Utah Geological Survey

GeoSights—Cascade Falls, Kane County, Utah

Nestled in the northwestern corner of Kane County is a geologically unique feature that receives relatively few visitors. Although most people in Utah have seen caves and waterfalls, it is peculiar for a waterfall to emerge from a cave system. Cascade Falls does just that, as an underground river emerges from a deep cave system and cascades down a steep cliff face.

The cave system is the product of sinkholes within the water-soluble rocks of the Claron Formation of the Markagunt Plateau. This incredible cascading waterfall first formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the drainage in a narrow valley, creating Navajo Lake.

Water from this lake found its way through the water-soluble marl (freshwater limestone) of the Claron Formation, eventually forming a cave system that extends a little over a mile from below the southeastern end of Navajo Lake to the Pink Cliffs escarpment at Cascade Falls.

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Utah Geological Survey

GRANTS HELP LIGHT UP SMALLER TOWNS

thespectrum.com

If there is such a thing as good pressure, then that’s what Hurricane Power Director Dave Imlay is currently experiencing.

In May, the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems gave the city a $121,950 cut of a $1.2 million federal stimulus grant to upgrade Utah streetlights with energy-saving, LED lamps and fixtures.

That means lighting the city would involve less light pollution, less energy and, of course, cost less money. But it also means Hurricane and 13 other Utah municipalities — including Santa Clara and Enterprise — need to get the new lights up as soon as possible.

“We’re under a lot of pressure to get the money spent,” Imlay said. “These LED lights are very expensive. We want to get as many as we can.”

When it comes to pressure, it could be a lot worse than having to spend grant  money on improvements.

Though street lighting is usually a loss for municipalities, Imlay said the addition of the LED lamps would save anywhere from 30-70 percent of energy, depending on voltage.

“We’ll be able to lower those losses,” he said. “We’ll have more revenue and be able to defer any rate increases.”

With the new lights in place, Imlay said the city could expect to save nearly $15,000 a year in reduced power costs.

Instead of replacing all lights with LED replacements of a uniform size and brightness, Imlay said the city has been working to customize different types with different areas.

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Utah Geological Survey

GEOLOGISTS EXAMINE SALT LAKE CITY PORTION OF WASATCH FAULT

KSL.com

Scientists are getting the first good look they’ve ever had at the Salt Lake City portion of the Wasatch Fault. What they’ve seen so far confirms a major earthquake is a constant threat.

In fact, geologists dug two big trenches in a vacant lot right next door to the University of Utah’s president’s mansion.

For the last two and a half weeks, they’ve had an unprecedented opportunity to look at the guts of the Wasatch Fault in this area. They’ve dug similar trenches elsewhere, but until now, the closest was in the Sandy-Draper area.

As expected, there’s evidence of at least six major earthquakes averaging about once every 1,300 years. The last one hit roughly 1,300 years ago.

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IN THE MEDIA

deseretnews.com

View the Wasatch Fault Video