The space for the stream between this point and the opposite cliff is narrow, while the river above it spreads rather wide with a deep bay on the left where there is quiet water.

This bay is protected a quarter of a mile up by a jutting point, and is merely back water.

Just off the point the whole river suddenly becomes saucer-like, and quite smooth, with all the currents drawing strongly in from every direction and pouring toward and over the falls.

An object once within the grip of this "sag," as we called it, is obliged to pass over the falls.

The situation is peculiar and it occurs nowhere else on the whole river.