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Show -3- In the process of developing this transbasin water supply program on the South Slopes of the Uintas, magnificent canyons - the entranceways to the high, alpine wilderness areas of the Uintas - are planned for dam construction and reservoir development. Whiterocks and Rock Creek Canyons are two which have no equal on the entire Uinta Range. Above Whiterocks Canyon, considered by some to be the most beautiful on the Range, is the high wilderness area of Reader Lakes, Chepeta and Whiterocks Lakes (and others stair-step fashion on the mountain slopes below)- an area of some 81 lakes and numerous tributary streams ( all spawning sources ) and the alpine wilderness origins of the wild and turbulent Whiterocks River. Whiterocks River Canyon is aflame with color in the fall. Aspen, like a golden thread, winds up the draws of Canyon slopes or clings in massive clumps against the Canyon walls. The reds, orange, yellows and greens of sumac, oak, alder, aspen, stand out on the foothills. The shining Whiterocks River meanders through a steep valley basin, choked with golden aspen, cottonwoods and willow turning color. Motionless beaver ponds reflect this mass of color. All this provides the visitor an unforgettable sight. This Canyon and its riparian vegetation, its beaver ponds and marsh, its cliffs and talus, and its forest - provides the habitat for the spectrum of wildlife inhabitants on the Uintas: raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and now- occasional moose, and deer and elk, varieties of Upland Game birds, and small mammals and furbearers.- Cutthroat, brook, and rainbow and other game fish species provide opportunity for popular flycasting. Vegetative cover and adequate riffle to pool relationships sustain this wild river fishery. One point three miles of. this Canyon^ and its vegetative and wildlife resources -f"\ &>l&*j would be inundated by the proposed dam and reservoir! * ftA^x- On the west, Rock Creek Canyon is the entrance-way to the whole upper Rock Creek River drainage in the High Uinta Primitive Area. This is an area of some 100 lakes and numerous tributary streams (spawning sources for excellent fisheries). It is an area heavily used for wilderness type recreation - spring, summer and fall. Like the Whiterocks River Canyon, Rock Creek Canyon in the fall, is an area of breathtaking beauty. Golds, yellows, reds, orange, browns and greens wind up canyon wall and side slope - wherever vegetation clings. Enormous stands of golden aspen cover benches and draws. In the lower Rock Creek Valley, autumn moves gradually along the winding river - as the aspen, willow and cottonwood succeed each other in changing color. This lower valley is unsurpassed for river basin beauty. Below the proposed Upper Stillwater DAm area,**" beaver have actively created marsh and willow thickets in the wide, floodplain bottomlands along Rock Creek River. Moose are now moving down from the North Slopes of the Range into these bottomlands. Deer and elk range the area. The diverse wildlife native to the Uintas is well represented here - in raptor, Upland Game bird, songbird, small mammal and furbearere, bear, occasional cougar and bobcat. * * ft ensYUJajLk. LCiuX |
