what is a dry river gulch called

A dry river gulch is often called an arroyo. In some regions, you may also hear wash , wadi , or dry wash used for a similar dry channel that can fill briefly after rain.

Quick Scoop

• Arroyo : a dry channel or streambed in semiarid or desert areas, often subject to flash flooding.

• Wash : a dry stream or riverbed that carries water only during rain or seasonal runoff.

• Wadi : a common term in parts of the world for a usually dry valley or gully that can flood after storms.

If you want, I can also give you the most common word in U.S. English versus the global term.