Dry Valley Near Deer Neck Mesa

1924

1994

Description:

DRY VALLEY NEAR DEER NECK MESA This west southwest view is of Dry Valley near Big Indian Wash and Deer Neck Mesa. The area is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Hess' original photograph is in relatively poor condition making comparison somewhat difficult. Deep Begay fine sandy loams are found on the site. These soils have effective root depths of over 60 inches with moderately rapid permeability. Average annual precipitation is about 12 inches. Since 1924, there has been an obvious improvement in plant health and vigor, resulting in higher plant frequencies and ground cover. In 1994 only three plant species were found on the site, big sagebrush, snakeweed and blue grama. The small pinyon-juniper community visible in the background has not changed in the 70 years between photographs.

Photo Information:

Photograph Number: Hess No. 1146 Click here to view photograph Original: Date: June 25, 1924 (- A) Photographer: F.L. Hess Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado Retake: Date: August 3, 1994 (- B) Photographer: Earl Hindley Source: Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake City, Utah

Vegetative Community:

Sagebrush

Location:

San Juan: NE1/4SW1/4 Section 27 T.30S., R.24E.

January 2018