8245

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8245
• Author: Schmidt, J. C., K. L. Orchard and S. P. Holman.
• Title: Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Habitat Availability in Desolation and Gray Canyons.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: Logan, Utah.
• Copyright Material: NO

- occur within Desolation Canyon where the Wasatch formation forms the prominent cliffs.
In the Coal Creek reach, the canyon is formed within the Mesaverde Group. Schmidt and
Rubin (1995) reported on the reach scale geomorphic characteristics of Desolation and
Gray Canyons.
WORK CONDUCTED IN 1995 AND 1996
The following work activities have been conducted:
1. Survey the topography and baythmetry along 22 cross-sections, located at
approximately 1-mi intervals in the four study reaches, and two other cross-sections located
elsewhere;
2. Resurvey along these cross-sections at 4 different times and different discharges
in order to determine the range of annual scour and fill and to estimate the stage-to-
discharge relation in each study reach;
3. Mapping of the surFicial geology in each study reach;
4. Mapping of the distribution of eddies and low-velocity zones at different
discharges;
5. Entry of these mapped data into a geographic information system, using
Arc/Info, and using geo-referenced locations; and,
6. Retrieval from archival sources of historical photos depicting the canyons as
early as 1917, and matching these photos.
METHODS
ChannE,-l Cross Sections
We established 22 channel cross-sections in the four separate study reaches and 2
cross sections outside of the main study reaches, to characterize channel geometry, identify
bed material, and establish long-term channel monitoring sites. Five to six cross sections
were surveyed at about 1-mi intervals within each of the four study reaches. These cross
sections were established in 1995 at approximately bankfull discharge using a geodetic total
station and depth-recording echo sounder. Cross-section endpoints were monumented
4