Pioneers and the Boise River

Melting snow from the Sawtooth peaks begin the Boise River's life.

Within 115 miles of the peaks, the runoff drops 8,000 feet from its beginning point where it flows into the Snake River near Parma. This drop makes the Boise River one of the fastest falling rivers in the world. Most of its plunge downhill comes before it starts a 55-mile run through Boise Valley.

For the next 40 years the Boise River was a most welcome sight for emigrants along the Oregon Trail who were parched due to the lack of water and weakened by the heat.

Pioneers struggled to travel 15 to 20 miles a day along the Oregon Trail where they dreamed of reaching their new homes in the West. Most were heading for the lush valley of the Williamette in Oregon.

The wagon route to Willamette hugged close to the mountains in order for the emigrants to be able to get water from the spring run-off.