Saturday March 15, 2003

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

Observations and photos by Greg Reis below the wall at the south end of Lee Vining

Rain / snow mix was turning to snow at this time

0.54 inches of rain measured in heated rain gauge in Lee Vining between 2:30 AM and 9:40 AM
(0.38 of it since 8AM)

At approximately 9:45 AM I observed water running out from under the rocks below the wall, creating a gully as it left the rocks, ponding next to the creek, and flowing into the creek. Lee Vining Creek was very murky upstream of this point, but by the time I had returned at 10:00 AM with the digital camera the creek was clear. By the time I left at 10:15 AM the flow in the gully was about 1/3 of what it was when first observed.

Where the water originates:
 

I put an orange stake at the point where the water was originating about a foot or two below the surface of the rocks. The following photo is from the top of the wall.
 

Photo of the stake (in center of photo) from ground level.

View of erosion (center) and sedimentation (upper left).

New erosion of steep hillside.

Where the water crosses and is cutting through the "old" creek trail.

Where the sedimentation occurs and the water ponds before entering the creek.

Muddy water entering the creek at right below rocks.

Muddy water entering the creek just to the left of the willow in the upper right corner.

 < END OF PAGE >