1932
1999
Side by side comparison
Map
Data Sheet
LOWER COTTONWOOD CREEK
General Description: This photopoint is located .25 mile north of the
Decker Ranch road crossing of Cottonwood Wash. The immediate vicinity is private
land; the view is west.
Legal Description: SE1/4NW1/4 Section 18 T39S., R.22E.
COMPARISON: A diverse age class Fremont cottonwood community has
established here since Gregory’s 1932 photograph. The raw vertical banks,
visible in 1932, have somewhat evolved to a more gentle grade and a mixture of
upland and riparian plant species have established there. The once wide channel
has now been reduced to a width of 20 feet. Photograph -C (not shown) illustrates the
downstream channel cross section at this point. Some other species present
include coyote willow, spike rush, Baltic rush, yellow sweetclover, sagebrush
and rabbitbrush. Exotic species such as cheatgrass and tamarisk are also
present. Tamarisk is mostly found on the second terrace and is not a dominant
species. Cottonwood Wash is an intermittent stream at this point. Without a
constant supply of free water the rate and extent of future riparian development
is somewhat limited.
Original:
Date: 1932 (- A)
Photographer: H.E. Gregory
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
Photograph Number: Gregory No. 692
Retake:
Date: June 2, 1999 (- B)
Photographer: Earl Hindley
Source: San Juan County
