Mineral Resources of the 

Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness Study Area, 

Grand County, Utah

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Chapter C

Mineral Resources of the 

Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness Study Area, 

Grand County, Utah

By SANDRA J. SOULLIERE, GREG K. LEE, and

JAMES E. CASE

U.S. Geological Survey

DIANN D. GESE 

U.S. Bureau of Mines

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1754

MINERAL RESOURCES OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREASUPPER COLORADO RIVER REGION, UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

DONALD PAUL MODEL, Secretary

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director

Any use of trade names in this report is for descriptive purposes only and 

does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey and 

U.S. Bureau of Mines.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1988

For sale by the

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mineral resources of the Lost Spring Canyon wilderness study area, Grand 

County, Utah.

(Mineral resources of wilderness study areas Upper Colorado River region, 

Utah ; ch. C) (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 1754-C)

Bibliography: p.

Supt. of Docs, no.: I 19.3:1754-C

1. Mines and mineral resources Utah Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness. 2. Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness (Utah) I. Soulliere, Sandra 

J. II. Series. III. Series: U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 1754-C. 

IV. Series: Studies related to wilderness.

QE75.B9 no. 1754-C 557.3 s [553'.09792'58] 88-600427 

[TN24.A6]
STUDIES RELATED TO WILDERNESS 

Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Study Areas

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Public Law 94-579, October 21, 

1976) requires the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines to conduct mineral 

surveys on certain areas to determine the mineral values, if any, that may be present. Results 

must be made available to the public and be submitted to the President and the Congress. 

This report presents the results of a mineral survey of the Lost Spring Canyon 

(UT-060-131B) Wilderness Study Area, Grand County, Utah.

CONTENTS

Abstract Cl 

Summary Cl 

Introduction C3

Investigations by the U.S. Bureau of Mines C4 

Investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey C4 

Appraisal of identified resources C4 

Mining history C4 

Oil and gas C4 

Appraisal of sites examined C4 

Conclusions C6

Assessment of potential for undiscovered resources C6 

Geology C6 

Geochemistry C7

Sample media C7 

Geochemical sampling methods C7 

Sample preparation and analysis C7 

Summary of results C7 

Geophysics C7

Regional gravity setting C8 

Regional aeromagnetic setting C8 

Remote-sensing data C8 

Aerial gamma-ray data C8 

Mineral and energy resources C8 

Metallic minerals C8 

Uranium C8 

Manganese C9 

Other metals C9 

Potash and halite CIO 

Oil and gas Cll 

Geothermal resources Cll 

References cited C12 

Appendix C13

FIGURES

1. Map showing mineral resource potential and geology of the Lost Spring 

Canyon Wilderness Study Area C2

2. Index map of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C3

3. Map showing oil and gas leases in the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study 

Area C5

4. Bouguer anomaly map of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area and 

vicinity C9

5. Aeromagnetic anomaly map of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area 

and vicinity CIO

6. Map showing generalized structure of the Precambrian surface in the Lost 

Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area and vicinity Cll

Contents

MINERAL RESOURCES OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS-UPPER COLORADO RIVER REGION, UTAH

Mineral Resources of the

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area,

Grand County, Utah

BySandra J. Soulliere, Greg K. Lee, and

James E. Case

U.S. Geological Survey

Diann D. Gese

U.S. Bureau of Mines

ABSTRACT

The Lost Spring Canyon (UT-060-131B) Wilderness 

Study Area is about 15 miles north of Moab, Utah, and covers 

3,880 acres adjacent to Arches National Park. Investigations 

by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines 

conclude that the study area has no economic mineral 

resources, but has inferred subeconomic resources of 

sandstone and sand and gravel. There is moderate energy 

resource potential for undiscovered oil and gas, potash, and 

halite, and low resource potential for undiscovered geothermal resources and all metals, including uranium and 

manganese (fig. 1).

SUMMARY

The Lost Spring Canyon (UT-060-131B) Wilderness 

Study Area covers 3,880 acres adjacent to Arches National 

Park and is about 15 mi (miles) north of Moab, Utah (figs. 1, 

2). The area is accessible by improved and unimproved 

roads south of Interstate 70 near Thompson or by foot from 

Arches National Park. In the study area, flat-lying to gently 

folded sedimentary rocks have been eroded by streams that 

formed Salt Wash and Lost Spring Canyon, which are major 

topographic features. Sandstones and shales of the Jurassic 

(see geologic time chart in Appendix) Entrada Sandstone 

and Morrison Formation exposed in the study area form 

rounded cliffs and hummocky topography. The sedimentary 

rocks dip only a few degrees, and the axis of a shallow

Manuscript approved for publication September 9, 1988.

syncline is in the valley known as Salt Wash. To the north of 

the study area, faults mark the boundary of the Yellow Cat 

graben. Two of these faults cross the northeastern boundary 

of the study area.

U.S. Geological Survey researchers collected and 

analyzed 12 stream-sediment samples, 9 heavy-mineral 

panned-concentrate samples, and 1 rock sample from the 

study area. No anomalous concentrations of any elements 

were detected. Gravity and aeromagnetic data were used to 

determine regional geologic structures of the area. Aerial 

gamma-ray data and Landsat Multispectral Scanner data 

were analyzed for characteristics indicative of mineral 

deposits.

