Water Resources Scoping Report for Canyonlands National Park, Arches
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The State of Outdoor Recreation in Utah 2020 a High-Level Review of the Data & Trends That Define Outdoor Recreation in the State
the State of outdoor recreation in utah 2020 A high-level review of the data & trends that define outdoor recreation in the state. Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D. & Anna B. Miller, Ph.D. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University about the Institute The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (IORT) was founded in 1998 by the Utah State Legisla- ture through the Recreation and Tourism Research and Extension Program Act (S.B. 35). It is mandated to focus on: tourism and outdoor recreation use; the social and economic tradeoffs of tourism and outdoor recreation for local communities; and the relationship between outdoor recreation and tourism and pub- lic land management practices and policies. The purpose of the Institute is to provide: better data for the Legislature and state agencies in their deci- sion-making processes on issues relating to tourism and outdoor recreation; a base of information and expertise to assist community officials as they attempt to balance the economic, social, and environmen- tal tradeoffs in tourism development; and an interdisciplinary approach of research and study on outdoor recreation and tourism, a complex sector of the state’s economy. The Institute is composed of an interdisciplinary team of scientists with backgrounds in the economic, psychological, social, and spatial sciences. It is led by Dr. Jordan W. Smith (Director), Dr. Anna B. Miller (Assistant Director of Research and Operations), and Chase C. Lamborn (Assistant Director of Outreach and Education). The Institute delivers on its mission through a broad network of Faculty Fellows. Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D.1, is the Director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and an As- sistant Professor in the Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University. -
Saline Soils and Water Quality in the Colorado River Basin: Natural and Anthropogenic Causes Gabriel Lahue River Ecogeomorphology Winter 2017
Saline soils and water quality in the Colorado River Basin: Natural and anthropogenic causes Gabriel LaHue River Ecogeomorphology Winter 2017 Outline I. Introduction II. Natural sources of salinity and the geology of the Colorado River Basin IIIA. Anthropogenic contributions to salinity – Agriculture IIIB. Anthropogenic contributions to salinity – Other anthropogenic sources IV. Moving forward – Efforts to decrease salinity V. Summary and conclusions Abstract Salinity is arguably the biggest water quality challenge facing the Colorado River, with estimated damages up to $750 million. The salinity of the river has doubled from pre-dam levels, mostly due to irrigation and reservoir evaporation. Natural salinity sources – saline springs, eroding salt-laden geologic formations, and runoff – still account for about half of the salt loading to the river. Consumptive water use for agricultural irrigation concentrates the naturally- occurring salts in the Colorado River water, these salts are leached from the root zone to maintain crop productivity, and the salts reenter the river as agricultural drainage water. Reservoir evaporation represents a much smaller cause of river salinity and most programs to reduce the salinity of the Colorado River have focused on agriculture; these include the lining of irrigation canals, irrigation efficiency improvements, and removing areas with poor drainage from production. Salt loading to the Colorado River has been reduced because of these efforts, but more work will be required to meet salinity reduction targets. Introduction The Colorado River is one of the most important rivers in the Western United States: it provides water for approximately 40 million people and irrigation water for 5.5 million acres of land, both inside and outside the Colorado River Basin (CRBSCF, 2014). -
Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement
Record of Decision Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement I. Summary of Action and Background The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has completed a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam. The EIS describes the potential effects of modifying the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam to assist in the recovery of four endangered fish, and their critical habitat, downstream from the dam. The four endangered fish species are Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and bonytail (Gila elegans). Reclamation would implement the proposed action by modifying the operations of Flaming Gorge Dam, to the extent possible, to achieve the flows and temperatures recommended by participants of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program). Reclamation’s goal is to implement the proposed action and, at the same time, maintain and continue all authorized purposes of the Colorado River Storage Project. The purpose of the proposed action is to operate Flaming Gorge Dam to protect and assist in recovery of the populations and designated critical habitat of the four endangered fishes, while maintaining all authorized purposes of the Flaming Gorge Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), including those related to the development of water resources in accordance with the Colorado River Compact. As the Federal agency responsible for the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam, Reclamation was the lead agency in preparing the EIS. Eight cooperating agencies also participated in preparing this EIS: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, State of Utah Department of Natural Resources, U.S. -
