Thesis (M.A.)-- Brigham Young University. Dept. of History.

Thesis (M.A.) B.Y.U. Dept.of History. / Electronic thesis. Also available in print ed.

A primary basis for settlement locations in the great basin by the Mormons was the availability of water. The settlement of Heber Valley was no exception. Water became quickly involved in two important and determining factors (cooperation and self-reliance) in the development of Mormon society in general and Wasatch County's society in particular. Likewise, these two factors influenced the direction in the development of water as it was utilized by the Mormons to establish the "Kingdom of God" on earth. Cooperation and self-reliance in Wasatch County were changed as modifications within the county were made as well as by other factors introduced in the county. Wasatch County farmers irrigation systems and institutions are today, a product of these two important factors and the modifications made on them. Co-operation and self reliance continue to be part of the agricultural way of life in Wasastch County.

This is an attempt to tell the story of the foundation and pioneer development of Wasatch County. The writer has tried to trace those factors in the pioneering venture which have made important contributions to present-day life in the county. This is also a story of the pioneers who settled here, a story of how they individually and collectively met the challenge of the frontier. But in addition to this, the effort has been made to picture one part of a phase in general Utah history, a phase which followed the original settlement, a phase in which an effort was made to tap the vast mineral and timber resources of the Wasatch Mountains and valleys.

An ecological study was conducted at Cascade Springs, Wasatch county, Utah from August 1965, to June 1967. The algae and aquatic moss species were determined and ecological information about these organisms was obtained. Physical data were also collected: bicarbonates, carbonates, free carbon dioxide, hydroxides, oxygen, pH, and temperature. The physical environment of the water was found to be very constant. Tests taken at the different study sites were consistently similar, not only during each day, but all year around. No great variation of any kind was found in the water. In contrast to the water environment, the topography of the spring varied greatly. Variations were noted in bottom composition, sunlight, water depth, velocity, and volume. But although Cascade Springs appears to have a variety of ecological niches, the number of species of algae and mosses were low. Twelve genera and fourteen species of algae, and ten genera and thirteen species of mosses were collected. The terrace region, both edges and pools, were occupied by all algae species. All but Vaucheria were found in the terrace pools, and all but Chara were found on the terrace edge, and none were found in the terrace pools. The only species of algae found in the spring basin were Chara and Spirogyra, and all moss species but one were found in the spring basin. The algae species were most abundant in the spring and summer months, and least abundant in the winter, although the water temperatures remained constant. The mosses were found to be perennials, and they were constant in both abundance and location. One species of algae was found unique to the spring: Plectonema tomasinianum. This was an abundant species that had not been collected elsewhere in Utah. The other species, both algae and mosses, were common in Utah.

The purpose of this study has been to determine : (1) the mammalian species present in the Mud Creek area; (2) the approximate population density of each trappable species; (3) the species responsible for the damage; (4) the stem density and frequency of Smbucus racemosa; and (5) the approximate extent of damage to the red elderberry stems.