DOCSLIB.ORG

Geology of Dam Sites on the Upper in Idaho and Montana

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Geology of Dam Sites on the Upper in Idaho and Montana If you no longer need this publication write to the Geological Survey in Washington for an official mailing label to use in returning it UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGY OF DAM SITES ON THE UPPER TRIBUTARIES OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER IN IDAHO AND MONTANA Part 2. HUNGRY HORSE DAM AND RESERVOIR SITE SOUTH FORK FLATHEAD RIVER FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 866-B UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Harold L. Ickes, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director Water-Supply Paper S66-B GEOLOGY OF DAM SITES ON THE UPPER TRIBUTARIES OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER IN IDAHO AND MONTANA Part 2. HUNGRY HORSE DAM AND RESERVOIR SITE SOUTH FORK FLATHEAD RIVER FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA By C. E. ERDMANN WITH^AiSECTION ON GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS By B. E. JONES UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1944 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price 40 cents CONTENTS Page Summary and conclusions.______---__-___--_---___--________-_____- vil General features-_________-_-___-_-_----_----_---__----_------- vil Dam site._______________________ __._._ _________ vni Reservoir site____________________________ ___________________ ix Introduction. _______________--_-___-_-_---__---_--------------__-_ 37 Location and accessibility of the project_____________________.____ 37 Previous investigations_______-______-___-____________-__.._____- 39 Present investigation, ________________________________________ 40 Topography ___________--______-_-_-_____-___--______-__-_ 40 Geology.__-__-_-_--_-----___-_._-_-----_------.--__---.-- 41 Geophysics-_________-_---_-___---___---_---__--_-_----_-- 42 Vegetation_ _ _______i___-__-__-___---_--_-__-_--______-____-_ 43 Climate._________-_________________________ 43 Utility of the Hungry Horse project.____________________________ 44 Proposed accessory diversions_____________________-______-_____- 44 Acknowledgements ____________________________________________ 46 Geology.. _____________-.._ _______ __ ___ __ ___ 47 Stratigraphy __________________________________________________ 47 Belt series_-_--_-_-_--__--_______-___-_________-_____-___- 47 Grinnell argillite_______________________________________ 47 Siyeh limestone_______________________________________ 48 Thickness. _____________________________ 48 Lithology_ ______________________________________ 48 Chemical nature_________________________________ 53 Metamorphism_ ___________________________________ 54 Nomenclature-..__________________________________ 54 Transition facies__________________________________ 55 Missoula group______________________________________ 55 Tertiary______________________!__________ 62 Oligocene (?) and Miocene (?) ________________________ 62 Pleistocene__ ___________________________________________ 63 Kansan (?) till-____________________________ 68 Interglacial deposits of Yarmouth (?) age_________________ 68 Illinoian (?) till_________.____________________________ 69 Interglacial deposits of Sangamon (?) age_________________ 72 Wisconsin drift____________________.__________________- 72 Deposits of glacial Lake Missoula_____________________ 74 Mechanical composition of glacial boulder clays ___________ 75 Recent deposits.________________________________________ 77 Post-Lake Missoula gravels___--_-__-______________--__- 77 Alluvium-...___________________________._ 77 Structure. ____________________________________________________ 77 Mountain structure______________________________________ 77 Probability of movement along faults________________________ 80 Possible influence of earthquakes.__-___-_-___-_-__-___-____- 83 T7^-, in IV CONTENTS Page Geophysical investigations, by B. E. Jones__________________________ 84 Resistivity measurements.._____________________________________ 85 Hungry Horse dam site___-_-______-____________-__-_______ t 85 Lion Hill Gorge arid Abbott Gorge________________________ 86 Seismic observations___________________________________________ 86 Hungry Horse dam site_-_--____________________________________ 88 Bedrock____._______________________________________ 88 Dip___________________________________ 90 Joints_______________j____________________________________ 91 Faults..-._________.