--""II~.
REPORT ON A PROPOSED ADDITIOn
TO THE
CACHE NATIONAL FOREST,
SUMMA.1UZJID FROM REPORTS
by
R. V. R. REYNOLDS, FOREST ASSISTANT, 1908.
and
WILLIAM WINTER, FOREST ASSISTANT, 1909 •
•
T 8 N, R 4 E, S. L. M., was examined first in 1908
to determine its suitability for forest purposes and its in-fluence
on the water supply of Ogden, and it was re-exrunined
in connection with the remaining area considered in this report
at the request of residents of the surrounding country. It is
necessary to consider it, not only from the timber standpoint
but with respect to its value to Ogden,City.
The highest point in this township is a rounded
mountain known as_Monte Cristo, the 801 tituds of which is apI
proximately 10,000 feet. The altitude of the surrounding country
is nowhere less than 8,500 feet, but in spite of this fact, it
is by no means a rugged country. The main divide of the Wasatch
range is here a high rolling ridge with no precipitous peaks.
Nearly ever~Nhere is a plentiful covering of soil.
Heavy snows are the rule in winter with failing
precipitation and drying streams later in the season. Springs
are frequent. Skunk Creek flows a constant supply of water
and Woodruff Creek is an excellent trout stream which supplies
the town of the same name with water for irrigation and domestic
use. The streams on the East of the main divide draining from
the area north of this are small and frequently run dry. Rock
Creek, Curtis Creek, Blacksmith I s Fork and Little ~ear River
draining the west side of the divide are all constant streams
and dependent upon the cover for the Chance to remain so.
The small creeks flowing into Ogden River from the
south of Township 8 N, R 4 E, under present conditions frequently
run dry but there is hardly any doubt that i£ the area were
properly fore sted a constant supply o£ water would be available
to most of these. It may be stated that under proper protection
a dense forest cover could be restored to mo st of the area, as
in spite of heavy overgrazing, the area is restocking well in
spots. There is no cultivable land in any part of the area and
very little open grass land.
The southern part of T 8 N, R 4 E, is essential to the
proper con'servation of the waters of Ogden River. It is to be
much regretted that the townships ,south and west o£ this , even
more important, h ave been so heavily alienated that there is
now li ttle chance to 'protect them If this township were open
to entry there is little doubt that it also would soon pass from
the control of the government into private and corporate hands.
Prominent citizens and off icials of Ogden are strongly in favor
of protection for their water supply and will welcome any action
leading to that end.
Woodruff Creek al so needs protection badly and the in- '/
habitants of Woodru£f are united in their advocacy of the con-templated
addition. The only definite opposi tion springs, ap-parently
from the Neponset Live Stock Company, large sheepmen
who own scattered £orties through the area and control by that
means most o£ the grazing.
FOllmerly the bulk of the area must have been heavily
timbered but cutting has extended over 20 years until now the
I
\
stands not entirely destroyed are very heavily culled; little good
timber remaining in the southern townships and that in the northern
part showing the e££ects o£ indiscriminate destruction very plainly.
=2=
The species are Red Fir, Englemann Spruce, Alpine Fir and Balsam
Fir. A very large extent of Aspen occurs plentifully over the
entire area. Some of this is very good, straieht, clean and large
enough for saw logs. Along e ach of the stream beds are strips
of Aspen, WillQws, Alder and Service Berry.
Reproduction ort the cut-over areas varies cons iderably,
but wherever conditions have been in the least favorable it is
excellent. Repeated fires, evidence of which remains on the
stumps have, in other cases, kapt reproduction down, but there is
no doubt that under proper protection an extensive and dense
forest of Valuable spe cies can be easily established. It would
probably be advisable in view of the importance of the southern
part of the township to the ogden River water supply, to start
planting operations as soon as possible on this area. The Aspen
and brush offers excellent cover for seedlings and as the sbil
conditions are good, there should be little difficulty in establishing
success ful plantations. Western Yellow Pine, which
does not grow on the Wasatch range, could very probably be introduced
here.
Two mills are now located on T 8 N, R 4 E,j one with
a capacity of about 10,000 feet and the other of about 5,000 feet.
Both are now shut down by order of the Special Agent of the Land
Office and an estimate of the timber removed is being made with
a view to the collection of damages.
The present water supply of Ogden City is not sufficient
for the needs of the town Since, at times when the use is greatest
only a few hoUr" reserve remains in the reservoirs. The city
officials are already awakened to the needs of the city and are
=3=
at present engaged in research and surveys to find out whether
the city supply cannot be increas,ed by go ing further back up the
north, south and Middle forks of Ogden River. They have been
too slow in looking after this rna tter as the greater part of the
lands I/lhich might have been reserved and patrolled are already
alienated. The City is in an unfortunate predic~nent, far worse
than that in which Salt Lake found itself a few years ago.
