Delta, Utah
Encyclopedia
Delta is a city in Millard County
, Utah
, United States
. The population was 3,209 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), all of it land.
is generally used by irrigation before it reaches its eventual end, the dry Sevier Lake
.
Just upstream of Delta, the Sevier River is dammed to provide irrigation water, reservoir storage, and cooling water for IPP, Intermountain Power Project. This reservoir is referred to as the DMAD.
Agriculture is a major economic force in Delta and the Sevier valley.
One of the great icons of Delta is 'The Great Stone Face', which is a rock when viewed in profile appears Joseph Smith
's face.
is located about 50 miles to the west of Delta. The skyline appears to have a notch taken out of it when viewed from Delta.
Little Sahara is about 25 miles North of Delta. It is a very popular area for ATV riders. For more information, see Little Sahara Recreation Area.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,209 people, 1,006 households, and 780 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,018.3 people per square mile (393.3/km2). There were 1,106 housing units at an average density of 351.0 per square mile (135.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.61% White, 0.06% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 3.15% from other races
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.10% of the population.
There were 1,006 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.71.
In the city the population was spread out with 38.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,773, and the median income for a family was $43,952. Males had a median income of $37,340 versus $21,369 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,273. About 10.1% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
and known as the Intermountain Power Project or I.P.P. It is also referred to as Intermountain Power Service Corporation or I.P.S.C. This coal-powered power plant
supplies power for much of Los Angeles
county in California
. The plant was originally designed for 4 units, but only 2 have been built. Each unit produces 900 megawatts of electricity.
in the world. The plant is a mill and finishing facility for beryllium, a high-strength, lightweight metal used in military, aerospace, and medical industries. The ore for the plant comes from Brush Wellman's mine, located in the Topaz-Spor Mountains, 50 miles west, which is North America's only developed source for the metal. The facility is located here due to the remoteness of the area, as beryllium dust is highly toxic, and the proximity of a large source of power: the Intermountain Power Project.
s. Trilobite
fossils are relatively common in the region west of Delta (part of the House Range
's Wheeler Shale
). A number of local companies maintain fossil dig areas where they allow visitors to dig their own fossils for a small fee.
Near Delta is a mountain called Topaz Mountain which derives its name from the Topaz
that is abundant in the area.
Other minerals and rocks that are prevalent near Delta include Obsidian
, Opal
, and geode
.
John Williams Gunnison was leading a federal surveying team near the Sevier Lake. He was ambushed by the Pahvant Indians and killed.
Millard County, Utah
Millard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. In 2010, its population was 12,420. It was named for Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States. Its county seat is Fillmore and the largest city is Delta.-Geography:...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,209 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Delta is located at 39.353145°N 112.573656°W (39.353145, -112.573656).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), all of it land.
Sevier River & Lake
The Sevier River flows near Delta. The Sevier RiverSevier River
The Sevier River , extending , is the longest Utah river entirely in the state and drains an extended chain of mountain farming valleys to the intermittent Sevier Lake...
is generally used by irrigation before it reaches its eventual end, the dry Sevier Lake
Sevier Lake
Sevier Lake is an intermittent and endorheic lake which lies in the lowest part of the Sevier Desert, Millard County, Utah. Like Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake, it is a remnant of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. Sevier Lake is fed primarily by the Beaver and Sevier rivers, and the additional inflow...
.
DMAD
DMAD are the initials for the Deseret Melville Abraham and Delta water company.Just upstream of Delta, the Sevier River is dammed to provide irrigation water, reservoir storage, and cooling water for IPP, Intermountain Power Project. This reservoir is referred to as the DMAD.
Agriculture is a major economic force in Delta and the Sevier valley.
Gunnison Bend Reservoir
Downstream of Delta, the Sevier River is dammed again for irrigation and reservoir storage. This reservoir is named Gunnison Bend Reservoir, in honor of John Williams Gunnison.Great Stone Face
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
's face.
Notch Peak
Notch PeakNotch Peak
Notch Peak is a distinctive summit located on Sawtooth Mountain in the House Range, west of Delta, Utah. The peak and the surrounding area are part of the Notch Peak Wilderness Study Area...
is located about 50 miles to the west of Delta. The skyline appears to have a notch taken out of it when viewed from Delta.
Little Sahara Sand Dunes
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,209 people, 1,006 households, and 780 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,018.3 people per square mile (393.3/km2). There were 1,106 housing units at an average density of 351.0 per square mile (135.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.61% White, 0.06% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 3.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.10% of the population.