-_.______._____________ 92 Permeability______________________________________________ 92 Abutments ________________.!_______-__________________-_______ 95 Foundation ___________________________________________________ 96 Comparison of sections_________________________________________ 98 Appurtenant works.__________________________________________ 100 Spillway tunnels_____.____________________________________ 100 Canals___________________________._._.____ 100 Powerhouse site___________________________________________ 100 Hungry Horse reservoir site_____-______-_-_____.-_-__-__-___^______ 100 Topographic features_________________________________________ 100 Capacity of reservoir_________________________________________ 101 Composition of river water -_--__-__-__-_-____----.--__-____ 102 Silting_____________________________________________ 104 Geologic conditions_-_____-_______-_-______-_-___--____--______ 105 Leakage from Hungry Horse Reservoir___________________________ 105 Drilling exploration.___________________________________________ 110 Mineral deposits of the Hungry Horse Reservoir area-____--__-____ 111 Coal-_-_----__-----------------_--------_---------- __ 111 Oil.-. _-.-----_---------------------_--.--------------_- 114 Metalliferous deposits ____________________________________ 114 Materials for construction___________-_______-____-__-__--______ 115 Glacial drift.__________________________________ 115 Sand_____________________________________________________ 115 Cement--_----_-----__--_----_-----------_-----------,---_ 115 Pozzuolanic materials_____-__-__-_____-__-__-___-_--__-____ 115 Concrete aggregate_________-_-_-__-__-_--__-_--__-_---____ 115 Masonry ___________--____-____-___-___---_-__--_--_--_--_ 116 Timber___________________________________________ 116 Coal_________________________-____-_-__--_----_---.__ 116 Water supply.-____---_---__-__-_-------_----_---^-_------ 116 Electric power_______-__--_----____-_----_----------_---__ 116 Natural gas______________________-____-_-----__----_--__ 116 ILLUSTRATIONS Page PLATE 8. Geologic map of Hungry Horse dam site, Flathead fCounty, Mont________________.--______--_--_------_--_-__ In pocket 9. Geologic cross sections, Hungry Horse'dam site____________ In pocket 10. Map of Lion Hill-Abbott Ridge district_________________ In pocket 11. Cross sections of Abbott gorge andjALion Hill gorge, Hungry Horse project--_____-____ .. -___ __ In pocket CONTENTS V Page FIGUEB 2. Index map showing Hungry Horse dam and reservoir site in their relation to the drainage area of South Fork of Flathead TUver_ _____________"_________________..__ 38 3. Mechanical analyses of glacial boulder clays ________________ 71 4. Diagrammatic section showing regional geologic setting of Hungry Horse dam site________________________________ 89 5. Diagram showing relation of strike of beds and joints to direc­ tion of river flow______________________________________ 92 6. Graphic comparison of dam sections, Hungry Horse site____l_ 99 7. Typical analyses of river and spring waters, Hungry Horse project_____________________________________________ 103 8. Index map showing relation of buried glacial gorges to South Fork of Flathead River and Hungry Horse reservoir. _____ 106 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The Hungry Horse dam site, in Flathead County, Mont., is suitable for a high * concrete dam, and leakage from the reservoir area appears to be improbable. Geologic conditions at the dam site are relatively simple. A low saddle in the drainage divide of the reservoir site limits the maximum height of" a dam to 630 feet above the foundation, but other considerations limit the practical height to 500 feet (high-water flow line 3,540 feet). The critical area is in the vicinity of the saddle near the west quarter corner of sec. 24, T. 30 N., R. 19 W. GENERAL FEATURES Location and topography. The South Fork of Flathead River is one of the three important affluents of the upper Flathead River, which it joins at the head of Bad Rock Canyon. The total length of the South Fork is about 105 miles, and the direction of flow is to the northwest (fig. 2). The gradient of the lower part is about 12 feet per mile. The dam site is in sec. 21, T. 30 N., R. 19 W. (fig. 2). It is rectangular and covers about 110 acres. Its center is about 750 feet northeast of the center of sec. 21. The reservoir area extends upstream from the dam site for 40 miles and will have an area of a little more than 40 square miles. The area of the catchment basin above the dam site is