Chriss Lake

1953

2002

Description:

Plate 19X. Chriss Lake 1953-2002 Viewed southeast across Chriss Lake on the southside of Boulder Mountain. Chriss Lake was formed when West Deer Creek was dammed. The dam has since failed, or was breeched, and has not held much water for several years. Beaver (Castor canadensis) cut many of the shoreline aspen and those stand, as well as other clones on the southside of Boulder Mountain, successfully regenerated during the late 1970’s when mule deer use declined (Kay and Bartos 2000). Note the beaver lodge in the original image. Conifers have not invaded any of these aspen stands, unlike conditions at higher elevations. The area was heavily grazed by cattle in 2002. Some aspen on the distant shore has regenerated within the last 10 years, which is uncommon on Boulder Mountain, due to the additive nature of elk, deer, and cattle browsing on aspen suckers (Kay and Bartos 2000).

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph (unnumbered) taken by R.B. Leonard in 1953; retake by Charles E. Kay on July 7, 2002 - - Photo No. 4959-26. Original negative held by Southern Utah University Archives and Special Collections, Cedar City, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Aspen

Location:

South West: Section 13, Range 4 East, Township 32 South and Section 18, Range 5 East, Township 32 South; UTM 464500E, 4208900N; elevation 9,520 ft.

January 2018