Virgin River
1910
2007
Description:
Plate 1524X. Virgin River 1910 – 2007 Viewed northwest to the old sheep counting bridge west of Virgin, Utah. The bridge was designed to allow only one sheep to pass at a time so that an accurate count could be made of the various flocks. According to early news accounts, up to 140,000 sheep were sheared each spring at Gould’s shearing corral a few miles southwest of where this photo was taken. At one time, this was the largest shearing operation in the world (Stratton 1998). Sand sage has increased in the distance, as have juniper and tamarisk. BLM has built a parking area on the far side of the river (photo right-center).
Photo Information:
Original photograph taken ca. 1910; retake by Chad Reid on November 5, 2007 - - Print from digital image. Original photograph held by Russel Sevy, Cedar City, UT.
Vegetative Community:
Riparian, Juniper
Location:
South West: Section 20, Range 12 West, Township 41 South; UTM 303100 E, 4119300 N; elevation 3,600 ft.