Large volumes of inferred subeconomic resources of 

sandstone and sand and gravel are present within the study 

area, but no metallic mineral resources were identified. The 

common-variety sandstone is exposed over most of the 

study area, and sand and gravel were found along two 

drainages. The isolated location of the study area and the 

abundance of similar sandstone and sand and gravel 

deposits outside the area would make development of 

occurrences inside the study area unlikely. Uranium and 

manganese deposits occur within 2 mi of the study area but 

are not known to occur inside the study area boundaries.

The study area overlies the flank of the Salt Valley 

anticline, and Paleozoic source and reservoir rocks that are 

favorable for oil and gas underlie the study area. Oil shows 

were found in holes drilled 5 mi west of the study area. The 

potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in the study 

area is therefore moderate.

The study area is within the boundaries of a major salt 

zone in the Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation, and

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C1
109 30'

R.21E. R.22E.

Figure 1 (above and facing page). Map showing mineral resource potential and geology of the Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness Study Area. Geology modified from Doelling (1985). Base from Arches National Park, Utah, 1974.

potash and halite may underlie the study area at a depth Uranium has been mined from the Salt Wash Member

greater than 7,000 ft (feet). No test wells have been drilled for of the Morrison Formation about 2 mi north of the study area,

potash and halite in the study area. The mineral resource The Salt Wash Member has been eroded from the study

potential for undiscovered potash and halite is moderate in area; therefore the resource potential for undiscovered

the study area. uranium is low in the study area. The Tidwell Member of the

C2 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
Qa 

Qs

Jmt

Jem 

Je

EXPLANATION

Geologic terrane having moderate energy resource potential for oil and gas, potash, and 

halite, with certainty level B Applies to the 

entire study area

Geologic terrane having low mineral resource 

potential for all metals, including uranium, 

and geothermal energy, with certainty level

C Applies to entire study area

Geologic terrane having low mineral resource 

potential for manganese, with certainty level

B Applies to entire study area

Alluvium (Quaternary)

Eolian sand deposits (Quaternary)

Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation

(Jurassic) 

Moab Tongue of the Entrada Sandstone

(Jurassic) 

Main body of the Entrada Sandstone (Jurassic)

Contact

Fault, bar and ball on downthrown side

Syncline

Strike and dip of beds

Levels of certainty

Data indicate geologic environment and suggest level of resource potential

Data indicate geologic environment and resource potential, but do not establish 

activity of resource-forming processes

109°30'

Morrison Formation, which is known to contain manganese 

deposits in the region, is exposed in the study area where it 

ranges in thickness from 40 to 100 ft. No anomalous 

concentrations of manganese were found during the 

geochemical study; therefore the potential for undiscovered 

near-surface manganese resources is low. The geologic 

environment is not favorable for the presence of any other 

metallic minerals, and no anomalous concentrations of 

metals were found during the geochemical study. The 

resource potential for undiscovered metals and nonmetals, 

other than uranium and manganese, is low. No hot springs 

were noted, and the energy resource potential for 

undiscovered geothermal energy is low.

INTRODUCTION

In 1986 the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) and the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studied 3,880 acres of

38°45'

YELLOW V CAT

MINING V DISTRICT

APPROXIMATE 

BOUNDARY OF 

THE LOST SPRING 

CANYON 

WILDERNESS 

STUDY AREA

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Figure 2. Index map of the Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness Study Area, Grand County, Utah.

the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area 

(UT-Q60-131B). The study of this acreage was 

requested by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM). This report presents an evaluation of the mineral 

endowment (identified resources and mineral resource 

potential) of the study area and is the product of several

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C3
separate studies by the USBM and the USGS. Identified 

resources are classified according to the system of the 

U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey (1980) 

which is shown in the Appendix. Identified resources are 

studied by the USBM. Mineral resource potential is the 

likelihood of occurrence of undiscovered concentrations 

of metals and nonmetals, industrial rocks and minerals, 

and of undiscovered energy resources (coal, oil, gas, oil 

shale, and geothermal sources). Mineral resource 

potential and the level of certainty of each mineral 

resource assessment are classified according to the 

system of Goudarzi (1984; see Appendix). The potential 

for undiscovered resources is studied by the USGS.

Investigations by the 

U.S. Bureau of Mines

Pertinent published and unpublished literature and 

files at the BLM State Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, 

were checked for patented and unpatented mining claim 

locations and for oil and gas, coal, geothermal, and 

potash leases and lease applications. Persons having 

knowledge of mineral occurrences and mining activities 

within and near the study area were contacted.

Two USBM geologists spent two days in the field 

and collected three rock chip samples and one grab 

sample. Two samples were fire assayed for gold and 

silver, one sample was analyzed by atomic absorption for 

manganese, and two samples were analyzed for 32 

elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission 

spectroscopy (Gese, 1987). Two rock samples were 

analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission 

spectroscopy to determine their suitability for industrial 

use. All analyses were performed at Chemex Labs, Inc., 

Sparks, Nev.

