Information on High Flow Releases, Nov 2004
GCMRC Press Release
Charles G. Groat
Director of the U.S. Geological Survey
Addressing press conference at the Glen Canyon Visitor's Center, Sunday November 21st, 2004.
Download Video -- .wmv format (16 MB)
U.S. Geological Survey Ready to Evaluate the Effects of Possible High Flow Releases from Glen Canyon Dam
In anticipation of a possible experimental high flow release from Glen Canyon Dam, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center is collaborating with investigators from the Arizona Department of Fish and Game, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Northern Arizona University and other cooperators to prepare a suite of scientific experiments designed to evaluate the effect of the experimental high flows on natural resources in and near the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. If conducted, the test flow will consist of a maximum release of 41,000 cubic feet per second of water from Lake Powell through the dam and into the Colorado River for a period of 60 hours on or around November 22nd.
The results of the scientific investigations described herein will be used to evaluate the use of high flows as a management action for the preservation and restoration natural resources in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. These investigations will additionally contribute substantially to our understanding of the effect of high flows on natural resources so that we may better understand the relationship between the operations of the Glen Canyon Dam and the natural environment.
The ecosystem surrounding the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam has been significantly altered since the dam was completed in 1963. Of particular concern is the reduced amount of sediment available for building beaches below the dam and the recovery of one of the rivers indigenous fish species - the endangered humpback chub. Beaches are also important as a foundation for terrestrial habitat adjacent to the river and recreational rafters and hikers who camp on them. Sediment is also important for in place preservation of archaeological sites and other cultural resources. Most sediment entering the Grand Canyon now arrives via Paria River inputs below the dam. Scientific experiments planned for the event will focus on sediment, native fish, and food for aquatic animals.
Research will be supported by pre- and post-release remote sensing to determine the fate of beaches and sediment in the system. Aerial photography will be complemented by channel bed mapping and sediment classification using sophisticated multibeam sonar. Subsequent remote sensing efforts around Memorial Day and 18 months post-flood will track changes in the system over time.
USGS scientists will focus their investigations on sediment resources, specifically, how much of it moves through the Grand Canyon during the high flow event, and how much is retained in the form of beaches or channel deposits. Shoreline beaches will be measured using a combination of conventional survey equipment and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment. LiDAR is a relatively new surveying technology that can deliver highly accurate topography from aircraft flying thousands of feet above the ground in remote locations. Sediment suspended in the water will also be measured using a combination of water sampling and a laser based technology. A major portion of research is focused on the well-being of native fish. The humpback chub, an endangered species, is one of four remaining native fish in the Grand Canyon. USGS scientists will be monitoring how the high flow releases affect the survival of a population of young humpback chub in the Grand Canyon near the confluence of the Little Colorado River.
Non-native rainbow trout are an important resource for anglers in the first 15 miles below Glen Canyon to Lees Ferry. Surveys of relative abundance of trout were recently completed by the Arizona Department of Fish and Game. Surveys will be repeated in mid-December to determine the effect of flows on trout populations and trout diet.
Another endangered species, the Kanab ambersnail will be the focus of an experiment to determine if their habitat can be protected from experimental floods. Vegetation occupied by snails in the zone to be inundated will be removed by hand, stacked on pallets and moved above the flood. After the high flow ends, vegetation will be relocated to the flood zone and growth hormones will be applied to plants to encourage re-establishment of snail habitat.
The aquatic foodbase is important for all species living in the river. A fundamental component of the foodbase is drift
or the floating array of invertebrates, algae and other bits and pieces of raw material carried down the river as a result of the natural erosion of the channel and surrounding landscape. Drift provides a source of energy and carbon to higher organisms, including fish. Drift samples will be taken below the Little Colorado River to determine changes in the foodbase before, during and after the flood. Pre- and post-flood surveys of algae and aquatic vegetation beds, an important part of the foodbase, will also be conducted in the Lees Ferry reach.
Another part of an overall experiment to test the effect of flow and non-flow actions that enhance and restore natural resources in the canyon involves the removal of non-native fish from a critical habitat for the endangered humpback chub near the confluence with the Little Colorado River. While unrelated to flows, this research effort will continue in concert with the overall research design.
If successful, these research and monitoring activities will allow management actions to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources in the Grand Canyon.
