Antelope Island
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Coordinates: 40°57′N 112°13′W / 40.95°N 112.21°W
Antelope Island, with an area of 42 square miles (109 km2), is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, the largest lake in the Western United States[1], and the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere[2]. The island lies entirely within Davis County, in the southeastern portion of the lake and becomes a peninsula when the lake is at extremely low levels. Antelope Island holds populations of pronghorn antelope, bobcat, bighorn sheep, 600 American bison and millions of waterfowl. The bison were introduced to the island in 1893, and have proven to be a valuable genetic pool for bison breeding and conservation purposes.
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[edit] State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a state park located on the island, established in 1981, part of the Utah State Parks System. The island is accessible via a 7 miles (11 km) causeway from Syracuse in Davis County. Access from I-15 is via exit 332,[3] Antelope Drive (SR-108). The island's shore is mostly (all but west side of the island) relatively flat with beaches and plains to the base of the mountains on the island. These steep mountains are visible from most of the northern Wasatch Front, reaching a maximum elevation of 6,596 feet (2,010 m), which is about 2,500 feet (762 m) above the level of the lake.
Antelope Island State Park operates a 10-watt travelers information station on 530 kHz AM. The transmitter is located on the south side of the causeway close to the island itself. This station can be heard in nearby Ogden and as far south as Salt Lake City. [4] It carries information about the park's hours of operation, as well as promotes upcoming events that the state park coordinates.[5]
On the east side of the island, 11 miles (18 km) south of the causeway, is the Fielding Garr Ranch. Here one can see the oldest (Anglo) building in Utah that is on its original foundation.
[edit] Wild Life
Antelope Island has a unique array of wildlife and is famous for its large bison population. The herd fluctuates between 550 and 700 and is one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the nation.
Other mammals found on the island include, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, bobcats, badgers, porcupines, jackrabbits and several species of rodents.
Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake attract numerous migrating and nesting birds. Along the shoreline avocets, black-necked stilts, willets and sanderlings can be observed. The island grasslands provide habitat for long-billed curlews, burrowing owls, chuckars and several species of raptors.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Czerny, Peter G. (1976). The great Great Salt Lake. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press. ISBN 0-8425-1073-7
- ^ www.utah.com/stateparks/great_salt_lake.htm
- ^ UDOT Milepost Project: Progress Detail I-15
- ^ Salt Lake City DX Log
- ^ WPWA752 Traveler's Information Station Transmitter Site
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Antelope Island |
- Antelope Island State Park
- Photos of Antelope Island State Park
- Antelope Island Field Trip Home Page Weber State University Department of Botany
- Antelope Island Bike Trail Utah.com
- Pictures of Antelope Island
- Canyon Country Hiking and Camping Notebook: Antelope Island State Park
