The majority of interior cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) subspecies have been extirpated from large rivers by anthropogenic activities that have fragmented habitats and introduced non-native competitors. Selective pressures against migratory behaviors and mainstream river occupation and conservation schemes that isolate genetically pure populations above barriers have restricted gene flow and prevented the expression of fluvial life history traits in many populations. Existing knowledge about the movements and home range requirements of fluvial cutthroat trout is therefore limited. We implanted a total of 55 Bonneville cutthroat trout (BCT) in the Thomas Fork River, Idaho, with radio transmitters and located them weekly or bimonthly from October to April of both 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Half of these fish were located above a seasonal diversion barrier and half were located below. We found fish to be more mobile than previously reported. Individuals located above the diversion barrier in 2000/2001 occupied significantly larger home ranges (median 3,675 m, range 2,500-8,900 m) and moved more frequently (mean 0.89 movements/contact, range 0.57-1.0) than other fish. Fish occupied habitats in the lower Thomas Fork and Bear River during the winter that were marginal or uninhabitable during other seasons. During the spring of both years we located fish in both upstream and neighboring tributaries up to 84 km away from our study site. Our results document the existence of a fluvial component of BCT in the Bear River and its tributaries and suggest that successful efforts at conservation of these fish will focus on mainstream habitats and the maintenance of seasonal migration corridors.

In the summer of 1932, an investigation of some biological, physical, and chemical conditions at the Bear River Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Utah, was begun at the Utah State Agricultural College to determine some of the factors governing the biological productivity of brackish-water marshes. Unfortunately, lack of funds made it impossible to continue work beyond the first season.

Quaternary basalts of Gem Valley, Idaho, are present as valley fill (Group 1) and as well defined flows in the Bear River Range (Group 2) east of Gem Valley. Minerals present in both groups of basalts include olivine (Fo73 -Fo39), augite (Wo41 En39 Fs20), plagioclase (An75 -An40), and Fe-Ti oxides. Coexisting pairs of magnetite and ilmenite, and olivine and clinopyroxene in several samples indicate temperatures of crystallization from 958°c to 1167°c. The Group 2 basalts exhibit a cumulate texture with abundant large (2 cm) phenocrysts of plagioclase. Chemically, the Gem Valley basalts are similar to the basalts of the Snake River Plain with respect to SiO2, total Fe, P2O5 and Na2O but differ in the amounts of Al2O3 and MgO present. The Al2O3 is generally higher and the MgO is generally lower in the Gem Valley basalts. Comparing Group 1 with Group 2 basalts, the Group 2 basalts generally have more alumina and alkalis than the Group 1 basalts. Chemically both groups of basalt exhibit characteristics of the tholeiitic basalt suite, because they are hypersthene normative. Mineralogically, both groups of basalt contain but one pyroxene, augite, which is characteristic of the alkali-olivine basalt suite. This apparent contrast in classifications may be resolved by referring to these basalts as transitional between the alkali-olivine and tholeiitic basalt .suites, with the restriction that no genetic relationship to either suite is implied. Within the limits of this study, it is proposed that the Group 1 basalts may have formed by the partial melting of mantle material with a pyrolite composition. Furthermore, the Group 2 basalts appear to have originated as a result of the accumulation of plagioclase in a fractionating magma of Group 1 composition.