The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area
Museums M 191 MPNHA Absorb the Old West through anti, U hundreds of interactive N displays of pioneer history, orth Mormon heritage, outlaw T 84642 stories, and nature and UNDER THE RIM M Artists, Artisans, Crafters wildlife. Experience a new Big Water ain understanding of the settlers Big Water Visitor Center Museum/Grand Inspired by this rugged who shaped the social, Staircase Escalante National Monument Pal landscape, the artists and cultural and historic life crafters of the area are and lore of the American Kanab Grand Staircase Escalante National winners of the Best of West. Museum hours vary His Monument Geo Arc State Award. Handmade Kanab Heritage House by season. Call ahead His treasures include porcelain for schedule (See Visitor Kanab Heritage Museum Mt. Carmel dolls and carved wooden Information box at right). Kanab Visitor Center Museum The Old Rock Church Gallery Art caricatures, antique HEADWatERS BOULDER LOOP / furniture reproductions, Circleville HEADWatERS contemporary woodcraft, LittlE DEnmarK Butch Cassidy’s Childhood Home His HEritagE AREA MARKERS pottery, appliqued western Fairview Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Old Rock Schoolhouse, Marysvale clothing, hand tooled boots Art Hatch Fairview Museum and Art His Area Markers showing local travel Escalante Tithing Office, 1884 William Derby Johnson, Jr., House and saddles, unique jewelry, Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum His maps and historic sites. Historic Red Brick Homes (Cole’s Hotel), 1884, Kanab Native American crafts, Fountain Green Open by appointment M. Parker (Butch Cassidy), Perry Lodge, Home to the Move Stars fine art and more. Beautiful Mt. Pleasant, corner of Main Street and Hwy 89 objects and memorable Fountain Green Daughters of Utah Pioneers Marysvale Cabin, c. -
West Colorado River Plan
Section 9 - West Colorado River Basin Water Planning and Development 9.1 Introduction 9-1 9.2 Background 9-1 9.3 Water Resources Problems 9-7 9.4 Water Resources Demands and Needs 9-7 9.5 Water Development and Management Alternatives 9-13 9.6 Projected Water Depletions 9-18 9.7 Policy Issues and Recommendations 9-19 Figures 9-1 Price-San Rafael Salinity Control Project Map 9-6 9-2 Wilderness Lands 9-11 9-3 Potential Reservoir Sites 9-16 9-4 Gunnison Butte Mutual Irrigation Project 9-20 9-5 Bryce Valley 9-22 Tables 9-1 Board of Water Resources Development Projects 9-3 9-2 Salinity Control Project Approved Costs 9-7 9-3 Wilderness Lands 9-8 9-4 Current and Projected Culinary Water Use 9-12 9-5 Current and Projected Secondary Water Use 9-12 9-6 Current and Projected Agricultural Water Use 9-13 9-7 Summary of Current and Projected Water Demands 9-14 9-8 Historical Reservoir Site Investigations 9-17 Section 9 West Colorado River Basin - Utah State Water Plan Water Planning and Development 9.1 Introduction The coordination and cooperation of all This section describes the major existing water development projects and proposed water planning water-related government agencies, and development activities in the West Colorado local organizations and individual River Basin. The existing water supplies are vital to water users will be required as the the existence of the local communities while also basin tries to meet its future water providing aesthetic and environmental values. -
Big-River Monitoring on the Colorado Plateau
I NVENTORY & M ONITORING N ETWORK Big-River Monitoring on the Colorado Plateau Dustin Perkins1, Mike Scott2, Greg Auble2, Mark Wondzell3, Chris Holmquist-Johnson2, Eric Wahlig2, Helen Thomas1, and Aneth Wight1; 1Northern Colorado Plateau Network, P.O. Box 848, Bldg. 11, Arches National Park, Moab, UT 84532 2U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Discipline, FORT Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526; 3National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Ste. 150, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Introduction and Green rivers in Canyonlands National Park. The Yampa River is the longest relatively free-flowing river Water has always been in short supply in the western reach remaining in the Colorado River basin. The U.S., making it a consistent source of conflict. In Green River is highly regulated by Flaming Gorge Dam the Colorado River drainage, an increasing human but is partially restored below its confluence with the population fuels increased demands for water from Yampa River. There have been large-scale changes the river and its tributaries. As a result, streamflow to the Green River since Flaming Gorge Dam was in virtually all of these systems has been altered by completed in 1962. reservoirs and other water-development projects. In most cases, reduced flows have significantly altered Monitoring of these rivers and their riparian peak flows and increased base flows that structure vegetation focuses on processes that affect the river floodplain vegetation, stream-channel morphology, channel, active bars, and riparian floodplains. To get and water quality (e.g., temperature, suspended a complete picture of river conditions, the NCPN sediment, nutrients). -
The Impact of the Endangered Species Act on Glen Canyon Dam Operations and Stakeholders
