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Headwaters Province - Idaho and Montana: Earth Science Studies in Support of Public Policy Development and Land Stewardship

Completed
By Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center March 4, 2007

The Headwaters Province project provided geoscience data and interpretations to the Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) that were basic to sound policy and land-stewardship practices. 

packbridge over river in mountains
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Stoddard packbridge, main Salmon River. Prominent north-dipping metamorphic layering in Mesoproterozoic biotite metasandstone on skyline.

Overview

The Headwaters Province project provided geoscience data and interpretations to the Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) that were basic to sound policy and land-stewardship practices. U.S. Forest Service (USFS) National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area Management Plans for the Headwaters Province were in revision, with completion dates from 1999-2003. USFS Regions 1 and 4 made National Priority Requests for the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) to provide interim products that help them meet their planning cycles. MRP provided geologic maps and topical studies to meet longer range goals of integrating geoscience into decision making. This project emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, and interpretations to ensure that geoscience data were available for GIS-based science integration and planning.

The interrelated goals of the project were designed at complimentary scales:

  • Provide digital geoscience databases for the province, at scales appropriate now and in the future, and applicable to local and regional questions.
  • Advance understanding of mineral resources in a geologic, economic, and environmental context.
  • Establish geologic context for ecosystem structure and function.
  • Use new understanding of processes and new GIS databases to develop GIS-based approach to forecast types and locations of near future mineral exploration and development.

Project Tasks

  • GIS-Based Digital Geoscience Database Development
  • Geologic, Economic, and Environmental Context of Province's Mineral Deposits
  • Geologic Framework for Ecosystem Structure and Function
  • Digital Geologic Map Integration and Analysis
  • Assessment of Potential for Development
water flowing over rocks
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Color Creek falls, tributary to Middle Fork Salmon River. Flowing across Mesoproterozoic muscovite-biotite schist.
Middle fork Salmon River
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Rattlesnake Camp, Middle Fork Salmon River. Outcrops of Mesoproterozoic biotite metasandstone are prominent. Boat in mid-foreground is part of USGS–USDA Forest Service baseline geochemical characterization study of the river basin.

Return to Mineral Resources Program | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Earth science studies in support of public policy development and land stewardship — Headwaters Province, Idaho and Montana

The USGS Headwaters Province project in western Montana and northern and central Idaho was designed to provide geoscience data and interpretations to Federal Land Management Agencies and to respond to specific concerns of USDA Forest Service Regions 1 and 4. The project has emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, topical studies, and new geologic interpretations. Studies w
Authors
Karen Lund
Filter Total Items: 40

Geology of the Payette National Forest and vicinity, west-central Idaho

Before the Late Cretaceous, the eastern and western parts of the geologically complex Payette National Forest, as divided by the Salmon River suture, had fundamentally different geologic histories. The eastern part is underlain by Mesoproterozoic to Cambrian(?) rocks of the Laurentian (Precambrian North American) continent. Thick Mesoproterozoic units, which are at least in part equivalent in age
Authors
Karen Lund
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Earth science studies in support of public policy development and land stewardship — Headwaters Province, Idaho and Montana

The USGS Headwaters Province project in western Montana and northern and central Idaho was designed to provide geoscience data and interpretations to Federal Land Management Agencies and to respond to specific concerns of USDA Forest Service Regions 1 and 4. The project has emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, topical studies, and new geologic interpretations. Studies w
Authors
Karen Lund

Copper-silver deposits of the Revett Formation, Montana and Idaho: Origin and resource potential

The Revett Formation of northern Idaho and western Montana contains major stratabound copper-silver deposits near Troy, Rock Creek, and Rock Lake, Montana. To help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) meet its goal of integrating geoscience information into the land-planning process, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists recently completed a compilation of regional stratigraphy and mineralogy of the
Authors
Thomas P. Frost, Michael L. Zientek

USGS Headwaters Province project, Idaho, Montana, and Washington - an overview of publications supporting land-use planning in the northern Rocky Mountains

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Karen Lund

Mining Claim Activity on Federal Land for the Period 1976 through 2003

Previous reports on mining claim records provided information and statistics (number of claims) using data from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Mining Claim Recordation System. Since that time, BLM converted their mining claim data to the Legacy Repost 2000 system (LR2000). This report describes a process to extract similar statistical data about mining claims from LR2000 data using
Authors
J. Douglas Causey

Spatial databases for the geology of the northern Rocky Mountains — Idaho, Montana, and Washington

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Pamela D. Derkey, Robert J. Miller, J. Douglas Causey, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Mary H. Carlson, Gregory N. Green, Thomas P. Frost, David E. Boleneus, Karl V. Evans, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Anna B. Wilson, Jeremy C. Larsen, Helen Z. Kayser, William N. Kelley, Kenneth C. Assmus

