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Geography 101 Physical Geography Zion National Park Flash flooding
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ZionNational
ParkUtah
Sarah Henderson Geography 101
Professor Schmidt
Fall 2013
“All this is the music
of water.”
- J o h n W e s l e y P o w e l l , 1 8 9 5 .
A Brief History…
Anasazi Indians around 1300 B.C.E. (“Zion.” Map.)
1860’s, Mormon settlers became the first white people to occupy the area.(“Zion.” Map.)
religious persecutions
Isaac Behunin dubbed the canyon “Zion,” a reference to a place of peace.(“Zion.” Map.)
fertile lands produced crops such as corn, tobacco, fruit trees, squashes.(“Zion.” Map.)
The oldest National Park in Utah. (“Zion National Park.” Utah.com.)
Water Created Zion
Weeping Rock
Water actually leeks from the rock face giving the illusion of crying stone. Phenomenon can be seen tin other parts of the park.
The Subway
A naturally occurring tunnel shaped canyon, carved by water. Some repelling and some wading
The Narrows
One of the most memorable hikes in Zion. Include steep natural walls on either side. 60% wading.
Water in large volumes creates downcutting in the earth (Hess).
Thousands of years to form. Millions of gallons of rushing water and debris filled water. Breath taking landforms also a result of shifting below
earth’s surface(“Zion.” Map.)
The RimLess wooded, rocky, low plants, elk and a variety of birds.
Desert animals (bats, tarantulas, tortoise, and other reptiles). Some trees, mostly shrubs. The Canyon
The RiverSwamp like marshland in some areas. Frogs and lizards accompanied by deer that roam the
canyons.
ferns, and many trees, mostly Fremont Cottonwoods.
Virgin River Brings Life
Feeds the Colorado river Brings life to the area Annual precipitation 15 inches.(“Zion.” Map.)
Experiences high flooding and monsoon seasons in mid summer. (“Zion National Park: Map and Guide.”)
Consistent danger in Zion (David). Occurs within 6 hours of a thunderstorm (“Flood.”) . Number 1 natural disaster with an average of
95 casualties (“Flood”).
Considered life threatening (“Flood”).
Flood up to 12 feet higher than typical water levels (“The Narrows”) .
The Nature of Flash Floods
Flash Flood Safety & AwarenessBefore heading out: Check and monitor
weather conditions(“Flood.”) .
Check for build up of thunder or clouds (“Zion
National Park: Map and Guide.”). Be prepared
Bring flashlight/ headlamp
First aid kit Extra cloths, food,
water. (“Flood.”) . rope
While out on the trail: If you hear distant
thunder rolling, leave as soon as possible!
Cloudy or murky water More debris in the
water Sudden change in
water level A roaring of water in
the distance Rapid waters (“Zion National Park:
Map and Guide.”)
Trust your instincts! Your survival is your responsibiliy
In case of emergency: If possible, get to higher ground (“Flood.”) .
Seek shelter behind large bolder. Trees will break! Do not attempt to cross rapids, even if it mean
getting to safety (“Flood.”) .
In Conclusion
Zion is full of natural beauty that brings in tourism from all over the world.
The drastic physiological characteristics of Zion's canyons and its every changing environment has a great deal to do with the Virgin River.
Some of the most popular hiking experiences can be treacherous due to flash flooding.
Before heading out on a hike in any of the aqua/repelling hiking trails, check for good conditions, be prepared, and tell others where you will be, incase you become trapped
If you are uncertain if there is a flash flood coming your way, look for signs.
If you are caught in a flood, get to safe ground and stay put.
Works Cited
David Day. “Zion Narrows.” Excerpt from Utah’s Incredible Backcountry Trails. Rincon
Publishing Company.Web. Sept. 2013.
http://www.utahtrails.com/backcountry%20pages/zionnarrows.html
“Flood Safety Awareness Week.” National Weather Services.2013.NWS. 20 Sept. 2013. Web.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/media/jan/FSAW/FLOOD_WX_AWARNESS_2013.pdf
Hess, Darrel. McKnight’s Physical Geography: A landscape Appreciation 10th ed. (251-449).
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 2011. Print.
“Zion.” Map. Zion National Park, Utah. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior,
2013. Print.
“Zion National Park: Map and Guide.” The Official Newspaper of Zion National Park, Summer,
2013. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. Print.
“Zion National Park.” Utah.com, 2013. Utah Travel Industry Website. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.
http://utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm
“The Narrows Safety.” Zion National Park Utah. National Park Service U.S. Department of the
Interior 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowssafety.htm
Images
http://www.nps.gov/zion/photosmultimedia/index.htm
http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=21598
http://www.antsinyourmouth.com/uncategorized/zion-utah-subway/\
http://wildbackpacker.com/destination/zion/zionnarrows.html
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Zion_National_Park
http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Cougar-Roaming-in-Zion-National-Park-Posters_i3591923_.htm
http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=21598
http://www.zion-narrows.com/zion-narrows-photos.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidegbert/6162256837/
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/3Dcanyons/html/virgin.htm
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201009/survive.aspx