There were 1,006 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.71.
In the city the population was spread out with 38.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,773, and the median income for a family was $43,952. Males had a median income of $37,340 versus $21,369 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,273. About 10.1% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Intermountain Power Project (IPP)
One of the main sources of income for Delta is a power plant called operated by the Intermountain Power AgencyIntermountain Power Agency
The Intermountain Power Agency located in Utah is responsible for running the Intermountain Power Project near Delta, Utah, a coal fired power plant capable of generating 1800 megawatts...
and known as the Intermountain Power Project or I.P.P. It is also referred to as Intermountain Power Service Corporation or I.P.S.C. This coal-powered power plant
Intermountain Power Plant
Intermountain Power Plant is a coal-fired power plant at Delta, Utah, USA. It consists of two units each with a generation capacity of . Construction on the plant began in September 1981. Commercial operation...
supplies power for much of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
county in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The plant was originally designed for 4 units, but only 2 have been built. Each unit produces 900 megawatts of electricity.
Brush Wellman
Brush Wellman is a mine and refining plant located at one of the few sources of concentrated berylliumBeryllium
Beryllium is the chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is a divalent element which occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals. Notable gemstones which contain beryllium include beryl and chrysoberyl...
in the world. The plant is a mill and finishing facility for beryllium, a high-strength, lightweight metal used in military, aerospace, and medical industries. The ore for the plant comes from Brush Wellman's mine, located in the Topaz-Spor Mountains, 50 miles west, which is North America's only developed source for the metal. The facility is located here due to the remoteness of the area, as beryllium dust is highly toxic, and the proximity of a large source of power: the Intermountain Power Project.
Graymont Lime
Graymont Lime has a plant in the Cricket Mountains, about 35 miles southwest of Delta. It is one of the 10 largest lime plants in the United States. It was previously owned by Continental Lime which was purchased by Graymont Lime. For more information, see Graymont's website.Alfalfa
Alfalfa hay is the main crop of the Delta area. Because of Delta's dry climate, the farmers are able to control the alfalfa hay's moisture when it is baled. This is very important to prohibit mold growth.Dairy
Delta is home to many dairy farmers who may ship the milk out of the county, or may ship it to the local cheese factory (Red Rock Specialty Cheese).Cosmic Ray Center
Delta is home to the Lon and Mary Watson Cosmic Ray Center, the main staging area for the Telescope Array experiment.Fossils & Minerals
A great attraction of Millard County's economy is the digging of fossilFossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s. Trilobite
Trilobite
Trilobites are a well-known fossil group of extinct marine arthropods that form the class Trilobita. The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period , and they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before...
fossils are relatively common in the region west of Delta (part of the House Range
House Range
The House Range is a north-south trending mountain range in west-central Utah. It is famous for Notch Peak, one of the tallest limestone cliffs in the world, and a fossil Lagerstätte of Cambrian age, which has an array of Burgess Shale type fauna, including Elrathia kingii, a trilobite that is...
's Wheeler Shale
Wheeler Shale
The Wheeler Shale is a Cambrian fossil locality world famousfor prolific agnostid and Elrathia kingii trilobite remains...
). A number of local companies maintain fossil dig areas where they allow visitors to dig their own fossils for a small fee.
Near Delta is a mountain called Topaz Mountain which derives its name from the Topaz
Topaz
Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO42. Topaz crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces.-Color and varieties:...
that is abundant in the area.
Other minerals and rocks that are prevalent near Delta include Obsidian
Obsidian
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth...
, Opal
Opal
Opal is an amorphous form of silica related to quartz, a mineraloid form, not a mineral. 3% to 21% of the total weight is water, but the content is usually between 6% to 10%. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most...
, and geode
Geode
Geodes are geological secondary sedimentary structures which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks. Geodes are essentially spherical masses of mineral matter that were deposited sygenetically within the rock formations they are found in. Geodes have a Chalcedony shell containing...
.
History
Settlement of Delta began in 1907 on townlots that had been laid out in 1906. The town was originally called Burtner.Topaz Relocation Camp
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, many Japanese-Americans were gathered up and placed in concentration camps with the intention of protecting military installations from espionage. One of these camps was located near Delta. For more information see Topaz War Relocation Center.Great Basin Museum
A history of the area is kept and displayed at The Great Basin Museum. For more information, see Great Basin MuseumGunnison Massacre Site