What was the normal volume of water flowing in the river Sidon—its flow rate, width and depth? In the Book of Mormon record, Lamanite and Nephite armies and other sizable groups cross the river Sidon multiple times with apparent ease. During a single battle at hill Riplah, half the Nephite army passed over the river Sidon, and then the approaching Lamanite army crossed some four separate times in quick succession and seemingly without hesitation, all within part of a day (Alma 43:23–54; see section on Hill Riplah, below). If the water of the river Sidon were wide, deep or swift, the soldiers, while crossing, would have been placed in a vulnerable position, a situation they would not have kept repeating. There is no mention of bridges or boats.

In another conflict, a significant number of fleeing Nephites, “cross[ed] the river Sidon,” and “the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them” (Alma 2:27). And “when they had all crossed the river Sidon … the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered” (Alma 2:35). Again no boats or bridges are mentioned, and people in great numbers, “as the sands of the sea,” seemingly crossed the river Sidon as if it were a common occurrence (Alma 2:27, 34–35).

Before this battle, the Nephites in the land of Minon were compelled by the Lamanites and Amlicites to flee “with their flocks, and their wives, and their children, towards” the city of Zarahemla (Alma 2:25, 35). The pressing goal of the “fleeing” Nephites was to escape across the river Sidon from the city of Gideon on the east to the city of Zarahemla on the west, quickly seeking safety for “their flocks, and their wives, and their children.” If their flocks included sheep and goats, a wide or deep or swift flowing river Sidon would have presented an insurmountable barrier. Sheep and goats as a matter of course do not swim rivers, although some will swim a short distance when forced into water. When led, however, they will wade through shallow water.

These accounts of armies, people and flocks readily crossing the river Sidon suggest the river was not too wide nor too deep nor too swift, certainly with a depth that could be simply waded across without danger to life or the need for boats. Additional crossings of the river Sidon, often in significant numbers, are mentioned in the record (Alma 16:6–7; 61:6; see also, Alma 6:7; 8:3).

Downstream from the head of the Rio San Ignacio in Baja California, the watercourse noticeably narrows and can be easily crossed in shallow water. The river at most locations and at nearly all times can be waded with little effort in a slow moving stream, the same as the Jordan River in Israel and Al Awali (the Sidon River) in Lebanon. Much of the water originating at the head of the Rio San Ignacio reaches the sea through underground stream courses, thus diminishing its aboveground flow downstream. This is common in dryer climates, especially at certain seasons of the year. The depth of the water at its head and in several other locations is suitable for baptisms.

• Bones in the “depths of the sea”
• Waters of Sidon