Sabino Canyon Flood of July 2006Severe Flash Floods Bring Destruction and Renewal to Tucson Arizona's Much Loved Desert Oasis
However, the Sabino Canyon flood that occurred in July 2006 was the kind of geologic event that may happen just once in a lifetime. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a beautiful desert oasis, set at the base of the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains, with two creeks that flow down the desert canyons. The two creeks’ almost year-round water is home to an amazing array of plants and animals such as saguaro cactus, cottonwood trees, roadrunners and bobcats.
Part of the Coronado National Forest, Sabino Canyon is also one of the most popular outdoor destinations in southern Arizona. On the morning of July 31, 2006, a series of powerful monsoon thunderstorms blew through the Tucson area. These storms dumped up to 6 inches of rain on the lower slopes of the Santa Catalinas in just seven hours. The mountains were already saturated from storms the week before. Plus, two years of devastating forest fires up in the mountains had left the slopes devoid of the established trees and shrubs that soak up moisture. When the rains came and didn’t stop, all that water washed away the soil, ash and rocks - releasing a torrential flash flood down the mountain canyons. That day, scenic Sabino Canyon was forever changed - suffering its worst flash flood in history The Sabino Canyon flood was a massive wall of water, mud, huge boulders, fallen trees and giant saguaro cactus that came crashing down the canyon at 17,000 cubic feet per second.
At 6:30 a.m., the Sabino Canyon flood peaked at a depth of 7.5 feet. Huge volumes of sediment filled the many deep pools, so popular with locals who used them as swimming holes. The damage included numerous rock slides, uprooting of cacti, erosion of the canyon walls and destruction of trails. Nineteen cliffs fractured and fell away into the creek. Perhaps most devastating to local outdoor enthusiasts, sections of the main road washed out making hiking, biking and the Sabino Canyon tram ride tours into the canyon impossible. The amount of water was so great that Sabino Creek flooded its banks and cut right through Sabino Canyon Road. A large debris flow at Rattlesnake Canyon took out a large section of the road and buried the area in about 20 feet of rocks and sand. Other sections of the road were covered by massive boulder fields. Later, U.S. Geological Survey scientists studying the aftermath of the Sabino Canyon flood would collectively map more than 240 slope failures in Sabino and other nearby canyons including Ventana Canyon on the east, Rattlesnake and Bear Canyons in the recreation area and Soldier Canyon on the east. Prior to this time, only five slope failures had been recorded. Amazingly, all of Sabino Canyon’s nine bridges, which cross Sabino Creek, survived. Built in the 1930s as part of the Workers Project Administration (WPA) program, it is a testament to the skillful construction and hard work of those diligent laborers.
After such damage, is Sabino Canyon is still worth visiting? Most definitely. There is no better way to understand the power of nature than to see the remains of a flash flood. We visited less than a month after the July 2006 Sabino Canyon flood. Although Sabino Creek has changed, much of the landscape remained as it was with its towering saguaro cactus and unique plants and animals. Tiny frogs hopped along the creek’s banks. Cardinals, cactus wrens and curve-billed thrashers called from the trees and saguaro tops. Lizards and cottontail rabbits scurried from shrub to shrub. Every tree and shrub glowed a vibrant green from all the rain.
Since the 2006 Sabino Canyon flash flood, much of the damage has been repaired. The U. S. Forest Service and the non-profit Friends of Sabino Canyon have worked hard to restore and open Upper Sabino Canyon Road and the many hiking trails in Sabino Canyon. Although the Sabino Canyon shuttle can only go up to Stop #4, hikers and cyclists can continue on to Tram Stop #9, which is the end of the paved road. However, some of this area is still covered in rubble and the rest area was buried in rock and silt and will not be rebuilt. Water has been shaping desert landscapes for eons. While we may regret the passing of what was, the residents of Sabino Canyon – its diverse species of animals and plants - will adapt to their new environment and continue to call the canyon home. To see Sabino Canyon flooding pictures and more photos of the damage, visit the Coronado National Forest website's
Sabino Canyon flood page.
Return to Arizona Weather page from Sabino Canyon Flood page
The information in this review was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
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