On Location
For thousands of years the forces of nature have worked to create a unique habitat among the basalt lava flows of southern Idaho. Along the Snake River about 50 km (30 mi) south of Boise, a dramatic story unfolds among the lonely sagebrush and desert cliffs. A combination of climate, geology, soils, and vegetation has created an ecosystem that supports the largest concentration of nesting birds of prey—also known as raptors—in all of North America. Birds of prey are birds that kill and eat other animals.
The rocky cliffs of the Snake River Canyon are home to the largest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America.
The Snake River flows from Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming to eastern Washington, where it joins the Columbia River.
Crevices in the canyon walls provide nest sites for prairie falcons and many other birds.
Raptor enthusiasts have known the area was special since the 1940s. But it was not until 1993 that Congress set aside the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). The purpose of the designation was to permanently protect the land for the “... protection and enhancement of raptor populations and habitats....” The NCA consists of 196,000 hectares (485,000 acres) of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Steady winds have built up deep soils that cover expansive areas north of the Snake River canyon. Small mammals can easily dig through the soft, fine-textured soils, which are still strong enough to hold their shape and provide burrows in which the animals live. The Snake River Plain also features dense grasses and shrubs that the mammals use for food and cover. So as you can see, there’s plenty of food for birds of prey. And the steep canyon cliffs along the Snake River, rising as high as 200 meters (700 ft), provide plenty of nest sites for the raptors, too. Twenty-four species of raptors use the NCA throughout the year.
The overlook at Dedication Point is one of the best places to see the canyon. You might also spot raptors, such as red-tailed hawks defending their territory or golden eagles in a dramatic courtship flight.
The grasses and sagebrush of the Snake River Plain provide good food and cover for the many small mammals that live there. The Owyhee Mountains, which rise to 2550 meters (8400 ft), are in the background.
Paiute ground squirrels can easily dig burrows in the fine-textured soils found on the plains north of the canyon.
The best time to see raptors is in spring, from mid-March to June. Fifteen species of raptors use the NCA for nesting and raising their young. Golden eagles; ferruginous, Swainson’s and red-tailed hawks; prairie falcons; kestrels; northern harriers; and seven different owl species can be seen during different times of the day and night. Nine additional species of raptors use the area during migration or as wintering grounds.
Even if the area were not the hot spot for raptors, it would still be a marvelously scenic place rich in geologic and cultural history. Though located only 50 km (30 miles) south of Boise, once you start traversing the expansive desert of the Snake River Plain and drop into the Snake River Canyon, you could be in another country. The Snake River Plain cuts a 80-km (50-mi)-wide swath across southwest Idaho. The landscape is covered with evidence of a violent history of heat, fire, and lava. Lonely buttes, small rock outcrops, and shallow ridges are all that remain of the volcanic activity that shaped the area.
Some 15,000 years ago, waters from the Bonneville Flood surged through the canyon, leaving behind huge boulders worn smooth by the rushing water.
Dark layers of basalt (of volcanic origin) and sedimentary rock can be seen along the canyon walls and provide evidence of the area's long and interesting geologic history.
Humans have been making use of the Snake River Canyon for close to 10,000 years. Constructed in 1901, the Swan Falls Dam was the first hydroelectric dam on the Snake River.
As you drop into the Snake River Canyon, you can trace some of the geologic history of the area. The canyon cliffs show layer upon layer of lava flows interspersed with sedimentary layers. As you reach the bottom, the canyon floor is scattered with hundreds of house-size boulders left behind from the Bonneville flood. This flood raced through the canyon 15,000 years ago with more than 100 m (350 ft) of water rushing at 110 km (70 mi) per hour.
As far back as 9,000 years, there is evidence that humans have been using the Snake River Canyon. Some of this history can still be seen in petroglyphs carved into the basalt flood gravels left by the Bonneville flood.
Combining all these unique feature in one location truly makes the NCA “a place like no other.”
