Such valleys do not hold surface water because it sinks into the permeable bedrock.

They often develop over relatively permeable bedrock of some kind, but are also found over unconsolidated parent materials like river gravels.

The action of the groundwater continually dissolves permeable bedrock such as limestone and dolomite, creating vast cave systems.

Groundwater moves quickly through very permeable bedrock or overburden, and slowly through clay or silt.

Some may have developed during periods of higher water table, others in periglacial conditions during which normally permeable bedrock would have been made impervious by permafrost, thus allowing flowing water to erode it.

Fish Springs is thought to be the end of a long flowpath of groundwater, starting in the Schell Creek Range and Snake Range area and flowing along permeable bedrock (e.g. limestones) or faults toward Fish Springs.

The more gradual downward movement is linked to subsequent slow drainage through bedrock grooves or permeable substrata.