WSP08184

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 11/1/1966
• Author: USFS
• Title: Water and Related Land Resources - White River Basin in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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LAND RESOURCES

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Physiop;raphy

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The White River Basin extends across portions of two major physiographic
provinces. The eastern one-third lies within the White River Plateau
section of the Southern Rocky Mountain province, while the western
two-thirds is within the Uintah Basin section of the Colorado Plateau
province. Elevations vary from about 5,000 feet, where the White River
crosses the Colorado-Utah State line, to 12,000 feet on Shingle Peak
among the Flat Tops of the White River Plateau.

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Headwaters of the White River are in the White River Plateau, a rela-
tively flat high-lying area that has been moderately dissected by stream
erosion and glacial action. While the plateau generally exceeds 9,000
feet in elevation, stream valleys through much of the area are from
1,500 to 2,500 feet lower. In the Flat Tops area, elevations generally
are from 10,000 to 1l,500 feet. Numerous lakes, mainly of glacial
origin, occur throughout the higher parts of the plateau and along the
upper reaches of the main valleys. The largest area of open and rela-
tively level land is adjacent to the town of Meeker. The Grand Hogback
is a prominent north-south ridge rising 1,500 feet above the surrounding
area, and extending from near Meeker to beyond the south boundary of
the Basin. It is formed mainly by steeply dipping resistant sandstone
beds and marks the western boundary of the White River Plateau.

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West of Meeker the Basin comprises an area of diverse topography in-
cluding dissected lesser plateaus, sharp ridges, abrupt cliffs, and
rugged badlands interspersed with open valleys, parks, and basins. The
presence of underlying rock layers with wide differences in resistance
to erosion has been the principal factor in development of these features.
Differential erosion has resulted in the more resistant rock layers
standing in relief while broad open valleys have been cut in the softer
rocks.

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The Roan Plateau is a lightly dissected broad drainage divide that lies
along the southern edge of the area within the upper drainage basins of
Piceance Creek and Douglas Creek. Elevations vary from about 6,500 feet
to over 9,000 feet. The plateau area is characterized by rolling country
containing many straight northeast-trending valleys that are mostly less
than 300 feet below the general level of the upland surface. Cathedral
Bluffs face westward toward the valley of Douglas Creek and trend generally
northward. The area along the west face of the bluffs is rugged, with a
maximum relief of about 3,000 feet. The area east of the crest of the
Cathedral Bluffs slopes gently northeastward towards Piceance Creek.

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