about 1,725 square miles. The average annual runoff from this basin is about 2,000,000 acre-feet, but the stream shows great seasonal fluctuation in flow. i The dam and reservoir sites are within the Flathead National Forest. Accessibility. !At present the dam site can be reached only by walking or riding 3% miles up the South Side Trail from South Fork Bridge, or from the west end of the Geological Survey gaging cable. The bridge is on United States Highway No. 2, 5 miles east of Columbia Falls and 22 miles northeast of Kalispell. The town of Coram, on the Great Northern Railway about 4 miles northeast of the bridge and about 5 miles from the dam site by the most direct route, is the nearest shipping point. The east side of the reservoir area is easily accessible
Load more

Recommended publications
  • South Fork of the Flathead River Originates in the South End of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flows Northward to Hungry Horse Reservoir
    The South Fork Acclaimed as one of Montana’s most pristine and remote rivers, the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Flathead River originates in the south end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows northward to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Boats and supplies are generally packed in on mules or horses over mountain passes to reach the headwa- ters and then packed again from the take-out just above Meadow Creek Gorge, to Meadow Creek Trailhead. There are several commercial outfitters who can provide packing services or full-service floats, but plan ahead as they have limited space available. The floating season is generally from mid-June through late August. The river is Class II-III with standing river waves and shallow rocky shoals. Log jams and other hazards exist, and may change and move seasonally. Always scout from shore prior to floating into any river feature without clear passage. Due to its remoteness, the South Fork requires advanced planning and preparation. Contact the Spotted Bear Ranger Station for updated informa- tion on river and trail conditions, regulations and list of permitted outfitters. Restrictions All sections of the South Fork • Solid human waste containment and the use of fire pans and blankets is recommended. • Store your attractants in a bear resistant manner, in an approved container or vehicle, or hang. Section Specific Restrictions - Confluence with Youngs Creek to Cedar Flats - • Wilderness Section • The party size is limited to 15 people per group and 35 head of stock per party. • Use of weed free stock feed is required. • No wheeled carts or wheelbarrows.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Official 2018-2019 Visitor Guide
    KALISPELL MONTANA OFFICIAL 2018-2019 VISITOR GUIDE #DISCOVERKALISPELL 888-888-2308 DISCOVERKALISPELL.COM DISCOVER KALISPELL TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 DISCOVER KALISPELL 6 GETTING HERE 7 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 10 DAY HIKES 11 SCENIC DRIVES 12 WILD & SCENIC 14 QUICK PICKS 23 FAMILY TIME 24 FLATHEAD LAKE 25 EVENTS 26 LODGING 28 EAT & DRINK 32 LOCAL FLAVOR 35 CULTURE 37 SHOPPING 39 PLAN A MEETING 41 COMMUNITY 44 RESOURCES CONNECTING WITH KALISPELL To help with your trip planning or to answer questions during your visit: Kalispell Visitor Information Center Photo: Tom Robertson, Foys To Blacktail Trails Robertson, Foys To Photo: Tom 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901 406-758-2811or 888-888-2308 DiscoverKalispellMontana @visit_Kalispell DiscoverKalispellMontana Discover Kalispell View mobile friendly guide or request a mailed copy at: WWW.DISCOVERKALISPELL.COM Cover Photo: Tyrel Johnson, Glacier Park Boat Company’s Morning Eagle on Lake Josephine www.discoverkalispell.com | 888-888-2308 3 DISCOVER KALISPELL WELCOME TO KALISPELL Photos: Tom Robertson, Kalispell Chamber, Mike Chilcoat Robertson, Kalispell Chamber, Photos: Tom here the spirit of Northwest Montana lives. Where the mighty mountains of the Crown of the Continent soar. Where the cold, clear Flathead River snakes from wild lands in Glacier National Park and the Bob WMarshall Wilderness to the largest freshwater lake in the west. Where you can plan ahead for a trip of wonder—or let each new moment lead your adventures. Follow the open road to see what’s at the very end. Lay out the map and chart a course to its furthest corner. Or explore the galleries, museums, and shops in historic downtown Kalispell—and maybe let the bakery tempt you into an unexpected sweet treat.
