Duchesne County is located in northeastern Utah
approximately 120 miles east of Salt Lake City. Having a total surface area of 3, 266
square miles it is the 12th largest county in the state. Duchesne County
occupies the western portion of an area known geologically as the Uintah Basin. The entire
county lies within the drainage of the Green River, one of the primary tributaries of the
Colorado River. Elevation within the county is extremely variable. It ranges form a low of
5,000 feet in the center of the basin, to a high of 13,500 feet along the crest of the
Uinta Mountains.
Movement within and through the area is mainly by motor vehicle.
U.S. Highway 40 is the major transportation artery, traversing the county in an east-west
line. Extremes in topography severely limit surface movement to the north and south. Th
county may be classified as rural agricultural. Within the county limits are five
incorporated municipalities; Altamont, Duchesne, Myton, Roosevelt, and Tabiona. The County
seat is located in Duchesne City. In addition to the municipalities there are several
unincorporated urbanized clusters scattered throughout the central farming are. The
boundaries of the local school district are the same as those of the county.
The county is also included within
the boundaries of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. The Uinta Mountains
which occupy the northern one-third of Duchesne County are the primary source for water
which is to be diverted westward into the Great Basin as a part of the District’s
Central Utah Reclamation Project (a participating project of the Upper Colorado River
Storage Project).
The Uintah Basin and Duchesne County have long
been the home of the Indian. The first white men to visit the area came with the Escalante
Expedition in 1776, they were looking for another route westward. Later came Dominguez and
other Spaniards in search of gold. Next were trappers and explorers who were followed by
homesteaders. Due to climate, physical barriers, and limited transportation capability,
the Uintah Basin was overlooked during the early westward movement.
In the fall of 1861, President Lincoln proclaimed
the major portion of the Western Uintah Basin, which at that time had a handful of
settlers, as an Indian Reservation. It remained in that state until 1902 when President
Theodore Roosevelt issued a counter-proclamation providing for the "opening" of
certain reservation lands to homesteaders, and setting forth the procedure by which this
land would be allotted. The actual opening of the reservation land occurred in August,
1905.
A second proclamation by President Roosevelt
provided for the location and establishment of three town sites within the Basin. Two of
these, Duchesne, (originally designated as Theodore) and Myton, were situated on
public ground. Roosevelt, the county’s largest community also had its beginning at
the time of the opening, however, it was established on homestead land as a private
development, more or less in the same manner as a "subdivision" is today.
Speculation as the name "Duchesne"
comes from differing stories--one stating that the name comes from a French trapper
calling the chimney-like formation at the point of the Duchesne River’s
beginning-Duchesne. Another theory comes from the story of a Sister Duchesne, a Catholic
nun who was the namesake.
Duchesne County was created form the eastern
portion of what was then Wasatch County. The (Duchesne) county seat was once located in
Myton, east of Duchesne City, but due to public interest and debate the county seat matter
was put to a vote. Duchesne City was established as the County Seat by popular vote.
Mountains: The highest mountain in Utah is located in Duchesne
County. Kings Peak, 13,493 feet above sea level, reserves that distinction. This towering
snow capped peak is said to have been named for Olaf King, a trapper, whose travels took
him into this remote area. Other peaks rising above the 13,000 foot level are : Mt.
Emmons, 13,449 feet; Gilber Peak, 13,428 feet; Wilson Peak, 13,095 feet; and Mt. Lovenia,
13,227 feet. There are six peaks in the county within the 12,000 to 13,000 foot altitude.
All of these peaks are in the northern part of the County and are located in the Uinta
Mountain Range, named "Uinta" after the tribe that has occupied the area for
hundreds of years.
The Uinta Range is the only range in the United
States that extends in an eastwest direction.
Forests: Three National Forests extend into
Duchesne County--Uintah National forest containing 179,649 acres; Wasatch National Forest,
containing 180,623 acres, and Ashley national Forest, containing 378,781 acres.
