An old photograph may show water spilling over a corner while the current concern is a drip beside a pipe. Describe both with their dates rather than treating the pictures as interchangeable. Include which sections were cleared or repaired in between, if known. That helps keep the present request connected to the actual history.
Current safe wide views can show an extension, stored materials or another change affecting access. No one needs to climb to obtain a matching angle. If you cannot see the channel, say so and identify the place where the symptom is noticed. A photograph should explain an observation, not stand in for assessment of the hidden parts.