On Location
For thousands of years the forces of nature have worked to create a unique habitat among the basalt lava flows of southern Idaho. Along the Snake River about 50 km (30 mi) south of Boise, a dramatic story unfolds among the lonely sagebrush and desert cliffs. A combination of climate, geology, soils, and vegetation has created an ecosystem that supports the largest concentration of nesting birds of prey—also known as raptors—in all of North America. Birds of prey are birds that kill and eat other animals.
The rocky cliffs of the Snake River Canyon are home to the largest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America.
The Snake River flows from Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming to eastern Washington, where it joins the Columbia River.
Crevices in the canyon walls provide nest sites for prairie falcons and many other birds.
Raptor enthusiasts have known the area was special since the 1940s. But it was not until 1993 that Congress set aside the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). The purpose of the designation was to permanently protect the land for the “... protection and enhancement of raptor populations and habitats....” The NCA consists of 196,000 hectares (485,000 acres) of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Steady winds have built up deep soils that cover expansive areas north of the Snake River canyon. Small mammals can easily dig through the soft, fine-textured soils, which are still strong enough to hold their shape and provide burrows in which the animals live. The Snake River Plain also features dense grasses and shrubs that the mammals use for food and cover. So as you can see, there’s plenty of food for birds of prey. And the steep canyon cliffs along the Snake River, rising as high as 200 meters (700 ft), provide plenty of nest sites for the raptors, too. Twenty-four species of raptors use the NCA throughout the year.
The overlook at Dedication Point is one of the best places to see the canyon. You might also spot raptors, such as red-tailed hawks defending their territory or golden eagles in a dramatic courtship flight.
The grasses and sagebrush of the Snake River Plain provide good food and cover for the many small mammals that live there. The Owyhee Mountains, which rise to 2550 meters (8400 ft), are in the background.
Paiute ground squirrels can easily dig burrows in the fine-textured soils found on the plains north of the canyon.
The best time to see raptors is in spring, from mid-March to June. Fifteen species of raptors use the NCA for nesting and raising their young. Golden eagles; ferruginous, Swainson’s and red-tailed hawks; prairie falcons; kestrels; northern harriers; and seven different owl species can be seen during different times of the day and night. Nine additional species of raptors use the area during migration or as wintering grounds.
Even if the area were not the hot spot for raptors, it would still be a marvelously scenic place rich in geologic and cultural history. Though located only 50 km (30 miles) south of Boise, once you start traversing the expansive desert of the Snake River Plain and drop into the Snake River Canyon, you could be in another country. The Snake River Plain cuts a 80-km (50-mi)-wide swath across southwest Idaho. The landscape is covered with evidence of a violent history of heat, fire, and lava. Lonely buttes, small rock outcrops, and shallow ridges are all that remain of the volcanic activity that shaped the area.
Some 15,000 years ago, waters from the Bonneville Flood surged through the canyon, leaving behind huge boulders worn smooth by the rushing water.
Dark layers of basalt (of volcanic origin) and sedimentary rock can be seen along the canyon walls and provide evidence of the area's long and interesting geologic history.
Humans have been making use of the Snake River Canyon for close to 10,000 years. Constructed in 1901, the Swan Falls Dam was the first hydroelectric dam on the Snake River.
As you drop into the Snake River Canyon, you can trace some of the geologic history of the area. The canyon cliffs show layer upon layer of lava flows interspersed with sedimentary layers. As you reach the bottom, the canyon floor is scattered with hundreds of house-size boulders left behind from the Bonneville flood. This flood raced through the canyon 15,000 years ago with more than 100 m (350 ft) of water rushing at 110 km (70 mi) per hour.
As far back as 9,000 years, there is evidence that humans have been using the Snake River Canyon. Some of this history can still be seen in petroglyphs carved into the basalt flood gravels left by the Bonneville flood.
Combining all these unique feature in one location truly makes the NCA “a place like no other.”
Last Updated: May 31, 2001
For questions about this program contact Elizabeth Wooster
This site is maintained by Kevin Flynn
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For questions about this program contact Elizabeth Wooster This site is maintained by Kevin Flynn Previous BLM Resource Explorers |
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