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Show Chapter 2 Watershed Characteristics and Uses is May 21. The moderate flow fluctuations of the Creek are attributed to the nearly constant sun exposure to snow pack on the gentle slopes, and the cavernous nature of the subsurface limestone from which the canyon's springs rise. The average annual yield for the creek is 11,749 acre feet, the fourth largest in the plan area. Canyon Uses: City Creek Canyon has served as a valuable watershed and recreation/ open space area since the first settlers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Salt Lake City promotes use of the canyon as a nature preserve by limiting motor vehicle access to alternating days during the summer. The current picnic capacity is 845 persons. Picnic sites are used heavily on weekends and holidays with continued use throughout the week. City Creek Canyon is a popular locale for bicycling, running, and walking. Hunting is permitted in season. B. Red Butte Canyon Physical and Hydrologic Conditions: Red Butte Canyon comprises 7.25 square miles of drainage area with elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,500 feet. The canyon's slopes are moderately steep with the north- facing slopes steeper than the south- facing slopes. The canyon floor is wide with many side drainages. Through limitations on human access the canyon has become plentiful with wildlife, providing a near- pristine example of a watershed. Surface waters in the canyon originate in Red Butte and Knowltons Fork canyons and have a 2,450 acre- foot average annual yield, the lowest in the plan area. Snow melt is the origin of the creek and its annual flow peaks. The average peak flow occurs on April 30. This date is earlier than the other canyons due to the low elevation and wide canyon floor. Canyon Uses: Red Butte Garden, at the mouth of the Canyon, offers educational and cultural activity. Concerns exist about increasing illegal activity in the Canyon, disrupting its pristine character. C. Emigration Canyon Physical and Hydrologic Conditions: Emigration Creek is 10.5 miles in length comprising 18.0 square miles of drainage area. The topography consists of low rolling hills with steep mountains to the north. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 8,900 feet. The canyon side slopes are steep at the mouth of the canyon and become more gradual nearing the canyon head. The headwaters of Emigration Creek originate in Killyon and Page 6 |
