WSP06283

• File Number: 7630.150
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Dinosaur National Monument
• Date: 8/1/1979
• Author: DinosaurNatMonument
• Title: Dinosaur National Monument Wilderness-Proposed River Management Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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INTRODUCTION

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Dinosaur National Monument is located at the northern end of the
Colorado Plateau, a unique physiographic region characterized by
high, semi-arid, sparsely-settled plateaus and bounded by mountain
ranges. The stream-cut canyons which dissect these plateaus collec-
tively define the Colorado River system. The canyons of the Green
and Yampa Rivers, major components of this system, form the core of
the 211,053-acre monument. The deep canyons of the Green River and
its major tributary, the Yampa, are incised in the eastern end of
the Uinta Mountains, dividing the monument into three highland pla-
teaus. Although these highland areas are accessible in varying
degrees from the surrounding lowlands, sheer cliffs and rugged ter-
rain allow access to the rivers below at only a few places.

The remoteness of the river canyons is complemented by a complex
geologic history, which unfolds as the rivers penetrate varied rock
formations; canyon bottom oases for plant and animal communities;
remnants of early civilizations and explorations; and an assortment
of rapids, riffles, eddies, pools and meanders. These characteristics
and the variety of moods they create provide a unique and tremendously
popular recreation opportunity.

Recreational use of the rivers in the monument was virtually unknown
until the 1960's. By 1967, almost 2500 persons floated the rivers
annually. In the following five years, river use increased more than
six-fold -- to over 17,000 boaters in 1972. These increases led to
a serious concern that continued unrestricted use would result in
serious degradation of the natural resources and environmental
amenities of the river canyons, and would inevitably diminish the
quality of the recreational experience.

The mission of the National Park Service is to protect and perpetuate
the natural and historic resources within its jurisdiction, and to
provide for the public enjoyment of these resources. Between the
- -dichotomous-extremes of-tota1-preservation-of-the- river-canyons and
unrestricted recreational use, lies a realistic level, or carrying
capacity, at which both of these mandates can be achieved. A funda-
mental consideration in determining this level is the quality of the
visitor experience; use of the national parks should be both inspired
by, and its rewards derived from, the natural features and character
of the area. Thus, the river experience within the monument should
provide more than whitewater thrills; it should offer a change from
the fast pace, crowding and artificiality of our everyday surroundings.

Since the interim river use ceiling and management program were
initiated at Dinosaur National Monument in 1972, the National Park
Service has attempted to aSsess the ecological tolerance limits of
the river canyons, as well as the psychological and sociological

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