|
This is a great area and you have to look around to take it all in as each time you gaze, you see something else that grabs your attention. That is Yellow Creek bed in the middle of photo as we look to the NE. I believe Yellow Creek flows into the Paria.
From the NPS: Geology
As you look down and to the southeast you are gazing into the Paria River watershed. This region is famous for its slot canyons. These slot canyons were carved by rapid rates of runoff during spring thaws in the Ice Age. Even in today's drier climate some erosion continues to occur during flash floods. As a result, hikers are urged to stay out of the Paria Canyons during thunderstorms. This river's watershed is so immense that even a moderate rain can create catastrophic flooding downstream. The bottom of a slot canyon is the last place you want to be when a 30 ft. wall of water comes roaring downstream at 50 mph.
I thot this was interesting from a 2007 USGS report: The water from the upper spring area (1 and 2) of Yellow Creek is of good chemical quality for domestic needs (table 7), and the quantity is sufficient for the park needs (table 6). An additional advantage of this source is the possibility of expansion as the need for water in the park grows. The principal disadvantage of the upper spring's source is that it is not readily accessible. The upper spring area can be seen from the Paria View observation point (fig. 57), and it might be necessary to camouflage any structures placed there, so as not to spoil the view. A pipeline to the top of the rim would be necessary for development of the upper spring area of any of the spring's sources below the rim.https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_ ... M/sec3.htm
From the NPS: Geology
As you look down and to the southeast you are gazing into the Paria River watershed. This region is famous for its slot canyons. These slot canyons were carved by rapid rates of runoff during spring thaws in the Ice Age. Even in today's drier climate some erosion continues to occur during flash floods. As a result, hikers are urged to stay out of the Paria Canyons during thunderstorms. This river's watershed is so immense that even a moderate rain can create catastrophic flooding downstream. The bottom of a slot canyon is the last place you want to be when a 30 ft. wall of water comes roaring downstream at 50 mph.
I thot this was interesting from a 2007 USGS report: The water from the upper spring area (1 and 2) of Yellow Creek is of good chemical quality for domestic needs (table 7), and the quantity is sufficient for the park needs (table 6). An additional advantage of this source is the possibility of expansion as the need for water in the park grows. The principal disadvantage of the upper spring's source is that it is not readily accessible. The upper spring area can be seen from the Paria View observation point (fig. 57), and it might be necessary to camouflage any structures placed there, so as not to spoil the view. A pipeline to the top of the rim would be necessary for development of the upper spring area of any of the spring's sources below the rim.https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_ ... M/sec3.htm