Palmer Canyon
Palmer Canyon Detail from October 20, 1952 overflight picture, 4800 cfs
At River mile 195.4, Palmer Canyon can seem insignificant. It isn’t a big drainage. However, in the larger scheme of Cataract Canyon, it has significant geological importance.
As the river rounds the Ocean Point bend, it starts to leave behind the effects of the Paradox Salt Formation. Cataract starts to transform from rubble laden walls and rapids to a more incised and side canyon affected river corridor.
USGS Topo map with George Simmons’ notes 1956, courtesy of John Weishiet
The 3600 Island
Below Gypsum Canyon at River Mile 196.6, the river widens for the first time since Imperial Canyon at River Mile 200. The outwash from Gypsum caused a significant gradient for several miles downstream of the junction of Gypsum and the Colorado.
River Profile from 1921 USGS Birdseye Survey, River Mile 198-194 w almost 70 feet of elevation loss
Clay Shelf above Palmer showing August 15, 2020
Looking back from Palmer’s Mouth cropped August 15, 2020, 3900 cfs, 3606 fasl at the bridge
Current flowing over clay sediments just above Palmer Canyon September 24, 2020