Investigations by the 

U.S. Geological Survey

S.J. Soulliere and A.M. Leibold reviewed published 

and unpublished information about the region and field 

checked previous geologic mapping. G.K. Lee collected 

stream-sediment and rock samples for geochemical 

analysis. J.E. Case reviewed data from regional geophysical surveys. Keenan Lee analyzed satellite imagery data, 

and J.S. Duval examined regional aerial gamma-ray data. 

R.T. Hopkins, Jr., J.D. Sharkey, and D.L. Fey analyzed 

the samples.

APPRAISAL OF IDENTIFIED RESOURCES

By Diann D. Gese 

U.S. Bureau of Mines

Mining History

The area is not within any mining districts. 

Uranium, vanadium, and radium were first mined in 

1911 from the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison 

Formation in the Yellow Cat (Thompson) mining district 

about 2 mi north of the study area (fig. 3). The mining 

ceased around the mid-1960's. The uranium- and 

vanadium-bearing Salt Wash Member, present in the 

Yellow Cat district, has been eroded from the study area. 

Manganese has been mined in the region from various 

deposits in the Tidwell Member of the Morrison 

Formation. This member crops out within the study area; 

however, the nearest manganese occurrence is about 1 

mi northeast of the study area (Gese, 1987).

About 12 mi southwest of the study area and 2 mi 

northwest of Moab, bedded potash and halite deposits 

have been mined since 1965 from Texasgulf Inc.'s Cane 

Creek mine. The deposits occur within the Middle Pennsylvanian Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation 

(Hite and Gere, 1958). The potassium-bearing zone of 

the Hermosa Formation is estimated to be more than 

7,000 ft below the surface of the study area (U.S. 

Department of Interior, 1986).

Oil and Gas

Oil and gas leases cover most of the study area (fig. 

3). The study area is on the northern edge of the Paradox 

Basin, along the east limb of the Salt Valley-Cache Valley 

anticline, which is one of the northwest-trending salt 

anticlines that characterize this part of the Paradox 

Basin. Petroleum deposits in the northern part of the 

Paradox Basin occur in faulted salt anticlines where the 

oil has accumulated in favorable Mississippian limestones (Clem and Brown, 1984).

Nine wells have been drilled within 5 mi of the 

study area. Oil shows were reported in two of the holes 

drilled 5 mi west of the study area along the axis of the 

Salt Valley-Cache Valley anticline.

Appraisal of Sites Examined

Three rock chip samples and one grab sample were 

taken within and near the study area. Two samples are

C4 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
109°30'

38°50'hBlackstone 

incline YELLOW CAT 

MINING DISTRICT

APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF 

THE LOST SPRING CANYON 

WILDERNESS STUDY AREA

Arches National Park

R.21E. R.22E

EXPLANATION

- National Park Boundary

[C^vNl Oil and gas leases -From BLM files,

1987 

2 O Sample locality -Showing sample

number

Figure 3. Map showing oil and gas leases in the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Grand 

County, Utah.

Surface openings -Showing

sample number

X Prospect pit

 ( Adit

H Shaft

5? Mine

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C5
from the Entrada Sandstone and two are from the 

Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation, a known 

manganese host in the area. Manganese oxide occurs in a 

6- to 8-in.-thick, 300-ft-long bed in medium-grained 

sandstone of the Tidwell Member about 1 mi northeast 

of the study area in the SWJ/4 sec. 11, T. 23 S., R. 22 E. 

(Gese, 1987). One grab sample taken from the stockpile 

at this location contained 2.2 percent manganese. Baker 

and others (1952) examined the prospect and concluded 

that it is unlikely that there is more than a few hundred 

tons of ore. Tidwell Member outcrops in the study area 

were examined for any manganese deposits; none was 

found. One sample taken from the Tidwell Member 

within the study area where the sandstone was partly 

altered, fractured, and coated with hematite and manganese oxides contained only 0.1 percent manganese. 

Currently the United States imports all its manganese 

ore. Domestic manganese deposits containing 5-34 

percent manganese are not considered economic to 

develop.

Two samples of the Entrada Sandstone within the 

study area were evaluated for possible industrial uses. 

The sandstone was fine grained and highly friable, and 

the two samples contained 94 percent and 97 percent 

silica, 1.67 percent and 1.51 percent aluminum oxide 

(A12O3 ), and 0.51 percent and 0.24 percent iron-oxide 

(Fe2O3 ). By the American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM) standards, the sandstone would be 

suitable for use only as foundry sand (Davis and 

Tepordei, 1985; Coope and Harben, 1977). Sand and 

gravel occurs within the study area in both the Lost 

Spring Canyon and Salt Wash drainages. Inferred subeconomic sandstone and sand and gravel resources are 

present, but the isolated location of the study area and 

the abundance of similar common-variety sandstone and 

sand and gravel deposits outside the area would make 

development of deposits inside the study area unlikely.

Conclusions

Inferred sub economic resources of sandstone and 

sand and gravel are present, but no metallic mineral 

resources were identified within the study area. Entrada 

Sandstone, which is suitable as foundry sand, is exposed 

over most of the study area but has no other unique or 

desirable qualities. The isolation of the study area and 

abundance of similar sandstone and sand and gravel 

deposits outside the study area would make development 

of the sandstone inside the study area unlikely. The 

Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation hosts

manganese deposits outside the study area but contained 

no significant manganese concentrations in outcrop 

within the study area.

ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL FOR 

UNDISCOVERED RESOURCES

By Sandra J. Soulliere, Greg K. Lee, 

and James E. Case 

U.S. Geological Survey

Geology

The geology of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness 

Study Area was mapped by Doelling (1985) during his 

study of the geology of Arches National Park. The 

geologic map (fig. 1) and the following description of 

rock units were modified from his report. The study area 

is in the Paradox Basin of the Colorado Plateaus physiographic province, an area characterized by northwesttrending salt anticlines. During Pennsylvanian time a 

thick sequence of marine sediments, mainly evaporites, 

filled the Paradox depositional basin in southeast Utah 

and southwest Colorado (Kite and Buckner, 1981). As 

the salt flowed into a diapiric fold, the overlying strata in 

the region were folded, fractured, faulted, and tilted. 

Erosion by wind and water formed rounded cliffs and 

narrow canyons in the study area.

The study area is on the northwestern edge of the 

Paradox Basin. Pennsylvanian and Permian rocks of the 

basin consist of interbedded sandstone, siltstone, shale, 

conglomerate, and evaporite. Rocks of this age are not 

exposed in the study area, but drill-hole data and geologic 

mapping indicate that they are present in the subsurface. 

The Paradox Member of the Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian Hermosa Formation in particular is important 

to this study because it may have reservoir characteristics 

for oil and gas. It has also been mined locally for potash 

and halite.

Sedimentary rocks exposed in the study area are 

Jurassic in age and consist of the Slick Rock Member and 

the Moab Tongue of the Entrada Sandstone and the 

Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation. The 

Entrada Sandstone represents deposition in tidal-flat, 

beach, and sand-dune environments. The Tidwell 

Member of the Morrison Formation was deposited in a 

variety of environments, including lacustrine, evaporative, mudflat, and minor eolian and fluvial environments (Peterson, 1988).

C6 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
The Jurassic Entrada Sandstone consists of three 

members; in ascending order they are the Dewey Bridge 

Member, the Slick Rock Member, and the Moab 

Tongue. The Dewey Bridge Member is not exposed at 

the surface but is present beneath the study area where it 

consists of dark-reddish-brown silty sandstone. The Slick 

Rock Member, or main body of the Entrada Sandstone, 

is about 200-500 ft thick and consists of orange-red, 

sometimes banded, fine-grained, massive sandstone. The 

Slick Rock Member forms smooth rounded cliffs. 

Resistant, cliff-forming beds of yellow-gray sandstone 

make up the Moab Tongue. This member is variable in 

thickness (60-120 ft) and is unconformable with the 

overlying Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation. 

The Tidwell Member is about 40-100 ft thick and 

consists of red and greenish-gray silty shale interbedded 

with thin yellow sandstone and gray limestone beds. 

Some of these beds locally contain red and yellow chert 

nodules or concretions.

Geochemistry

Sample Media

Analyses of stream-sediment samples represent 

the chemistry of the rock material eroded from the 

drainage basin upstream from each sample site. In 

addition, the fine (silt) fraction of the sediment provides 

nuclei for the adsorption of dissolved metals contained in 

the stream water. Such information is useful in identifying basins that contain concentrations of elements that 

may be related to mineral deposits.

Analyses of heavy-mineral-concentrate samples 

provide information about the chemistry of certain 

minerals in rock eroded from the drainage basin upstream from each sample site. The selective concentration of minerals, many of which may be ore related, 

permits determination of some elements that are not 

easily detected in stream-sediment samples.

Analyses of altered or mineralized rocks, where 

present, may provide useful geochemical information 

about the major- and trace-element assemblages associated with a mineralizing system.

Geochemical Sampling Methods

Stream-sediment samples were collected from 

most active stream drainages in the study area. At each 

sample site a composite of fine material from several 

localities within the stream was taken and later air dried 

for sieving and analysis.

Panned concentrates of stream sediments were 

collected from drainages that were large enough to 

deposit gravel-size and coarser sediment. These samples

were generally taken near the stream-sediment-sample 

localities but were derived from coarser material that 

represents a relatively high energy depositional environment in the stream. A heavy-mineral concentrate was 

obtained by panning, after which the concentrate samples 

were submitted to the laboratory for drying and analysis. 

A rock sample of an apparent manganese nodule was 

taken from float.

Sample Preparation and Analysis

The rock sample was crushed, ground, split, and 

analyzed. Stream-sediment samples were dried and 

sieved through an 80-mesh (177 micrometer) screen, and 

the fraction finer than 80-mesh was analyzed. Pannedconcentrate samples were dried, and a small split of each 

sample was separated for spectrographic analysis. The 

entire remainder of each concentrate was weighed and 

chemically analyzed for gold content.

Six-step semiquantitative emission spectrographic 

analyses were made of all samples using the method of 

Grimes and Marranzino (1968). Each spectrographic 

analysis included determinations of 35 elements. Atomic 

absorption spectrographic analysis for gold was performed on every panned-concentrate sample using the 

method described by Thompson and others (1968). 

