Wetlands in the arid Central Basin and Range (“Central Basin”) ecoregion of Utah are scarce but provide important functions including critical habitat for wildlife including Species of Greatest Conservation Need and migratory birds, water quality improvement, and recreational and aesthetic values. The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) conducted a study in 2019 and 2020 to better understand the location, type, condition, and potential function of wetlands in the ecoregion. This study focused on areas in the Great Salt Lake and Escalante Desert-Sevier Lake (“Sevier Basin”) HUC6 watersheds within the Central Basin to complement previous work by the UGS that focused on other watersheds in the ecoregion.
Wetland Assessment: Beyond the Traditional Water Quality Perspective
