Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 18 | Number 2 Article 1 6-1973 An ecological survey of the algae of Huntington Canyon, Utah Lorin E. Squires Department of Botany and Range Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602 Samuel R. Rushforth Department of Botany and Range Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602 Carol J. Endsley Department of Botany and Range Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602 Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Squires, Lorin E.; Rushforth, Samuel R.; and Endsley, Carol J. (1973) "An ecological survey of the algae of Huntington Canyon, Utah," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 18 : No. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol18/iss2/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. ^./l//4 - 'f'f^ro^o^ Brigham Young University Mus. coMP. zoou Science Bulletin NOV 51973 u'OTicOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE ALGAE OF HUNTINGTON CANYON, UTAH by Lorin E. Squires Samuel R. Rushforth Carol J. Endsley BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME XVIII, NUMBER 2 JUNE 1973/ISSN 0068-1024 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN BIOLOGICAL SERIES Editor: Stanley L. Welsh, Department of Botany, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Acting Editor: Vernon J. Tipton, Zoofogy Members of the Editorial Board: Ferron L. Andersen, Zoology Joseph R. Murdock, Botany WiLMER W. Tanner, Zoology Ex officio Members: A. Lester Allen, Dean, College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences Ernest L. Olson, Director, Brigham Yoimg University Press The Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, publishes acceptable papers, particularly large manuscripts, on all phases of biology. Separate numbers and back volumes can be purchased from University Press Marketing, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602. All remittances should be made payable to Brigham Young University. Orders and materials for Ubrary exchange should be directed to the Division of Gifts and Exchange, Brigham Young University Library, Provo, Utah 84602. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin AN ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE ALGAE OF HUNTINGTON CANYON, UTAH by Lorin E. Squires Samuel R. Rushforth Carol J. Endsley BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME XVIII, NUMBER 2 JUNE 1973/ISSN 0068-1024 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION 1 REVIEW OF SELECTED ALGAL STUDIES IN UTAH S DESCRIPTION OF THE HUNTINGTON CANYON DRAINAGE 6 GEOLOGY 6 CLIMATE AND VEGETATION ZONES 12 DESCRIPTION AND USES OF HUNTINGTON CREEK 15 DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING SITES 17 LAWRENCE ( SITE 1 ) 17 HIGHWAY 10 BRIDGE (SITE 2) 17 PLANT SITE ( SITE 3 ) 17 BEAR-RILDA CAMPGROUND (SITE 4) 19 TIE FORK POND (SITE 5) 20 STUART FIRE STATION (SITE 6) 20 BEAR CANYON ( SITE 7 ) 20 METHODS 22 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS 22 Temperature 22 Turbidity 22 Water Chemistry 22 PHYTOPLANKTON 22 Net Plankton 22 Naimoplankton 24 PERIPHYTON 24 VISIBLE BENTHIC ALGAE 26 FLORISTIC SAMPLING 26 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 26 LAWRENCE ( SITE 1 ) 26 HIGHWAY 10 BRIDGE (SITE 2) 31 PLANT SITE ( SITE 3 ) 33 BEAR-RILDA CAMPGROUND (SITE 4) 39 STUART FIRE STATION (SITE 6) 44 BEAR CANYON ( SITE 7 ) 50 TIE FORK POND (SITE 5) 51 ALGAL FLORA OF HUNTINGTON CANYON 55 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 57 APPENDIX I—NET PLANKTON, NANNOPLANKTON, PERIPHYTON, AND VISIBLE BENTHIC ALGAL TABLES 57 APPENDIX II—ALGAE COLLECTED FROM HUNTINGTON CANYON OCTOBER 1970—MARCH 1972 .... 84 LITERATURE CITED 86 AN ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE ALGAE OF HUNTINGTON CANYON, UTAH by Lorin E. Squires/ Samuel R. Rushforth/ and Carol J. Endsley' ABSTRACT A quantitative and ecological study of the lent in Huntington Creek from late winter to algae of Huntington Canyon, Emery County, early summer, and filamentous blue green algae Utah, was conducted from March 1971 to April abound in the summer and fall. Cladophora 1972. Net plankton, nannoplankton, periphyton, glomerata, Oedogonitim sp., and Cham vulgaris and visible attached algae were studied. Cer- are abundant in the creek beyond the mouth tain physical and chemical parameters in the of the canyon. Most plankton in Huntington waters of Huntington Creek and a small pond Creek originate on the substrate and in reser- along its course were also measured. voirs on the left fork. Huntington Creek contains a wide diversity Huntington Creek is a cold, fast-flowing, of genera and species of algae. Diatoms are the hard-water mountain stream, and the algal main constituent of the flora of this stream flora of this creek is typical of such a habitat. throughout the year. Hydrurus foetidus is preva- INTRODUCTION In October 1970 a study of the algae of