A presentation before the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Arizona) by David McKee of the City of Flagstaff on November 16, 2010. A resolution in support of Picture Canyon was adopted by the the Board.

1. The Story of our Flagstaff Treasure
Board of Supervisors Presentation November 16th
, 2010
Presented by:
The Picture Canyon Working Group

2. The Flagstaff Watershed
& The Rio de Flag Greenbelt

4. What are riparian zones, why do they
matter?
Riparian zones are the areas between aquatic and upland habitats
• Attenuate floods including peak discharges
• Protect banks and adjacent property from erosion
• Long linear areas along rivers and streams; occasionally flood
• Provide habitat for fish and wildlife
• Maintain and improve water quality

10. The Picture Canyon
Working Group
Supporters and Participants
Arizona Department of Water Resources Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Flagstaff Area Stream Team Southwest Industrial Rigging
US Fish and Wildlife Service Coconino National Forest
El Paso Gas Flagstaff Biking Organization
The Museum of
Northern Arizona
NAU
Centennial Forest

11. Historical Background of Conservation
Work at Picture Canyon
• 2002 CNRCD restoration proposal
• May 2005 Little America meeting (Supervisor Hill)
• Aug - Oct 2005 Three phases of community
Picture Canyon clean-up projects
• Jun 05-Feb 06 NCD prepared preliminary design
• February 2006 Picture Canyon Workshop (AzGF)
• Picture Canyon Core Group formed focused on
conservation/long term vision
• 2006 City of Flagstaff applied for AZWPF grant
• October 2006 AZWPF grant approved
• 2008 Listed National Register of Historic Places
• 2007 – 2008 Continued support & effort
• November 2008 - AZWPF contract awarded
• 2010 Restoration Project Underway! (in progress)

12. The transformation from the “Canyon of Shame”

13. Geology at Picture Canyon
On visiting Picture Canyon, the first question that a geologist asks is : How did
the Rio de Flag erode such a deep and dramatic channel through such a hard
and massive thickness of basalt lava?
Offset of basalt lava flow,
about 3 meters
Channel of The Rio de Flag
At Picture Canyon
Water began to erode the lower part
of the basalt flow at the contact
with the Kaibab Formation, along
the fault
Courtesy Ian Delaney

14. Geology at Picture Canyon
Wildcat Hills cinder cone
Kaibab
Limestone
Rio de Flag
Geologic Event Timeline
1. The Kaibab Formation formed in a
shallow sea about 270 million years ago.
2. The ancient Rio de Flag flowed over
the limestone.
3. The basalt lava erupted and
obstructed the ancient channel.
4. The cinder cone erupted and further
obstructed the ancient channel.
5. At some point, movement along a
small fault dropped the south side of the
canyon down relative to the northern
side.
6. The fault created a zone of weakened,
broken rock.
7. Water began to wear away and erode
this zone.
FAULT
Basalt Lava Flow
Courtesy Ian Delaney

15. Plants and their Value
Arizona Grape
Banana Yucca and fruit
Tribal consultations made clear
“…that the native vegetation is
an important cultural aspect of
the site meriting equal cultural
resource protection”.

16. Brief Archaeological & Early History
• Perhaps late archaic Picture Canyon (PC) inhabitantsPerhaps late archaic Picture Canyon (PC) inhabitants
• 1150-1250 PC home to Northern Sinagua1150-1250 PC home to Northern Sinagua
• In 1776, Spanish find Navajo summer camp near PCIn 1776, Spanish find Navajo summer camp near PC
• 1850-1880 - Mormon settlers1850-1880 - Mormon settlers
• 1881 ATSF railroad uses PC water1881 ATSF railroad uses PC water
• 1900’s AZ Lumber and Timber narrow gauge rail and log PC1900’s AZ Lumber and Timber narrow gauge rail and log PC
portion of Coconino Forest Preserveportion of Coconino Forest Preserve
• 1916 Harold S. and Mary Russell Ferrell Colton began1916 Harold S. and Mary Russell Ferrell Colton began
archaeological survey including Picture Canyonarchaeological survey including Picture Canyon
• Present – Recording and detailed cataloging of of all petroglyphsPresent – Recording and detailed cataloging of of all petroglyphs
throughout Picture Canyonthroughout Picture Canyon
• Perhaps late archaic Picture Canyon (PC) inhabitantsPerhaps late archaic Picture Canyon (PC) inhabitants
• 1150-1250 PC home to Northern Sinagua1150-1250 PC home to Northern Sinagua
• In 1776, Spanish find Navajo summer camp near PCIn 1776, Spanish find Navajo summer camp near PC
• 1850-1880 - Mormon settlers1850-1880 - Mormon settlers
• 1881 ATSF railroad uses PC water1881 ATSF railroad uses PC water
• 1900’s AZ Lumber and Timber narrow gauge rail and log PC1900’s AZ Lumber and Timber narrow gauge rail and log PC
portion of Coconino Forest Preserveportion of Coconino Forest Preserve
• 1916 Harold S. and Mary Russell Ferrell Colton began1916 Harold S. and Mary Russell Ferrell Colton began
archaeological survey including Picture Canyonarchaeological survey including Picture Canyon
• Present – Recording and detailed cataloging of of all petroglyphsPresent – Recording and detailed cataloging of of all petroglyphs
throughout Picture Canyonthroughout Picture Canyon

