Flooding inland was routine. My father was one of the people in charge of the Central Valley Project that put in the first flood-control/ irrigation-storage dams. But every so often, they still overflow and submerge vast tracts of of old floodplain and river bottom land, along with the idiotic subdivisions built on them. Just crossing the Central Valley was a chore none of us today can appreciate, involving multiple ferry services across the rivers and swamps. Yosemite Valley is a bit unusual compared to the other big glacial valleys in the Sierra in that it was relatively accessible and long-inhabited. But getting all of Watkin's gear into there would have been quite a chore. Even with all the mildew foxing on many of his old original abumen prints, they still hold an amazing degree of impact. His printmaking skills were top notch.