Tyson Wash
Encyclopedia
Tyson Wash is one of the larger eastern-bank dry washes that enter the Colorado River
in western Arizona. It drains the La Posa Plain
south-to-north and is also coincident with the Plain, (southern two thirds).
Tyson Wash is the southwest drainage of a pair of drainages, the other being the Bouse Wash
Drainage. They are in the Lower
Colorado River Valley
, south of Parker
, Arizona and both enter the region east of the Colorado River, with no Colorado River
confluence; they both end at regions on the eastern border of the Colorado River Indian Reservation
located along the Colorado River in the Parker Valley
.
The two drainages, the Tyson and the Bouse, enter upper regions of the Imperial Reservoir
Drainage.
Drainage, (almost a de facto
separation line of the Mojave Desert northwest and the Sonoran Desert south and east), the Tyson Wash drains the extensive 75-mile (120 km) long north-south La Posa Plain
. Quartzsite, Arizona and four mountain ranges to the south, including western regions of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
, all drain north into Tyson Wash. The Tyson Wash forms a water divide
on the south as the Castle Dome Wash and Plain drain to the south and southwest.
Tyson Wash drains northward on the western perimeter of the La Posa Plain; the Trigo Mountains
are southwest, and in the north the wash turns west around the north end of the Dome Rock Mountains
-(see Table). As proof of the aridity of this stretch of the western Sonoran Desert
, the main transportation route north-south on the La Posa Plain is a stretch of U.S. Route 95-State Route 95 which makes no turns, even minor, for 75 miles (121 km).
The La Posa Plain turns northwest to meet the Colorado River, and the south of the Parker Valley
; Tyson Wash remains to the left (southwest) of the plain's direction and enters land abutting the southeast of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
is located on the central-north section of the wash and east-central Dome Rock Mountains
; Granite Mountain south of Interstate 10
and part of southwest Quartzsite, has drainage washes feeding into Quartzsite proper. The entire Quatzsite region is a winter visitor region noted for its winter population of recreational vehicle
s and for its rockhounding activities because of old mines, mineralized mountains, and mild winter temperatures. An annual bazaar
is held focussed partially on Rocks and Minerals. Numerous access routes to the wash and mountain areas surround Quartzsite.
, Arizona. This access route off AZ Route 95 is 2.5 miles (4 km) south of an intersection to a paved route northeasterly to Bouse
through the Plomosa Mountains
; that paved route is called Plomosa Raad-(Bouse-Quartzsite Road), and ends at Bouse, the Bouse Wash
, and the north end of the Ranegras Plain.
:
Three plains converge at the north of the La Posa Plain. The Ranegras Plain from the southeast contains Bouse Wash
. The Cactus Plain
is in the center. The three plain region is bordered on the northeast by parallel mountain ranges and valleys that are called the Maria fold and thrust belt
. The entire belt region contains about thirty landforms of plains, valleys, and mountain ranges.
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in western Arizona. It drains the La Posa Plain
La Posa Plain
The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,...
south-to-north and is also coincident with the Plain, (southern two thirds).
Tyson Wash is the southwest drainage of a pair of drainages, the other being the Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash is one of the larger eastern-bank dry washes that enter the Colorado River in western Arizona.Bouse Wash is located on the north end of the La Posa Plain and drains into the area along the Colorado River occupied by the Colorado River Indian Reservation, south of Parker, Arizona...
Drainage. They are in the Lower
Lower Colorado River Valley
The Lower Colorado River Valley is the river region of the lower Colorado River of the southwestern United States in North America that rises in the Rocky Mountains and has its outlet at the Colorado River Delta in the northern Sea of Cortez in northwestern Mexico, between the states of Baja...
