1928
1995
Side by side comparison
Map
Data Sheet
COMB WASH FROM COMB RIDGE
General Description: This photopoint is on the summit of Comb Ridge about
1/4 mile south of where the 345 KV powerline crosses the ridge. The view is
north along Comb Ridge and Wash. The immediate foreground and the lower portion
of Comb Wash is a state section with BLM land beyond. The photopoint for
Woodruff No.178 is found at mid-photo on the west side of Comb Wash.
Legal Description: NW1/4SW1/4 Section 36 T.40S., R.20E.
COMPARISON: Gregory's 1928 image of Comb Wash shows a wide, shallow and
braided channel with little, if any, riparian vegetation. The active channel at
the widest point visible in the 1928 photograph is about 1,000 feet across. The
1995 image shows a much narrower single stem channel with several overflow
channels. Established vegetation on the second and third terraces in 1995
consists primarily of tamarisk, greasewood, rabbitbrush, a few Fremont
cottonwood trees and grass and forb species. Streambanks and the first terrace
is occupied by a surprising number of other riparian plant species including
coyote willow, Fremont cottonwood seedlings and poles, spikerush, bulrush,
saltgrass and scratchgrass. The active visible channel is estimated to be from
20-50 feet wide. Comb Wash is an intermittent stream at this point and riparian
vegetation development will be correspondingly slow. However, vegetation
diversity, frequency and density along with channel configuration has vastly
improved in the 67 years between photographs.
Original:
Date: 1928 (- A)
Photographer: H.E. Gregory
Source: University of Utah, Special Collections, H.E. Gregory Collection
Photograph Number: Gregory No. 1946
Retake:
Date: July 15, 1995 (- B)
Photographer: Earl Hindley
Source: Bureau of Land Management
