Natural Resource Condition Assessments for Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Learn about NRCAs

• How do parks use NRCAs?
• Learn more about the NRCA Program

The Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program provides framework, funding, and publishing support to parks to aid in the synthesis and documentation of natural resource conditions. Condition assessment reports are a tool to describe selected park resources, and record a snapshot of their current condition, identify trends, and identify potential or current threats and stressors. Understanding the condition and trend of natural resources is key for parks and NPS planners to appropriately prioritize and allocate stewardship resources.

 

The great kiva in the plaza of Chetro Ketl.

NPS Photo

Located in northwestern New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park sits in a remote canyon cut by the Chaco Wash. Between AD 850 to 1250, the canyon was considered a special gathering place where many Pueblo people and clans converged to share their ceremonies, traditions, and knowledge. The park lies between 6,000 to 6,800 feet within the San Juan Basin of the Colorado Plateau, and includes the Chaco Canyon valley floor, sandstone mesas, and a number of small side canyons. A 9-mile loop road, open to vehicles as well as bicyclists, accesses six major Chacoan sites and backcountry hiking trails.

Links to NRCA Products
Materials produced by the park and the NRCA Program.

For other reports and natural resource datasets visit the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Collection 7765 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.