It would seem that in accordance with its past policy
the Service should do everything in its power to assist Ogden
in securing its sources of water supply and any action it can
take to aid the city in this matter would seem very advisable.
ADDITIONAL A,.-qEA EXA1\UNED
This additional area lies in Townships 8, 9, 10 and
11 N, Ranges 4 and 5 East, and consists of the watershed formed
by the main ridge of the Wasatch Mountains as far north as the
present south boundary of the Cache National Forest. It is
traversed by several ro ads, chiefly old logging ro.ads. Mo st of
the area lies on the wes,t side of the divide draining into Curtis
Rock Creeks and Blacksmiths Fork. The valley below these in
Range 3 East, is well settled and consists of agricultural and
grazing lands. To 'the east, Townships 8 to 11 North, in Range
5 East, drain toward a well settled valley in which are two post
settlements, Woodruff and Randolph. Both these settlements depend
on this slope for their water supply.
The east slope of the Wasatch is here, as a rule, rather
sparsely timbered, but a scattering culled stand strEl,tches along
=4=
the slope, becoming dense on the north slopes of the gulches. A
good cover of quaking Aspen is found on the whole area with the
exception of occasional areas of grass land. The top of the
divide is entirely grass land, forming a narrow strip about 300
yards wide and 15 miles long. The species are the same as found
in T 8 N, R 4 E, being Douglas fir, Bals~~ fir ( A.lasiocarpa)
Englemann Spruce, and one or two small patches of Lodgepole Pine.
Reproduction of valuable species is excellent in the hollOWS,
most of the stand being second growth with merchantable timber
absent, and on more unfavorable situations, the Fir and Spruce
is coming in under the Aspen, though in a rather s ,traggling manner.
GRAZING AND LUMBERIlm
This side of the divide is heavily grazed and two
livestock companies hold land here in small areas along water
courses chiefly. Owing, probably to good seasons the area doss
not seem to have suffered much and the grass is pretty good.
Two or three small sawmills formerly operated here, but as most
of the good timber has been cut, they are no longer in operation.
WEST SLOPE OF DIVIDE
The west slope drains into a settled valley, the attitude
of whose residents is not known. They will probably join
in petitioning for the addition, according to resiLdence of
Woodruff.
This slope has been heavily culled and most of the
merchanta"ble timber removed. Generally the stand is like that
in the other areas, but as Bock and CUrtis Creeks drain a very
=5=
1arge basin which is 10wer than the surrounding rountry, the
conditions for Forest growth are exceptiona11y good. The whole
basin in Townships 9 and 10 N, R 4 E, is covered with quaking
Aspen with pure stands of Fir and Spruce on north s1opes.
But here, even on south slopes reproduction of Fir and
Spruce is corning in well under the Aspen. Fires are preva1ent
here as e1sewhere, owing to the quantity of dead and down timber.
It seemsprobable that with proper protection, the entire basin
can be entirely reproduced to va1uable species, by n~t\tra1 seeding.
A very considerijble area of timberland, young growth that
wi11 make merchantable t~ees exists in this basin. There is a1so
quite a 1itt1e commercia1 timber 1eft on the cut-over areas.
One or two sma1l sawmills have been recent1y operated but ate
now shut down.
The grazing question on this area does not seem as
important as that on the east s1ope. Under the Aspen cover
there is plenty of grass and while some land is held by the
livestock cOlnpanies, they cannot control the range as comp1etely
as the less well watered east slope.
REOOMMENDATION
As the area is entire1y potentia1 Forest land and
contains good stands of va1uable young growth, forms a watershed
for two settled va11eys and for Ogden City, and as loca1 public
sentiment demands such action, it is recommended that the land
shown inside the red lines on the accompanying map be added to
the Cache Nationa1 Forest.
TP.10N., R. 5 E., LOOKING EAST.
REPRODUCTION ON CUTOVF~ GLOF ES, TP. 8 N., R. 4 E.
LOGGED AND BURNJi'.J) LAND •
CUTOVER LAND REPRODUCI ~G , TP. 10 N., R. 5 E.
HEAn OF CURT IS CRF~ , TP . 10 N. , R. 4 E.
...
TP. 10 N., R. 5 E., LOOKnTG EAST.
BASIN AT HEAD OF CURT IS CREEK. TP. 10 IT.. R. <1 E .
Regreening of Cache Valley
