Download Patrick B`s Rocky Mountain National Park Project

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PATRICK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN
NATIONAL PARK PROJECT
US Map of the national park
A Topographic Map of Rocky
Mountain National Park
Important features and
landforms
 The Loch
 Otis Peak
 Bear Lake
 Glacier Knobe
 Andrews Pass
 Ptarmigan Pass
 Emerald Lake
 Chaos Canyon
When and why did the Rocky
Mountain National Park come
to be?
 The year was 1909 and a man named Enos Mills (lodge
owner, naturalist and nature guide) championed the
nation’s tenth national park. He hoped that when he is
at rest beneath some wonderful pines that many other
families would find peace and joy and this wonderful
attraction. He spent many years lecturing and writing
letters to people and leaders to influence them in his
idea. Some agreed and disagreed, so there were many
different opinions. Finally, on January 26th, 1915,
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain
National Park Act. As soon as it was given the go-ahead,
many workers and lodge keepers started to make many
trails and attractions for visitors. It quickly became a
popular attraction, and it still is today.
Important landforms and features

Bear lake-Covered with snow or bare with nothing, it is one of the most wonderful lakes In the national park. It
provides water for many animals like bears or buffalo. Also around the lake is a trail that is about 0.6 miles long
where people can watch the lake and its wildlife. It is surrounded by a flattop mountain and many pine and
spruce trees for animal that live there. The lake is actually pretty high up too, because it’s elevation is 9,475 feet
above sea level, that means the lake is probably up in the mountains.

Dream lake-Very quiet here late at night when the sun sets, it is a easy location to travel to and will provide you
and others with plenty of fish. This lake has a trail too which is 1.1 miles long round trip. On the way you will pass
Nymph lake. The lakes elevation gain is 430 feet, also the lake is called dream lake because of its surroundings
and it’s mirror like reflection.

Glacier Peak-This massive mountain is located in Washington state and has a whopping 10,525 foot elevation.
This mountain has only erupted 5 times in the past hundreds of years, so I would not take any chances though
climbing to the top. But it provides a great view and is a wonderful sight.

Longs peak-A very glorious attraction which is the highest mountain in the national park. It provides a great
view and a long, 16 mile round trip. It is also home to much wildlife and provides a view of many lakes and other
attractions so it’s an easy travel.

Colorado river-A great attraction that many rafters enjoy. It provides water for animals and fun for people. You
may spot a moose or to long the way! It is highly suggested. It runs through many places Also like the grand
canyon and the Rio Grande. And since it’s a really fun rafting location white water rafting would be no problem

Nymph lake-A lily pad covered wondrous attraction which is shiny and contains lots of water and fish for the
animals. It is very cool! It’s elevation gain is 225 feet and has a 1 mile long trail so you can look at all the lily pads
and wildlife. It’s location is below Hallet Peak and is a great place for families!
Landforms on a map (lakes)
Features on a map (others)
Extra info for landforms
 Throughout millions of years most of the national park has formed

Millions of years of erosion by water, ice and other things, have
formed the mountains that are their right now.
 The Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national
parks ever. It’s wonderful mountains are about 12,000 feet high and
provides a great view. They have formed over thousands of years
and are continuing to grow.
Environmental issues affecting
the park

Climate change-This affects many things in the park. For one, spring snow melts
faster than usual so that causes less water in the summer. Many animals may lose
water or any resource faster and it will also affect the timing of natural events.

Air Quality-At the park, air quality is a big issue. First, it can affect the quality of the
water and plants, if lots pollution enters the park, animals or plants could die of
sickness. It could also cause people to be sick. They get so much air pollution because
they are down wind of factories and many roads. They are now trying to help.

Water Quality-Water quality is also a big issue. If the water is polluted or affected, fish
or animals that drink from the water can get sick or die. Many are trying to help this
problem and to not pollute things. This could also decrease the population and be non
attractive.
 Human activities- Human activities is probably the biggest issue for the park.
First of all. Humans can do major damage like polluting the water and air
which is unhealthy, our manufacturing companies affect it too. People are
trying very hard now to help out and cleanse the park. Because soon,
everything could be gone. (Natural disasters like floods and tornados could
destroy habitats in the park also and affect many things)
How technology helps maintain
and preserve the park
 Some parts of the park are loaded with buildings that
are used for technology and maintenance. The parks
technology use is very important for many reasons. Like
in the museums they make sure everything is in the
right environment and lights are working. There is also
electronic signs that are maps and sayings. They also
use technology by watching and fixing local habitats
that are struggling. They also use cameras for
surveillance. Without technology the park would not
survive. Recently they are still working on new things
and helping habitats so the park is at its best.
Types of rocks in the National Park
 Every rock found in the national park is either very old or new.
They have helped form it all. They vary from colorful rocks, soft
rocks, or shiny rocks. Some examples are: Dakota Hogback rocks,
Pierre Shale, Roberts Mesa, Lyons sandstone, Flatiron,
Precambrian, stone, dolomite, and many more. Most of these
rocks helped form the rocky mountains and were made a long
time ago by a plate tectonic. More and more are being made by
subduction in the earth.
How was the Park formed
 The first step to the forming of the park was the mountains. The
Rocky Mountains were initially formed by an event called the
Laramide Orogeny. That was when some tectonic plates collided
and then one plate slides underneath the other one, in this case
the North American plate. Then one of plates slides into the
mantle of the earth, that is called subduction. After that, some
erosion occurred and formed the mountains as they are now,
spreading some 3,000 miles starting in Canada and ending close
to the border of Mexico. That happened about 85 million years
ago. Sometime after that the glaciers finished shaping the
mountains. After the last ice age humans discovered the
mountains and inhabited them. Humans built a park all around
them and made it an attraction for people to explore and enjoy.
Now we are making the park more accessible by building roads
and structures for human use while trying not to affect the
environment itself.
How is the land currently
changing
 The land in the park is currently changing very
much. First of all, many roads have been built and
have supported cars and people travel. But they
have badly affected the environment. For example,
Many trees, plants, and habitats have been
destroyed through the process. What has also
changed is that trails have been built to, which soon
is home for huge off road vehicles and hikers. They
all destroy rocks, plants, and trees too. Those two
are probably the biggest reasons. Others are elk and
beetles making trees die and,