2008 High-Flow Experiment: USGS Beach Maps by River Mile
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center has developed a series of maps that depict the expected areas of inundation at 46 sandbars, or camping beaches, throughout the Colorado River corridor during the high-flow experiment proposed for March 2008. The 46 maps presented here are only for select research sites; however, all of the campsites in the river corridor will be affected should the proposed experiment occur. For information about other campsites, it is suggested that all river and backcountry users contact Grand Canyon National Park permits office personnel before starting their trip at 1-800-959-9164. All river backcountry users should be prepared for variable conditions, including higher river flows.
Maps of each site are provided here that illustrate the areas of inundation that are expected to occur at 46 research sites, which are located between Glen Canyon Dam and upper Lake Mead, Arizona. The relationship between Glen Canyon Dam water releases and the stage height of the river at each site has been studied for over a 15-year period, beginning in 1990. The data resulting from this study, which were gathered through repeated field measurements, were used to model inundation levels during 41,000 cubic feet per second flow. A vertical buffer of plus 50 cm has been applied as a precaution for irregularities in the surface elevations.
Calculations used to derive the stage-discharge relationships at each site have been published as part of a USGS Open-File Report, “Stage-Discharge Relations for the Colorado River in Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons, Arizona, 1990-2005.” The report was prepared in cooperation with Northern Arizona University.
River Mile Maps
- River Mile -006.6 -- .pdf format (635 KB)
- River Mile 001.1 -- .pdf format (570 KB)
- River Mile 002.6 -- .pdf format (580 KB)
- River Mile 008.1 -- .pdf format (664 KB)
- River Mile 016.6 -- .pdf format (627 KB)
- River Mile 022.1 -- .pdf format (627 KB)
- River Mile 023.6 -- .pdf format (672 KB)
- River Mile 029.5 -- .pdf format (622 KB)
- River Mile 030.8 -- .pdf format (609 KB)
- River Mile 031.9 -- .pdf format (660 KB)
- River Mile 033.3 -- .pdf format (611 KB)
- River Mile 035.1 -- .pdf format (564 KB)
- River Mile 041.3 -- .pdf format (557 KB)
- River Mile 043.4 -- .pdf format (568 KB)
- River Mile 044.5 -- .pdf format (577 KB)
- River Mile 045.0 -- .pdf format (546 KB)
- River Mile 047.7 -- .pdf format (549 KB)
- River Mile 050.1 -- .pdf format (582 KB)
- River Mile 051.5 -- .pdf format (587 KB)
- River Mile 055.9 -- .pdf format (533 KB)
- River Mile 056.6 -- .pdf format (585 KB)
- River Mile 062.9 -- .pdf format (581 KB)
- River Mile 065.1 -- .pdf format (574 KB)
- River Mile 066.1 -- .pdf format (566 KB)
- River Mile 068.7 -- .pdf format (549 KB)
- River Mile 081.7 -- .pdf format (645 KB)
- River Mile 084.6 -- .pdf format (669 KB)
- River Mile 087.7 -- .pdf format (653 KB)
- River Mile 088.1 -- .pdf format (642 KB)
- River Mile 091.7 -- .pdf format (610 KB)
- River Mile 093.8 -- .pdf format (657 KB)
- River Mile 104.4 -- .pdf format (621 KB)
- River Mile 119.4 -- .pdf format (591 KB)
- River Mile 122.8 -- .pdf format (639 KB)
- River Mile 123.3 -- .pdf format (649 KB)
- River Mile 137.7 -- .pdf format (562 KB)
- River Mile 139.6 -- .pdf format (634 KB)
- River Mile 145.9 -- .pdf format (581 KB)
- River Mile 167.1 -- .pdf format (602 KB)
- River Mile 172.6 -- .pdf format (686 KB)
- River Mile 183.3 -- .pdf format (622 KB)
- River Mile 194.6 -- .pdf format (649 KB)
- River Mile 202.4 -- .pdf format (632 KB)
- River Mile 213.3 -- .pdf format (593 KB)
- River Mile 220.1 -- .pdf format (627 KB)
- River Mile 225.5 -- .pdf format (671 KB)
To request a CD containing the all of the maps listed above, please call (928) 556-7217 or email nbryant@usgs.gov (please include your mailing address).