Gradbach ochre

[morfis]

How can water so crystal clear deposit such amazing ochre?

_ILT9416 by Iain Taylor, on Flickr

_ILT9429 by Iain Taylor, on Flickr

There are setting beds (the water doesn't flow into them now) where the ochre used to be harvested for use in paint.

_ILT9425 by Iain Taylor, on Flickr

 

[ChrisGilbert]

As I understand it, the ochre comes from periodic sumping caused by heavy rain. It's occasional and sporadic. Most of the time the water runs clear but every now and then coughs up the stuff and deposits it. It clearly adheres to rocks well.