| OCR Text |
Show in the vicinity of the Dewey Bridge there are distinctive sandstone cliffs and box canyons, and the canyon of the Dolores River which enters the Colorado River about a mile and half above the dam site is colorful and interesting. The Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River, the principal scenic feature of the reservoir area, is about 12 miles long and several hundred feet deep. Deep tributary canyons enter on its easterly side, and both the main and tributary canyons are characterized by sandstones that have a pleasant reddish hue. Views from the west rim are good, particularly in the Big Hole section, and from the air the Westwater Canyon and the numerous and intricate side canyons on the east form a notable scene. When compared, however, with some other areas on or near the Colorado River in the same general region of eastern Utah and western Colorado, such as the Colorado and Arches National Monuments, the canyon of the Colorado River between Dewey Bridge and Moab, and the amazing landscapes near the junction of the Green and Colorado Rivers, the West- water Canyon is clearly of secondary scenic importance. The proposed reservoir would be a large lake of very irregular shoreline, and because most of the area it would cover slopes somewhat gently toward the Colorado River, drawdowns would expose considerable amounts of unsightly bottom. In the locality of the Dewey Bridge, where at full reservoir the water would be approximately 290 feet deep, a good deal of the colorful sandstone would be submerged. In the vicinity of the Big Hole portion of Westwater Canyon, the reservoir at high- water level would be about 200 feet deep, materially altering the appearance of the canyon by reducing its apparent depth and substituting a still body of water for the rapidly flowing river. Nevertheless, the canyon would retain some of its scenic value, and recreational resources would be added, because the lake would offer opportunities for boat trips, fishing, swimming, and camping. While the Dewey Reservoir would not be of special recreational importance to the immediate vicinity since the local population is very sparse, the lower portion would be of some recreational usefulness to residents of Moab, and the Westwater Canyon would be of interest to travelers using Figure 55.- Castle Creek Reservoir site north of Gunnison, Colo. 115 |