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determinations of antimony, arsenic, bismuth, 

cadmium, and zinc were made on the rock samples using 

the method described by Crock and others (1987). All 

rock and stream-sediment samples were analyzed for 

uranium using a modification of the method described by 

Centanni and others (1956).

Summary of Results

Inspection of the statistical distributions of the 

analytical data and consideration of average crustal 

abundances of the elements in comparable lithologic 

terranes (Rose and others, 1979) suggest that the study 

area is generally lacking in mineral enrichment. No 

anomalous concentrations of any elements were found. 

Minor indications of chromium enrichment occurred in 

panned-concentrate samples from Lost Spring Canyon 

and Fish Seep Draw (1,000 and 1,500 ppm, respectively). 

The source of the chromium is unknown.

Geophysics

Only regional gravity and aeromagnetic surveys 

have been made in the vicinity of the Lost Spring Canyon 

Wilderness Study Area. These surveys were summarized 

by Case and Joesting (1972) and Hildenbrand and Kucks

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C7
(1983). The area was crossed by only two aeromagnetic 

traverses. Nearby gravity stations provide regional 

control (Joesting and Case, 1962; Case and Joesting, 

1972), but no gravity stations were established within the 

study area. It is possible that oil companies or other 

groups have conducted surveys of which we are unaware.

Regional Gravity Setting

The Salt Valley anticline produces a northwesttrending residual gravity low of about 28-32 mGals 

(milligals) with respect to relative gravity highs on the 

flanks of the main anomaly (fig. 4). The thickened, 

low-density salt that composes the core of the anticline 

produces the negative gravity anomaly. The gravity 

anomaly trends northwest, consistent with the strike of 

the salt anticline. For the gravity modeling, a mean 

density of the evaporite sequence was assumed to be 

about 2.2 g/cm3 (grams per cubic centimeter) and that of 

the adjacent sedimentary sequence to be about 2.55 

g/cm3 , which resulted in a density contrast of -0.35 g/cm3 

(Joesting and Case, 1962). Daniels and others (1980) 

provided additional density information about the 

evaporite sequence. According to drill-hole data (Hite 

and Lohman, 1973) and gravity models (Joesting and 

Case, 1962), the structural relief of the top of the salt 

northwest of the study area is as much as 7,000-8,000 ft. 

The study area is on the northeast flank of the gravity low 

and near the edge of the low. Such a setting indicates that 

the study area is near the edge of a deep-seated salt 

thickening. Indeed, relatively little salt may remain 

directly beneath the study area; most of the original salt 

has probably flowed southwest into the core of the 

anticline.

Regional Aeromagnetic Setting

The study area is located just south of a broad 

east-trending aeromagnetic high of about 150 gammas 

which centers near Yellow Cat dome (fig. 5). It has been 

demonstrated from drill-hole data that most aeromagnetic anomalies in the Paradox Basin originate from 

sources within the Precambrian basement; the Phanerozoic sedimentary sequence is effectively nonmagnetic 

(see summary by Case and Joesting, 1972). The source of 

the high is probably magnetic quartz monzonite or metadiorite, similar to anomaly sources over exposed Precambrian rocks of the Uncompahgre uplift (Case, 1966) 

where susceptibility contrasts are about 0.003 (cgs 

system: centimeters, grams, seconds). From drill-hole 

data and depth estimates from magnetic data, the Precambrian basement surface beneath the study area may 

lie at depths of 11,000 ft or more below sea level (fig. 6).

Remote-Sensing Data

Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) imagery 

data were acquired and processed to map variations in 

limonite. The images were used to target hydrothermal 

alteration associated with mineralization and limonite 

anomalies associated with either uranium deposition or 

hydrocarbon seepage.

Landsat MSS images also were used as the basis of 

a lineament analysis that covered a large area of western 

Colorado and eastern Utah. Linear features mapped on 

the images were interpreted to derive longer linear 

trends of parallel linear features called lineaments. 

Lineaments were interpreted, along with geophysical 

surveys and deep drill-hole data, for possible basement 

structures. The methods used are described more fully in 

Lee (1988).

The Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area 

does not correlate directly with any lineament derived 

from the regional lineament analysis. The area is 

between two lineaments, and there is no suggestion of 

basement faulting under this area.

Variations in limonite were sought that might be 

related to either uranium deposition or hydrocarbon 

leakage. No limonite anomalies were found in the area. 

These results are described more fully in Lee (1988).

Aerial Gamma-Ray Data

Aerial gamma-ray spectroscopy is a technique that 

provides estimates of the near-surface (0-20 in. depth) 

concentrations of percent potassium (K), parts per 

million equivalent uranium (eU), and parts per million 

equivalent thorium (eTh). These data (K, eU, eTh) 

provide us with a partial geochemical representation of 

the near-surface materials. For a typical aerial survey 

each measurement reflects average concentrations for a 

surface area on the order of 70,000 square yards to an 

average depth of about 1 ft. Examination of this map 

indicates that the study area has overall moderate 

radioactivity with concentrations of 0.8-1.2 percent K, 

1.5-5.0 ppm eU, and 2-6 ppm eTh. There are no thorium 

or potassium anomalies in or near the study area. There 

is a relatively strong uranium anomaly along the northern 

border and immediately north of the study area (J.S. 

