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Most urban streams in California cities have been confined inside concrete channels.
San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA (1974).
The floods of 1955 and 1964 wreaked havoc along Bull Creek because of widespread clearcut logging in its headwaters.
Bull Creek upstream from Humboldt Redwoods SP, CA (1986).
Heavy rain in the desert usually produces new and unpredictable stream channels which quickly tear out stretches of road.
near Townes Pass, Death Valley NM, CA (1974).
The "thousand year" flood of 1964 brought north coast rivers to incredible heights, as seen here in what at the time was downtown Weott.
Weott, CA (1986).
When the levees around Frank's Tract Island in the San Joaquin delta broke, it was decided not to repair them, so today it is open water and a focus of recreational activity.
Bethel Island and Franks Tract, CA (1974).
The Mokelumne Acqueduct supplying water to the East Bay is vulnerable where it crosses the flood-prone San Joaquin delta.
Upper Jones Tract, near Stockton, CA (1980).
The New River was created instantly when the Colorado River broke through its banks and rampaged northwards, creating the Salton Sea.
New River from highway 86 west of Brawley, CA (1988).
Redwoods that are undercut and felled by erosion along Bull Creek in Humboldt Redwoods park are used for construction within the state park system.
near Albee Creek, Humboldt Redwoods SP, CA (1986).
Lake Kaweah, built for flood control, was empty for so long during a drought that trees grew up in its bed.
Lake Kaweah, east of Visalia, CA (1990).
Recreational developments along the shore of the Salton Sea have mostly been abandoned as rising lake levels submerged facilities and increasing salinity killed the fish.
former Marina, Salton City, CA (1988).
People still fish in the Salton Sea, but each year fewer fish can survive the increasing salinity, and there is concern about levels of pesticide and herbicide in the water.
near Salton City, CA (1988).
Furnace Creek Wash has been diverted down a side canyon to protect hotels and campgrounds located downstream in its natural channel.
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley NM, CA (1991).
Since Lake Elsinore is in a closed basin, its level rises in wet years, inundating shoreline areas, such as the state park campground.
campground, Lake Elsinore SP, CA (1993).