Editing Cascade Range (section)

==Human uses==
Soil conditions for farming are generally good, especially downwind of [[volcano]]es. This is largely because volcanic rocks are often rich in [[potassium]]-bearing minerals such as [[orthoclase]], and erode relatively easily. Volcanic debris, especially [[lahars]], also helps to spread mineral-rich volcanic material, and the storage of water in the form of snow and ice is also important for agriculture. The snow-capped mountains, such as Mt. Hood and [[Mt. Bachelor]], are used as [[ski resort]]s in the late winter, while in the summer they become popular [[hiking]] and [[mountaineering]] locations. Much of their meltwater eventually flows into reservoirs, where it is used for recreation, while its potential energy is captured to generate [[hydroelectric power]] before the water is used to [[irrigation|irrigate]] crops.

Because of the abundance of powerful streams, many of the major westward-draining rivers of the Cascades have been dammed to provide [[hydroelectric power]]. One of these, [[Ross Dam]] on the [[Skagit River]], retains a reservoir which spans the border southeast of [[Hope, British Columbia]], extending {{convert|2|mi|km}} into Canada.  At the foot of the southeast flank of Mount Baker, at [[Concrete, Washington]], the [[Baker River (Washington)|Baker River]] is dammed to form [[Lake Shannon]] and [[Baker Lake (Washington)|Baker Lake]].

The Cascades harbor a largely-untapped potential for [[geothermal power]]. The [[U.S. Geological Survey]] Geothermal Research Program has been investigating this potential. Some of this energy is already being used in places like [[Klamath Falls, Oregon]], where volcanic steam is used to heat public buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ci.klamath-falls.or.us/departments/works/water/geothermal |title=Geothermal Utility |publisher=City of Klamath Falls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006012119/http://ci.klamath-falls.or.us/departments/works/water/geothermal |archive-date=October 6, 2010}}</ref> The highest recorded underground temperature found in the range is {{convert|510|F|C}} at {{convert|3075|ft|m}} below [[Newberry Volcano]]'s [[caldera]] floor.