Sedimentology and Formation of Punchbowl Falls The following essay will focus on Punchbowl Falls, one of the thirteen waterfalls located on the Eagle Creek hiking trail in the Columbia River Gorge approximately 24 miles from downtown Portland, Oregon. The hike to Punchbowl Falls is a modest 4.2 miles with a slight elevation gain of 400 ft. While hiking the trail to Punchbowl one can find a variety of interesting rock faces and vast vistas overlooking Mt. Hood national forest. Punchbowl’s unique formation and large accessible basin make it a popular swimming, or hiking destination during the summer months. Due to the dangerous nature of the trail Map of Eagle Creek Trail leading up to Punchbowl it is visited less in the winter months, but
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Because this visit was in the summer season and the water was not flowing heavily, one could have hypothesized that the area would consist of smaller pieces of sediment due to the creeks lack of energy great enough to move the large rocks that make up most of the creek bed. The presence of these rocks in the creek suggests that the hydraulic action of Eagle Creek increases significantly during the Spring and Winter months, perhaps due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt that lead to heavy flooding and further erosion.
Eagle Creek and other similar system positioned along the Columbia River Gorge play an important role in the transportation of sediment from mountain ranges to the ocean. Downstream from Punchbowl Falls Eagle Creek meets the Columbia River, suggesting that sediment transportation is present. The eroded walls previously discussed break off and when conditions are right they are eventually pushed downstream, most likely in the rainier months, until they are deposited into the Pacific Ocean by way of the Columbia River.
Sediment and rocks found on the creek …show more content…
Punchbowl Falls is an important site in the Columbia River Gorge, drawing thousands of tourists and nature enthusiasts every year. It is vital that visitors recognize the geological importance of places like Punchbowl Falls and Eagle Creek Trail to further promote the conservation of National Forests. With every new natural area being destroyed by pollution and industry, we lose another snapshot into our planet’s
Because this visit was in the summer season and the water was not flowing heavily, one could have hypothesized that the area would consist of smaller pieces of sediment due to the creeks lack of energy great enough to move the large rocks that make up most of the creek bed. The presence of these rocks in the creek suggests that the hydraulic action of Eagle Creek increases significantly during the Spring and Winter months, perhaps due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt that lead to heavy flooding and further erosion.
Eagle Creek and other similar system positioned along the Columbia River Gorge play an important role in the transportation of sediment from mountain ranges to the ocean. Downstream from Punchbowl Falls Eagle Creek meets the Columbia River, suggesting that sediment transportation is present. The eroded walls previously discussed break off and when conditions are right they are eventually pushed downstream, most likely in the rainier months, until they are deposited into the Pacific Ocean by way of the Columbia River.
Sediment and rocks found on the creek …show more content…
Punchbowl Falls is an important site in the Columbia River Gorge, drawing thousands of tourists and nature enthusiasts every year. It is vital that visitors recognize the geological importance of places like Punchbowl Falls and Eagle Creek Trail to further promote the conservation of National Forests. With every new natural area being destroyed by pollution and industry, we lose another snapshot into our planet’s