The benchlands to the west are called Iowa flats, and to the east are called the Dutch flats, both being exceedingly fertile and well farmed.

Spottedtail springs are near the south line of the county, about centrally east and west. The two branches of the valley bear the names of Wet Spottedtail and Dry Spottedtail, formerly characterizing the conditions obtaining. But the building of the government canal, which bends northward into Sioux county at this point for a number of miles, has started a number of strong

springs in the dry branch and has increased the flow in the wet branch. The original springs were once a camping ground on the Spottedtail trail from the Pineridge reservation to Fort Laramie. They were later appropriated by ranchmen, but now the broad acres around them are intensively farmed, and the streams have been stocked with trout wdiich thrive therein.

In the north end of Sioux county is the Hat creek basin, which forms a drainage outlet for about a dozen spring branches. This territory has been the scene of manystirring adventures. These are related elsewhere. This stream is used in a small way for irrigation but generally it furnishes water for stock and domestic uses.

Cottonwood creek touches the east edge of the county about nine miles south of the northeast corner, and Crazywoman creek touches the northwest corner of the county for a few miles.

The territory now embraced in Sioux county was first claimed by Spain, due to Coronado's trip from New Mexico into the land of Quivera, which was without doubt Nebraska. After 1739, when Mallet brothers made their trip into the great plains, it was claimed by France. For a time it was the pawn of kings, but finally was sold by Napoleon to the United States. At the time of the sale the Spanish flag was flying in Saint Louis, although the territory was technically the property of France.