Newberry Springs photo series demonstrating impact of wind storm

A series of photos taken in Newberry Springs, from Quarry Road, during the April 6-7, 2018 windstorm. Photos by Robert L. Berkman, compiled by Pat Flanagan.

1. View north from Quarry Road (Newberry Mountains) to Calico Mountains across area of proposed solar sites in Daggett Triangle.

2. Looking south from Temescal Road to Newberry Peak (Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area) before the sand/dust blow. 4/6-7/18, 6:43 AM.

3. Looking south from Temescal Road to Newberry Peak (Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area) during sand/dust blow 4/6/18, 1:18 PM.

4. Troy Dry Lake looking ENE from Quarry Rd. Wind blowing East to West. 4/7/18, 9:07 AM.

5. Soitec Solar on a clear day from Quarry Rd. 9/24/16, 2:51 PM.

6. NE corner of Soitec Solar from Mountain View Rd. See more in pictures #20 -13 4/7/18, 9:43 AM.

7. General view toward Black Butte. Soitec Solar, if visible, is directly to right (east) of Black Butte. See Image #25 for wind speed. 4/6/18, 4:38 PM.

8. NE from Quarry Rd towards Soitec Solar area. Everything north of Temescal St completely obscured. See Image #25 for wind speed. 4/6/18, 4:46 PM.

10. Doles house across the street (east) of Soitec Solar. Sand accumulation on property is between 3 to 4 feet above grade. Prior to Soitec (2013) property was at grade level. 4/10/18, 4:30 PM.

11. NW from Quarry Rd. toward Calico Mountains. See image #25 for wind speed. 4/6/18, 4:14 PM.

12. Looking due north from Quarry Rd. Mojave River at top. Black Butte in center. Sunpower Solar site lower left, above the train tracks. Wind blowing west to east. 4/6/18, 4:15 PM.

13. Daggett Airport from Quarry Rd. Sand blows starting at approximate location of proposed Daggett Solar Project location. 4/6/18, 4:29 PM.

14. Heavy West to East blow. House is the eastern boundary of proposed Sunpower Solar site. Black Butte further north. 4/6/18, 4:36 PM.

15. Downtown Newberry Springs looking east toward Cady Mountains. Everything north of I-40 obscured but south of Freeway is clear. Winds 40 mph steady. 4/6/18, 4:49 PM.

16. View of eastern boundary of proposed Sunpower Solar site. Black Butte on right. Despite high sustained winds all area south of freeway and railroad is clear. 4/6/18, 4:54 PM.

17. Eastern boundary of proposed Sunpower Solar site area PRIOR to wind event. Slight sand blow visible between house and Black Butte. 4/7/18, 9:03 AM.

18. Daggett Airport Area from Quarry Rd PRIOR to wind event. Calico Mountains in background 35 miles away. 4/7/18, 9:01 AM.

19. Harvard Rd looking north across Mojave River crossing through ‘Do Not Enter’. gate 4/7/18, 9:38 AM.

20. Soitec Solar NE Corner fence 4/10/18, 2:15 PM.

21. Soitec NE Corner fence looking south 4/10/18, 2:15 PM.

22. Looking north on Mountain View at north edge of Soitec. Note sand blow stops at Soitec’s north boundary. See Image #9, 4/10/18, 2:15 PM.

23. Looking west at sand build up along north boundary of Soitec Solar. Black Butte in background. 4/10/18, 2:15 PM.

24. Daggett Triangle: Area from Barstow east to the Cady Mountains. The sand transport feeding into the linear dunes bordering the Cady Mountains is clearly visible. 1. Quarry Road, south of railroad tracks, leads to quarry on northwest corner of Newberry Mountains. 2. Temescal Road, north of railroad tracks. 3. Troy Dry Lake. 4. Area with Black Butte, Soitec Solar, and Dole house. Mountain View Road separates Soitec Solar from Dole house. 5. Daggett Airport. 6. Harvard Road at Mojave River crossing.

25. Temperature and wind speed for April 6, 2018.

26. Daggett Triangle showing soils with potential for blowing dust when vegetation is removed. Reference: Soil Survey of San Bernardino County California, Mojave River Area. USDA Soil Conservation Service 1978.

27. Sand Transport Paths in the Mojave Desert. Red oval surrounds Newberry Springs/Daggett area. The ‘toes’ at the top are the linear dunes feeding into the Cady Mountains Reference: James R. Zimbelman, Steven H. Williams, and Vatche. P. Tchakerian Desert Aeolian Processes. Edited by Vatche P. Tchakerian. Published in 1995 by Chapman & Hall, London.