Huntington Canyon, Emery County, Utah, was initiated ( Fig. 1 ) . The need for this study stems from the construction of a coal-fired power- generating station and a 30,000 acre-foot reser- voir by Utah Power and Light Company. The generating station is located in lower Hunting- ton Canyon approximately 12 miles northwest of Huntington, Utah, on land formerly owned by the Utah State Division of Wildlife Re- sources and the Bureau of Land Management (Fig. 2). The Peabodv Coal Company will sup- ply coal for the generating station from a mine 2.5 miles southwest of the station, and the elec- tricity will be transmitted south to the Four Comers area and north to Camp Williams (Draft Environmental Statement, 1971). When completed, the station will consist of four gen- erating units. The first unit will generate 430 megawatts of electricity and will be operational in 1974. Thereafter, one unit will be completed during each of three four-year periods. Upon completion, the station will be capable of gen- erating 2,000 megawatts of electricity. The four generators will be cooled with Fig. 1. Index map of the Huntington Canyon study water taken from Huntington Creek. To insure area. ^Department of Botany and Range Science. Brigliain YounK University, Provo. t'l.ili ^f4(l02 Bricham Young University Science Bulletin Fig. 2 Mouth of Huntington Canyon on tlio eastern edge of tlie Wasatch Plateau. The Utah Power and Light Company Generating Station is located at the right center. Photographed Feb. 7, 1972. that a continuous supply of water will be avail- store water from the spring nmoff, which will able, a new reservoir, called E'ectric Lake, will be released as needed during the summer and be constructed on the right fork of Huntington fall months. A paved road will allow access to Creek approximately 20 miles upstream from the reser%oir, and public recreational facilities the generating station near the mouth of Bear will be provided. Canyon, Emery County, Utah (Fig. 3). The Initial impact of this project on the environ- reservoir will be approximatelv 4.5 miles long ment of Huntington Canyon will result from and 215 feet deep at the dam (Fig. 4). It will the following four factors : ( 1 ) the construction Biological Sehies, Vol. 18, No. 2 Algae of Huntington Canyon, Utah Fig. 3. Locality of the dam for Electric Lake on the Right Fork of Huntington Creek below Bear Canyon. Photographed Nov. 16, 1970. Bricham Young University Science Bulletin Fig. 4. Upper drainage of the Right Fork ol Huntjiigtoii Creek. Flat Canyon is at the lower right and James Canyon is at the left center. Photographed Nov. 16, 1970. of the generating station itself, which neces- prime fishing stream on the right fork of Hun- .sitates extensive excavation and will infringe on tington Creek, which currently serves as spawn- the winter deer range; (2) the scarring of the ing grounds for brown and cuttliroat trout; and mountainside during the construction of the (4) the destruction of watersheds along the dam and the relocation of approximately 15 patli of the power lines. miles of road through heavily forested regions; Other less obvious effects may occur, espe- (3) the flooding of approximately 4.5 miles of cially in the aquatic environment, which often ) Biological Series, Vol. 18, No. 2 Algae of Huntington Canyon, Utah becomes a repository for chemical and physical the ecosystem. Pahner ( 1961) fmther stated that pollutants entering via effluents, drainage from "... it can be important to know the algal surrounding lands, and directly by rain and population of a river before any major change is snow. The silt load in the creek is an important made in the use of the stream. Also, we need factor, especially during construction periods, to know the algal population of rivers through- causing abrasion and erosion which can be out the year and not merely for the simimer detrimental to the stream ecosystem. Also, the months." release of reservoir water into Huntington Creek This paper reports the initial algal studies may cause temporary or permanent temperature, of Huntington Creek. Future comparative studies chemical, and/ or nutrient changes which will will be made during and after construction and affect the ecological balance of the biota of tlie operation of the power plant-reservoir complex. stream. The initial goal of this study was to obtain Because of the possible environmental effects an overall picture of the entire aquatic algal of this project, the Center for Health and En- flora rather than one specific part. Therefore, vironmental Studies at Brigham Young Univer- sampling included water chemistry, quantitative sity, with primary funding from Utah Power analysis of phytoplankton and attached algae, and Light Company, undertook a comprehensive and a floristic survey. study of the aquatic environment of the Hun- Plankton are interpreted in this study as all tington Canyon region in September 1970.