BACKGROUND:
In 1980, The United States government designated Whitewater Canyon as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), in recognition of its important scientific, biological, geological, and cultural resources (Native Americans) with a river running through it! Whitewater Canyon’s ACEC is unique because the San Andreas Fault slices across the ancient river and the tectonic plates crea
te an underground dam in the Earth’s crust up to 60 miles deep. The Whitewater River has traveled 70 miles from the peaks of the highest mountain in southern California, Mt. San Gorgonio, 11,500ft, thus, at the point where the Whitewater River meets the San Andreas Fault at Bonnie Bell (2 miles north of the Interstate 10), the river cannot freely flow past the tectonic plates and backs up as a massive underground lake. This unique phenomenon has created a natural wild life sanctuary with hundreds of old growth Cottonwood trees, a rich riparian habitat unlike anywhere in the California Desert, affording an abundance of year round food, water, shelter and protection. The canyon has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years since the Mammoth/Mastodon and Saber Tooth Tiger once roamed freely; and more recently, Early Man, dating back 11,000 years as recorded in the Federal Register - classified as the Early Hunting Stage…
ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES
Whitewater Canyon is also unique in that it is a transitional eco zone where three habitats converge - Mojave, Sonoran and Coastal. In effect, this means, particularly the old Indian village, Wanapiapa/Bonnie Bell, and her rich riparian habitat, is home to more endangered, threatened, and sensitive species of flora and fauna than any other site known in California, USA…
AREAS OF ACADEMIC STUDY & RESEARCH
The geology and geomorphology of the San Andreas Fault
Anthropology – Native Americans – Early Man
Whitewater River and its rich riparian habitat
Ornithology – Birds
Flora & Fauna – Plant and animal wild life
Herpetology – Amphibians and reptiles
