Zion National Park, Washington County, Utah
Photographer: Lance Weaver
Zion Canyon viewed from Observation Point, showing Angels Landing and The Great White Throne.
Tag Archive for: Washington County
A new geologic-hazards investigation, published by the Utah Geological Survey, could help Zion National Park (ZNP) keep its 2.5 million annual visitors safe. The results of the investigation will provide the National Park Service (NPS) with geologic-hazard information for future park management.
Zion National Park is subject to a variety of geologic hazards that may affect park development and visitor safety. “One of the nation’s scenic jewels, Zion National Park, is also home to a variety of geologic hazards. By supporting this study of geologic hazards in high-use areas of the park, the National Park Service has taken a proactive approach to protecting visitor safety,” says William Lund, UGS Senior Geologist.
The ZNP geologic-hazards study area is a 154-square-mile area that encompasses Zion Canyon, Kolob Canyon, Kolob Terrace, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway corridor, and all developed and high-use areas of the park. This investigation includes nine 1:24,000-scale geographic information system (GIS)-based maps that show areas subject to flooding, debris flows, rock fall, landslides, surface faulting, liquefaction, collapsible and expansive rocks and soils, and/or soil piping and erosion.
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.
GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE ST. GEORGE AND EAST PART OF THE CLOVER MOUNTAINS 30′ x 60′ QUADRANGLES, WASHINGTON AND IRON COUNTIES, UTAH
Robert F. Biek, Peter D. Rowley, Janice M. Hayden, David B. Hacker, Grant C. Willis, Lehi F. Hintze, R. Ernest Anderson, and Kent D. Brown
A just-released map presents southwestern Utah’s geology in unprecedented detail. There is also an innovative 3-D version of the map and a virtual field trip for online viewing. The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) created all versions of the map.
The new geologic map covers 2000 square miles of southwest Utah. It stretches from Zion National Park on the east, through the St. George area, to the Beaver Dam and Bull Valley Mountains on the west, and from the Arizona border north through the Pine Valley Mountains.
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) was notified of a large rock fall in Rockville, Utah Wednesday morning that damaged several buildings. Geologists say it could have been much worse and are worried about the possibility of second boulder breaking loose.
Around 7:30 a.m., a boulder estimated to be 35-feet by 30-feet by 30-feet broke loose and rolled down a hill toward the home that Tamara Burton was renting.
Tyler Knudsen and Bob Blackett, UGS geologists, were asked by Rockville Mayor Alan Brown to investigate what happened. According to air photos, the boulder had been there for at least four years after detaching from a ledge and sliding about 20 feet and coming to a rest on a 45-degree slope above Burton’s home.
IN THE MEDIA
Salt Lake Tribune
KSL.com
Deseret News
ABC4.com
Local8news.com
The Spectrum
Los Angeles Times
Atlantic Journal Constitution
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology.