summer 03 / 16:2 - Grand Canyon River Guides

apids. Comparing the water-surface profiles in Figure 1,we see that at least one debris flow constricted DorisRapid between 1923 and 2000, creating the drop we seetoday. In addition, the eyewitness accounts by theNevills trips of navigational difficulty at Doris furtherconstrain the date of this enhancing debris flow. Hence,we can conclude, with some certainty, that Doris Rapidaggraded between 1938 and 1940.Though we know how rapids are formed orenhanced, how do they disappear? Stanton’s eight to tenfoot rapid was reduced to a one-foot drop by 1923. Largemainstem floods remove debris and reduce the size orseverity of rapids. When piecing together the story ofthe changing character of Doris Rapid, the timing ofColorado River floods becomes important. The largestknown flood since Stanton’s trip is 220,000 cfs,measured at Lees Ferry in 1921. After Stanton recordedhis observations of a fun rapid at Doris in 1890, subsequentflooding removed material and effectivelyremoved the rapid. Thus, when Birdseye floated throughthe Canyon in 1923, Doris Rapid was a small, one-footriffle. Furthermore, because the 1921 flood was largeenough to remove the rapid, we can deduce that thematerial forming Doris Rapid in 1890 was not present in1884, the year a huge flood, estimated at 300,000 cfs,came tearing down the Colorado. Putting together thepieces, we can deduce that at least one other debris flowoccurred at Doris Rapid between 1884 and 1890.So the next time you’ve packed your cameras awayafter an extended lunch at Deer Creek, remember thefeisty little rapid about a mile or so downstream. Baskingin the shadows of its upstream, photogenic neighbor,Doris Rapid has it all: high waves, history, cloakingability, at least two historic debris flows, and very littleattention. Catch a photon or two—they abound at rivermile 137.5.Chris Magirl and Bob WebbReferences:Cook, W.E., 1987, The WEN, the Botany, and the Mexican Hat:the adventures of the first women through Grand Canyon on theNevills Expedition: Orangevale, Callisto Books, 151 p.Crumbo, Kim, 1981, A river runner’s guide to the history of theGrand Canyon: Boulder, Johnson Books, 61 p.Goldwater, Barry M., 1970, Delightful journey—down the Greenand Colorado rivers: Tempe, Arizona Historical Foundation,209 p.Smith, D.L., and Crampton, C.G., 1987, The Colorado Riversurvey: Salt Lake City, Howe Brothers Books, 305 p.Spamer, Earle E., 1997, The Grand Canyon—further finalreport, and user’s guide: Annals of Improbable Research,vol. 3, no. 4, p. 15–18Webb, R.H., 1996, Grand Canyon: A century of change: Tucson,University of Arizona Press, 290 p.On The Canyon’s RimWe who would startle the centurieswith our transient words and voices,would do well to stand heresome muted dawn,balanced in the interludebetween security and the abyss,to peer into the ageless mouth of time…We could, with searchingeyes lock upon the flight of an eagle,watch it slide the updraft streamsthrough depthless expanses,each foot of its descent or risinga measure on sandstone wallsof more years than man’s brief chronicle.We could view in gorge’s distancethe scouring torrent that usedboulders as tools, even beforethe first sounds were formedon man or angel’s tongues…before there was thought or purpose,as we perceive it now.We who would be poets or oratorsin these anxious annals of micro-historyshould return penitently…in reverenceto this womb of mind and infinity,where, perhaps through the shiftingof ancient tones and shadows,employing words etched upon the wind,we could learn a perspective on substance,re-define the futility of patience…speak with the powerof silence.David L. Byrnboatman’s quarterly review page 19