Geology of some dam sites on Little Colorado and its tributaries, Arizona

This report contains descriptions of the geology of 10 dam and reservoir sites on the Little Colorado River and several of its larger tributaries in northern Arizona. All of the streams examined are intermittent in character and are dry during the greater part of every year. At times they all carry heavy floods, particularly in the early spring and late summer seasons. In addition to the periodic threat of damage to Holbrook, Joseph City and smaller communities, to the Santa Fe Railroad, and to other public and private property, the flood waters annually carry enormous quantities of silt. Most of this material eventually reaches the main Colorado River where it tends to fill the reservoir above Boulder Dam and is also undesirable for other reasons.