canyons in and along the canyon near Twin Falls. These features are most interesting of
any and caused by the flood along the Snake River. It is without a doubt, one of the most
unique geologic sites in the world.
BUZZ LANGDON VISITOR CENTER: As you look out across the canyon fro the Buzz Langdon
Visitor Center, you are looking at the west edge of the reentry point of the Rupert Channel are of
the Bonneville Flood into the canyon. What you see in the canyon in front of you is the result of
millions of tons of rock and water sculpting and eroding the basalt formations. However, the
most spectacular feature can be seen from Shoshone Falls Park, where the two arms of the
flood water came together.
Visitor Center, you are looking at the west edge of the reentry point of the Rupert Channel are of
the Bonneville Flood into the canyon. What you see in the canyon in front of you is the result of
millions of tons of rock and water sculpting and eroding the basalt formations. However, the
most spectacular feature can be seen from Shoshone Falls Park, where the two arms of the
flood water came together.
SNAKE RIVER GOLD: The area of the river below the Blue Lakes Country Club was mined for
gold during the 1880's and again during the depression. Snake River gold occurs along the
river for most of its length: in fact, millions of dollars worth are thought to remaining the river and
on its banks. The reason the river is not filled with miners is that Snake River gold occurs in very
fine flakes which makes it very difficult to recover. It can take up to 500 individual flakes to equal
one cent! So, few miners get interested in the very fine gold, even though it can be panned with
some care and is about 98% pure.
gold during the 1880's and again during the depression. Snake River gold occurs along the
river for most of its length: in fact, millions of dollars worth are thought to remaining the river and
on its banks. The reason the river is not filled with miners is that Snake River gold occurs in very
fine flakes which makes it very difficult to recover. It can take up to 500 individual flakes to equal
one cent! So, few miners get interested in the very fine gold, even though it can be panned with
some care and is about 98% pure.
SHOSHONE FALLS: Shoshone Falls is on the Snake River about four miles east of the City of
Twin Falls. Here you can see a magnificent waterfall sculpted by the river and modified by the
action of one of the greatest floods in the history of the world. It sits in the middle of and area
containing the most spectacular features of any created by the Bonneville Floodwaters. It is
here that the two arms of the flood came together with a force impossible to imagine. Giant
whirlpools ripped rock off the canyon walls causing the canyon do double in size. Jagged canyon
were created (across the river from the falls) by the floodwaters pouring into the canyon.
Twin Falls. Here you can see a magnificent waterfall sculpted by the river and modified by the
action of one of the greatest floods in the history of the world. It sits in the middle of and area
containing the most spectacular features of any created by the Bonneville Floodwaters. It is
here that the two arms of the flood came together with a force impossible to imagine. Giant
whirlpools ripped rock off the canyon walls causing the canyon do double in size. Jagged canyon
were created (across the river from the falls) by the floodwaters pouring into the canyon.
We hope you will take the time to come and visit and to see the canyon and Shoshone Falls.
Many of its geologic features can be seen nowhere else in the world. By the way, you can still
see the launch pad where Evel Knievel launched his ill fated attempt to cross the canyon in a jet
cycle in 1974.
Many of its geologic features can be seen nowhere else in the world. By the way, you can still
see the launch pad where Evel Knievel launched his ill fated attempt to cross the canyon in a jet
cycle in 1974.
THE SNAKE RIVER RIM RECREATION AREA: The Snake River Rim Recreation Area is an
area of public lands set aside for you enjoyment. Access to the area is a gravel road leading east
from Highway 93 just north of the canyon. There are motorcycle trails, off road vehicle trails and
spectacular views of the canyon. Most of the dirt trails leading south end up at the canyon rim:
and a springtime hike to the canyon rim is a wonderful experience. However, caution should be
exercised, as the trails can be deep sand and there are no warnings when approaching the
canyon rim.
area of public lands set aside for you enjoyment. Access to the area is a gravel road leading east
from Highway 93 just north of the canyon. There are motorcycle trails, off road vehicle trails and
spectacular views of the canyon. Most of the dirt trails leading south end up at the canyon rim:
and a springtime hike to the canyon rim is a wonderful experience. However, caution should be
exercised, as the trails can be deep sand and there are no warnings when approaching the
canyon rim.
The natural History of the Snake River Canyon
On the north edge of the City of
Twin Falls is the Snake River
Canyon. At 462 feet deep at
this point it is truly one of God's
wonders. Come visit with us
and admire His handywork.
Twin Falls is the Snake River
Canyon. At 462 feet deep at
this point it is truly one of God's
wonders. Come visit with us
and admire His handywork.