7798

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7798
• Author: Richardson, S.
• Title: Conceptual Management Plan for Razorback Sucker Habitat Enhancement in Flooded Bottomlands, Escalante Ranch, Jensen, Utah.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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loss of cottonwoods and the spread of salt cedar, which may have
resulted from the change in irrigation practices and the
development of the wetland.

The floods of 1983 and 1984 broke through the Green River dike
and flooded the wetlands. Sediments deposited by these floods
have further promoted the spread of salt cedar and tall whitetop
(Cooper and Severn 1994b).

Aerial photographs taken in 1987 (Figure 5) show that, currently,
agricultural practices continue to dominate land use within the
study site. The terrace area contains approximately 1700 acres
under center pivot sprinkler irrigation. Crops raised are
primarily alfalfa and field corn used to support the cattle and
sheep operation of the ranch. Return flows from irrigation
continue to feed the springs which contribute to waters within
the wetland area. Sheep, cattle and horses are also stockyarded
and pastured in certain areas of the Heely parcel. Due to these
agricultural practices, surface and groundwater flows from the
terrace likely contribute to water and soil contamination
problems on the site.

other uses of the site include a commercial gravel pit which
exists on the northern end of the peninsula. Use of the pit is
dependent on the local demand for materials. A natural gas
pipeline extends from the northwest corner to the southeast
corner of the southern portion of the site. Management practices
on adjacent parcels include range, agriculture and recreational
uses.

Water Manaqement

The concerns of this plan deal primarily with water management
associated with the wetland area of the site. Water management
on the upland terrace areas consists of pumping water from the
Green River for irrigation purposes. The application of
irrigation waters is subject to the needs of the agricultural
operation and are beyond the control of management proposed in
this plan. Water management on the terrace may contribute to the
flow of the escarpment springs and may also affect the water
quality of those springs. The presence of the existing wetlands
and the contamination problems appear to be a result of
agricultural irrigation practices. As more information becomes
available, manipulation of irrigation practices to benefit the
project area may be an alternative that should be investigated.

The hydrology of the Green River and the wetland area of this
site were investigated by Cooper and Severn (1994b) in order to
provide background information for this plan. The following
information is a result of this investigation. The final report
for these investigations can be found in Appendix 2.