Niobrara National Scenic River: Geologic and Soil Resources Inventory Summary
Henderson T. 2025. Niobrara National Scenic River: Geologic and Soil Resources Inventory Summary. National Park Service
This document summarizes the status of National Park Service (NPS) Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) and Soil Resources Inventory (SRI) deliverables for Niobrara National Scenic River. It also provides information on current geology and soil resources management concerns, with a focus on identified inventory needs related to geologic heritage, geohazards, and related soil features and processes. This document is intended to assist park staff with prioritizing technical assistance or new inventory and assessment funding requests in the near term (roughly 1–5 years). The GRI hosted a baseline scoping meeting for Niobrara National Scenic River in August 2008. Baseline bedrock and surficial geologic maps were delivered to the scenic river in 2024. SRI delivered a legacy soil database, map, and “enhanced report” in 2013. Additional soil survey reports have been published by the US Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) that include Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha, and Rock counties, Nebraska. The most up-to-date soil data for the scenic river is available through Web Soil Survey. Niobrara National Scenic River’s geologic heritage is ingrained in its paleontological records, Indigenous connections, stratotypes, and its geologic connections to ecological diversity. The geologic and soil resources inventory needs for the park include various data and/or GIS information related to the inventory and monitoring of cultural and paleontological resources, geohazards, geomorphology, and visual resources, in addition to geologic mapping, interpretation, and management needs. Geologic hazards identified in the park include cave and karst, climate change, disturbed lands (e.g., land use changes), flooding, mass wasting, radon, seismicity, swelling clays, and toxicological soil.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Henderson, Timothy
- Date of Issue
- 2025-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRI , MWR , NGPN , NIOB , SRI
- Keywords
- Geologic Features, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Heritage, Geologic History, Geologic Processes, GIS, GSRI, Map Units, Resource Management
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Glacial Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Hillslope Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Stream/River Channel Characteristics , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Subsurface Geologic Processes | Cave/Karst Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Subsurface Geologic Processes | Seismic Activity , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Soil Quality | Soil Function and Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Paleontology | Paleontology