Duval, written commun., 1987).

Mineral and Energy Resources 

Metallic Minerals

Uranium

Although uranium has been mined from the Salt 

Wash Member of the Morrison Formation about 2 mi 

north of the study area, the Salt Wash Member has been

C8 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
109°45' 109°30' 109° 15'

APPROXIMATE BOUNDAR 

THE LOST SPRING CANYON 

^WILDERNESS STUDY A

38°45'

Figure 4. Bouguer anomaly map of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area and vicinity. Contour interval 2 mGals; 

contours dashed where values are uncertain; hachures indicate relative lows. Dots indicate locations of gravity stations. The 

anomalies were calculated using a reduction density of 2.5 g/cm3 . Three hundred milligals were added to the Bouguer 

anomalies so that all values would be positive. From Case and Joesting (1972).

eroded from the study area and no outcrops are present. 

The mineral potential for undiscovered uranium 

resources is low in the study area, with a certainty level 

of C.

anomalous concentrations of manganese. Therefore the 

mineral resource potential for undiscovered near-surface 

manganese is low in the study area, with a certainty level 

ofB.

Manganese

The Tidwell Member of the Morrison Formation, 

known for manganese deposits in the region, is exposed 

in the study area where it ranges in thickness from 40 to 

100 ft. Geochemical analysis of 12 stream-sediment 

samples and one rock sample did not reveal any

Other Metals

The geologic environment of the study area is not 

favorable for the formation of any other metallic 

minerals. In addition, geochemical evidence does not 

indicate abnormally high concentrations of metals at the 

surface in the study area. No minerals have been

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C9
109°30' 109° 15'

38°45'

5 MILES 

I

Figure 5. Aeromagnetic anomaly map of the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area and vicinity. Contour intervals 10 

and 50 gammas. The anomalies are total intensity values with respect to an arbitrary datum. Short dashed lines indicate 

boundary of surveys having different data. Hachures indicate relative magnetic low. No regional field has been removed. Flight 

paths are indicated by long dashes oriented about east-west. The survey was flown at an elevation of 8,500 ft, except the 

southeast part which was flown at an elevation of 12,500 ft. From Case and Joesting (1972).

produced, and no surface evidence was found to indicate 

the presence of metallic mineral resources. Therefore, 

the study area is assigned a low resource potential for all 

undiscovered metals, including uranium, with a certainty 

level of C.

Potash and Halite

Potash and halite deposits in the Paradox Basin 

occur in the Middle Pennsylvanian Paradox Member of

the Hermosa Formation. Potash and halite from the 

Paradox Member, if present, would underlie the study 

area at a depth greater than 7,000 ft. Hite (1961, 1976, 

1977) delineated the limits of major potash zones in the 

Paradox Member, and the study area is within one of 

these zones. Drill-hole information concerning potash in 

the area is meager, and most has come from oil and gas 

wells. No test wells have been drilled for potash and 

halite in the study area. The potential for undiscovered 

potash and halite resources is moderate in the study area, 

with a certainty level of B.

C10 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
109°30' 109°15'

APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF 

THE LOST SPRING CANYON 

38°45' WILDERNESS STUDY AREA

5 MILES

Figure 6. Map showing generalized structure of the Precambrian surface in the Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area 

and vicinity. Contour intervals 1,000 and 5,000 ft. Drill holes indicated by circles (solid circles indicate oil shows); elevations and 

ages of the oldest units penetrated are shown where known. From Case and Joesting (1972).

Oil and Gas

The Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area is 

underlain by rock units that produce oil and gas 

elsewhere in the Paradox Basin. Reservoir rocks include 

Mississippian carbonates and elastics in the Pennsylvanian Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation. 

Source rocks are the black, organic-rich shales also found 

in the Paradox Member. The study area overlies the flank 

of the Salt Valley salt anticline, a favorable trap for oil 

and gas. Test wells drilled near the study area reported 

oil shows. Molenaar and Sandberg (1983) rated the 

potential for undiscovered oil and gas in the study area as

medium (roughly equivalent to the moderate resource 

potential rating of Goudarzi, 1984). The presence of 

favorable source and reservoir beds with no production 

from wells and the possibility of production from these 

beds along the flank of the Salt Valley salt anticline 

indicate a moderate potential rating for undiscovered oil 

and gas resources in the study area, with a certainty level 

ofB.

Geothermal Resources

No hot springs or other geothermal sources were 

noted during this investigation. The energy resource

Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area C11
potential is low for undiscovered geothermal energy in 

the study area, with a certainty level of C.

REFERENCES CITED

Baker, A.A., Duncan, D.C., and Hunt, C.B., 1952, Manganese

deposits of southeastern Utah: U.S. Geological Survey

Bulletin 979-B, 157 p. 

Case, J.E., 1966, Geophysical anomalies over Precambrian

rocks, northwestern Uncompahgre Plateau, Utah and

Colorado: American Association of Petroleum

Geologists Bulletin, v. 50, p. 1423-1434. 

Case, J.E., and Joesting, H.R., 1972, Regional geophysical

investigations in the central Colorado Plateau: U.S.

Geological Survey Professional Paper 736, 31 p. 

