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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What Is An Arroyo?

A major arroyo on Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain's west side
An arroyo is a low-lying dry riverbed in the desert, also called a "wash" or "dry wash."  It doesn't rain much in the Chihuahuan Desert, but when it does it often pours.  Water rushing down from hills or mountains finds its path into these low-lying areas.  Not surprisingly, these arroyos hold moisture after the rains have gone, and the desert plants are most abundant here.  Because these plants provide food and shelter, you are likely to see desert animals in these remote places:  foxes, coyotes, jackrabbits and, yes, even dangerous rattlesnakes are sometimes encountered here.
An arroyo lush with vegetation


Raging waters course through arroyos like this

Arroyo bottoms are like sandy beaches


Water's force is evident in arroyos


Canine streaking through arroyo tributary

How to rest in an arroyo


Debris carried by flooding water gouges the arroyo bottom


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