Geological Survey Professional Paper 374—I Yampa Canyon in the Uinta Mountains, Colorado

Cover

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose of the report
Usage of two terms
Sources of information
     Earlier investigations
     Newer sources
     Geologic map in present report
Acknowledgments

Observed features

Yampa Canyon as a whole
     Statistical details
     Relation to Yampa fault and other faults
          Yampa fault
          Red Rock fault
          Mitten Park fault
          Graben between Red Rock and Mitten Park faults
     Three-part division of canyon
Upper section of Yampa Canyon
Middle section of Yampa Canyon
     River pattern and direction
     Topography of canyon walls
          South wall
          North wall
     Topography of adjoining uplands
          South of canyon
          North of canyon
     
          South of river
          North of river
     Meander-migration scars
          Anderson Hole scar
          Tepee Hole scar
          Browns Hole scar
          Bower Draw scar
          Five Springs Draw scar
     "Half-turn district"—an exception
Lower section of Yampa Canyon
     River pattern and direction
     Topography of canyon walls
     Topography of adjoining uplands
          South of canyon
          North of canyon
     Geology
     Warm Springs scar—an exception

Suggested explanation of the features

Concepts of 1922-23
Original extent and thickness of Browns Park formation
     Area of maximum thickness
     Browns Park formation in Lily Park
     Possible Browns Park material on Douglas Mountain
     Browns Park formation near Elk Springs
     Nearness of Browns Park formation to east end of Yampa Canyon
     Possible Browns Park material on Blue Mountain
     Possible Browns Park material on Harpers Corner
     Possible Browns Park material west of Lodore Canyon
     Summary
Possible development of the canyon—a chronological outline
     First step
     Second step
     Third step
     Fourth step
     Fifth step
     Sixth step
          River development in Morgan formation
          River development in Webern sandstone
     Seventh step
Effect of Mitten Park and Red Rock faults

Selected bibliography

Index (omitted from the online edition)

PLATE

1. Geologic map of Yampa Canyon and vicinity, Uinta Mountains, Colorado (omitted from the online edition)

FIGURE

1. Entrance to Yampa Canyon

2. Upper section of Yampa Canyon

3. Sharpened spur between Tepee Hole (second) and Browns Hole (third) scars

4. "Tiger Wall" in lower section of Yampa Canyon

5. Lower section of Yampa Canyon. Intricate meanders in Weber sandstone

6. Warm Springs (sixth) scar

7. Map of eastern Uinta Mountains and vicinity, showing part of the mapped Browns Park formation

8. Hypothetical course of Yampa River between points B and C when cutting through Browns Park formation

9. Possible former high-level channel of lower part of Yampa River

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A study of some unusual features and the possible origin and development of the canyon.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Thomas B. Nolan, Director

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON

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