OF-14-09 Geologic Map of the Whitewater Quadrangle, Mesa County, Colorado

The purpose of this geologic map is to describe the geology, mineral and ground-water resource potential, and geologic hazards of this 7.5-minute quadrangle located southeast of Grand Junction in western side of the state. CGS staff geologist Jon White and field assistant Rod MacLean completed the field work on this project during the summer and fall of 2012. Chris Carroll also assisted in field work along the floor of the Gunnison River canyon in the southern area of the quad. The geologic map plates and report were created using field maps, structural measurements, photographs, and field notes generated by the investigators. A field review of the map area was conducted with Vince Matthews and Dave Noe. John Hodge and Dave Noe reviewed the publication. Digital ZIP/PDF download. OF-14-09D

From the Introduction:

The Whitewater 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Mesa County, Colorado. The unincorporated community of Whitewater lies within the quadrangle. Grand Junction, the largest town and county seat of Mesa County, lies 8 miles to the northwest. The Whitewater community lies at the intersection of two major highways. U.S. Highway 50, the major western slope highway from Grand Junction to Montrose, passes through the quadrangle. Westward from its intersection with U.S. 50 State Highway 141 crosses the Gunnison River and passes through Unaweep Canyon to Gateway and southward to Naturita. Approximately two-thirds of the quadrangle is comprised of Federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The portion of the BLM land south of East Creek that includes the Gunnison River canyon lies within the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (D-E NCA). Private property is predominantly restricted to the flatter lands to the northeast around Callow Creek, Whitewater Creek, and the Kannah Creek valley. Increased development has recently occurred in Whitewater as it has become a bedroom community to Grand Junction. The major industry of the area is aggregate quarry operations in gravel deposits where the Gunnison River leaves the D-E NCA canyon lands in Whitewater.