An historic, geographical approach to channel change can provide important insights into the dynamic nature of river environments. The Salt River through Phoenix provides a unique setting to combine historic photographs and hydrological data in an effort to better understand channel change. This reach of the river has undergone substantial changes in the past century, and these changes are conveniently documented through photographs taken from the butte. This time period represents the river prior to extensive regulation, and the ground photographs predate earliest available aerial photographs. Methods I collected historic photographs from the Tempe Historical Museum, and chose the subset that best reflected channel change due to the 1891 flood, the largest flood on record.
Lowflow channel angles across the highflow channel, confined by sand bars.
Deep meander bends present downstream from the railroad bridge. Meander bends of 1890 are abandoned. Conditions after several years with moderate flood events. Cottonwoods along riverbanks, agricultural fields present north of the river. Low flow channel of 1900 still visible, marked by parallel bands of vegetation just downstream of the railroad bridge.