Priestly's Hydraulic Ram

Priestly's Hydraulic Ram is a mechanical water-lifting device located near Thousand Springs State Park. It uses 24-inch-diameter pipes to capture spring water from the Snake River Canyon and relies on the force of falling water to move water uphill.

William W. Priestly designed this system in 1888 to harness water from waterfalls flowing from the Snake River Aquifer. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, marking its importance to American agricultural history.

The structure shows how settlers in this area managed their own water supply over 100 years ago. You can see how people adapted to their surroundings by using natural water forces to irrigate their fields.

You can reach this system best from near Thousand Springs State Park and explore it along the waterway. Bring binoculars to see details of the mechanical parts clearly, especially when water flow peaks in spring months.

The system worked through a process where water fell roughly 190 feet into a reservoir tank and compressed air to push water uphill through secondary pipes. This method needed no external power and relied entirely on the continuous flow from the natural springs.

Location: Gooding County

Inception: 1890

GPS coordinates: 42.74300,-114.84100

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01