Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Geography. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-124).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University, Dept. of Geography.

Irrigation has played an important part in the development of the Western States. Its beginnings have often been associated with the Mormon settlement in Utah. However, irrigation had its inception in the West long before the Mormons came to the Great Basin in 1847. The spatial extent of irrigation before this date included limited acreage in nearly every Western State.Before their arrival in the Great Basin the Mormons had become acquainted with irrigation methods. Knowledge of irrigation had diffused to them primarily from the Spanish in the Southwest. Thus, they were well prepared to begin their irrigation enterprises in the West. After establishing the practice of irrigation securely in Utah, this region then served as a source area from which irrigation methods then diffused to other Western areas.Eventually, the status and influence of Mormon irrigation waned. In more recent years Utah has fallen behind other Western States in total irrigated acreage and in the application of new irrigation technology.

Considerable literature has been written about the Mormons and their settlement of the lands within the Great Basin; yet no one has produced a systematic study which analyzes the following geographical factors: What pattern of land occupancy was actually used by these early pioneers? Which physical characteristics determined the selection of a site for the Mormon village? What type of city survey pattern was instigated as towns were established along the eastern margin of the Great Basin? What was the relationship between the forts and the settlements in their lay-out patterns? As these questions were systematically analyzed new findings were brought to the surface, thus shedding new light on topics which previously had not been explored satisfactorily.

Since the first man perceived and used his environment, there has existed a reciprocal man-land relationship. The physical environment provides opportunities for man's use and also sets limitations. Man's perception and use of his environment is greatly influenced by his culture, which consists of past experience, technology, attitudes, and needs. It is these factors that determine what a man will see as possibilities in land use, and how he will use his environment.In the case of the relic Mormon Culture Region, Mormon religious beliefs highly influenced perception of the environment. Most visual geographical features of the landscape in the relic Mormon Culture Region were influenced by religious doctrines and practices. General examples of such landscape features in the region are: rural-urban pattern, agriculture activities and patterns, urban landscape, vegetation, irrigation systems, buildings, settlement patterns, and natural resource exploitation.

Teton Valley, throughout many centuries, has attracted several occupance groups, each interacting with the environment in various ways for various reasons. Indian and explorer contact did little to alter the surroundings. More frequent contact came, however, as trappers and traders visited the valley to trap beaver and meet in rendezvous.The end of intensified fur trapping slowed contact with the basin. Government personnel, a painter, a few squawmen and horse thieves were the only inhabitants because Indians, remoteness, and harsh climatic conditions kept others out until 1882 when permanent agricultural settlers entered the valley. Hundreds of people followed, many of whom were Mormons from Utah. During this sequence major changes took place. Unique Mormon settlement patterns developed. Increase in agricultural and industrial productivity and population continued until the 1940's, but as enterprises failed people moved out. In the late 1960's the need for a new drawing force was recognized. A ski resort was built, attracting people to the valley to take advantage of the newly created recreational facilities, towns, and businesses.