10-15-2012, 12:58 AM
I was in Huntington Canyon today. I will echo what has been said on the damage. Although I was impressed that they save a lot of the trees and structures along the stream itself. But the hillsides that run off into the stream are toast, and they are bringing down tons of silt and debris into the stream. They did have crews up there working hard to stablize things, but it will be quite awhile before it quits flooding mud.
The lower section was very muddy. The lower middle looked pretty good with only slightly discolored water. Just above that in the fire section, and just below it, there was a LOT of damage. The water color is okay, but the stream bed itself is filled with tons of silt and mud. The mud goes up into the willows in flats that are 2 to 3 ft deep. The stream bed rocks and insects are all covered with mud. I saw very few fish in this section. Not much to eat in a mud bowl.
Further up, ... a little ways above Engineer's Canyon, it starts to get better. There is still some mud, but the damage is less. There are more rocks and gravels showing on the stream bed. (The browns are making redds in the few places possible so step carefully!)
If it rains the flooding will again be over the top with flash floods. I would say stay out of the canyon, if there is any thunderstorm activity in the area. The spring run off may be really nasty next year. Heartbreaking to see!
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The lower section was very muddy. The lower middle looked pretty good with only slightly discolored water. Just above that in the fire section, and just below it, there was a LOT of damage. The water color is okay, but the stream bed itself is filled with tons of silt and mud. The mud goes up into the willows in flats that are 2 to 3 ft deep. The stream bed rocks and insects are all covered with mud. I saw very few fish in this section. Not much to eat in a mud bowl.
Further up, ... a little ways above Engineer's Canyon, it starts to get better. There is still some mud, but the damage is less. There are more rocks and gravels showing on the stream bed. (The browns are making redds in the few places possible so step carefully!)
If it rains the flooding will again be over the top with flash floods. I would say stay out of the canyon, if there is any thunderstorm activity in the area. The spring run off may be really nasty next year. Heartbreaking to see!
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