Colorado River Valley
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
, south of Parker
Parker, Arizona
Parker is a town in and the county seat of La Paz County, Arizona, United States, on the Colorado River in Parker Valley. The population was 3,140 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Arizona and both enter the region east of the Colorado River, with no Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
confluence; they both end at regions on the eastern border of the Colorado River Indian Reservation
Colorado River Indian Reservation
The Colorado River Indian Reservation is 189 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, on highway 95. It lies in western La Paz County, Arizona, southeastern San Bernardino County, California, and northeastern Riverside County, California. It has a total land area of 432.22 sq mi , and most of it lies...
located along the Colorado River in the Parker Valley
Parker Valley
The Parker Valley of the Lower Colorado River is located at Parker, Arizona-Earp, California, . It is at the northern area of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the Colorado River, and is also at the northern perimeter of the La Posa Plain...
.
The two drainages, the Tyson and the Bouse, enter upper regions of the Imperial Reservoir
Imperial Reservoir
The Imperial Reservoir is an artificial lake formed by the construction of the Imperial Diversion Dam across the Colorado River in the Lower Colorado River Valley of Imperial County, California, and Yuma County, Arizona...
Drainage.
La Posa Plain
While northeasterly, the Bouse Wash drainage borders the Bill Williams RiverBill Williams River
The Bill Williams River is a river in western-central Arizona in Mohave County; the river proper is the northern border of La Paz County which it drains in the north, as well as areas of far western Yavapai County...
Drainage, (almost a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
separation line of the Mojave Desert northwest and the Sonoran Desert south and east), the Tyson Wash drains the extensive 75-mile (120 km) long north-south La Posa Plain
La Posa Plain
The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,...
. Quartzsite, Arizona and four mountain ranges to the south, including western regions of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is located northeast of Yuma, Arizona, southeast of Quartzsite, Arizona, in the southwestern United States. The refuge, established in 1939 to protect Desert Bighorn Sheep, encompasses over of the Yuma Desert region of the Sonoran Desert...
, all drain north into Tyson Wash. The Tyson Wash forms a water divide
Water divide
A drainage divide, water divide, divide or watershed is the line separating neighbouring drainage basins...
on the south as the Castle Dome Wash and Plain drain to the south and southwest.
Tyson Wash drains northward on the western perimeter of the La Posa Plain; the Trigo Mountains
Trigo Mountains
The Trigo Mountains is a north-south trending mountain range, bordering the Colorado River on the east in the Lower Colorado River Valley and lies north of the Colorado River as it turns east, north of Martinez Lake and the Imperial Reservoir...
are southwest, and in the north the wash turns west around the north end of the Dome Rock Mountains
Dome Rock Mountains
The Dome Rock Mountains are a regionally short mountain range in southwestern Arizona in southern La Paz County. The range borders the Colorado River– on the west and also the southern section of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the northwest located in the Lower Colorado River Valley...
-(see Table). As proof of the aridity of this stretch of the western Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the United States-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the northwest Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. It is one of the largest and hottest...
, the main transportation route north-south on the La Posa Plain is a stretch of U.S. Route 95-State Route 95 which makes no turns, even minor, for 75 miles (121 km).
The La Posa Plain turns northwest to meet the Colorado River, and the south of the Parker Valley
Parker Valley
The Parker Valley of the Lower Colorado River is located at Parker, Arizona-Earp, California, . It is at the northern area of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the Colorado River, and is also at the northern perimeter of the La Posa Plain...
; Tyson Wash remains to the left (southwest) of the plain's direction and enters land abutting the southeast of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Quartzsite and Granite Mountain on the Wash
The community of QuartzsiteQuartzsite, Arizona
Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S...
is located on the central-north section of the wash and east-central Dome Rock Mountains
Dome Rock Mountains
The Dome Rock Mountains are a regionally short mountain range in southwestern Arizona in southern La Paz County. The range borders the Colorado River– on the west and also the southern section of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the northwest located in the Lower Colorado River Valley...
; Granite Mountain south of Interstate 10
Interstate 10 in Arizona
In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:...
and part of southwest Quartzsite, has drainage washes feeding into Quartzsite proper. The entire Quatzsite region is a winter visitor region noted for its winter population of recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
s and for its rockhounding activities because of old mines, mineralized mountains, and mild winter temperatures. An annual bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
is held focussed partially on Rocks and Minerals. Numerous access routes to the wash and mountain areas surround Quartzsite.