Press Releases
- Interior Scientists to Evaluate Effects of High Flow Test at Glen Canyon Dam
- USGS MEDIA ADVISORY - High Flow Test Study from Glen Canyon Dam through Grand Canyon
- DOI MEDIA ADVISORY - High Flow Test Study from Glen Canyon Dam through Grand Canyon
- Interior Seeks Comment On Draft Environmental Assessment For Proposed High-Flow Tests On The Colorado River
Press Articles
- March 08, 2005
- December 26, 2004
- December 3, 2004
- November 29, 2004
- November 28, 2004
- November 27, 2004
- November 25, 2004
- November 24, 2004
- November 23, 2004
- November 22, 2004
- ABC News - Grand Canyon Flooded to Restore Beaches
- Arizona Daily Sun - A whoosh and a prayer
- BBC - Scientists 'rebuild' Grand Canyon
- Chicago Sun-Times - Grand Canyon flooded to reclaim nature
- Columbia Daily Tribune - Feds' flood sloshes through canyon
- Deseret News - Glen Canyon Dam begins a grand flush
- The Detroit News - Water restores Grand Canyon
- ENN - Controlled Flood Set at Grand Canyon
- Herald Extra - Controlled flood at Grand Canyon starts on Sunday
- MSNBC - Colorado River flooded to save fish
- Nashua Telegraph - Flooding to aid canyon system
- NDTV - Grand Canyon flooded to restore wildlife
- The Seattle Times - Grand Canyon flooded to restore beaches, save fish, plants
- Sign On San Diego - Controlled flooding and experiments geared at helping restore Grand Canyon ecosystem
- Sign On San Diego - Scientists flood Grand Canyon to help habitat
- St. Petersburg Times - Water, silt flood Grand Canyon
- Tuscon Citizen - Grand Canyon torrent begins
- USA Today - Colorado River gets soaked in name of science
- November 21, 2004
- November 20, 2004
- November 19, 2004
- November 18, 2004
- November 17, 2004
- November 15, 2004
- November 13, 2004
- November 10, 2004
- November 9, 2004
- October 24, 2004
- Sun-Sentinel - Deep trouble -- .pdf format (360 KB)
- Non Dated
Radio / Audio Links
- NPR - Grand Canyon to Receive Massive Water Influx
- NPR - Planned Grand Canyon Flood Seeks to Reverse Erosion
Related Links / Other Documents
- Arizona Game & Fish - High-flow test at the Grand Canyon?
- Bureau of Reclamation - Proposed Experimental Releases From Glen Canyon Dam and Removal of Non-Native Fish September 2002
- Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Colorado Region Water Operations: Current Status: Lake Powell
- The Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment -- .pdf format (303 KB)
- Glen Canyon Dam Proposed Experimental High Flow Test (41,000 CFS) Staged Release Schedule -- .pdf format (68 KB)
- List of Individual Studies Planned by the USGS's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center as Part of the Proposed Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program Experimental High Flow Test in November 2004. -- .pdf format (103 KB)
- Proposed November Glen Canyon Dam Experimental Flows Hydrograph -- .png format (31 KB)
Related Images
Related Videos
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Paria River from bridge at Lee's Ferry -- .wmv format (985 KB)
Paria River looking upstream from the bridge at Lee's Ferry. The Paria River is the primary source of sediment input into the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. -
Paria River from bridge at Lee's Ferry -- .wmv format (986 KB)
A close-up of silt laden water flowing in the Paria River that will eventually make its way into the Colorado River. -
Colorado River near Paria confluence -- .wmv format (985 KB)
The confluence of the Paria River and the Colorado River showing the murky silt-laden water of the Paria river mixing with the relatively clear water of the Colorado River. -
Angler near Paria River and Colorado River conf -- .wmv format (990 KB)
An angler fishing near the confluence of the Paria River and the Colorado River. -
Boat dock from boat ramp at Lee's Ferry -- .wmv format (978 KB)
A boat dock near the boat ramp on the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry before the high flow experiment. -
Colorado River from boat ramp at Lee's Ferry -- .wmv format (985 KB)
A scenic view of the Colorado Riverlooking downstream across the boat ramp late in the afternoon. -
Jet tubes from overlook -- .wmv format (985 KB)
Early morning view of the Glen Canyon Dam shortly after the opening of jet tubes one and two (of four). Video taken from the overlook near the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area administrative office building. -
Jet tubes from overlook -- .wmv format (986 KB)
A early morning close-up view of the jet tubes at Glen Canyon Dam. There are are a total of four jet tubes - one and two flowing. Video taken from the overlook near the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area administrative office building. -
Jet tube 3 opening -- .wmv format (1.3 MB)
The opening of jet tubes three and four. Video zooms out from an extreme close-up of tube three and then pans left to show water shooting out of all four jet tubes into the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. -
Jet tubes from bottom of dam -- .wmv format (985 KB)
Water shooting out of the jet tubes taken from behind and showing the Colorado River and canyon walls downstream. -
Boat dock from boat ramp at Lee's Ferry -- .wmv format (985 KB)
A boat dock near the boat ramp on the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry during the high flow experiment. The boat dock has been elevated a substantial amount due to the rising water lever. -
Jet tubes from visitor center -- .wmv format (985 KB)
A view of all four the jet tubes shooting water into the Colorado River taken from atop the dam near the visitor center. -
Jet tubes from visitor center -- .wmv format (985 KB)
A close-up view of all four the jet tubes shooting water into the Colorado River taken from atop the dam near the visitor center. -
Jet tubes from overlook -- .wmv format (986 KB)
A close-up view of all four jet tubes shooting water into the Colorado River taken from the overlook near the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area administrative office building. -
Colorado River from overlook -- .wmv format (976 KB)
The Colorado River looking downstream from the overlook near the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area administrative office building.