Centanni, F.A., Ross, A.M., and DeSesa, M.A. 1956, Fluorometric determination of uranium: Analytical Chemistry,

v. 28, p. 1651. 

Clem, K.M., and Brown, K.W., 1984, Petroleum resources of

the Paradox Basin: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey

Bulletin 119, 162 p. 

Coope, B.M., and Harben, P.W., 1977, Silica sand, in Harben,

P.W., ed., Raw materials for the glass industry: Metal

Bulletin Ltd., 131 p. 

Crock, J.G., Briggs, P.H., Jackson, L.L., and Lichte, F.E., 1987,

Analytical methods for the analysis of stream-sediments

and rocks from wilderness study areas: U.S. Geological

Survey Open-File Report 87-84, 35 p. 

Daniels, J.J., Scott, J.H., and Hite, R.J., 1980, Analysis of

borehole geophysical data in an evaporite sequence at

Salt Valley, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File

Report 80-525, 18 p. 

Davis, L.L., and Tepordei, V.V., 1985, Sand and gravel, in

Mineral facts and problems: U.S. Bureau of Mines

Bulletin 675, p. 689-703. 

Doelling, H.H., 1985, Geology of Arches National Park: Utah

Geological and Mineral Survey Map 74, scale 1:50,000. 

Gese, D.D., 1987, Mineral investigation of the Lost Spring

Canyon Wilderness Study Area (UT-060-131B), Grand

County, Utah: U.S. Bureau of Mines Open File Report

MLA-75-87, 11 p. 

Goudarzi, G.H., compiler, 1984, Guide to preparation of

mineral survey reports on public lands: U.S. Geological

Survey Open-File Report 84-787, 42 p. 

Grimes, D.J., and Marranzino, A.P., 1968, Direct-current arc

and alternating-current spark emission spectrographic

field methods for the semiquantitative analysis of

geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 591,

6 p. 

Hildenbrand, T.G., and Kucks, R.P., 1983, Regional magnetic

and gravity features of the Gibson Dome area and

surrounding region, Paradox Basin, Utah A

preliminary report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File

Report 83-359, 34 p. 

Hite, R.J., 1961, Potash-bearing evaporite cycles in the salt

anticlines of the Paradox basin, Colorado and Utah, in

Short papers in the geological and hydrological sciences:

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 424-D,

p. D135-D138.

_ 1976, A potential target for potash solution mining in 

cycle 14, Paradox Member, near Moab, Utah: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-755, 5 p.

_ 1977, Subsurface geology of a potential waste

emplacement site, Salt Valley anticline, Grand County, 

Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-761, 

26 p.

Hite, R.J., and Buckner, D.H., 1981, Stratigraphic correlations, 

facies concepts, and cyclicity in Pennsylvanian rocks of 

the Paradox Basin, in Wiegand, D.L., ed., Geology of the 

Paradox basin: Rocky Mountain Association of 

Geologists Guidebook, 1981 Field Conference, 

p. 147-159.

Hite, R.J., and Gere, W.C., 1958, Potash deposits of the 

Paradox Basin, in Sanborn, A.F., Guidebook to the 

geology of the Paradox basin: Intel-mountain Association 

of Petroleum Geologists Ninth Annual Field 

Conference, p. 221-225.

Hite, R.J., and Lohman, S.J., 1973, Geologic appraisal of 

Paradox Basin salt deposits for waste emplacement: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 1872, 75 p.

Joesting, H.R., and Case, J.E., 1962, Regional geophysical 

studies in Salt Valley-Cisco area, Utah and Colorado: 

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 

v. 46, p. 1879-1889.

Lee, Keenan, 1988, Remote sensing study in support of mineral 

resource appraisal of wilderness study areas near Moab, 

Utah Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, 

Montrose and San Juan Counties, Colorado; Lost Spring 

Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Grand County, Utah; 

Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, Grand and 

San Juan Counties, Utah; Indian Creek Wilderness Study 

Area, San Juan County, Utah; and Butler Wash 

Wilderness Study Area, San Juan County, Utah: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 88-219, 17 p.

Molcnaar, C.M., and Sandberg, C.A., 1983, Petroleum 

potential of wilderness lands in Utah, in Miller, B.M., ed., 

Petroleum potential of wilderness lands in the Western 

United States: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 902, 

p. K1-K14.

Peterson, Fred, 1988, Stratigraphy and nomenclature of Middle 

and Upper Jurassic rocks, western Colorado Plateau, 

Utah and Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1633- 

B, p. 13-56 [in press].

Rose, A.W., Hawkes, H.E., and Webb, J.S., 1979, Geochemistry in mineral exploration (2d ed.): San Francisco, 

Academic Press, p. 549-581.

Thompson, C.C., Nakagawa, H.M., and Van Sickle, G.H., 1968, 

Rapid analysis for gold in geologic materials, in 

Geological Survey research 1968: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 600-B, p. B130-B132.

U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey, 1980, 

Principles of a resource/reserve classification for 

minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 831, 5 p.

U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 

1986, Lost Spring Canyon Wilderness Study Area: Utah 

BLM statewide wilderness draft environmental impact 

statement, v. V, southeast region, 26 p., unpublished 

report available from Utah State office, Salt Lake City.