    [Show full text]
  • Coram Experimental Forest
    United States Department of Agriculture Coram Experimental Forest Service Forest: 50 Years of Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Research in a Western Report RMRS-GTR-37 September 1999 Larch Forest Raymond C. Shearer Madelyn M. Kempf Abstract Shearer, Raymond C.; Kempf, Madelyn M. 1999. Coram Experimental Forest: 50 years of research in a western larch forest. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-37. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 66 p. This publication will enrich public understanding about the important contributions to science made at this and other outdoor laboratories. Coram, and other long-range research sites, provide scientific knowledge to assist resource professionals with the development of sound land management principles. This knowledge ensures healthy, sustainable, and productive ecosystems while meeting social and economic needs. Major research at Coram includes the regeneration of young forests and the interaction of flora, fauna, and water to a wide range of forest treatments. Ongoing studies include: • cone and seed development and dispersal • natural and artificial regeneration after harvest cuttings • effects of stand culture treatment on forest development • insect and disease interactions • effects of the amount of wood harvest on site productivity • influence of silvicultural practices on watershed, esthetics, and wildlife values The Coram Experimental Forest is used cooperatively by Federal, university, and private scientists. About 340 ha of the forest are designated as the Coram Research Natural Area where virgin conditions are permanently maintained for research and monitoring. Coram, designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1976, is part of an international network that is devoted to the conservation of nature and scientific research in the service of humans.
    [Show full text]
  • Restoration Plan for Bull Trout in the Clark Fork River Basin and Kootenai River Basin Montana
    RESTORATION PLAN FOR BULL TROUT IN THE CLARK FORK RIVER BASIN AND KOOTENAI RIVER BASIN MONTANA Prepared by: MONTANA BULL TROUT RESTORATION TEAM FOR GOVERNOR MARC RACICOT c/o Montana Department of Fish,Wildlife and Parks 1420 East Sixth Avenue Helena, Montana 59601 JUNE 2000 RESTORATION PLAN FOR BULL TROUT IN THE CLARK FORK RIVER BASIN AND KOOTENAI RIVER BASIN, MONTANA This restoration plan for bull trout in Montana was developed collaboratively by, and is supported by, the Montana Bull Trout Restoration Team, appointed by Governor Marc Racicot. Restoration Team members represented the organizations listed below. All parties to this restoration plan recognize that they each have specific statutory responsibilities that cannot be abdicated, particularly with respect to the management and conservation of fish and wildlife, their habitat, and the management, development and allocation of land and water resources. Nothing in this plan is intended to abrogate any of the parties' respective responsibilities. Each party has final approval authority for any activities undertaken as a result of this agreement on the lands owned or administered by them. The Restoration Plan was developed by the Montana Bull Trout Restoration Team, represented by the following organizations and agencies (arranged in alphabetical order by agency/organization): American Fisheries Society Bonneville Power Administration Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation National
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for the USA (W7A
    Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) Summits on the Air U.S.A. (W7A - Arizona) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S53.1 Issue number 5.0 Date of issue 31-October 2020 Participation start date 01-Aug 2010 Authorized Date: 31-October 2020 Association Manager Pete Scola, WA7JTM Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Document S53.1 Page 1 of 15 Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) TABLE OF CONTENTS CHANGE CONTROL....................................................................................................................................... 3 DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................. 4 1 ASSOCIATION REFERENCE DATA ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Program Derivation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 General Information ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Final Ascent
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting the Crown: a Century of Resource Management in Glacier National Park
    Protecting the Crown A Century of Resource Management in Glacier National Park Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (RM-CESU) RM-CESU Cooperative Agreement H2380040001 (WASO) RM-CESU Task Agreement J1434080053 Theodore Catton, Principal Investigator University of Montana Department of History Missoula, Montana 59812 Diane Krahe, Researcher University of Montana Department of History Missoula, Montana 59812 Deirdre K. Shaw NPS Key Official and Curator Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana 59936 June 2011 Table of Contents List of Maps and Photographs v Introduction: Protecting the Crown 1 Chapter 1: A Homeland and a Frontier 5 Chapter 2: A Reservoir of Nature 23 Chapter 3: A Complete Sanctuary 57 Chapter 4: A Vignette of Primitive America 103 Chapter 5: A Sustainable Ecosystem 179 Conclusion: Preserving Different Natures 245 Bibliography 249 Index 261 List of Maps and Photographs MAPS Glacier National Park 22 Threats to Glacier National Park 168 PHOTOGRAPHS Cover - hikers going to Grinnell Glacier, 1930s, HPC 001581 Introduction – Three buses on Going-to-the-Sun Road, 1937, GNPA 11829 1 1.1 Two Cultural Legacies – McDonald family, GNPA 64 5 1.2 Indian Use and Occupancy – unidentified couple by lake, GNPA 24 7 1.3 Scientific Exploration – George B. Grinnell, Web 12 1.4 New Forms of Resource Use – group with stringer of fish, GNPA 551 14 2.1 A Foundation in Law – ranger at check station, GNPA 2874 23 2.2 An Emphasis on Law Enforcement – two park employees on hotel porch, 1915 HPC 001037 25 2.3 Stocking the Park – men with dead mountain lions, GNPA 9199 31 2.4 Balancing Preservation and Use – road-building contractors, 1924, GNPA 304 40 2.5 Forest Protection – Half Moon Fire, 1929, GNPA 11818 45 2.6 Properties on Lake McDonald – cabin in Apgar, Web 54 3.1 A Background of Construction – gas shovel, GTSR, 1937, GNPA 11647 57 3.2 Wildlife Studies in the 1930s – George M.