17. The Coltons at work - 1916
Porcupine Cave - today

18. Panel 13 – view from above
127 Panels with of 740 Elements!

19. Large geometric patterns and shapes
Hunter, snake, horned lizard –what do you see?

20. April 2008 – National Register
of Historic Places
Mayor Donaldson and Supervisor
Hill unveiling the plaque

21. Wildlife & Habitat
Picture Canyon is part of the Rio de Flag wildlife corridor,
which provides patches of riparian habitat for migratory birds,
waterfowl, bald eagles and bats. Arizona Game and Fish
sees Picture Canyon as a important wildlife habitat and is
working on implementing their “Watchable Wildlife” program.
The Audubon society considers Picture Canyon a critical bird
habitat and conducts an annual bird census there.
Picture Canyon is home to many wildlife species such as:
Elk, deer, porcupine, fox, owls and
over 120 species of birds!
Picture Canyon is part of the Rio de Flag wildlife corridor,
which provides patches of riparian habitat for migratory birds,
waterfowl, bald eagles and bats. Arizona Game and Fish
sees Picture Canyon as a important wildlife habitat and is
working on implementing their “Watchable Wildlife” program.
The Audubon society considers Picture Canyon a critical bird
habitat and conducts an annual bird census there.
Picture Canyon is home to many wildlife species such as:
Elk, deer, porcupine, fox, owls and
over 120 species of birds!

22. Wildlife and Habitat
“Watchable Wildlife” concept

23. Meander Restoration Project
The City of Flagstaff began the Rio de Flag Meander
Restoration Project this year. Designed and site managed by
Flagstaff company Natural Channel Design, Inc.
Project Objectives:
• Restore river, stream, and riparian processes and resources
(including functional floodplain)
• Restores and increases wildlife habitat
• Decreases negative impact of non-native species
• Creates additional wetland and backwater areas
• Provides recreational, educational and aesthetic benefits.

24. Upstream in Reach 2 - before
Meander Restoration Project Area
Project Area: 60 acres
Length of Stream: 1 mile
Acres of Riparian Habitat: 15 acres

25. Meander Restoration Project
Reconstructed meander - after
Man made ditch - before

26. Meander Restoration Project
Stabilization crews at work

27. Meander Restoration Project

28. Meander Restoration Project
Re-connected Floodplain and
stabilized channels

29. Upstream in Reach 2 - after
(earthwork stage)
Upstream in Reach 2 - before
Meander Restoration Project

30. Meander Restoration Project
Weed Management Methods
Prevention
Physical/Mechanical Control
Hand-pulling, Mowing,Cutting,
Burning, Grazing
Cultural Controls
Cultivating, Scalping soil
Re-establish native plant
communities, No OHV
Chemical Control

31. Recreation and Education
The AZ Trail and Flagstaff Loop Trail pass through
the heart of Picture Canyon
NATRA – Saturday group
run
Future Opportunities?
A FUTS alignment connection
An outer recreation loop

32. Recreation and Education
A class conducting scale grid drawings
Jack Welch leading a
educational walking tour
Future Opportunities?
Outdoor classroom
Interpretive educational trail

33. Picture Canyon Preserve and Park
A Vision for the Future

34. How will we let the story continue?
Questions and Answers
Presented By:
The Picture Canyon Working Group

35. State Trust Land Parcels