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Show Bonneville Basin Area ( 1) General Physiographically the Bonneville Basin portion of the proposed Bonneville Unit is a part of the Basin and Range Province of Western United States. The topography and land forms have developed in an arid to semi- arid climate and are usually referred to as desert. The high Wasatch Mountains form the eastern edge while the Sierra Nevada Mountains form the west boundary of this province. It consists of alternate mountain ranges and valleys that are the result of tilted fault blocks. The more conspicuous and important land forms include the mountain ranges, mountain valleys, the steep rugged ( eroded) canyons and foothills, alluvial fans ( bajadas), pediments, and playas. A common term applied to this desert area is " bol- sonM which is a basin more or less rimmed by mountains with a level plain or playa at or near its bottom. All drainage is internal and in the proposed Bonneville Unit area drainage is into two remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville- the Great Salt Lake and Sevier Lake. Lake Bonneville was a prominent geological feature which left its mark on most of the land forms found in the Bonneville Basin area. The lake level stood at various stages for various lengths of geologic time. The highest level was at elevation 5,135 feet above sea level, but most of the land forms that are important agriculturally came into existence or were developed during the Provo stage or U, 800- foot level of Lake Bonneville. These include the benches, terraces, and alluvial fans. Most soils in the area are derived from materials eroded from the surrounding mountains and transported as alluvium which was reworked and deposited in the waters of Lake Bonneville. As the lake receded this material became the prominent land features viewed today. ( 2) Bonneville Unit Lands The Bonneville Basin portion of the Unit includes agriculturally important lands in a T- county area of the State. These lands include both supplemental and full- service lands in Summit, Wasatch, Utah, Juab, Millard, Sanpete, and Sevier Counties. Settlement of these areas occurred in the mid- l800! s. The soils of this area are well suited for agricultural use as evidenced by their 100 years of productivity. 162 |
