Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1475-M Ground-Water Resources of the Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this investigation was to appraise the ground-water resources of Bryce Canyon National Park area and vicinity. This appraisal is intended to furnish sufficient information to enable the National Park Service to develop an adequate water supply.

The water system of the National Park Service, which is the only one available for year-round use in Bryce Canyon National Park, consists of 1 well (headquarters well) that yields about 160 gpd (gallons per day), enough to supply the needs of 1 family; one 5,000-gallon storage tank; and pipelines for the distribution of water. The Park Superintendent estimates that about 1,000 gpd was needed to supply the seven families of the National Park Service that domiciled in the park during the winter of 1956-57. During the summer the water system of the National Park Service is connected into the water system of the concessioner (the Utah Parks Co.), and the shortage of water for these families is alleviated. The water-supply system of the concessioner, however, is inadequate to supply all the water needs of the park for an entire season in times of drought. Because the Mission 66 program includes plans for the expansion of the overall facilities at Bryce Canyon National Park, a water supply much larger than that now provided by the concessioner is needed.

Figure 51 shows the general increase in the number of visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park in past years and the estimated future range of attendance under the Mission 66 program. Any water supply that is planned should be able to meet not only the present water needs of the park but also future needs.

Figure 51.—Number of visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park, from 1929 to 1956 and range of possible attendance. Data provided by National Park Service.

The principal objectives of this investigation were to determine the quantity, quality, and dependability of all possible sources of water supply for the park. Because the water supply is needed in the lodge and headquarters vicinity, special emphasis was placed on sources that are within several miles of that area.

LOCATION OF THE AREA

The area of this report is in and adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park in the Paunsaugunt Plateau region (pl. 24). The park is in Kane and Garfield Counties, south-central Utah, between 37°42' and 37°26' north latitude and 112°05' and 112°17' west longitude. It is also on the divide between the Paria River, a tributary to the Colorado River, and the East Fork of the Sevier River, which drains into the Great Basin.

PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS

The geology of the Paunsaugunt Plateau region was described by Herbert E. Gregory in a report (1951) that includes brief discussions of the ground-water resources of the region and of some of the most important wells and springs, and a geologic map that was used extensively in carrying on the present investigation. Williams (1954) gave a synopsis of the stratigraphy and structure of the Paunsaugunt Plateau region. A report by Gregory and Moore (1931) referred in part to the geology of the area. In 1939 the U.S. Geological Survey published a topographic map of Bryce Canyon National Park and adjacent area, which was extremely useful in the present investigation.

A 3-day reconnaissance of the Campbell Canyon Spring and Bryce Canyon Spring areas was made in April 1954 by Ben E. Lofgren, engineer, U.S. Geological Survey. This reconnaissance included no discharge measurements, but on the basis of it Mr. Lofgren suggested to the National Park Service personnel that the Campbell Canyon Spring might be used for a park water supply.

PERSONNEL AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This investigation was made under the direct supervision of Herbert A. Waite, district geologist of the U.S. Geological Survey in charge of ground-water investigations in Utah. Glen T. Bean, Superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park, and employees of the National Park Service at Bryce Canyon rendered valuable assistance in all phases of the investigation. Donald Price, geologist, Ground Water Branch, assisted the writer for 2 weeks in the field investigations. Robert Burns, former Supervisory Park Ranger, and Robert Ott, of the National Park Service, were very helpful in guiding the writer to significant springs in the area.