---

Come Celebrate With Us!
The Sequoia National Forest Centennial
Celebrating a Century of Service, 1905 - 2005

Historical Activities | Photo Gallery
Wilderness | Resources | Home

 

RESOURCES

 

Water Resources
Forest management of water resources provides healthy riparian habitats for wildlife, productive fisheries, whitewater recreation opportunities, free flowing streams, and reservoirs for people to enjoy.

Industrial and domestic uses include irrigation for Central Valley crops, hydroelectric power, and drinking water for the Central Valley and desert communities.  The establishment of dams and the diversion of water from Sierra streams and rivers turned the Central Valley from a great marshland filled with wildlife into the greatest agriculture area in the world.

These dams also protect valley communities from damaging floods and provide a year-round source of water.

Geologic Resources
The forest is dominated by granite material, with small, scattered islands of volcanic and sedimentary material, featuring roof pendants of marble, basalt, soda springs, hot springs, limestone, and limestone caves.

Granite monoliths attract rock climbers, as well as sightseers. These rock formations originated as molten spheres, called plutons, where tectonic plates collided.

Earthquakes and fault zones are evident within the forest, especially along the Kern River, which is a fault controlled river.

The Kings Canyon draws visitors from around the world to view the outstanding geologic features, including a glacier-carved U-shaped valley, with roof pendants, rock monoliths, limestone caverns, and folded rocks.

Ranching and Grazing
Livestock grazing is an historic use that still exists on the forest today, authorized by grazing permits.  Local ranchers drive cattle to the high country meadows each summer when annual grasses dry up in the valley.  Open range cattle wandering on to forest roads can pose a threat to visitors caught unaware of their presence.  Historic driveways for huge flocks of sheep once crossed areas of the Sequoia on what was once referred to as the Great Circuit.  Environmental damage from overgrazing prompted the establishment of national forests and national parks.

Want to Know More? Check out our Timeline Panels (pdf format)
Beginning 1850 - 1904	Early Forest Service 1905 - 1909	Custodial 1910 - 1932	Depression 1933 - 1940	War Years 1941 - 1945
Post War 1946 - 1959	Multiple Use 1960 - 1969	Public Participation 1970 - 1992	Ecosystem 1993 - 2005	Future