The Nounan Formation in north-central Utah thickens northward from 696 feet near Causey Dam to 1147 feet at High Creek in the Bear River Range, and northwestward to 1149 feet at Dry Canyon in Wellsville Mountain. The basal contact of the Nounan Formation is sharp, but dolomite extends irregularly downward into limestones of the Bloomington Formation as much as 6 feet. The Nounan Formation is divided into three members based on lithologic characters: (1) a lower member composed of dark, medium-crystalline dolomite; (2) a middle member composed of white, coarse-crystalline dolomite with tongues of dark dolomite; and (3) an upper member of interbedded light and dark dolomites and limestones with local arenites and sandy carbonates. The lower member was deposited in a high-energy, shallow-marine subtidal to intertidal environment. Evidence includes sets of low-angle cross stratification (dunes), oncolites, oolites, and rip-up clasts. The middle member forms distinctive ledges and cliffs. The presence of thinly laminated algal stromatolites and relict structures seen also in the lower member indicate a subtidal to intertidal environment similar to that inferred for the lower member. The white color and coarse crystallinity may have resulted from recrystallization of the dark, finer grained dolomite that comprises the lower member. The upper member is characterized by lithologic variability. Thicknesses of limestone are greatest in the north, and decrease to only a few feet in the south. Quartz and other terrigenous minerals are scattered at intervals throughout the upper member, with a marker of sandy (arenaceous) dolomites at the base and near the middle and an increase of sand near the top also. The upper contact, with quartz-rich arenites (subarkosic quartzites) of the Worm Creek Member of tho St. Charles Formation, is gradational overall, but is sharp and planar in each section and readily located. In the upper member, algal mats trapped a varying but overall increasing influx of quartz and feldspar, probably in shallow subtidal environments, and vertically stacked hemispheroids suggest that depositional conditions may have included intertidal. Virtually all of the dolomite in the Nounan Formation must have formed by replacement of lime sediments by downward-moving high-magnesium brines. It is that these brines originated in restricted, shallow, subtidal evaporating basins, such as the Great Bahama Banks today, and associated supratidal flats. Lateral changes from limestone to dolomite overall and also in individual beds of the upper member indicate that the brines travelled laterally as well as vertically, and dolomitization may have been limited as much by prior diagenetic alteration and cementation as by the volume, concentration, and proximity of the brine itself.

Heritage tourism is a fast growing sector in the recreation arena. Research into multiple aspects of heritage tourism has increased during the last few decades as it has been recognized as a distinct form of tourism and promoted around the globe. This study was conducted in an effort to better understand multiple aspects of heritage tourism in the Bear River Heritage Area of northern Utah and southeastern Idaho. The following aims to provide Bear River Heritage Area leadership with baseline data on their visitors and build upon the base of literature in the areas of recreation specialization, and importance-performance analysis. Attempts to apply the recreation specialization continuum in the context of heritage tourism were relatively unsuccessful in this case. Potential problems with applying recreation specialization to heritage tourism are discussed and implications for future studies are explored. In addition, emerging trends in importance-performance research are applied to respondent ratings of attribute importance and satisfaction in order to provide the best possible suggestions for Bear River Heritage Area management improvements and build upon existing research. Specifically, traditional importance-performance analysis is compared to analyses that incorporate grand means, segmentation, and confidence intervals.

The Cache Valley Shoshone are the survivors of the Bear River Massacre, where a battle between a group of US. volunteer troops from California and a Shoshone village degenerated into the worst Indian massacre in US. history, resulting in the deaths of over 200 Shoshones. The massacre occurred due to increasing tensions over land use between the Shoshones and the Mormon settlers. Following the massacre, the Shoshones attempted settling in several different locations in Box Elder County, eventually finding a home in Washakie, Utah. However, the LDS Church sold the land where the city of Washakie sat, forcing the Shoshones to adapt quickly. Much of our knowledge of the massacre stems from either white American sources or the oral histories that circulate among one Shoshone family group. This leaves the information incomplete. Adding the voices of more individuals expands our knowledge of the massacre itself and the adaptations the Shoshones continue to make in order to survive.

The breeding biology of western grebe was studied at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah in 1973 and 1974. More than 300 nests were located and data gathered on nesting habitat and success. Western grebe at Bear River selected nest sites for nearness to open water of approximately 30 em in depth. At least one young was hatching in 21 percent of the nests. Avian predation and abandonment of nests following drops in water levels caused the greatest loss of nests. Chlorinated hydrocarbons monitored in western grebes showed DDE, DDD, PCB, 1260, and PCB 1254 levels in 24 breast muscle samples (wet weight) to average 12. 8, 0. 8, 3. 8, and 3. 5 ppm respectively. Contaminant concentration was found to be correlated to the condition of the bird as determined by visceral fat content. A significant (p<. 01) 2. 3 percent decline in western grebe eggshell thickness between preand post-DDT use periods was found. DDE was significantly (p<. 05) negatively correlated with eggshell thickness in western grebe. Contaminants were not linked to any reproductive failure in western grebe at Bear River MBR.