Lakes: Throughout the High Uintas are thousands of freshwater
lakes fed by melting snow and abounding with trout. The better known lakes are Mirror and
Moon Lakes, which are accessible by auto. Grandaddy Lake, Mohawk, Governor Dern, Pine
Island, Palisade, Clement, Kidney and many others are all high lakes (above 10,000 feet),
which complement the mountain streams for excellent trout fishing. The high Uintas have
been set aside by an act of Congress as a permanent Primitive Area, accessible only by
foot or horseback.
Streams: the Uinta Range forms the headwaters of
eight streams or rivers. Two have their beginnings in Wasatch County; Current Creek and
the Strawberry River. These streams flow eastward and join the Duchesne River. The
following begin in Duchesne County; Red Creek, the Duchesne River, Rock Creek, the Lake
Fork, the Yellowstone, and Uinta Rivers. Water from melting snows in the higher mountains
keeps these bodies of water flowing all year. During the spring run-off caused by thawing
conditions, the streams and rivers are swollen and turbulent as they roar through their
channels on their way to the Green and Colorado Rivers to the East.
Trees: The high Alpine country grows thickly with
Quaking Aspen whose leaves turn a golden yellow in the early fall. Conifers are
abundant--Douglas Fir, Engleman Spruce, Norway Pine, Yellow Pine, Balsam and Juniper. IN
lower elevations grow species of Alder, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Cottonwood, Poplar and Elm.
Shrub type plants include Pinon, Mountain Mahogany, sage, Squawbush, and Sage Brush.
Duchesne County is the location of the worlds largest Pinon and Juniper Forest.
Flowers: Rarely can such a variety of wild
flowers be found in any spot as thrives in Duchesne County. Cactus and Yucca form vivid
colors to enhance the more barren desert areas. Utah’s state flower, the Sego Lily,
flourishes in desert climate at more than 5,000 foot level. White and blue columbine peek
shyly to the sun in high woodland gardens beside lupine and foxglove, their neighbors. The
desert evening primrose scents the cool night air with sweet odors. Wild hollyhocks paint
the desert salmon-red with late spring blossoms. Indian paintbrush affords a splash of red
among the drab gray sage, and purple violets cling to shady banks near sparkling streams.
Animals: Varied kinds of animals range from
the high mountain peaks to the arid desert reaches of Duchesne County. The little lica
that lives in the higher altitude and cuts hay in the summer for winter use is likely the
heartiest. He will stack leaves, grass and moss in piles sometimes four feet high to use
during the long winter months. He is sometimes called the rock rabbit. Marmots are also
dwellers of the mountainous areas, but they hibernate during the winter. The ermine, whose
summer color is dull brown on his back and yellow underneath, changes coats for winter to
one of pure white except for the tip of his tail which is black. Mink, beaver and muskrats
live near streams where they build their homes and search for food. Chipmunks, squirrels,
gray flying squirrels, pack rats, moles, kangaroo rats, prairie dogs, gophers, rabbits,
hares, skunks, porcupines, lynx (bobcats), coyotes, foxes, ring-tailed cats, mountain
lions, and badgers make their
homes in Duchesne County. Even black bear are occasionally seen in the remote areas. Mule deer are abundant, ranging in the
high country during the summer and in the foot hills, pinon and juniper forest in the
winter. Elk, moose, and antelope are present throughout the entire mountain area though
they are not as abundant as deer.
Birds: Duchesne County and the Uintah Basin have a
greater variety of bird species than any other section of the country. From the arid
desert regions to the swamp lands, lake and high alpine country. Natural habitat is
available for almost all types of birds from eagles to sparrow hawks, geese to teal,
vultures to shrikes, crown to starling and jays, king birds to tiny hummingbirds, as well
as game birds such as pheasant, quail, grouse, sagehens, and chukkar partridges.
Minerals: Many known deposits of minerals are in
Duchesne County. Elaterite (a hydrocarbon, the only known deposit in the United States),
coal, silver, manganese, asphalt, iron phosphate, copper, bentonite and gilsonite. Large
reserves of oil and gas have been discovered in the county with extremely high grade oil.
