Red Butte Canyon RNA and urban watershed
The Red Butte Creek watershed is in the west central portion of the Wasatch Mountains (Utah) and encompasses 2,855 ha, of which 1,650 ha are in the montane, portion of the watershed (Red Butte Canyon Research Natural Area). The urban portion of the watershed enters the Salt Lake Valley at the University of Utah and Red Butte Creek continues through the city connecting to the Jordan River at Liberty Park. Red Butte Canyon is a protected, near pristine canyon. It contains a well-developed riparian zone and a perennial stream. The hillside vegetation ranges from grasslands on the lower limits to Douglas-fir and aspen stands at the upper elevations. Ehleringer et al. (1992) described the history of human impact, natural history aspects of climate, geology, and ecology, and faunal and floral information for key species in the canyon. The need to protect Red Butte Canyon is significant as it is one of the few remaining undisturbed riparian ecosystems in the Intermountain West. |
Entering into a new class and immediately being asked to “go to the field” can be a daunting situation the first time. Many students do not yet have extensive natural history experiences in the areas surrounding our campus. The guide on the left is a living document and is intended to assist students as they utilize our campus as surrounding areas as part of their outdoor learning laboratory. The goal here is to assist you in identifying some of the common plants species found in the lower- to mid-elevation portions of Red Butte Canyon.
Additional resources are available for students and the public to become more aware of the many thousands of plants on the University of Utah campus. These include [1] An online map of individual campus trees that can be viewed on your smart phone as you wander across our campus. The UU Facilities Planning Department is constantly adding new trees. You should contact them if you want to know the names of trees that were recently planted. [2] Walking tours focusing on different plant communities and on the green infrastructure across our campus Additionally, , "Embedded in Nature: Field Stations of the University of Utah" (ISBN: 9780692812211) is available to download here. |
In contrast, the Red Butte Creek urban watershed (on the right) reflects over 160 years of extensive development, starting with transition from native grassland when the Mormon pioneers arrived in 1847, to agriculture, and lastly into today’s urban landscape. This urban landscape has now evolved into multiple urban forms, including residential (both single- and multi-family residential parcels), commercial (offices, stores, and business parks), public parks, and a university. The current landscape is 25% trees and 21% grasses that are sustained by extensive irrigation, which utilizes 3-6x the annual precipitation inputs. The current 34% impermeable surfaces draw potential infiltration precipitation away from the landscape and into the Jordan River through an extensive stormwater system, whereas some portion of the 18% roof surfaces will retain water on site. Click here to view and download a high-resolution version of this GIS map. |
The Red Butte Canyon RNA has been an area of active research and teaching for many decades. The map on the left illustrates the major sub-canyons within Red Butte Canyon, indicates the locations of the NEON site, and of the two permanent weather stations maintained by UU Atmospheric Sciences (Dr. John Horel) and aquatic sites by UU Geology & Geophysics (Dr. Paul Brooks). The Red Butte Canyon NEON site is part of a national network of long-term observatories across the United States. Climate, hydrological, vegetation, and soil data are available from the National NEON site. A documented history of Red Butte Canyon was produced by W. Dee Halverson of Heritage Associates in 1995. As this report is difficult to find, a copy is provided here. Access to the Red Buttte Canyon RNA requires a permit from the USFS and from the SLC Department of Public Utilities. |