Water Resources Scoping Report for Canyonlands National Park Arches National Park, and Natural Bridges National Monument.

摘要

Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument, collectively called the Southeast Utah Group Parks, are located in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau in southeast Utah. All three park units were established due to the unique scenic, scientific, and archeological features found within their boundaries. Due to the and environment of the Colorado Plateau, water resources are a critical concern of National Park Service (NPS) management. The Group Parks are located in the Upper Colorado River Basin as designated by the Colorado River Compact of 1922. The operation of all reservoirs and apportionment of all water throughout the upper basin is dictated in accordance with the 'Law of the River.' Legislation and operating criteria for the water storage facilities in the upper basin have significantly altered the flow regime of the Colorado and Green rivers through Canyonlands National Park. Subsequent effects of altered flow regime include impacts on water quality, endemic fish habitat, adjacent riparian/wetland areas and associated biota. The purpose of this scoping report is to describe the existing condition of the watershed, identify specific water resource issues of concern to park management, and provide recommendations on future actions. Initial meetings with the Group Parks Resource Management staff identified the following issues to address in this report: Water quality; Seeps and springs; Culinary water; Threatened and endangered fish (Canyonlands); Salt Creek (Canyonlands); Water rights; and Mining (Canyonlands, Arches).