Little Cottonwood Canyon

By: Laura Sipos, Cami Duckett, Alara Roberds, Jake

Minardi, Courtney Watson

Introduction

The geologic history of Little Cottonwood is expansive and informative to what our Earth once was.Little Cottonwood Canyon has it all: From Geology, to the history of mining, to water rights, to being a huge contributor to Utah’s economy.

-Little Cottonwood Creek is one of the principal streams entering the Salt Lake Valley.-Cecret Lake is the headwater of Little Cottonwood Creek.

Water

-The Watershed in Little Cottonwood Canyon in protected as a drinking water source but it is used for recreation as well.-The US forest service has implemented regulations that the ski resorts must follow to protect the watershed.

Water

Ski Link• Although the skilink does not involve Little Cottonwood Canyon it

still affects our watershed.• 30 acres of watershed and US public land would have to be sold

to a private company.• Would connect The Canyons Resort to Solitude Resort.• Very controversial due to its said impact on the environment.• Could boost Utah’s economy, and lessen the greenhouse gases

created from the millions of miles driven per year.

The History of Alta Township

1864- Soldiers from Fort Douglas discover Silver in Alta during an outing.1865-The first verified claim is staked.1870- Central City is the first community in the area. Population is 216. 1872- Population is 8,000 with 180 buildings.1875- A railroad through Alta is completed.1878- On August 3rd a fire destroys Alta, the only remaining building was The Stilwell.1885- In February, an avalanche destroys many buildings and kills 15 people. 1896- Utah becomes a state.

The History of Alta Township

1904- Most mines are split between 3 mining companies: Wasatch Mines, Alta United, and Michigan-Utah.1919- A new railroad to Alta is made, replacing the old mule-drawn rail.1920- Because of the depression, most mines shut down for business.1935- Alta is seen for it’s potential to become a skiing area.1936- A road to Alta is constructed.1937- 1,800 acres are given to develop a ski area.1939- The Stilwell store becomes the Snowpine Lodge. All-day passes cost $1.50.

Geology• U-Shaped canyon was formed from a glacier that

flowed into Lake Bonneville about 30,000-10,000 years ago

• The Wasatch fault is a dramatic cut in the foothills of the mouth of the canyon.~30 feet

• The igneous intrusion is from a string of plutons that start in Park City and end at the Oquirrh’s. Hence all the mines.

Lower Canyon

• Contact zone of the BCCformation and LCC stock.

• BCC formation consists ofslate and “rusted” quartzite.

• LCC Stock consists of quartzmonzonite. Salt and pepper.

Significant Geologic Features

This area contains Mineral Fork tillite which provides evidence of “Snowball Earth” ~1.5 Ba.Above the Tintic Quartzite is signature band of white dolomite unconformity~200 million years of missing time.

Snowbird“The Bird” giving the environment the bird.

• Snowbird proposed to develop more south into Mineral Basin and Mary Ellen Gulch.

• Snowbird wants to expand from the top of their existing Tram; Hidden Peak to American Fork Twin peaks.

• Just because the snowbird expansion would be outside of the Salt Lake City watershed doesn’t necessarily make it watershed friendly.

• With 780 acres of new skiable terrain, more people would go to the canyon. There is more impact upon the watershed as a result of more people in the canyon.

Save Our Canyons“Dedicated to protecting the beauty and wildness of the Wasatch canyons,

mountains, and foothills.”

• Non-profit organizaton

• Almost entirely volunteer based

• Fights against commercial and residential development in the canyons.

Wilderness Facts

• Utah population within 15 miles of Wasatch: 85%

• Residents benefiting from the Salt Lake Watershed: about 400,000

• Current Salt Lake County wilderness acres: 37,045

• Save Our Canyons proposed acres: 28,176

Resources-UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEYhttp://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/geosights/cottonwood_canyons.htm

http://centralpt.com/customer/image_gallery/303/TIMELINE_5.JPGhttp://centralpt.com/customer/image_gallery/303/TIMELINE_6.JPGhttp://www.townofalta.com/about_history.phphttp://www.skilink.com/faqs.php