Green River II

Crossing the Green River, part II

Before spring runoff and in late summer when the water level of the Green River was low, fords provided relatively safe crossings for pioneers heading west or south. However, most emigrants reached the Green River at the height of its annual flood, when it flowed swift, wide, and deep.

Several enterprising pioneers settled along the river and established ferries to float emigrant wagons across. Ferry prices were usually high, ranging from $3 to $16 per wagon and were virtually the only way to cross the river. Ferry prices sometimes changed daily to correspond with the changes in the river level. It often took several days for large wagon trains to cross the river.