    [Show full text]
  • Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States
    Jump to Navigation Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States As of January 12, 2017, the USGS maintains a limited number of metadata fields that characterize the Quaternary faults and folds of the United States. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the interactive fault map. South Fork Flathead fault (Class A) No. 701 Last Review Date: 2006-05-08 Compiled in cooperation with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology citation for this record: Haller, K.M., compiler, 2006, Fault number 701, South Fork Flathead fault, in Quaternary fault and fold database of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey website, https://earthquakes.usgs.gov/hazards/qfaults, accessed 12/14/2020 02:02 PM. Synopsis Little known about this long range-front fault that bounds the west side of the Flathead Range. Detailed studies have not been conducted to date. No scarps have been reported along this fault. Name Source of name is Ostenaa and others (1990 #540). Referred to as comments the Flathead fault in early work in the region (Clapp, 1932 #997; Erdmann, 1944 #987). Later referred to as the South Fork fault (Bryant and others, 1984 #1027; Sullivan and LaForge, 1988 #541). The most recently used name is preferred here to avoid any possible confusion with structural style attributed to the fault in early publications. Fault ID: Refers to fault number 121 (unnamed fault southwest flank of Flathead Range) and fault number 122 (South Fork Flathead River fault) of Witkind (1975 #317). County(s) and FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA State(s) LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY, MONTANA POWELL COUNTY, MONTANA Physiographic NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAINS province(s) Reliability of Poor location Compiled at 1:250,000 scale.
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC)
    Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Summits on the Air USA - Colorado (WØC) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S46.1 Issue number 3.2 Date of issue 15-June-2021 Participation start date 01-May-2010 Authorised Date: 15-June-2021 obo SOTA Management Team Association Manager Matt Schnizer KØMOS Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Page 1 of 11 Document S46.1 V3.2 Summits on the Air – ARM for USA - Colorado (WØC) Change Control Date Version Details 01-May-10 1.0 First formal issue of this document 01-Aug-11 2.0 Updated Version including all qualified CO Peaks, North Dakota, and South Dakota Peaks 01-Dec-11 2.1 Corrections to document for consistency between sections. 31-Mar-14 2.2 Convert WØ to WØC for Colorado only Association. Remove South Dakota and North Dakota Regions. Minor grammatical changes. Clarification of SOTA Rule 3.7.3 “Final Access”. Matt Schnizer K0MOS becomes the new W0C Association Manager. 04/30/16 2.3 Updated Disclaimer Updated 2.0 Program Derivation: Changed prominence from 500 ft to 150m (492 ft) Updated 3.0 General information: Added valid FCC license Corrected conversion factor (ft to m) and recalculated all summits 1-Apr-2017 3.0 Acquired new Summit List from ListsofJohn.com: 64 new summits (37 for P500 ft to P150 m change and 27 new) and 3 deletes due to prom corrections.
