Debris Flow Video, Utah

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AstoriaDave

New member
Perhaps a bit OT, except for those enamored of the US SW and its canyons. A motivator to pick your campsites carefully should you visit flash flood zones. Some gratuitous mugging and photobombing in the first minute ... but the debris flow footage is remarkable.

https://youtu.be/_yCnQuILmsM
 
It really is pretty on topic considering the many different uses that C-Dory boats are put too. Lake Powell can be very dangerous even with sunny skies when there are storms within 50 to 100 miles from the lake. There are numerous harrowing posts by people who've been anchored on the beach only to find during the night that they've anchored in a drainage, or under a cliff that has drainages on top where they can't be seen. Just because a local forecast says clear skies all day, a look at what is happening on radar and over several hours on the internet can be life saving. So too with boating off-shore on very large lakes and the ocean. weather hundreds of miles a way can affect water and wind locally.
 
Many of us boat on Lake Powell and visit Iceberg Canyon, which is one of my favorites. This video illustrates the flood hazard in that canyon when the weather systems are right. If you search Lake Powell Flash Floods in You Tube you will find a number of videos that alert us to the hazards there. Every beautiful spot has it's own weather concerns!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFlfb2iMi0

The video below is from Moqui Canyon, not to far from Halls Crossing launch
ramp and often the first overnight after a drive to the lake and getting launched.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJA-8-ppPtA
 
I don’t recommend allowing a girlfriend to put herself in mortal danger like that, and I would not walk out in front of an approaching debris flow myself, one stumble in flimsy sneakers away from disaster.
 
Absolutely agree!

Just for clarification, I didn't shoot these but rather found them online and was surprised that I had been to a few of the locations filmed.

Can't beat Powell in good weather....but a place to be very cautious if it is storming, high winds....or if significant rain anywhere within about 50 miles.

The cliffs in the main channel are brutal if a boat is disabled in the main channel with high waves. There just isn't much room until one is up against a cliff. And the waves reverberate from the opposite cliff if the channel is narrow. Side canyons are a great place to head if a big thunderstorm is building.

Still a favorite place to go. Just plan ahead and use reasonable caution and preparedness.
 
Great video, and reminder. Don't forget that last Sept, when we were on Lake Powell, 20 people died in the Utah/AZ area from Flash floods--and often the rain was some distance from the point where they were killed!

The canyons are wonderful places at Powell, but when major rain is predicted, we move out into wide open, but protected places. One of the reasons Oak Canyon is one of our favorites. You can find a place where you are sheltered from the wind driven waves, yet safe from flash floods. What Potter Water notes is so important. A benign cliff can all of a sudden be a huge waterfall, which would sink a boat. Plus the rocks on the rims are far less stable and more likely to fall. On several occasions we have seen large boulders fall from the top. Be aware! Enjoy!
 
Reminds me of twenty nine palms- LT- park the hummer in the dry wash, we will be out of the wind. ME- Lt it rained in the mountains today. LT- yeah so? ME - head shake as I go look for gunny.
 
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