Excerpt from The Potential for Restoration Along the Virgin River in Zion National Park: An Evaluation of Restoration Alternatives With Focus on the Potential to Regenerate Cottonwood (Populus Fremontii) Along the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park

Without active intervention the magnificent canopy of cottonwood trees, part of the historic landscape within Zion Canyon, will vanish in the next few decades. Pioneer accounts describe a canyon filled with many mature trees as early as 1860 but today there is insufficient successful reproduction to replace those aging trees. Cottonwood reproduction is reduced throughout the Canyon, the lack of young trees is especially apparent in the areas near Zion Lodge where virtually none are present. Previous studies suggest that the reduction in cottonwood recruitment is greatest in areas where man-made rock and wire revetments were constructed in the 1930's. These aging revetments along the Virgin River will soon have to be replaced or removed as their deterioration creates an increasing public safety hazard.

Cottonwood reproduction is dependent on bare, moist soils commonly created during flooding. It is apparent in the areas lined with revetments that cottonwood trees are not being replaced due to the separation of the river from the floodplain. Concern over the loss of the historic cottonwood forest and the need to address the deteriorating revetments caused the National Park Service to explore options including the possible restoration of a naturally functioning river channel and floodplain. The purpose of this study was to provide the park with an assessment of existing conditions and potential for restoring riparian function with its associated benefits to the river and the cottonwood community.

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