Salt Wash represents a remarkable example of an unconfined ephemeral tributary system flowing into Muddy Creek. With 5% confinement and 5% constriction values, this system exhibits complete freedom for channel adjustment and migration. The 1 km study reach has a riverscape width of 150m, creating a broad corridor for hydrologic and geomorphic processes.

The metrics indicate that 100% of the valley bottom is occupied by the channel, and 100% functions as active floodplain with 0% inactive areas. This is a highly dynamic, dendritic drainage system where the entire valley bottom participates in flow and sediment transport processes during episodic flow events. This pattern is characteristic of ephemeral wash systems in arid environments where broad, shallow channels can occupy the entire valley floor.