Difference between revisions of "GCDAMP Sediment"
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− | ! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"> | + | ! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"> Sediment transport and river discharge </h2> |
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+ | When the discharge of the Colorado River was lower than about 9,000 ft3/s, sand accumulated in the reach in Marble and upper Grand Canyons. At discharges higher than about 9,000 ft3/s, however, sand-transport rates at the Grand Canyon gaging station generally equaled those at the Lees Ferry gaging station, and at discharges higher than about 16,000 ft3/s, sand-transport rates at the Grand Canyon gaging station generally either equaled or exceeded those at the Lees Ferry gaging station. Thus, at discharges greater than about 9,000 ft3/s, sand was either conveyed through or eroded from the reach in Marble and upper Grand Canyons. | ||
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+ | As discharges less than 9,000 ft3/s became less common, the discharge of the river became progressively more conducive to the conveyance of sand through or the erosion of sand from Marble and upper Grand Canyons. [https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1677/pdf/pp1677.pdf] | ||
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+ | ! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3b0bf; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"> Updates </h2> | ||
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[[File:2016 SedimentSummary.jpg|center|thumbnail|500px|[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR02_Grams.pdf https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR02_Grams.pdf] ]] | [[File:2016 SedimentSummary.jpg|center|thumbnail|500px|[https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR02_Grams.pdf https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR02_Grams.pdf] ]] | ||
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Revision as of 12:20, 6 December 2024
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Sediment and GeomorphologyErosion of sandbars (beaches) along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon was first reported in the early 1970s, approximately 10 years after completion of Glen Canyon Dam. Since then, scientific studies have been conducted to monitor changes in sandbars and changes in the amount of sand stored on the bed of the river. One of the outcomes of these studies has been the implementation of flow experiments intended to rebuild eroded sandbars, especially by the release of controlled floods, also called High Flow Experiments, or HFEs, from Glen Canyon Dam. The sediment and geomorphology projects at Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center include the collection and processing of data to provide information needed to conduct controlled floods and to evaluate the outcome of each controlled flood and the long-term effects of controlled floods and normal dam operations on sediment-related resources. [1] Beginning in 1998, recreational campsite area has also been measured on a subset of the sandbar monitoring sites. Campsite areas are defined as areas that are flat (less than 8 degree slope), smooth (not rocky), and clear of dense vegetation. Monitoring data show that vegetation expansion and sandbar erosion/deposition contribute to reductions in campsite area. LTEMP Resource Goal for SedimentIncrease and retain fine sediment volume, area, and distribution in the Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyon reaches above the elevation of the average base flow for ecological, cultural, and recreational purposes. Desired Future Condition for Sediment-Related ResourcesHigh elevation open riparian sediment deposits along the Colorado River in sufficient volume, area, and distribution so as to provide habitat to sustain native biota and desired ecosystem processes |
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