Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Geological Sciences, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-54).

Twenty- six sedge-dominated sites in the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah were studied. These sites could be placed into two categories, wetland sites (those with water-saturated soils) and alpine tundra sites. The alpine sites had above-ground standing crops between 37 and 206 g/m2 • The soils were sandy and low in nutrients. Indirect gradient analysis of the alpine sites showed a relationship between soil stability and vegetation. No other factors were found to be related to overall vegetation patterns. The wetland sites were dominated by different Carex species than the alpine sites. These wetlands were often patches of monotypic stands. Above- ground standing crop values ranged from 28 360 g/m2 and were strongly dependent upon the stagnation of the water on the site.

The High Uinta Primitive Area, Utah's most popular high mountain recreation area, has a reputation as an excellent trout and grayling fishery. Proposed for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, the area faces several management dilemmas. The primary problem being that managers must protect the resource from the effects of heavy recreational use without destroying the primitive and aesthetic dimensions of wilderness environment. It appears that much impact on the more accessible lakes is due to fishing use. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine the proportions of angling to non-angling groups; (2) to describe certain characteristics of these anglers; (3) to examine the importance of fishing and factors affecting fishing enjoyment; and (4) to determine the angler's knowledge and experience with adjacent de facto wilderness alternatives. The method of data collection was an interview questionnaire administered on Highline trail leading into the Primitive area and Notch Mountain trail leading to de facto wildlands. A conservative stratified sampling scheme was used to obtain proper representation of weekday, weekend and holiday users of both areas. Results were coded and punched for computer organization and tabulation. The results indicate that slightly more than half the groups contacted were comprised of one or more fishermen planning to fish the study area; with slightly greater proportions of anglers using the Primitive area. Over half the anglers were visiting the areas for the first time and were motivated by the desire to "escape" from routine, get outdoors, and enjoy mountain scenery. Fishing was not an important motive but was a preferred activity. Anglers of the study areas fished more than average Utah fishermen and preferred high mountain lake and stream fisheries. Anglers reported high catch rates and mostly rated the fishing as "good" . Hypothetical catch reductions did not bother anglers because as many stated , "fishing was secondary". However, the dissatisfactions of less successful anglers and the angler's desire to maintain the fishery through stocking still reveal some importance in fishing activity. Anglers also appeared to be somewhat intolerant with increased crowd levels. Most anglers were inexperienced and ignorant of de facto alternatives. It appeared that decisions regarding such alternatives were partially based on Notch Mountain standards. Also, the accessibility and high amounts of dayuse suggest that different kinds of experiences may be sought in the Notch Mountain area.

The northern slopes of the Uinta Mountains, Utah were previously glaciated and contain many landslides. The Tokewanna Landslide is very large and lacks Quaternary faults. Presumably, increased moisture was the failure trigger. A Quaternary climate record from a cored fen, developed in a small basin between hummocks, was reconstructed using sediment pyrolysis, biomass balance, and magnetic susceptibility. Pyrolysis is used to define Hydrogen Indices that are used to delineate wetter and drier conditions based on the kerogen type - Type III being drier, and Type II wetter. The data were matched to a time/depth curve and compared to other Uinta Mountains climate studies. Pyrolysis, biomass balance, and magnetic susceptibility results indicate drier to wetter conditions from ~11,027 to ~8,800 cal yr BP. This was followed by an increase in precipitation, peaking ~8,060 cal yr BP, and then decreasing. Drying conditions ensued after ~4,800 cal yr BP, and from ~1,700 cal yr BP to modern. Regional studies suggest mid-Holocene Epoch warming; some also indicate increased precipitation during those periods. A study at nearby Little Lyman Lake (Tingstad et al., 2011) displays a plankton percent record similar to the wetness record of the study fen. The fen core record does not indicate wet conditions at its base as expected. The record begins ~11,000 cal yr BP and likely represents an incomplete history of this Holocene fen, as the base of the wetland deposits was not reached.

Geologic mapping (1:24,000 scale) of the Ice Cave Peak quadrangle, Uintah and Duchesne Counties, Utah has produced a better understanding of the geologic structures present in the quadrangle and has increased our understanding of faulting in northeastern Utah. Map units in the quadrangle range in age from late Neoproterozoic to Quaternary and include good exposures of Paleozoic rocks (Mississippian to Permian), limited exposures of Mesozoic rocks, and good exposures of Tertiary strata (Duchesne River Formation and Bishop Conglomerate) deposited during uplift of the Uinta Mountains. Lower Mississippian strata along the south flank of the Uinta Mountains have typically been mapped as Madison Limestone. Our preliminary mapping suggested that the Madison could perhaps be subdivided into an upper unit equivalent to the Deseret Limestone, and a lower unit separated by a phosphatic interval equivalent to the Delle Phosphatic Member of the Deseret Limestone found farther west. Upon further investigation, we propose not extending the use of Deseret Limestone, with the equivalent to the Delle Phosphatic Member at its base, into the south-central Uinta Mountains. Microprobe analysis revealed no phosphorus in thin sections of this unit. Instead, the unit is composed almost entirely of calcite and dolomite. A zone of northwest-trending faults, called the Deep Creek fault zone, occurs mainly east of the Ice Cave Peak quadrangle. However, our mapping shows that this fault zone extends into the quadrangle. These faults are both strike-slip and normal/oblique faults as documented by mapping and kinematic indicators and cut the folded hanging-wall sedimentary rocks above the Uinta Basin-Mountain boundary thrust fault. These faults may be part of an en echelon fault system that is rooted in the Neoproterozoic and reactivated during Laramide deformation above a possible transfer zone between segments of the buried boundary thrust.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Geological Sciences, 2007. / Includes map in back cover pocket. Includes bibliographical references (p. 29-30).

Detailed mapping (1:24,000), measured sections, and clast counts in conglomerates of the Duchesne River Formation and Bishop Conglomerate in the Vernal NW quadrangle in northeastern Utah reveal the middle Cenozoic stratigraphic geometry, the uplift and unroofing history of the eastern Uinta Mountains, and give evidence for the pulsed termination of Laramide uplift. The Unita Mountains are an EW-trending reverse fault bounded and basement-cored, Laramide uplift. The oldest unit of the Duchesne River Formation, the Eocene Brennan Basin Member, contains 80-90% Paleozoic clasts and <20% Precambrian clasts. Proximal to the Uinta uplift the conglomerates of this member are dominated by Paleozoic Madison Limestone clasts (70-90% of all clasts). Farther out into the basin, Paleozoic clasts still dominate in Brennan Basin Member conglomerates, but chert clasts are more abundant (up to 43%) showing the efficiency of erosion of the carbonate clasts over a short distance (~5 km). Conglomerates in the progressively younger Dry Gulch Creek, Lapoint, and Starr Flat members show a significant upward increase in Precambrian clasts with 34-73% Uinta Mountain Group and 8-63% Madison Limestone. Duchesne River Formation has a significant increase in coarse-grained deposits from the southern parts of the quadrangle (20-50% coarse) to the northern parts (75% coarse) nearer the Uinta uplift. The lower part of the Duchesne River Formation exhibits a fining upward sequence representing a tectonic lull. Clast count patterns show that pebbly channel deposits in the south maintain similar compositions to their alluvial fan counterparts. To the north, the fine-grained Lapoint and Dry Gulch Creek members of the Duchesne River Formation appear to pinch out completely. This can be explained by erosion of these fine-grained deposits or by lateral facies shifts before deposition of the next unit. Starr Flat Member conglomerates were deposited above Lapoint Member siltstones and represent southward progradation of alluvial fans away from the uplifting mountain front. Similarities in composition and sedimentary structures have caused confusion surrounding the contact between the Starr Flat Member and the overlying Bishop Conglomerate. Within the Vernal NW quadrangle, we interpret this contact as an angular unconformity (the Gilbert Peak Erosion Surface) developed on the uppermost tilted red siltstone of the Starr Flat Member sometime after 37.9 Ma. Stratigraphic and structural relationships reveal important details about the development of a Laramide mountain range: 1) sequential unroofing sequences in the Duchesne River Formation, 2) progradation of alluvial fans to form the Starr Flat Member, 3) and the unconformable nature of the Gilbert Peak Erosion Surface lead to the conclusion that there were at least 3 distinct episodes of uplift during the deposition of these formations. The last uplift episode upwarped the Starr Flat Member constraining the termination of Laramide uplift in the Uinta Mountains to be after deposition of the Starr Flat Member and prior to deposition of the horizontal Bishop Conglomerate starting at about 34 Ma. This, combined with 40Ar/39Ar ages of 39.4 Ma from the Dry Gulch Creek and Lapoint member, show that slab rollback related volcanism was occurring to the west while the Uinta Mountains were being uplifted on Laramide faults. These new 40Ar/39Ar ages constrain the timing of deposition and clarify stratigraphic relationships within the Duchesne River Formation; they suggest a significant unconformity of as much as 4 m.y. between the Duchesne River Formation and the overlying Bishop Conglomerate, which is 34-30 Ma in age, and show that Laramide uplift continued after 40 Ma in this region.