Dingle Marsh is a wetland complex separating the Bear River from Bear Lake. Flow direction through the marsh is controlled at four major inflow and outflow sites. These sites were chosen as monitoring sites to assess the suspended solid and nutrient transport through the marsh. High frequency turbidity measurements were collected at each site and used as a surrogate for total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations. Loads of TP and TSS were calculated using flow data from the 2008 water year. Load calculations for TP and TSS were compiled at 30-minute intervals and annual mass balances were calculated for Dingle Marsh and Bear Lake. These calculations were used to identify the seasonal loading patterns within this system. This study found the majority of TSS and TP loading entered the marsh from the Bear River. As flows moved across the marsh, the loading of TSS and TP was greatly reduced. Seasonal flow patterns were analyzed to determine the loading patterns to Dingle Marsh, Bear Lake, and the Bear River. This study also identified water management strategies aimed at setting a target endpoint for TSS and TP loads.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) prey upon domestic sheep. The Animal Damage Control (ADC) program currently relies heavily on aerial gunning in winter to control coyote depredations on mountain grazing allotments. Some people claim that winter aerial gunning is not effective because coyotes migrate to lower elevations during winter, following herds of big game animals, and may not be on the allotments where summer depredations occur. I studied the seasonal movement patterns of coyotes in the Bear River Range of Utah and Idaho to determine if coyotes in montane habitats move on a seasonal basis. Radio-collared coyotes were located from fixed-wing aircraft from 13 November 1987 to 15 September 1989. I used 3 parameters to assess interseasonal movement patterns: overlap in seasonal home ranges, distance between harmonic mean centers of activity, and seasonal differences in mean elevation. All mature coyotes showed overlapping seasonal home ranges, which suggests they did not move substantially between seasons. In contrast, none of the sub-adult coyotes had seasonal home ranges that overlapped. Distances between harmonic centers of seasonal activity were easily assigned to one of two groups (≤5000 m and ≤10,000 m). These corresponded precisely with coyotes that did and did not display overlap in seasonal home ranges. Significant changes in the elevations of seasonal locations were not evident for any age or sex group. I conclude (1) that movement of sub-adult coyotes in the Bear River Range is part of dispersal behavior and is not motivated by seasonal change and (2) that these sub-adult coyotes generally cease wandering during their second years. My findings are similar to other studies where nomadic wandering was more common among sub-adult coyotes and was not correlated with season. I saw no movement of coyotes from the mountains to valley locations. Adult coyotes were in the same location in summer as in winter.

Nest predation is a major factor impacting duck production and recruitment on breeding areas in North America. I surveyed waterfowl managers employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. state wildlife agencies to determine their beliefs about nest predation and its management. Over 64% of respondents believed that rates of nest success on their management units averaged <30% between 1996-2000. Managers believed habitat management and direct predator control were the most effective techniques to reduce nest predation. The construction of predator exclosures around nesting habitat also has been recommended to reduce nest predation. Between 1999-2001, I evaluated the effectiveness of 4 predator exclosures to enhance duck nest success at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah. During this period, rates of nest success in the exclosures were slightly higher than that within control plots, but still <15%. Although published guidelines commonly recommended predator fences ≤ 117 cm in height, I observed red foxes jump the 114-cm-high fences. Additional research is needed to identify effective predator fence designs. Wildlife managers have argued that periodic disturbance of vegetation should be a component of management on waterfowl breeding areas. Although many techniques are available to manipulate vegetation, grazing by domestic livestock has been controversial. Some researchers have reported that livestock grazing is detrimental to nesting ducks whereas others have argued that it can be beneficial. I evaluated the impact of a short-duration, high-intensity winter livestock grazing program on duck nesting at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Following a winter grazing treatment, I measured visual obstruction on both grazed and ungrazed plots during the spring nesting season. Although visual obstruction readings on grazed plots were lower than those on rested sites early in the nesting season, those differences diminished as the season progressed. Winter grazing may impact early-nesting ducks like mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), but not late-nesting species like cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera) and gadwall (Anas strepera). In designing grazing programs to manage nesting cover, managers should consider their waterfowl production goals, the composition of breeding duck populations, type of grazing system, and climatic conditions.