Northern Tyson Wash access
The northern region of the wash is accessed by dirt road west of AZ Route 95; the route is about 25 miles (40 km) long and ends at the southern area of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, 35 miles (56 km) north of EhrenbergEhrenberg, Arizona
Ehrenberg, also historically spelled "Ehrenburg" is a census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,357 at the 2000 census. Ehrenberg is named for Herman Ehrenberg ....
, Arizona. This access route off AZ Route 95 is 2.5 miles (4 km) south of an intersection to a paved route northeasterly to Bouse
Bouse, Arizona
Bouse is a census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1908 as a mining camp, the economy of Bouse is now based on tourism, agriculture and retirees...
through the Plomosa Mountains
Plomosa Mountains
The Plomosa Mountains are a mountain range in La Paz County, Arizona, running generally south of Bouse, Arizona near the Arizona/California border. The maximum height of the range is 1791 feet ....
; that paved route is called Plomosa Raad-(Bouse-Quartzsite Road), and ends at Bouse, the Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash is one of the larger eastern-bank dry washes that enter the Colorado River in western Arizona.Bouse Wash is located on the north end of the La Posa Plain and drains into the area along the Colorado River occupied by the Colorado River Indian Reservation, south of Parker, Arizona...
, and the north end of the Ranegras Plain.
Table sequence of landforms, Tyson Wash-La Posa Plain
The landforms surrounding the Tyson Wash section of the southern La Posa PlainLa Posa Plain
The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,...
:
| West Mtns North |
Tyson Wash | La Posa Plain | East Mtns North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Colorado River The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states... & Parker Valley Parker Valley The Parker Valley of the Lower Colorado River is located at Parker, Arizona-Earp, California, . It is at the northern area of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the Colorado River, and is also at the northern perimeter of the La Posa Plain... La Posa Plain |
Cactus Plain Cactus Plain The Cactus Plain is a plain east of Parker, Arizona and the Parker Valley within the Lower Colorado River Valley.The Cactus Plain is adjacent to the Bouse Wash on the south, which drains northwest-west into the Colorado River... La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
Cactus Plain Cactus Plain The Cactus Plain is a plain east of Parker, Arizona and the Parker Valley within the Lower Colorado River Valley.The Cactus Plain is adjacent to the Bouse Wash on the south, which drains northwest-west into the Colorado River... La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
Ranegras Plain ((foothills)-Plomosa Mountains) |
| Colorado River Colorado River The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states... & Colorado River Indian Reservation Colorado River Indian Reservation The Colorado River Indian Reservation is 189 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, on highway 95. It lies in western La Paz County, Arizona, southeastern San Bernardino County, California, and northeastern Riverside County, California. It has a total land area of 432.22 sq mi , and most of it lies... Tyson Wash |
xxxxxxx | La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
Plomosa Mountains Plomosa Mountains The Plomosa Mountains are a mountain range in La Paz County, Arizona, running generally south of Bouse, Arizona near the Arizona/California border. The maximum height of the range is 1791 feet .... |
| Dome Rock Mountains Dome Rock Mountains The Dome Rock Mountains are a regionally short mountain range in southwestern Arizona in southern La Paz County. The range borders the Colorado River– on the west and also the southern section of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the northwest located in the Lower Colorado River Valley... |
Tyson Wash | La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
Plomosa Mountains Plomosa Mountains The Plomosa Mountains are a mountain range in La Paz County, Arizona, running generally south of Bouse, Arizona near the Arizona/California border. The maximum height of the range is 1791 feet .... |
| I-10 Interstate 10 in Arizona In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:... –Quartzsite Quartzsite, Arizona Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S... |
I-10 Interstate 10 in Arizona In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:... –Quartzsite Quartzsite, Arizona Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S... |
I-10 Interstate 10 in Arizona In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:... –Quartzsite Quartzsite, Arizona Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S... |
I-10 Interstate 10 in Arizona In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:... –Quartzsite Quartzsite, Arizona Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 3,397 in 2006.Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite. It is at the intersection of U.S... |