    [Show full text]
  • Failed National Parks in the Last Best Places
    Contents MONTANA THE MAGAZINE OF WESTERN HISTORY f AUTUMN 2009 f VOLUME 59 , NUMBER 3 3 Failed National Parks in the Last Best Place Lary M. Dilsaver and William Wyckoff 25 Dying in the West PART 1: HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE IN MONTANA AND ALBERTA, 1880-1950 Dawn Nickel 46 Cromwell Dixon THE WORLD'S YOUNGEST AVIATOR Del Phillips ON THE COVER The front cover features Maynard Dixon's Oncoming Storm (1941, oil on canvas,36" x 40"), courtesy Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico. On the back cover is The History ofMontana: Exploration and Settlement (1943-44 , oil on canvas), one of the murals in the History of Montana series painted by John W. "Jack" Beauchamp, an artist and the director of the Helena Art Center at Carroll College in the 1940s. Saloon manager Kenny Egan commissioned the artist to paint the murals for the Mint Cigar Store and Tavern located in downtown Helena in 1943· Before the building was demolished in i960, the murals were removed and donated to the Montana Historical Society by the Dennis and Vivian Connors family. Three of the panels are currently on loan to Helena's City County Building, where they hang in the main meeting room. The History ofMontana: Exploration and Settlement depicts people and places central to the state's story, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition and St. Mary's Mission and its founders, Fathers Pierre-] ean De Smet and Anthony Ravalli. The mission and a number of other Montana natural, historic, and recreational sites were proposed as inclusions to the national park system.
    [Show full text]
  • Cirques As Glacier Locations William L
    University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Faculty Publications Geography, Department of 1976 Cirques as Glacier Locations William L. Graf [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/geog_facpub Part of the Geography Commons Publication Info Arctic and Alpine Research, Volume 8, Issue 1, 1976, pages 79-90. This Article is brought to you by the Geography, Department of at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Arctic and Alpine Research, Vol. 8, No.1, 1976, pp. 79-90 Copyrighted 1976. All rights reserved. CIRQUES AS GLACIER LOCATIONS WILLIAM L. GRAF Department of Geography University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242 ABSTRACT A comparison between the 319 cirques that width greater than length, high steep walls, a contain glaciers and a sample of 240 empty pass located to the windward, and a peak to the cirques in the Rocky Mountains shows that in the southwest. Glaciers survive in the present cli­ present climatic situation, landforms are strong matic conditions because of a geomorphic feed­ factors in determining the locations of glaciers. back system, whereby glaciers are protected by An optimum glacier location is a large cirque cirque forms that owe their morphology to gla­ facing northeast, with a planimetric shape of cial processes. INTRODUCTION During the Pleistocene period, huge valley were recognized as products of glacial activity. and plateau glaciers covered large portions of The activities of cirque glaciers in developing the American Rocky Mountains, but as climate cirque morphology have been explored (Lewis, changed, glaciers receded and in most cases 1938) but, with one notable exception, the pro­ vanished.
    [Show full text]
  • Glacier National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Geologic Resources Division Denver, Colorado Glacier National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Glacier National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Geologic Resources Division Denver, Colorado U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, DC Table of Contents List of Figures .............................................................................................................. iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose of the Geologic Resource Evaluation Program ............................................................................................3 Geologic Setting .........................................................................................................................................................3 Glacial Setting ............................................................................................................................................................4 Geologic Issues............................................................................................................. 9 Economic Resources..................................................................................................................................................9 Mining Issues..............................................................................................................................................................9
    [Show full text]
  • South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program Draft Environmental Impact Statement
    South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program Draft Environmental Impact Statement Responsible Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS) and State of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (MFWP) Department Title of Proposed Project: South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program State Involved: Montana Abstract: In cooperation with MFWP, BPA is proposing to implement a conservation program to preserve the genetic purity of the westslope cutthroat trout populations in the South Fork of the Flathead drainage. The South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program constitutes a portion of the Hungry Horse Mitigation Program. The purpose of the Hungry Horse Mitigation Program is to mitigate for the construction and operation of Hungry Horse Dam through restoring habitat, improving fish passage, protecting and recovering native fish populations, and reestablishing fish harvest opportunities. The target species for the Hungry Horse Mitigation Program are bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish. The program is designed to preserve the genetically pure fluvial and adfluvial westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) populations in the South Fork drainage of the Flathead River. In order to accomplish the goals, MFWP is proposing to remove hybrid trout from identified lakes in the South Fork Flathead drainage on the Flathead National Forest and replace them with genetically pure native westslope cutthroat trout over the next 10-12 years. Some of these lakes occur within the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Jewel Basin Hiking Area. Currently, 21 lakes and their outflow streams with hybrid populations have been identified and are included in this proposal.
    [Show full text]