Photostation no. 12 -- the Zag

(upper bend of the Double Bend)

At this point the stream runs from a straightaway north to south, to a very sharp curve formed by Willow Canyon Formation cliffsides. Here, during the January 1993 flood, a large rock-fall occurred at this bend (shown in the photo at left below). The very large rock at left-center eventually tipped toward the viewer, as seen in the photo at right below. An array of riparian trees has grown up around the group of rocks.

January 1993 ................................................... April 2000

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A second comparison at the Zag concerns photos taken from the left bank of the stream at this point, giving a fuller view downstream:

May 1996 ........................................................ November 2002

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The image at left was taken several weeks after a multi-car party of people had driven motorcars up the canyon (ignoring gateway signs at the Windmill prohibiting motorized vehicles upstream), to a point above the Zag bend, leaving behind after their departure a substantial two-track channelizing of the wash. However, given the passage of time since, visitors to the canyon having respected the rules, we see at right that the watercourse is gradually healing and developing the shape of a more healthy (erosion-retarding) streambed.