C12 Mineral Resources of Wilderness Study Areas Upper Colorado River Region, Utah
APPENDIX
DEFINITION OF LEVELS OF MINERAL RESOURCE POTENTIAL 

AND CERTAINTY OF ASSESSMENT

Definitions of Mineral Resource Potential

LOW mineral resource potential is assigned to areas where geologic, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics define a geologic environment in which the existence of resources is unlikely. This broad 

category embraces areas with dispersed but insignificantly mineralized rock as well as areas with few 

or no indications of having been mineralized.

MODERATE mineral resource potential is assigned to areas where geologic, geochemical, and geophysical 

characteristics indicate a geologic environment favorable for resource occurrence, where interpretations 

of data indicate a reasonable likelihood of resource accumulation, and (or) where an application of 

mineral-deposit models indicates favorable ground for the specified type(s) of deposits.

HIGH mineral resource potential is assigned to areas where geologic, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics indicate a geologic environment favorable for resource occurrence, where interpretations of 

data indicate a high degree of likelihood for resource accumulation, where data support mineral-deposit 

models indicating presence of resources, and where evidence indicates that mineral concentration has 

taken place. Assignment of high resource potential to an area requires some positive knowledge that 

mineral-forming processes have been active in at least part of the area.

UNKNOWN mineral resource potential is assigned to areas where information is inadequate to assign low, 

moderate, or high levels of resource potential.

NO mineral resource potential is a category reserved for a specific type of resource in a well-defined 

area.

Levels of Certainty

U/A

UNKNOWN

POTENTIAL

H/B

HIGH POTENTIAL

M/B 

MODERATE POTENTIAL

L/B

LOW

POTENTIAL

H/C

HIGH POTENTIAL

M/C 

MODERATE POTENTIAL

L/C

LOW

POTENTIAL

H/D

HIGH POTENTIAL

M/D 

MODERATE POTENTIAL

L/D

LOW POTENTIAL

N/D

NO POTENTIAL

t

o

d.

u 

oc

O

V)

B C 

LEVEL OF CERTAINTY

A. Available information is not adequate for determination of the level of mineral resource potential.

B. Available information suggests the level of mineral resource potential.

C. Available information gives a good indication of the level of mineral resource potential.

D. Available information clearly defines the level of mineral resource potential.

Abstracted with minor modifications from:

Taylor, R. B., and Steven, T. A., 1983, Definition of mineral resource potential: Economic Geology,

v. 78, no. 6, p. 1268-1270. 

Taylor, R. B., Stoneman, R. J., and Marsh, S. P., 1984, An assessment of the mineral resource potential

of the San Isabel National Forest, south-central Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1638, p.

40-42. 

Goudarzi, G. H., compiler, 1984, Guide to preparation of mineral survey reports on public lands: U.S.

Geological Survey Open-File Report 84-0787, p. 7, 8.
RESOURCE/RESERVE CLASSIFICATION

IDENTIFIED RESOURCES

Demonstrated

Measured Indicated

Inferred

UNDISCOVERED RESOURCES

Probability Range

 (or) 

Hypothetical i Speculative

ECONOMIC

MARGINALLY 

ECONOMIC

SUBECONOMIC

1

Reserves Inferred Reserves

Marginal Reserves

Demonstrated 

Subeconomic Resources

Inferred 

Marginal Reserves

Inferred

Subeconomic

Resources

+

Major elements of mineral resource classification, excluding reserve base and inferred reserve base. Modified from McKalvey,1972, Mineral 

resource estimates and public policy: American Scientist, v.60, p.32-40, and U.S. Bureau of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey, 1980, 

Principles of a resource /reserve classification for minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 831, p.5.
GEOLOGIC TIME CHART 

Terms and boundary ages used in this report

EON

Phanerozoic

Proterozoic

Archean 

pre-Arc

ERA

Cenozoic

Mesozoic

Paleozoic

Late Proterozoic

Middle Proterozoic

Early Proterozoic

Late Archean

Middle Archean

Early Archean 

:hean2

PERIOD

Quaternary

Tertiary

Neogene 

Subperiod

Paleogene 

Subperiod

Cretaceous

Jurassic

Triassic

Permian

Carboniferous 

Periods

Pennsylvanian

Mississippian

Devonian

Silurian

Ordovician

Cambrian

__ __ 3800 ? - -

EPOCH

Holocene

Pleistocene

Pliocene

Miocene

Oligocene

Eocene

Paleocene

Late

Early

Late 

Middle 

Early

Late

Middle 

Early

Late

Early

Late 

Middle 

Early

Late 

Early

Late 

Middle 

Early

Late 

Middle 

Early

Late 

Middle 

Early

Late

Middle 

Early

 -

BOUNDARY AGE 

IN 

MILLION YEARS

- 0.010

- 1.7

- 5

1Q

- 55

- 66

- 96

I JO 

one

-A* 240

- 290 

-~ 330

- ^Rn

- 410

-A, 570 1

- 900 

1 crtA

£.%j\t\t

-3000 

- 3400

'Rocks older than 570 m.y. also called Precambrian, a time term without specific rank. 

2 Informal time term without specific rank.

* U.S. GPO: 1988/673-047/86,013


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V