| Dome Rock Mountains Dome Rock Mountains The Dome Rock Mountains are a regionally short mountain range in southwestern Arizona in southern La Paz County. The range borders the Colorado River– on the west and also the southern section of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the northwest located in the Lower Colorado River Valley... |
Tyson Wash | La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
New Water Mountains New Water Mountains The New Water Mountains is a mountain range in southwestern Arizona. The range is on the northern border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge as well as the northern Kofa Mountains.It is a northwest-southeast trending range, about 20 miles long... (abuts north of Kofa Mountains Kofa Mountains The Kofa Mountains is the central mountain range comprising the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, about 60 miles northeast of Yuma, Arizona in the southwestern part of the state... ) |
| Trigo Mountains Trigo Mountains The Trigo Mountains is a north-south trending mountain range, bordering the Colorado River on the east in the Lower Colorado River Valley and lies north of the Colorado River as it turns east, north of Martinez Lake and the Imperial Reservoir... |
Tyson Wash | La Posa Plain La Posa Plain The La Posa Plain is a wide, generally flat plain in western Arizona near the Colorado River and is on the west and northwest border of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The plain lies to the east of the Colorado River Indian Reservation and east of the Dome Rock and Trigo Mountains. Quartzsite,... |
Palm Canyon (northwest)-Kofa Mountains Kofa Mountains The Kofa Mountains is the central mountain range comprising the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, about 60 miles northeast of Yuma, Arizona in the southwestern part of the state... |
| Chocolate Mountains (Arizona) Chocolate Mountains (Arizona) The Chocolate Mountains of Arizona are located in the southwestern part of the state east of the Trigo Mountains and southwest of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The mountains are located about 30 miles east of the Chocolate Mountains of California, but the two ranges are not connected. The... |
Tyson Wash water divide Water divide A drainage divide, water divide, divide or watershed is the line separating neighbouring drainage basins... |
xxxxxxx water divide Water divide A drainage divide, water divide, divide or watershed is the line separating neighbouring drainage basins... |
King Valley (northern)-Castle Dome Mountains Castle Dome Mountains The Castle Dome Mountains are a mountain range in Yuma County, Arizona, within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Castle Dome peak, the high point of the range, is a prominent and distinctive landmark. The peak is high, and is located at . Castle Dome was named by American soldiers at old Fort... |
Three plains converge at the north of the La Posa Plain. The Ranegras Plain from the southeast contains Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash
Bouse Wash is one of the larger eastern-bank dry washes that enter the Colorado River in western Arizona.Bouse Wash is located on the north end of the La Posa Plain and drains into the area along the Colorado River occupied by the Colorado River Indian Reservation, south of Parker, Arizona...
. The Cactus Plain
Cactus Plain
The Cactus Plain is a plain east of Parker, Arizona and the Parker Valley within the Lower Colorado River Valley.The Cactus Plain is adjacent to the Bouse Wash on the south, which drains northwest-west into the Colorado River...
is in the center. The three plain region is bordered on the northeast by parallel mountain ranges and valleys that are called the Maria fold and thrust belt
Maria Fold and Thrust Belt
The Maria fold and thrust belt is a portion of the North American Cordillera orogen in which geological structures accommodate roughly north-south to northwest-southeast vergent Mesozoic age crustal shortening. This lies in contrast to the remainder of the Cordillera, in which shortening is...
. The entire belt region contains about thirty landforms of plains, valleys, and mountain ranges.
See also
- Maria fold and thrust beltMaria Fold and Thrust BeltThe Maria fold and thrust belt is a portion of the North American Cordillera orogen in which geological structures accommodate roughly north-south to northwest-southeast vergent Mesozoic age crustal shortening. This lies in contrast to the remainder of the Cordillera, in which shortening is...
(region: SE-California–W-Arizona) - Bouse WashBouse WashBouse Wash is one of the larger eastern-bank dry washes that enter the Colorado River in western Arizona.Bouse Wash is located on the north end of the La Posa Plain and drains into the area along the Colorado River occupied by the Colorado River Indian Reservation, south of Parker, Arizona...
- List of Bouse and Centennial Wash landforms