Escalante River

1872

2006

Description:

Plate 1238X. Escalante River 1872 – 2006 Viewed northeast down the Escalante River just below its confluence with Pine Creek. A juniper now blocks the original camera station, so the retake was made from the nearest open area. The distribution of cottonwoods has changed, as might be expected in this relatively short-lived species. Willows and river birch still line the stream, but the channel has widened and deepened. Non-native tamarisk and Russian olive have invaded the floodplain. Sagebrush appears to have declined, while rubber rabbitbrush has increased. There has been some increase in ponderosa pine, pinyon, and juniper. Note the burnt cottonwood at the bottom of the 1872 image.

Photo Information:

Original photograph taken by John Hillers (No. 670) in 1872; retake by Charles E. Kay on June 21, 2006 - - Photo No. 5654-25A. Original photograph held by the U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library, Denver, CO.

Vegetative Community:

Riparian, Sagebrush, Conifer, Pinyon, Juniper

Location:

South West: Section 9, Range 3 East, Township 35 South; UTM 449400 E, 4181300 N; elevation 5,700 ft.

January 2018