 The unsolved case of a mysterious object impacting a county sheriff's car on August 27, 1979 was featured (see Val Johnson Incident).This same case was also featured in 2012 on the Travel Channel's "Mysteries at the Museum" episode "MGM Fire; UFO Car, Prophecy Sword"

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.The Snake River flows in serpentine fashion through the city (hence its name), and both banks are developed, which has proved problematic as the city attempts flood control.