Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Map of watersheds of the western arid region of the United States. Created by John Wesley Powell for the Eleventh Annual Report of the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Part 2- Irrigation: 1889-1890.
The separately defined western arid regions of North America are continental regions of aridity based on available water in addition to rain shadow-diminished rainfall [3] and which have many non-desert shrub-steppe (EPA) and xeric shrublands (WWF) in addition to desert ecosystems and ecoregions.
Most of the basin experiences a semi-arid or arid climate with warm summers and cold winters. However, some of the mountainous areas in the basin are high enough in elevation to experience an alpine climate. Due to the region's altitude and aridity, most areas in the Great Basin experience a substantial diurnal temperature variation.
Known for its glowing swaths of yellow, orange and red, the U.S. Drought Monitor has warned farmers, residents and officials throughout the nation of impending water scarcity every week since 1999
Watersheds of North America are large drainage basins which drain to separate oceans, seas, gulfs, or endorheic basins. There are six generally recognized hydro-logical continental divides which divide the continent into seven principal drainage basins spanning three oceans ( Arctic , Atlantic and Pacific ) and one endorheic basin.
Powell served as the second Director of the United States Geological Survey, a post he held from 1881 to 1894.This photograph dates from early in his term of office. John Wesley Powell (March 24, 1834 – September 23, 1902) [1] was an American geologist, U.S. Army soldier, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural ...
The river drains a high, arid region of the Colorado Plateau. Along its length, it is often the only significant source of fresh water for many miles. The San Juan is also one of the muddiest rivers in North America, carrying an average of 25 million US tons (22.6 million t) of silt and sediment each year. [5]
It can be traced to Stephen H. Long's 1820 scientific expedition which put the Great American Desert on the map. [3] [4] Today the area is usually referred to as the High Plains, and the original term is sometimes used to describe the arid region of North America, which includes parts of northwestern Mexico and the American southwest.