Industries: because much of the county is
federally owned, one of the principal industries is raising livestock which graze on
government leased lands. Cattle range the valleys and canyons near water sources while
sheep feed on the more arid parts of the higher areas. Crops grown include wheat, oats,
barley, corn, potatoes, alpha hay and alfalfa seed. Alfalfa fields reserved for seed
production in the Myton area have averaged as much as 1,000 pounds of seed per acre. The
county is famous for its sweet clover honey, much of which is produced in alfalfa fields
county wide. Orchards are not successful in the county due to the severe weather and short
growing season. Garden produce tends to be more flavorsome and naturally sweet than that
grown in lower elevations.
Crops are grown with the
aid of irrigation. Water supply for irrigation is form the numerous streams and reservoirs.
Thousands of board feet of lumber are produced annually from the forests growing on the
high slopes. This timber harvest boosts the economy of the county materially as it affords
employment for a number of men on a part-time basis, to supplement the income from small
farms and ranches. The juniper and pinon growths in the county provide a supply for wood
for fireplaces in the area as well as those on the Wasatch Front.
Another productive industry in the area is the oil
industry. There are pipeline systems transporting crude from the county to refineries on
the Wasatch Front, and there is also a refinery in the county to produce locally needed
oil products. Many tanker trucks also haul crude to other refineries in other areas. The
oil industry provides a steady and constant financial influx into the local economy.
Geologists label the Uintah Basin as one of the nations leading oil fields.
Tourists and Sightseeing Attractions: Northeastern Utah’s
Uinta Mountain Range beckons to those who desire the cool clear beauty of the dense
timber, trout-laden lake lakes, and restful seclusion. Back-packing or pack-training into
the Ashley National Forest or the High Uinta Primitive Area is a popular and rewarding
experience. Camp where \few men have ever walked and fish dozens of snow-fed lakes where
the sound of your line splashing in the water shatters the silence. There are thousands of
emerald-green lakes, tumbling streams, water falls, varicolored rock formations, monstrous
palisades, monoliths, and rugged canyons. For the geologist, dinosaur fossils, petrified
wood and numerous geodes and other unusual rock formations make for grand exploring. The
historians and archeologists will enjoy the explorations of the many Indian ruins, ancient
pictographs and hieroglyphics as well as the enactment of many of the Indian ceremonies
such as the Bear Dance.
The Starvation Reservoir
opens many possibilities for boating, fishing and water skiing. An observation point near
Duchesne City permits visitors to overlook the huge earth-filled dam which catches the
surplus flows of both the Strawberry and Duchesne Rivers, and holds over 167,000 acre feet
of water. A part of the Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project, Starvation Reservoir
is the first stage of this vital water
storage project. This project will increase the size of existing Strawberry Reservoir near
Heber City to almost three times its present size. The entire Central Utah Project, when
completed, will cost an approximate 1.5 billion dollars and create extensive new
recreational benefits for the people of Utah, as well as insure a plentiful supply of
water for municipal, irrigation and industrial purposes for entire state.
Two other great fishing lakes are Midview
Reservoir near Bridgeland and the Big Sand Wash Reservoir near Altamont. Duchesne
County’s rivers and streams offer some of the greatest fishing in the world.
WE ARE
LOCATED IN NORTHEASTERN UTAH
COME
EXPLORE, AND SEE THE SIGHTS!
For other scenic attractions in the area:
to the west in Wasatch County is Strawberry Reservoir; to the east ins Vernal (Uintah
County), Flaming Gorge Recreation Area, Steinaker Reservoir, Dinosaur National Monument,
Dinosaur Quarry, and for a look at truly unspoiled beauty, take a trip to the White Rocks
Cave five miles from White Rocks. The caves are equal to the beauty and preservation in
the Timpanogas Cave above American Fork. You must make reservations with the forest
service at Vernal. They will take groups of 15 or more.
