PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Flood Problems

Floods continued to be a problem in the area, as they had been for many years. On August 9, 1942, the second most destructive flood in two years occurred in Moccasin. Crops and fields were covered with two feet of sand and water during the 40-minute storm. No significant damage was incurred at the monument. It was only a matter of time, however. In February 1943 Heaton cleaned out the diversion ditch north of the culverts while observing, "A lot of work needs doing at the upper end of the wash to keep the floodwater from running over and down through the parking area and campgrounds." [1239] That month he and his sons hauled seven truckloads of sand from the diversion ditch into the wash to cover up trash and debris.

On August 29, 1943, a flash flood in Two Mile Wash resulted in flooding on the monument, which damaged roads, the campground area, and fencing. [1240] Floodwater even flowed into the cellar, garage, and over the Heatons' "victory garden." Floods also caused damage in Moccasin and along area roads. "This was the worst flood at the monument for some 10 or 12 years. I think it will take me 4 to 6 weeks to get everything back into shape and fixed up," wrote Heaton. [1241] The following day he made a detailed report of flood damages and listed the work required to make repairs, estimating between two and three months of labor. On August 31 Smith and Yeager visited the monument to inspect flood damages. After spending several months cleaning up the mess, Heaton borrowed a tractor and scraper from Grant Heaton to level and fill in around the residence to divert floodwater around from it and away from the cellar.

Near the end of 1944, Heaton contacted Reservation Agent Parven Church and asked if he could create a diversion for flood water at the northeast corner of the monument so that in case of heavy rains the water would run to the east of the monument instead of through it. Then, in late January 1945, Heaton modified the wash as proposed to Church, using a tractor to create the new channel. "Will help considerably in keeping the flood wash through the monument free of sand," he wrote. [1242] A few days later Heaton turned another drainage wash just north of the monument.