The Bottom Line: The Impact of the Endangered Species Act on Glen Canyon Dam Operations and Stakeholders By Leslie James he Endangered Species Act (ESA) is arguably the most powerful environmental law ever enacted. Since its passage in 1973, it has had far-reaching Timpacts on power production from federally owned multiple-purpose projects, such as the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP). Operational changes resulting from efforts to address ESA issues impact not only power production but repayment of the federal investment in the project. While differing approaches and programs have been established in an attempt to address ESA issues at Glen Canyon Dam, operations have proved to be significant and costly. Background: Colorado River Storage Project In 1956, Congress passed the Colorado River Storage Glen Canyon Dam. Project Act to provide storage facilities for the Upper Basin states so that they could meet Colorado River Compact needs. Operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, the CRSP of total CRSP generation. Flaming Gorge Dam is on the consists of multipurpose dams that release water to meet Green River, a major tributary of the Colorado River, and Colorado River Compact, municipal and industrial (M&I), has three units producing about 132 MW of generation. and irrigation requirements. As the water is released, electric power and energy are produced to help pay for ESA Impacts on Glen Canyon Dam Operations the projects. The Western Area Power Administration The Glen Canyon Dam power plant generates power (WAPA) markets and transmits that electricity to for municipal, industrial, irrigation pumping, and other preference power entities pursuant to federal law. -
Tetrapod Biostratigraphy and Biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic Transition on the Southern Colorado Plateau, USA
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 244 (2007) 242–256 www.elsevier.com/locate/palaeo Tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic transition on the southern Colorado Plateau, USA Spencer G. Lucas a,⁎, Lawrence H. Tanner b a New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Rd. N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104-1375, USA b Department of Biology, Le Moyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA Received 15 March 2006; accepted 20 June 2006 Abstract Nonmarine fluvial, eolian and lacustrine strata of the Chinle and Glen Canyon groups on the southern Colorado Plateau preserve tetrapod body fossils and footprints that are one of the world's most extensive tetrapod fossil records across the Triassic– Jurassic boundary. We organize these tetrapod fossils into five, time-successive biostratigraphic assemblages (in ascending order, Owl Rock, Rock Point, Dinosaur Canyon, Whitmore Point and Kayenta) that we assign to the (ascending order) Revueltian, Apachean, Wassonian and Dawan land-vertebrate faunachrons (LVF). In doing so, we redefine the Wassonian and the Dawan LVFs. The Apachean–Wassonian boundary approximates the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. This tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic transition on the southern Colorado Plateau confirms that crurotarsan extinction closely corresponds to the end of the Triassic, and that a dramatic increase in dinosaur diversity, abundance and body size preceded the end of the Triassic. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Triassic–Jurassic boundary; Colorado Plateau; Chinle Group; Glen Canyon Group; Tetrapod 1. Introduction 190 Ma. On the southern Colorado Plateau, the Triassic– Jurassic transition was a time of significant changes in the The Four Corners (common boundary of Utah, composition of the terrestrial vertebrate (tetrapod) fauna. -
Floating the Green River
Green River Campsites How to get to the Green River All established campgrounds include a table, fire ring, tent pads and benches. River mileages are given beginning at Flaming Gorge Dam. For availability and reservations go to www.reserveUSA.com. All other From Wyoming campsites are on a first come basis. From I-80 just west of Rock The Green River from Little Hole to the Springs, WY, take US-191 to exit 99, travel south to the Utah/Colorado state line is a quiet stretch of major access points at Clay Basin or Dutch John, UT. 1. Stonefly I & II 10. Big Pine Camp I & II 18. Bridge Port Camp 27. Pipeline Camp river surrounded by beautiful scenery, wildlife (FS) North side (river left) (FS) North side (river left) (State) North side (river left) (BLM) East side (river left) Green River Camping From Salt Lake City Mile 8.2. Mile 10.5. Mile 17.3. Mile 22. Take I-80 to exit 34, follow Camping between Little Hole and Indian Crossing and outstanding opportunities for recreation the signs from Fort Bridger to 11. Pugmire Pocket Camp is restricted to designated float-in or hike-in campsites. Manila, UT, then take UT-44 2. Sand Camp 19. River Bend Camp 28. Little Swallow Camp and adventure. Whether you’re interested in (FS) North side (river left) (BLM) South side (river right) (BLM) South side (river right) (BLM) East side (river left) Campers must pack-in/pack-out all trash and build fires to the intersection with US-191. US-191 leads to Mile 8.3. -
Preliminary Report on Some Uranium Deposits Along the West Side of the San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah
UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION RMO-673 PRELIMINARY REPORT ON SOME URANIUM DEPOSITS ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE SAN RAFAEL SWELL, EMERY COUNTY, UTAH By Millard L. Reyner October 1950 SI-7c1 Division of Raw Materials Exploration Branch Technical Information Service, Oak Ridge, T•nn•ss•• ; "N_ ' \ - —rrs1 • „ 6 NOV 1952 METALLURGY AND CERAMICS Reproduced direct from copy a3 submitted to this office. AEC,Oak Ridge,Tenn.,8-13-51--515-W5593 CONTMITS Page Introduction 1 Geography 3 History 4 Regional geology 4 Economic geology 5 General 5 Mineralogy 7 Deposits examined 8 Lone Tree group. 8 Hard Pan group 11 Dalton group 12 Dexter group 12 Clifford Smith claim 16 Wickiup group 17 Gardell Snow's claim 20 Dolly group 20 South Fork group 20 Hertz No. 1 claim 21 Pay Day claim. Green Vein group. and Brown Throne group 21 Dirty Devil group 26 Summary and conclusions 30 iii ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1. Index Map of Utah showing location of area examined. • •••••••• OOOOO ••. 2 Figure 2. Map showing locations of uranium prospects and samples on a mesa 4 miles southwest of the San Rafael River bridge. OOOOO . 9 Figure 3. Sketch showing plan, sections, and samples of the Lone Tree adit .••••• OOOOO 10 Figure 4. Plan and sections of Dalton Group showing sample locations and assays . 13 Figure 5. Plan of adit on Dexter Group showing sample looations and assays. 15 Figure 6. Sketch of Block Mountain showing locations of samples in Wickiup Group•• OOOOOO 18 Figure 7. Sketch showing sample locations and assays in main workings of Wickiup Group on the west side of Block Mountain. -
The Sauropodomorph Biostratigraphy of the Elliot Formation of Southern Africa: Tracking the Evolution of Sauropodomorpha Across the Triassic–Jurassic Boundary
Editors' choice The sauropodomorph biostratigraphy of the Elliot Formation of southern Africa: Tracking the evolution of Sauropodomorpha across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary BLAIR W. MCPHEE, EMESE M. BORDY, LARA SCISCIO, and JONAH N. CHOINIERE McPhee, B.W., Bordy, E.M., Sciscio, L., and Choiniere, J.N. 2017. The sauropodomorph biostratigraphy of the Elliot Formation of southern Africa: Tracking the evolution of Sauropodomorpha across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 62 (3): 441–465. The latest Triassic is notable for coinciding with the dramatic decline of many previously dominant groups, followed by the rapid radiation of Dinosauria in the Early Jurassic. Among the most common terrestrial vertebrates from this time, sauropodomorph dinosaurs provide an important insight into the changing dynamics of the biota across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. The Elliot Formation of South Africa and Lesotho preserves the richest assemblage of sauropodomorphs known from this age, and is a key index assemblage for biostratigraphic correlations with other simi- larly-aged global terrestrial deposits. Past assessments of Elliot Formation biostratigraphy were hampered by an overly simplistic biozonation scheme which divided it into a lower “Euskelosaurus” Range Zone and an upper Massospondylus Range Zone. Here we revise the zonation of the Elliot Formation by: (i) synthesizing the last three decades’ worth of fossil discoveries, taxonomic revision, and lithostratigraphic investigation; and (ii) systematically reappraising the strati- graphic provenance of important fossil locations. We then use our revised stratigraphic information in conjunction with phylogenetic character data to assess morphological disparity between Late Triassic and Early Jurassic sauropodomorph taxa. Our results demonstrate that the Early Jurassic upper Elliot Formation is considerably more taxonomically and morphologically diverse than previously thought. -
Conservation
CONSERVATION 8.1 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 8 8.2 NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION 8.3 AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH UPTOWN COMMUNITY PLAN November 2016 INTRODUCTION Conservation is the planned management, preservation, and wise utilization of natural resources and landscapes. Sustainable development is development which respects the balance and relationship between the economy, ecology and equity. The principles of conservation stress humankind’s CONSERVATION ELEMENT GOALS relationship to the natural environment and understand the benefits conferred socially as well as environmentally. • Implementation of sustainable development Socially, these benefits can accrue to all people as well and “green” building practices to reduce as future generations so there can be a sense of equity dependence on non-renewable energy sources, in the appropriate practice of conservation and the lower energy costs, reduce emissions and water implementation of sustainable development. consumption. Many aspects of conservation and sustainability have • Preservation of the natural character of much broader geographic and political relationships Uptown’s open space for its biological diversity and may be more suited to implement on a citywide or as well as important relief from urban even regional basis. However, there is much that can development. be done at the local community level, and individual • Protection of natural canyon landforms and communities can also be at the forefront of the policy habitat from building encroachment and discussion. incompatible uses. The General Plan Conservation Element positions the • Public access to scenic resources and open City to become an international model of sustainable space that is maintained and enhanced where development and to provide for the long-term needed.