9. Crossing the Water with a Wagon Was One of the Biggest Obstacles
Crossing the rivers was one of the biggest obstacles for wagons because it was so dangerous for them. Before the wagon trains would cross the river, they had to make sure they had found the safest place to pass. By the mid-1840s, the Oregon Trail had been scouted out pretty well. However, before the 1840s, travelers would have to take time to look for the best place to cross. Usually, the safest place was where the lowest point of the river was as that was the least dangerous for wagon trains. Unfortunately, many currents were over four feet high, and this created a more robust job for the wagon trains and the pioneers.
Nevertheless, no matter how shallow the water was, the pioneers had to make sure that the wagon was light enough for the oxen to bring it across the river. This notion would mean that some of the heaviest items were taken out of the carts and either carried across by hand or left there. The things that were often left and not transported across the river were known as “leeverites” items, from the pioneers saying “leave ‘er right there.”
If the water was fast-moving or too high for a team of oxen to bring the wagon, a raft known as scows were created to get everything and everyone across. The barges were made from fallen trees and rods which were tied together. There were also posts that were placed in the scow to keep the wagon in place. Just like with the shallow water, the wagons had to be light enough for the barges so they could cross without too much of a problem. Once the carts were across, they would stop re-pack the items left over and continue on their journey.