Mineral resources research supports land-use planning in the northern Rocky Mountains

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Susan J. Kropschot

Stratabound copper-silver deposits of the Mesoproterozoic Revett Formation, Montana and Idaho, with a section on databases and spatial-data files for the geology and mineral deposits of the Revett Formation

The western Montana copper belt in western Montana and northern Idaho contains several large stratabound copper-silver deposits in fine- to medium-grained quartzite beds of the Revett Formation of the Mesoproterozoic (1,470-1,401 Ma) Belt Supergroup. Production from the deposits at the Troy Mine and lesser production from the Snowstorm Mine has yielded 222,237 tons Cu and 1,657.4 tons Ag. Estimate
Authors
David E. Boleneus, Larry M. Appelgate, John H. Stewart, Michael L. Zientek, Mary H. Carlson, D. W. Chase
By
Mineral Resources Program

Inventory of Significant Mineral Deposit Occurrences in the Headwaters Project Area in Idaho, Western Montana, and Extreme Eastern Oregon and Washington

No abstract available.
Authors
Gregory T. Spanski

Mineral Deposit Data for Epigenetic Base- and Precious-metal and Uranium-thorium Deposits in South-central and Southwestern Montana and Southern and Central Idaho

Metal deposits spatially associated with the Cretaceous Boulder and Idaho batholiths of southwestern Montana and southern and central Idaho have been exploited since the early 1860s. Au was first discovered in placer deposits; exploitation of vein deposits in bedrock soon followed. In 1865, high-grade Ag vein deposits were discovered and remained economically important until the 1890s. Early high-
Authors
T. L. Klein

Mineral production and mining trends for selected non-fuel commodities in Idaho and Montana, 1905-2001

Idaho and Montana state mining statistics were obtained from historical mineral production records and compiled into a continuous record from 1905 through 2001. To facilitate comparisons, the mineral production data were normalized by converting the units of measure to metric tons for all included commodities. These standardized statistical data include production rates for principal non-fuel mine
Authors
Jeremy C. Larsen, Keith R. Long, Kenneth C. Assmus, Michael L. Zientek

Guide to geophysical data for the northern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming

No abstract available.
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen, Thomas G. Hildenbrand, Michael L. Zientek, Stephen E. Box, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Mary H. Carlson, Jeremy C. Larsen

Below are partners associated with this project.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

The Headwaters Province project provided geoscience data and interpretations to the Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) that were basic to sound policy and land-stewardship practices. 

packbridge over river in mountains
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Stoddard packbridge, main Salmon River. Prominent north-dipping metamorphic layering in Mesoproterozoic biotite metasandstone on skyline.

Overview

The Headwaters Province project provided geoscience data and interpretations to the Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) that were basic to sound policy and land-stewardship practices. U.S. Forest Service (USFS) National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Area Management Plans for the Headwaters Province were in revision, with completion dates from 1999-2003. USFS Regions 1 and 4 made National Priority Requests for the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) to provide interim products that help them meet their planning cycles. MRP provided geologic maps and topical studies to meet longer range goals of integrating geoscience into decision making. This project emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, and interpretations to ensure that geoscience data were available for GIS-based science integration and planning.

The interrelated goals of the project were designed at complimentary scales:

  • Provide digital geoscience databases for the province, at scales appropriate now and in the future, and applicable to local and regional questions.
  • Advance understanding of mineral resources in a geologic, economic, and environmental context.
  • Establish geologic context for ecosystem structure and function.
  • Use new understanding of processes and new GIS databases to develop GIS-based approach to forecast types and locations of near future mineral exploration and development.

Project Tasks

  • GIS-Based Digital Geoscience Database Development
  • Geologic, Economic, and Environmental Context of Province's Mineral Deposits
  • Geologic Framework for Ecosystem Structure and Function
  • Digital Geologic Map Integration and Analysis
  • Assessment of Potential for Development
water flowing over rocks
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Color Creek falls, tributary to Middle Fork Salmon River. Flowing across Mesoproterozoic muscovite-biotite schist.
Middle fork Salmon River
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Rattlesnake Camp, Middle Fork Salmon River. Outcrops of Mesoproterozoic biotite metasandstone are prominent. Boat in mid-foreground is part of USGS–USDA Forest Service baseline geochemical characterization study of the river basin.

