69 
acquired by the U-2 aircraft; and ground data. 
Space Imagery : ERTS-1 data obtained from the Multi-Spectral Scanner 
(MSS) was reformated into color infrared simulated composites by combining the 
black and white, 9X9 in. (22.5 X 22.5cm) positive transparencies representing 
the green, red, and near-infrared spectral bands (bands 4,5, and 7, respectively). 
The bands are combined by exposing each transparency separately through different 
filters onto a single frame of film. The color composites originally at 
1:1,000,000 scale were enlarged to and utilized at a scale of 1:250,000. 
Three ERTS composites in the spring and four in mid- to late summer were 
analyzed for environmental monitoring purposes. The ERTS images in late April 
and early May, 1973 were manually interpreted to detect, evaluate and document 
the ephemeral flush of the herbaceous vegetation and the progression of the 
snow melt. This set of imagery was also interpreted to evaluate the extent and 
quality of surface water resource as the lakes and reservoirs receive the water 
resulting from the snow melt, and the spring rainstorms. ERTS images to mid- 
to late summer, 1972 were interpreted to detect, evaluate and document the 
decrease of available surface waters, and the drying of herbaceous vegetation. 
Both of the latter conditions govern the decision-making processes in domestic 
and wildlife habitat management programs. 
Single date satellite imagery (July 27, 1972) was interpreted at a 
scale of 1:250,000 for stratifying the study area into large homogeneous units 
based on tone and textural patterns evident on the imagery. These units were 
classified into areas of similar resource types by referring to ancillary data 
sources. This same ERTS image was evaluated for soil resource mapping on a 
regional level. 
Aerial Photography : High altitude U-2 color infrared photography, (at 
1:120,000 and 1:30,000 scale) flown at 65,000 ft (20,000m.), was procured on 
Aug. 21, 1973. The 1:120,000 scale photography (positive transparency format) 
was interpreted for making broad level vegetation maps. The 1:30,000 scale 
photography, 9 X 18 in. (22.5 X 45cm) positive transparency format, was utilized 
for vegetative mapping at a more detailed level and for soil resource mapping, 
including the determination of accessibility and location of soil profile plots. 
Ground Data Collection : The ground data collected dealt primarily with 
the verification of mapped boundaries and classification of mapped units. Field 
data collection for the soil mapping phase of the project included detailed 
profile examinations, in conjunction with the evaluation of vegetation and rock 
cover, and erosion conditions in the plot area. Profile examinations were used 
to document soil properties for given vegetation-terrain types. Ground photo 
graphs were taken at each plot to record the soil surface conditions that yield 
characteristic signatures on the high flight photography and space imagery.