Geology and Ore Deposits of the Uncompahgre (Ouray) Mining District, Southwestern Colorado

Conservation programs administered by the U.S. Department oField studies in the Uncompahgre mining district were started by Wilbur S. Burbank in 1928 and a preliminary, incomplete manuscript prepared by the mid-1930s. Because the mining district was part of a larger regional study of the western San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, field studies progressed without hesitation into the adjacent areas. This manuscript was postponed by commitments to studies on the adjacent areas, strategic mineral studies during and after World War II, and various administrative duties. Consequently, only a few short reports pertinent to the district were released during this time. I joined Wilbur in 1956, and we continued the studies of the adjacent areas, although we did publish the geologic map of the Ouray 7.5-min quadrangle. Shortly before his death in 1975, Wilbur asked me to help him complete the mining district report. Unfortunately, I had other commitments in addition to completing studies of the adjacent areas for the next few years. But finally, I added a few chapters and edited the entire manuscript, which necessitated some modification and (or) elimination of material as being incomplete or out-of-date. However, Wilbur's observations and interpretations have been retained as much as possible and are presented here to show the breadth of his understanding of the problems at the time of his study and the first, original writing. The basis of this report, dominantly Wilbur's work, essentially now represents our joint efforts.