Oak Creek Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon
South view, from above north terminus (Coconino Plateau) Coconino Sandstone cliffs above Hermit Formation,[1] on west canyon wall
Oak Creek Canyon Location in Arizona, northeast of Verde River
Length	12 miles (19 km) North–South
Width	0.8 to 2.5 miles (1.3 to 4.0 km)
Geography
Coordinates	34°54′45″N 111°43′37″W / 34.91250°N 111.72694°W / 34.91250; -111.72694
Traversed by	Arizona State Route 89A
Rivers	Oak Creek

Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located in northern Arizona between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty. State Route 89A enters the canyon on its north end via a series of hairpin turns before traversing the bottom of the canyon for about 13 miles (21 km) until the highway enters the town of Sedona.

Geography

Oak Creek Canyon is about 12 miles (19 km) long, ranging in width from 0.8 to 2.5 miles (1.3 to 4.0 km). The depth of the canyon ranges from 800 to 2,000 feet (240 to 610 m). However, due to the

that played a major role in its formation, the west rim of the canyon is 700 feet (210 m) higher than the east rim. The average elevation of the west rim is 7,200 feet (2,200 m) while the east rim elevation is 6,500 feet (2,000 m).

Oak Creek

Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River, flows along the bottom of the canyon, and is one of the few perennial streams in the high desert region of northern Arizona. Oak Creek is largely responsible for carving the modern Oak Creek Canyon, although movement along the Oak Creek Fault, a 30-mile (48 km) long north–south normal fault line, is thought to have played a role as well. Oak Creek has an elevation of 4,300 feet (1,300 m) just north of Sedona to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) at the northern terminus of the canyon.^{[citation needed]}

Oak Creek enters more open country below Sedona. It meanders past the communities of

In June 2006, the southern portion of the canyon, near Slide Rock State Park, was affected by a 4,300-acre (17 km²) wildfire known as the "Brins Fire".^[3]

Geology

Geologic evidence suggests the formation of an ancestral Oak Creek Canyon along the Oak Creek Fault about eight to ten

The normal, down-to-the-east motion of the Oak Creek Fault during the most recent faulting period resulted in the west rim of the canyon being about 700 feet (210 meters) higher than the east rim.

The spectacularly eroded walls of the canyon are formed mostly of

Recreation

Oak Creek Canyon is located within the

2014 Slide Fire

On May 20, 2014, at around 4 PM, a wildfire was reported just north of Slide Rock State Park. The fire was 100% contained on June 4, 2014, with 21,227 acres burned. Total personnel included over 1,230 firefighters, 50 crews, 29 engines, and 9 helicopters.[7]

After the fire, the Sedona Fire District installed nine

throughout the canyon. They are used for situations including wildfires, flash flooding, severe weather, and other emergencies. The siren system is tested yearly, in the summer months.

See also

• List of rivers of Arizona

References

• Arizona Fishin' Holes : A Guide to Popular Fishing Waters and Facilities in Arizona. Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2007.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oak Creek Canyon.

• Coconino National Forest: Oak Creek Canyon
• Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map
• Arizona Fishing Locations Map
• Where to Fish in Arizona Species Information Archived 2008-07-30 at the Wayback Machine
• Arizona Lake Levels
• Oak Creek Canyon information