Effects of the catastrophic flood of December 1966, north rim area, eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona

Cooley, Maurice E.; Aldridge, B. N.; Euler, Robert C.

Abstract:

Precipitation from the unusual storm of December 1966 was concentrated on highlands in northern Arizona, southwestern Utah , southern Nevada, and south-central California and caused widely scattered major floods in the four States. In Arizona the largest amount of precipitation was in the north rim area of eastern Grand Canyon, where about 14 inches was measured. The largest flows occurred along Bright Angel Creek and the MilK Creek-Dragon Creek part of the Crystal Creek drainage basin. The maximum effects of the flood were along Milk Creek-Dragon Creek, where a mudflow caused extensive channel modification. Floods that occurred in the Bright Angel and Crystal Creek basins have a recurrence interval of only once in several centuries. The streamflow that resulted from the storm on the Kaibab Plateau caused considerable local scouring and deepening of channels, including some renewed arroyo cutting. The most catastrophic effects of the 1966 floods were caused by two mudflows that extended from the edge of the Kaibab Plateau along Dragon Creek in the Crystal Creek basin and Lava Creek in the Chuar Creek basin to the Colorado River. More than 10 other large mudflows occurred in Nankoweap, Kwagunt, Crystal, and Shinumo Creek basins. About 80 large debris slides left conspicuous scars in the amphitheaters at the heads of the side gorges, and at least 10 small slides occurred on the Kaibab Plateau. (Woodard-USGS)

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USGS Numbered Series

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5825

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Cooley, Maurice E.; Aldridge, B. N.; Euler, Robert C.

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ENGLISH

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43 p.

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U.S. Govt. Print. Off.,

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Professional Paper

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980

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Effects of the catastrophic flood of December 1966, north rim area, eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona; 1977; PP; 980; Cooley, Maurice E.; Aldridge, B. N.; Euler, Robert C.

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1977

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citation/reference

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Effects of the catastrophic flood of December 1966, north rim area, eastern Grand Canyon, Arizona; 1977; PP; 980; Cooley, Maurice E.; Aldridge, B. N.; Euler, Robert C.