During FOSCR’s regularly scheduled River Watch data collection on the early, clear, calm, humid, warm, and sunny morning of June 24th, the Santa Cruz River was again dry at Chavez Siding Crossing, (our most downstream sampling site). The upstream USGS stream gauge at Tubac Bridge, (0948740), was also still dry again. Therefore, no GPS/KMZ file is needed, just a couple new pictures showing the dry river crossing.
Chavez Siding Crossing Looking Upstream (Photo by Rich Kiker)
Chavez Siding Crossing Looking Downstream (Photo by Rich Kiker)Nogales Wash was again flowing very low, slow, clear, slowly gaining some downstream distance and quickly sinking into the sandy streambed, slightly upstream from where it ended last month, just a little farther now from the dry Santa Cruz River. Neither the wash nor the river had any evidence of recent higher flows. Flow at the upstream Ruby Road Bridge Crossing was measured as only 0.17 CFS. Flow at the USGS stream gauge (09418000) farther upstream in Nogales during the same time was 1.00 CFS at 08:00 A.M. A couple of new pictures and a Google Earth Pro GPS/KMZ file are provided below.
No cattle were observed in the area again this month but there were still ample residual signs of their past presence evidenced by fading tracks and decomposing droppings on the closely grazed floodplain.
There is still way too much trash on the overbank floodplains and hanging on tree branches from earlier high floods on the banks and in the channel.
Nogales Wash Looking Upstream
Many thanks to our Team Leader, Connie Williams, and to the entire River Watch team of certified citizen scientists who reliably devoted their time and energy to monitoring our river and wash during this clear, sunny, calm, humid June morning.
Great teamwork once again!! Thanks to all for caring.
Best health to all. Have fun, stay safe, well hydrated and alert.
Our next River-Watch monitoring is scheduled for 7:00 AM, Tuesday, July 29th.