Discussion Post 1

Geography- The granite cliffs within the canyon were part of the earth's crust 1.4 to 1.7 billions of years ago.

History- Prospecting/ mining of copper and silver began in 1882 and came to an end in 1912 due to loss of resources.

Plantlife- The Broadleaf Yucca can be identified by its long blue-green, spikey leaves, its long thin white hairs and the cream tear-drop shaped flowers.

Wildlife- The Bighorn sheep, also known as the Ovis Canadensis nelsoni, uses their horns to protect their brains by absorbing the impact of crashes.

Watershed- The water that comes through the canyon is set to pass through geologic features such as Cataract Canyon, Glen Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.

Geology- The main rock found in the Unaweep Canyon is a large Precambrian-cored rock that dates back to be billions of years old.

History- The first school in Gateway was built in 1903. In 1926 the school was re-built and is still in use today.

Plantlife- The Brown-Spined Prickly Pear is more wide than tall and has red/yellow/pink flowers, sharp leaves, and a thickblue-green stem.

Watershed- Fish such as cutthroat, rainbow, cut bow, and brown trout are all found in the Dolores/Colorado River watersheds.

Wildlife- The Gray Fox has a gray body and a yellow-orange belly/tail. They live in the desert and live for about 4-6 years measuring 30-40 inches long and weighing 8-16 pounds. They eat smaller mammals, birds, voles, insects, and leaves.

Geology- The name “Unaweep” means “canyon with 2 mouths” in Ute two different creeks, West Creek and East Creek, flow out of opposite sides of the canyon.

History- the first school in gateway was a one room schoolhouse built in 1903, but as gateway grew they built another school in 1926. This school is still a part of the current gateway school.

Plant life- Colorado Pinyon Pine or Pinus edulis is a more scrubby pine that's native to Colorado. The pinyon pine has edible pine nuts and can grow to be about 10-20 m tall.

Watershed- The water in the unaweep river will travel through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Along the way it will travel through Cataract Canyon, Glen Canyon, Escalante- Grand Staircase, and the Grand Canyon, finally it will end in sea around the Gulf of California

Wildlife- The Collared Lizard or Crotaphytus collaris is native to Colorado. Males are bright green, yellow, orange or tan with white spots, and females have a more muted color scheme with black and white throat stripes.

Geology- This canyon acts as a miniature "continental divide" with the East and West creek flowing out of each side. West flowing into the Dolores river and east to Gunnison. Both flowing back into the Colorado river. Only canyon in the world known to divide like this.

History- Ute natives lived here until settlers pushed them out. Many cattleman, and establishing a town. Later to grow into a mining town. Starting with copper and silver. Later mined Radium. Radium is used for self-luminous paint. During the wars these mines would open and close, and uranium was mined for bombs. No active mines now.

Wildlife- Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. Identified by their red bellies. Also brown and green with speckled dark spots. Love the high elevations, and rapid-flowing waters. Native to Colorado, and our sate fish.

Plant life- Hookless cactus. Thick and round with light and bright pink flowers with yellow centers. Endemic species, meaning native to a specific location. Also on the endangered list.

Watershed- Water from the San Juans and other mountains move to the Unaweep canyon. From here it is split East, or West. Taking journeys along Gunnison or Colorado rivers. Meeting in the Colorado river. Flowing all the way to California.

Geology- The main rock found throughout the unaweep canyon is large, Precambrian-cored rock dating back to millions, even billions of years ago

History- Propectors came to Gateway to find copper and silver

Plantlife- Mormon tea as well as Yucca are common plants found in the canyon

Watersheds- Fish such as cutthroat, rainbow, cut bow, and brown trout are all found throughout the Dolores/ Colorado River Watersheds

Wildlife- Bald eagles can be found in there habitats there.

Geology: Geologist have found gravel volcanic rock and evidence of volcanic activity in the canyon about 1.46 million years ago.

History: From 1910 to 1923 almost all of the radium in the world came from Western Colorado and the mined radium would be transported through the canyon.

Plant life: The brown-spited prickly pear is wide with red yellow or pink flowers and has a thick waxy oval shape.

Watersheds: Different insects such as fly nymphs, hipper and mayflies are evidence of a healthy stream.

Willlife: Collard lizards are bright green, yellow, orange tan with white spots. The females are not as vibrant as the males and have striped back and white throut.