Runoff from heavy winter rains and abundant mountain snows has kept Tucsonβs Rillito River looking like a real river rather than a sandbox in recent weeks.
The watercourse was flowing at a good clip Friday forming riffles or little waves here and there along a segment west of Craycroft Road.
The flow will slow β and eventually cease β as snowmelt from the Catalina and Rincon mountains is diminished.
But at least for now, walkers, runners and cyclists are flocking to river park trails on both banks of the Rillito to appreciate the sights and sounds of flowing water while getting some exercise.
βAmazing!β exclaimed one cyclist as she pedaled along our cityβs oh-so-temporary river.
In late February, when the Rillito was flowing very briskly, kayakers were seen testing their skills along its course.
The river is less of a white-water challenge now, but itβs still displaying fluid assets that are missing from desert watercourses most of the year.
The immediate forecast is for mostly warm and dry weather, with a small chance of rain over the weekend.
Take-home message: Get out to see the Rillito now before it returns to sandbox status.