The headwaters of the Bear River in the Uinta Mountains of Utah provide a good setting in which to examine the influence of geological materials on stream chemistry. Ionic contributions to the stream-water from soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere generally are sparse enough that they do not mask the geologic contributions. Samples from 37 sites on the four major headwater streams and several minor tributaries were examined geochemically. Data derived from the samples allowed the construction of a hydrogeochemical weathering model specific to the study area. A significant feature of this model is that carbonic acid is the dominant chemical agent involved in geochemical weathering. The aim of this study was to examine the geologic influences on river chemistry. However, atmospheric contributions dominate the hydrochemistry through at least the first 10 kilometers of stream length for the easternmost three of the four major headwater streams. Except for the atmospheric contribution, surface-water chemistry is dominated by the groundwater chemistry, which is indelibly marked by the lithology the groundwater passes through. Other geologic factors in the study area that appear to influence groundwater chemistry, and hence stream chemistry, are the glacial till and outwash deposits and a major zone of east-west trending high-angle thrust faults. A technique for estimating the hydrochemistry of the groundwater based on surface-water chemistry and flow measurements was developed in this study.

The objectives were (1) to relate terrestrial vertebrate responses to the management practices used for lodgepole pine forests within the Barometer Watershed, Mountain View Ranger District, Wasatch National Forest, Utah . (2) To correlate terrestrial vertebrate densities or frequencies with community types, edge, major forest stand structures , and (3) to propose management plans to manipulate densities of major vertebrate species in a predetermined manner. The study was conducted between 1973-1975 and provides a detailed description of forest vegetation for 53 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands. For each of these stands, a complete summary is provided of tree populations, coverage, and frequency of major vascular undergrowth species . Eight lodgepole pine forest community types are defined. A key is provided for identification of each community type and its anticipated habitat type. The relationships between densities of major vertebrate species, forest communities, and major forest stand structures are described. Big game utilization of ecotones created by mountain meadows and the lodgepole pine forest are discussed. In addition, the response of selected small mammal and big game species to clearcut size is provided. Important research findings were: (1) In the lodgepole pine forest most vertebrates exhibit preferences for specific community types. (2) Due to the broad definition of present habitat classifications, limited predictions can be made about the general response of wildlife populations on most sites. (3) The use of park-like openings and associated peripheral timber hy big game animals is closely associated with community type, edge configuration, and historical travel lanes. (4) An abundance of downed woody material enhances big game calving and resting areas. (S) The number of bird species is closely associated with understory biomass and diversity. (6) Management schemes that speed up the rotation of lodgepole pine overstories eliminate certain vertebrate communities associated with the final successional stages. The following specific recommendations for overstory removal are suggested. (1) Timber sales should be developed by drainage, with longterm objectives that insure the distribution of a variety of communities within a drainage. (2) The addition of major stand structure information should be included in habitat classification systems. (3) Timber sales should be designed with irregular edges and buffers of standing timber which provide cover and concealment. (4) Moist sites and relic areas, representing the final stages of succession, should be planned into the overall drainage sale philosophy. {5) In relatively undisturbed areas, vehicular travel should be prohibited following overstory removal.

The Shiras moose, Alces alces shirasi, and its winter habitat on the north slopes of the Uinta Mountains in Utah were studied from August, 1969, to July, 1971 to determine the food requirement for moose, the key browse species during the winter months, the acreage, density and utilization of the key browse species, and their carrying capacity for moose. It was determined that an average adult moose had a daily food requirement of 19,133 kilocalories. The key browse species for moose were Salix drummondiana and S. geyeriana. These two species accounted for 92.0 and 4.7 percent respectively of all feeding occurrences on browse species recorded. According to density analyses, S. drummondiana made up 59 percent of the vegetation and S. geyeriana 31 percent. The caloric capacity of the key browse species for moose body maintenance was slightly more than 1.5 billion kilocalories. The moose carrying capacity of the key browse species on the winter range was 80,030 moose days or 445 adult animals for a period of six months. Specifically, the carrying capacity, based on a weighted caloric requirement and annual classification counts, would be 115 bulls, 250 cows, and 156 calves for a period of six months on the winter range.