This document provides a history of Zion National Park in Utah. It describes how the Anasazi Indians first inhabited the area around 1300 BCE and how Mormon settlers became the first white people in the 1860s. The document also explains how water carved out the dramatic canyon landforms over thousands of years and continues to shape the park through flash flooding. Popular water-based attractions like The Narrows and The Subway are highlighted. Safety tips are provided, emphasizing the danger of flash floods.

1. Zion
National Park
Utah
“All this
is the music of
water.”
-John Wesley Powell,
1895.
Sarah Henderson
Geography 101
Professor Schmidt
Fall 2013

2. A Brief History…
 Anasazi Indians around 1300 B.C.E. (“Zion.” Map.)
 1860’s, Mormon settlers became the first white people
to occupy the area.(“Zion.” Map.)
 religious persecutions
 Isaac Behunin dubbed the canyon “Zion,” a
reference to a place of peace.(“Zion.” Map.)
 fertile lands produced crops such as
corn, tobacco, fruit trees, squashes.(“Zion.” Map.)
 The oldest National Park in Utah.
(“Zion National Park.” Utah.com.)

3. 



Water in large volumes creates downcutting in the earth (Hess).
Thousands of years to form.
Millions of gallons of rushing water and debris filled water.
Breath taking landforms also a result of shifting below earth’s
surface(“Zion.” Map.)
Weeping Rock
Water actually leeks
from the rock face
giving the illusion of
crying stone.
Phenomenon can be
seen tin other parts of
the park.
Water Created Zion
The Subway
The Narrows
A naturally occurring
tunnel shaped
canyon, carved by
water. Some repelling
and some wading
One of the most
memorable hikes in
Zion. Include steep
natural walls on
either side. 60%
wading.

4. The Rim
Less wooded, rocky, low plants, elk and a variety of birds.

5. Desert animals (bats, tarantulas, tortoise, and other reptiles). Some
trees, mostly shrubs.
The Canyon

6. The River
Swamp like marshland in some areas. Frogs and lizards accompanied by deer that roam the canyons.
ferns, and many trees, mostly Fremont Cottonwoods.

7. Virgin River Brings Life




Feeds the Colorado river
Brings life to the area
Annual precipitation 15 inches.(“Zion.” Map.)
Experiences high flooding and monsoon
seasons in mid summer. (“Zion National Park: Map and
Guide.”)

8. The Nature of Flash
Floods
 Consistent danger in Zion (David).
 Occurs within 6 hours of a thunderstorm (“Flood.”) .
 Number 1 natural disaster with an average of 95
casualties (“Flood”).
 Considered life threatening (“Flood”).
 Flood up to 12 feet higher than typical water levels
(“The Narrows”) .

9. Flash Flood Safety & Awareness
Before heading out:
 Check and monitor
weather conditions(“Flood.”) .
 Check for build up of
thunder or clouds (“Zion National
Park: Map and Guide.”).
 Be prepared
 Bring flashlight/
headlamp
 First aid kit
 Extra
cloths, food, water.
(“Flood.”) .
 rope
While out on the trail:
 If you hear distant
thunder rolling, leave as
soon as possible!
 Cloudy or murky water
 More debris in the water
 Sudden change in water
level
 A roaring of water in the
distance
 Rapid waters (“Zion National Park: Map
and Guide.”)
 Trust your instincts! Your
survival is your
responsibiliy
In case of emergency:
 If possible, get to higher ground (“Flood.”) .
 Seek shelter behind large bolder. Trees will break!
 Do not attempt to cross rapids, even if it mean getting to
safety (“Flood.”) .

10. In Conclusion
 Zion is full of natural beauty that brings in tourism from all over the world.
 The drastic physiological characteristics of Zion's canyons and its every
changing environment has a great deal to do with the Virgin River.
 Some of the most popular hiking experiences can be treacherous due to flash
flooding.
 Before heading out on a hike in any of the aqua/repelling hiking trails, check
for good conditions, be prepared, and tell others where you will be, incase you
become trapped
 If you are uncertain if there is a flash flood coming your way, look for signs.
 If you are caught in a flood, get to safe ground and stay put.

11. Works Cited
David Day. “Zion Narrows.” Excerpt from Utah’s Incredible Backcountry Trails. Rincon
Publishing Company.Web. Sept. 2013.
http://www.utahtrails.com/backcountry%20pages/zionnarrows.html
“Flood Safety Awareness Week.” National Weather Services.2013.NWS. 20 Sept. 2013. Web.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/media/jan/FSAW/FLOOD_WX_AWARNESS_2013.pdf
Hess, Darrel. McKnight’s Physical Geography: A landscape Appreciation 10th ed. (251-449).
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 2011. Print.
“Zion.” Map. Zion National Park, Utah. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior,
2013. Print.
“Zion National Park: Map and Guide.” The Official Newspaper of Zion National Park, Summer,
2013. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. Print.
“Zion National Park.” Utah.com, 2013. Utah Travel Industry Website. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.
http://utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm
“The Narrows Safety.” Zion National Park Utah. National Park Service U.S. Department of the
Interior 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowssafety.htm

12. Images
http://www.nps.gov/zion/photosmultimedia/index.htm
http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=21598
http://www.antsinyourmouth.com/uncategorized/zion-utah-subway/
http://wildbackpacker.com/destination/zion/zionnarrows.html
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Zion_National_Park
http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Cougar-Roaming-in-Zion-National-Park-Posters_i3591923_.htm
http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=21598
http://www.zion-narrows.com/zion-narrows-photos.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidegbert/6162256837/
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/3Dcanyons/html/virgin.htm
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201009/survive.aspx