Return to Mineral Resources Program | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Earth science studies in support of public policy development and land stewardship — Headwaters Province, Idaho and Montana

The USGS Headwaters Province project in western Montana and northern and central Idaho was designed to provide geoscience data and interpretations to Federal Land Management Agencies and to respond to specific concerns of USDA Forest Service Regions 1 and 4. The project has emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, topical studies, and new geologic interpretations. Studies w
Authors
Karen Lund
Filter Total Items: 40

Geology of the Payette National Forest and vicinity, west-central Idaho

Before the Late Cretaceous, the eastern and western parts of the geologically complex Payette National Forest, as divided by the Salmon River suture, had fundamentally different geologic histories. The eastern part is underlain by Mesoproterozoic to Cambrian(?) rocks of the Laurentian (Precambrian North American) continent. Thick Mesoproterozoic units, which are at least in part equivalent in age
Authors
Karen Lund
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Earth science studies in support of public policy development and land stewardship — Headwaters Province, Idaho and Montana

The USGS Headwaters Province project in western Montana and northern and central Idaho was designed to provide geoscience data and interpretations to Federal Land Management Agencies and to respond to specific concerns of USDA Forest Service Regions 1 and 4. The project has emphasized development of digital geoscience data, GIS analyses, topical studies, and new geologic interpretations. Studies w
Authors
Karen Lund

Copper-silver deposits of the Revett Formation, Montana and Idaho: Origin and resource potential

The Revett Formation of northern Idaho and western Montana contains major stratabound copper-silver deposits near Troy, Rock Creek, and Rock Lake, Montana. To help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) meet its goal of integrating geoscience information into the land-planning process, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists recently completed a compilation of regional stratigraphy and mineralogy of the
Authors
Thomas P. Frost, Michael L. Zientek

USGS Headwaters Province project, Idaho, Montana, and Washington - an overview of publications supporting land-use planning in the northern Rocky Mountains

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Karen Lund

Mining Claim Activity on Federal Land for the Period 1976 through 2003

Previous reports on mining claim records provided information and statistics (number of claims) using data from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Mining Claim Recordation System. Since that time, BLM converted their mining claim data to the Legacy Repost 2000 system (LR2000). This report describes a process to extract similar statistical data about mining claims from LR2000 data using
Authors
J. Douglas Causey

Spatial databases for the geology of the northern Rocky Mountains — Idaho, Montana, and Washington

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Pamela D. Derkey, Robert J. Miller, J. Douglas Causey, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Mary H. Carlson, Gregory N. Green, Thomas P. Frost, David E. Boleneus, Karl V. Evans, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Anna B. Wilson, Jeremy C. Larsen, Helen Z. Kayser, William N. Kelley, Kenneth C. Assmus

Mineral resources research supports land-use planning in the northern Rocky Mountains

No abstract available.
Authors
Michael L. Zientek, Susan J. Kropschot

Stratabound copper-silver deposits of the Mesoproterozoic Revett Formation, Montana and Idaho, with a section on databases and spatial-data files for the geology and mineral deposits of the Revett Formation

The western Montana copper belt in western Montana and northern Idaho contains several large stratabound copper-silver deposits in fine- to medium-grained quartzite beds of the Revett Formation of the Mesoproterozoic (1,470-1,401 Ma) Belt Supergroup. Production from the deposits at the Troy Mine and lesser production from the Snowstorm Mine has yielded 222,237 tons Cu and 1,657.4 tons Ag. Estimate
Authors
David E. Boleneus, Larry M. Appelgate, John H. Stewart, Michael L. Zientek, Mary H. Carlson, D. W. Chase
By
Mineral Resources Program

Inventory of Significant Mineral Deposit Occurrences in the Headwaters Project Area in Idaho, Western Montana, and Extreme Eastern Oregon and Washington

No abstract available.
Authors
Gregory T. Spanski

Mineral Deposit Data for Epigenetic Base- and Precious-metal and Uranium-thorium Deposits in South-central and Southwestern Montana and Southern and Central Idaho

Metal deposits spatially associated with the Cretaceous Boulder and Idaho batholiths of southwestern Montana and southern and central Idaho have been exploited since the early 1860s. Au was first discovered in placer deposits; exploitation of vein deposits in bedrock soon followed. In 1865, high-grade Ag vein deposits were discovered and remained economically important until the 1890s. Early high-
Authors
T. L. Klein

Mineral production and mining trends for selected non-fuel commodities in Idaho and Montana, 1905-2001

Idaho and Montana state mining statistics were obtained from historical mineral production records and compiled into a continuous record from 1905 through 2001. To facilitate comparisons, the mineral production data were normalized by converting the units of measure to metric tons for all included commodities. These standardized statistical data include production rates for principal non-fuel mine
Authors
Jeremy C. Larsen, Keith R. Long, Kenneth C. Assmus, Michael L. Zientek

Guide to geophysical data for the northern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming

No abstract available.
Authors
Edward A. Mankinen, Thomas G. Hildenbrand, Michael L. Zientek, Stephen E. Box, Arthur A. Bookstrom, Mary H. Carlson, Jeremy C. Larsen

Below are partners associated with this project.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

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