Saturday, August 4, 2012

FR181 Severe Erosion Damage at Water Canyon

Since my last visit on June 5 to this section of FR181, there has been a lot more erosion damage to FR181/American Spring Road where it crosses Water Canyon.  The upstream log structure, which presumably slows water runoff, has been undercut, causing water to be diverted underneath, thus creating an incised channel.  I don't know the ways of the Santa Fe National Forest but it seems that, until they are ready to permanently repair the road, some temporary repair should be done before this section of FR181 is completely destroyed.

FR181 at Water Canyon. Each time I visit, FR181 is more undercut by storm runoff.

The undercut upstream log structure.

Close-up of log structure showing that debris now flows both over and under.