Images

Nicholas Hammond is soaking up the views on his last day on the river. Photograph taken by Ben Capelin (SCREE).

During field observations on August 8, HVO scientists noted that all three ponds are now joined, indicating that the water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly rise. Rangefinder measurements also suggested continued pond deepening.

A properly rigged cataraft on the banks of the Green River in the Uintah Basin

Beaver dam and lodge on the Ahaliknak Creek, Noatak National Preserve

Morning on the Green River (Uinta Basin) for the celebratory and re-envisioning expedition honoring the 150 year anniversary of JW Powell’s exploration of the Colorado Plateau, summer 2019.  Eaton was selected by USGS’s Youth and Education in Science (YES) to participate in this USGS and University of Wyoming

Hydrologist Nick plays a river tune

Although this section of the Green River in the Uinta basin lies between sections of dramatic red-stone cliffs of Ladore and Desolation Canyons, we did experience some profound geology. These cliffs are near the start of Desolation Canyon to the south.

Our last evening on this section of river, exploring the cliffs and buttresses of the Uinta Basin. One of our team member pauses on heavily banded member of the Green River Formation with distant cliffs glowing in the setting sun

An integral part of each segment of the expedition is a recorded dialogue in which participans reflect on such things as Powell's legacy, the future of the West in light of water and energy issues, and what personal growth has occurred as a result of the expedition.

This calm section of river flows through a National Wildlife Refuge where we observed a great deal of wildlife, including beaver, peregrin falcons, waterfowl, a coyote, bighorn sheep and American white pelicans

USGS geologist Graham Lederer (L) wrote a song about the expedition while floating down the river, and Professor Pat Likut (R), who teaches art at the University of Wyoming, did landscape sketches that he will later turn into oil paintings.

Starting two years ago, Professor Tom Minckley, from the University of Wyoming geology department, conceived and organized the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition (SCREE), also known as the Powell 150 expedition. The USGS joined as a partner last year.

Team D braces itself on a windy bluff to watch another beautiful sunset

On a calm river with no rapids or impediments, boaters often tie up rafts together in a flotilla or 'party barge' to socialize, share snacks or just enjoy the scenery with a group

University of Wyoming grad student (media and communications) Ben Kraushaar is also an accomplished filmmaker, and is making a film of the expedition using both eyelevel shots and lofty drone aerials. He was instrumental in getting equipment of all types donated to the expedition.

The brick-red, flat-lying Duchesne Formation sandstones dominated the landscape for a couple days. Its bluffs are a favorite nesting spot for cliff swallows, of which we saw many, and peregrine falcons, of which we saw two.

Graham birds from a duckie. USGS isn't only geology and Graham isn't only a geologist!

We spent the evening listening to the rhythmic sounds of an oil pumpjack straining at the efforts to connect with its Cretaceous past, accompanied by Pat matcing this rhythm on his guitar . Even in the presence of industrial oil extraction, the desert is spectacular at sunset.

Mitch and Graham collect sediment samples on a transect

Early June is a great time to view wildflowers in the Utah desert. Although they may have had a vicious appearance, these cacti had absolutely lovely blossoms.

Congratulations to Dr.