gulch
Steep-sided dry valley
A gulch is a narrow, steep-sided ravine carved by running water, typically dry except during rains.
The word is mostly American, evoking the rugged terrain of the Western states: an abandoned mining camp at the bottom of the gulch.
Gulches are smaller than canyons but deeper than gullies.
Deep, narrow valley
- gorgeDeep, narrow valley
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- arroyoSeasonal desert watercourse
- washClean using liquid
draw · coulee · barranca · hollow · vale · dell · glen · dale
Narrow opening in surface
- cleftNarrow vertical split
- fissureNarrow crack in rock
- slotNarrow slit for insertion
- riftCrack or estrangement
trench · flume · couloir · channel · passage · cut · crack · split
Statement of ownership or truth
- placerMineral-rich sediment accumulation
- sluiceGated water conduit
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- goldElement seventy-nine
strike · diggings · bonanza · ore · nugget · panning · tailings · mining camp
Particles settling in liquid
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
- scourClean by hard rubbing
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
siltation · downcutting · runoff · flash flood · debris flow · gradient · bedrock · outcrop
ravine
Deep, narrow valley
wash · draw · coulee · barranca · hollow · vale · dell · glen · dale · valley
crevice
Narrow opening in surface
rift · trench · flume · couloir · channel · passage · cut · crack · split · groove
claim
Statement of ownership or truth
- placerMineral-rich sediment accumulation
- sluiceGated water conduit
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
gold · strike · diggings · bonanza · ore · nugget · panning · tailings · mining camp · assay
sediment
Particles settling in liquid
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
- scourClean by hard rubbing
deposition · siltation · downcutting · runoff · flash flood · debris flow · gradient · bedrock · outcrop · bank
hidden
Kept out of sight
concealed · tucked away · secret · unspoiled · quiet · refuge · hideaway · sanctuary · backwater · forgotten
- Great PlainsGreat Plains, high plains, High Plains, grassland, grasslands
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- gapsgap, rift, void, chasm, crack
- Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush, gold miners, gold mining, gold flakes, gold nuggets
- hollowscavity, crater, hollow, dent, hole
- mountain terrainpeak, ridge, slope, gorge, pass