Uncompahgre Plateau

The Uncompahgre Plateau[1] in western Colorado is a distinctive large uplift part of the Colorado Plateau. Uncompahgre is a Ute Indian word that describes the water: "Dirty Water" or "Rocks that make Water Red".[2]

Uncompahgre National Forest (red) location in Colorado

The plateau, with an average elevation of 9,500 feet (2,900 m), rises from the Colorado River 4,600 ft (1,400 m) to Horsefly Peak 10,300 ft (3,100 m). It continues on about 90 miles (140 km) southeast to the northwest margin of the San Juan Mountains. Its boundaries are the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers to the west, the Colorado River to the north and the Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers on the eastern side.[2]

Large canyons such as Big Red, Tabeguache, Spring Creek, Roubideau, Escalante, Big Dominquez, and Unaweep are separated by generally flat mesas. The Plateau watersheds include four tributaries of the Colorado River: Dolores River, Gunnison River, San Miguel River and Uncompahgre River.[2]

The Uncompahgre Plateau includes about 2,290 square miles (5,900 km2) in five counties: Delta, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel.

The Uncompahgre Plateau (the highest land in the back) rising above Nucla, Colorado.

The plateau is under the management of:[2]

Geology

Located in Southwest Colorado, the Uncompahgre Plateau is a high domed upland rising from the Colorado River. When it was formed, strong forces in the crust of the Earth forced the land to lift up.

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See also

References
  1. "Uncompahgre Plateau". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  2. "Plateau Facts". The Uncompahgre Partnership. Retrieved July 3, 2015.



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