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Washington County

Learn about the interesting "Dixie" county of Utah - Washington County! For this assignment, you will need paper, pencil, and this computer! Click on the links (blue lines) below and answer the following questions! You might be surprised at what you will learn!

Map of Utah Counties

Outline map of Utah's Counties.

  1. Can you find Washington County on this Utah map and point to it?

 

The Cotton Mission

The answers to the following 5 questions are found in the first 5 paragraphs of this site.

  1. Up in Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young realized that the pioneers not only needed food but also what other item? (It is an item made with "cotton"!)
  2. The pioneers discovered that the Santa Clara and Virgin River basins were at a lower elevation than the Salt Lake Valley. How many miles south of Salt Lake are these river basins?
  3. The first pioneers sent to Santa Clara were sent for what reason? (Something to do with the indians!)
  4. Mormon Church members were called to set up towns in Washington County and to grow a lot of what crop? What other crops did they grow in their warm climate?
  5. Samuel Adair and the first 10 families were called to the "Cotton Mission" in what year?

 

Washington County Statistics

There is a lot of statistical information at this site.

  1. What was the population of Washington County in 1990?
  2. What city is the county seat?
  3. Who was the county named after? (Give full name)
  4. List the four largest cities and their populations in Washington County.
  5. What are the county's two largest economic resources?
  6. Of the many "Sites of Interest" listed, write down your favorite 5 places that YOU would like to go visit someday.

 

Current Southern Utah Weather

The little southwest corner of Utah is about 2,000 feet lower in elevation than the Salt Lake Valley. This makes Washington County enjoy a semi-tropical climate. It rarely snows in the towns of Washington County. At this site, you will look up the learn what the weather is like right now! On this site map, find the black straight lines of where Utah, Arizona, and Nevada meet. Locate the outline of Washington County. The dots you see on the map represent precipitation (rainfall or snowfall)in the area. The colors of the dots range from blue dots (light rainfall), then green (light-medium rainfall), then yellow (medium rainfall), then the reds (heavier rainfall or snow), to pink (severe storm), then to white (very severe storm - lots of percipitation).

  1. Estimate how many dots and of what colors are located inside the county boundaries. (example: 50 red dots, no blue dots, 100 yellow dots)
  2. From the dots in the county, do you think the CURRENT WEATHER in Washington County is clear, a little stormy, or very stormy?
  3. Write today's date so that you know what day you looked up Washington County's weather.

 

Utah State Parks Map

Look carefully at this map. Find where Washington County is located.

  1. On this map, which three Utah State Parks are located in Washington County? Write them down!

 

Quail Creek

This site has lots of information about this Utah State Park, should you choose to visit there.

  1. When is this park open?

 

Snow Canyon

This site has lots of information about this Utah State Park, should you choose to visit there.

  1. How much is the "camping fee" (cost) to stay in this state park?

 

Gunlock

This site has lots of information about this Utah State Park, should you choose to visit there.

  1. What are the main activities to do at this state park?

 

Educational Opportunities

Home page of the main college in "Dixie"land.

  1. What is the name of this important college in Southern Utah.

 

National Park in Washington County

Website of only "national park" in Washington County

  1. This is the only National Park located inside Washington County. What is its name?
  2. Legend says the Paiute Indians refused to stay in this area after dark. What did they call this area?
  3. What did the Mormon Pioneers call this area?
  4. Have YOU ever been to this National Park?
  5. If you have been there, what do you remember seeing or doing at the Park?

 

River Map

Look carefully at the rivers!

  1. What is the name of the main river that runs through Zion National Park and all the way through Washington County?

 

Now that you know more about Washington County, you can go visit it ... ANY TIME OF YEAR!

Author: Utah LessonPlans - Email resources@uen.org