WSPC02286

• File Number: 8210.761.09
• Description: Colorado River-Federal Agencies-US NPS-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1997
• Title: General Management Plan 2-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Park Significance . The establishment of Black Canyon as a unit I
Significance is summarized in statements of the national park system is a symbol of
community pride.
that capture the essence of Black . Its position along the Gunnison River
Canyon's importance to our natural and combined with its values make BLCA an
cultural heritage, Significance statements integral part of ecosystem management of the
are not an inventory of significant Gunnison River Basin.
resources but rather describe the . At every turn, nook, and cranny, Black
importance or distinctiveness of the Canyon affords the opportunity for visitors to
aggregate of resources in the park The discover new vistas of nature and self.
following are the significance statements . Black Canyon is a superlative example of
developed for the park through the continuing river erosion that is accessible to
management assessment process. and understandable by the public.
. The combination of depth and narrowness
. The dynamic evolution of the Black Canyon, makes Black Canyon a one of a kind setting
involving the forces of heatl pressure, and in North America.
water action, has created one of the world's
premier wild canyons, because of its sheer . The sheer size of the canyon creates an
cliffs, depth, and narrowness, as it towers experience where you feel the dominance of
over the rapidly falling river, It is a visual nature over people,
attraction that draws hundreds of thousands . The steep gradient of the Gunnison River and
of visitors each year. the depth and narrowness of the Black
. Clean air and panoramic views pale the Canyon is a physical barrier to the migration
influence of humans and give a feeling of of fish, plants, and animals, This has resulted
what once was throughout the west. in a diverse group of isolated biological
. It's the view. communities that provide unique
opportunities for scientific study, for
. The monument contains a diversity of plant example, evolution of plants and animals,
and animal species, several of which are rare, impacts of migration barriers, and so on.
endangered, or unique to the area. Natural . The park's canyons and backcountry areas
resources provide an unaltered baseline from are quiet places where the sounds of nature
which to measure changes in regional and create an experience for visitors that last a
global conditions. lifetime. You can hear the river flow and the
. The writing is on the wall. Without opening wind in the trees. At times the river talks.
a book, one can go back over 1,7 billion . You can go into the wilderness and
years of geologic history as these vertical experience primal America and bring back a
walls tellthe;r story, sense of adventure and discovery.
. Black Canyon is the centerpiece of geologic The canyon is a great place for scientific
diversity in a relatively small area, reflecting .
discovery and environmental education. It is
1,7 billion years of geologic evolution. a living classroom providing unique insights
. The inner canyon wilderness is truly a wild, into geology, water and wind erosion, air
foreboding place, quality, wildlife habitat, and cultural history.
. Tourism is a leading industry in the . The magnificence of the canyon-its
Gunnison Basin. Centrally located in the spectacular depth and color---<lefy
basin, Black Canyon is an accessible description.
destination that serves many visitors annually
and directly contributes to the local economy,

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