Dolores River Canyon is a pristine desert area containing
some of the most outstanding canyon scenery in Colorado. It includes
benchlands and mesa uplands, portions of five tributary canyons,
and a segment of the Dolores River recommended as a wild river
under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1976.
Twelve geological formations spanning 160 million
years of geologic history are exposed by the river in the gorge;
the predominant formation is red Wingate Sandstone. The cliffs
rise to benches of bedrock 500 to 700 feet above the river, with
the  canyon rim 1,100 feet above the river. The tributary canyons
include La Sal Creek, Coyote Wash, Spring Canyon, Bull Canyon,
and Wild Steer Canyon, all delightful canyons with sculpted slickrock
and plunge pools.
Wildlife includes the endangered peregrine falcon
that nests in nearby Paradox Valley and may hunt in the Dolores
River Canyon. Golden eagles nest here and bald eagles can be seen.
Mule deer, mountain lions, and bobcats are common. The canyon is
considered prime habitat for desert bighorn sheep and river otters.
Dolores River Canyon is popular for hiking, rafting,
kayaking, and canoeing. During late May and early June, several
thousand rafters typically enjoy the many rapids in the canyon,
though none are especially dangerous. Hiking is popular in the
tributary canyons, with Coyote Wash a favorite stopping place for
rafters. Petroglyphs are found in some of the tributary canyons
and the main gorge. The mesa tops offer spectacular views of Utah's
La Sal Mountains.
Vegetation varies from pinyon-juniper woodland, oakbrush,
and sagebrush on the mesa uplands to tamarisk, willows, boxelder,
rushes, sedges, and occasional cottonwoods along the river. A number
of rare plants grow within the WSA, including the Eastwood monkeyflower
(said to grow in shallow caverns in cliffs on the lower portion
of Coyote Wash), Kachina daisy, and Mertensia arizonica.
- No oil and gas leases exist within the WSA.
The area has low to moderate potential for natural gas.
- Only one pre-FLPMA mining claim exists in
the entire WSA. There are 26 post-FLPMA mining claims that
were filed in 1989, more than a decade after the area was placed
in a wilderness study status.
- According to BLM, these claims are probably
for uranium, vanadium, and some copper and silver. An existing
mining operation for precious and base metals is situated outside
the WSA in upper La Sal Creek along a fault zone. The GEM report
for Dolores River Canyon reports a low probability for finding
uranium in the area.
- Portions of five grazing allotments are
located within Dolores River Canyon WSA, with a total authorized
use of 580 AUMs. They are used primarily in winter on the fringe
of the WSA with little actual use in the canyons.
- No commercially valuable woodlands exist
in the area.
- The area is also closed to motorized vehicles.
- The Dolores River flows through the heart
of the area. La Sal Creek drains the east side of Utah's La
Sal Mountains into the northwest quadrant of the unit. The
other major tributary canyons contain springfed, intermittent
streams.
- Dolores River Canyon includes approximately
30 miles of the Dolores River between Slickrock and Bedrock,
downstream of McPhee Dam and major irrigation diversions to
the Montezuma Valley. The river's flow is controlled by the
Bureau of Reclamation's releases from McPhee Dam and by pre-existing
irrigation diversions.
The Bureau of Reclamation has discussed modifications of its
flow regime to benefit the coldwater trout fishery immediately
below the dam (which is located 50-60 river miles upstream
of the wilderness) as well as recreational whitewater boating.
The CWCB holds an instream flow right for approximately 70
cfs during late summer months.
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