by 

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

Upper Colorado Regional Office 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

Draft January 26, 2005 

THE U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATOIN 

UPPER COLORADO REGIONAL OFFICE

GLEN CANYON DAM 

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET & WORK PLAN
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: A.1. Personnel Costs 

General Project Description: This project represents Reclamation staff costs to 

perform the daily work activities required to operate the Adaptive Management Work 

Group. The work includes completing assignments resulting from AMWG meetings, 

consulting with stakeholders on a variety of AMP issues relating to the operation of Glen 

Canyon Dam (GCD), disseminating pertinent information to the AMWG, preparing and 

tracking budget expenses, and updating Reclamation’s web page. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to perform all work associated 

with the AMWG in a timely and efficient manner, while using the funds available as 

prudently as possible. Secondary goals include increasing each stakeholder’s awareness 

of significant budget and legislative issues related to the AMP, improving working 

relationships with the AMWG members/alternates, finding constructive ways to resolve 

differences, and addressing individual concerns in an open and accepting forum of 

discussion. 

Expected Results: Personnel costs will not exceed what has been proposed in the budget 

and Reclamation staff will provide budget information to the AMWG on a regular basis. 

Completed work products will be of high quality and promptly distributed to AMWG 

members/alternates and interested parties. Budget reports will be presented in a format 

conducive to AMWG needs. 

Budget: $159,418 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries 118,990 126,290 110,230 113,537 116,375 

Subtotal 118,990 126,290 110,230 113,537 116,375 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) 44,010 46,710 40,770 41,993 43,043 

Project Total 163,000 173,000 151,000 155,530 159,418 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: A.2. AMWG Member Travel Reimbursement

General Project Description: This project covers the costs to reimburse AMWG 

members or alternates to attend regularly scheduled AMWG meetings. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal for reimbursing travel expenses to 

AMWG members or alternates is to encourage their attendance at all meetings. Because 

the meetings are often scheduled in Phoenix, Arizona, many members must incur air or 

POV travel, and by having Reclamation reimburse those and other related travel costs, 

e.g., hotel, per diem, rental car, etc., opportunities are increased for more members to 

participate in a variety of AMWG assignments. Also, because Reclamation can purchase 

airline tickets at the Federal Government rate, there are additional cost savings to the 

program. 

Expected Results: The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program will benefit 

from having all the AMWG members participate in regularly scheduled meetings. As a 

collective body, they address and resolve concerns associated with the operation of Glen 

Canyon Dam and make recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior for continued 

science efforts performed below the GCD. 

Budget: $13,390 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training 10,000 10,000 10,000 13,000 13,390 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 10,00 10,000 10,000 13,000 13,390 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 10,000 10,000 10,000 13,000 13,390 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: A.3. Reclamation Travel

General Project Description: This project covers travel expenses Reclamation staff 

incur to attend AMWG and ad hoc group meetings. In order to work on AMWG/ad hoc 

assignments, the meetings are often held in Phoenix, Arizona. As such, Reclamation 

staff must make additional trips throughout the year in completion of those assignments. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is for Reclamation staff to be able to 

travel to meetings and participate in completing AMWG/TWG assignments. By doing 

so, the program benefits from greater interaction among its members as well as continued 

improvement and commitment to operating GCD in the best manner possible and 

obtaining the results from science work being done in the canyon. 

 

Expected Results: Reclamation staff will be involved with AMWG/TWG members in 

completing work assignments and resolving issues that affect the AMP. They will 

develop better working relationships with all involved and work toward consensus on a 

variety of sensitive issues. 

Budget: $ 13,000 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training 18,000 18,000 18,000 15,540 13,000 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 18,000 18,000 18,000 15,540 13,000 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 18,000 18,000 18,000 15,540 13,000 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: A.4. Facilitation Contract 

General Project Description: This project represents the work assigned to one 

individual under contract to the Bureau of Reclamation to facilitate at Adaptive 

Management Work Group meetings. This person may also assist AMWG ad hoc groups 

in completing AMWG assignments. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The facilitator’s primary responsibility is to keep the 

AMWG meetings organized and help the members reach consensus on important issues. 

The facilitator creates a setting in which all members and the public are able to express 

their views. 

Results: The facilitator will create an atmosphere in which the members and other 

participants at AMWG meetings feel comfortable expressing their individual viewpoints. 

The facilitator will bring the AMWG members to consensus on pertinent issues affecting 

the GCD AMP. 

Budget: $25,000 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

USBR Reimbursements 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,000 25,000 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,000 25,000 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,000 25,000 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: A.5. Other

General Project Description: This project represents some of the other “miscellaneous” 

expenses incurred in operation of the AMWG. For example: 

- overnight mailings of AMWG meeting packets 

- copying of reports 

- purchasing meeting materials (cassette tapes, markers, paper, software upgrades 

for AMP website posting, etc.) 

- equipment (audio recording/transcribing machines) 

In addition to the above, training courses are often required for staff to keep current on 

environmental issues, Federal Advisory Committee Act changes, computer technology 

improvements, etc. 

Also included in this category are monetary awards given to Reclamation staff who have 

contributed significantly to the success of the GCDAMP. 

 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to limit spending on “other” items 

as much as possible. By doing so, more money can be applied to science and research. 

Expected Results: Other expenses will be kept to a minimum in an effort to reduce the 

administrative portion of the AMP budget. 

Budget: $7,175 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training/Awards 6,000 6,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 

Operations/Supplies 2,000 2,000 3,000 2,000 2,175 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 8,000 8,000 9,000 7,000 7,175 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 8,000 8,000 9,000 7,000 7,175 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: B.1. Personnel Costs 

This project represents Reclamation staff costs to perform the daily work activities 

required to operate the Technical Work Group, a subgroup of the AMWG. The work 

includes completing assignments resulting from TWG meetings, consulting with 

stakeholders on a variety of AMP issues relating to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam, 

disseminating pertinent information to the TWG, preparing and tracking budget expenses, 

and updating Reclamation’s web page. 

Project Goals and Objectives: This project represents Reclamation staff costs to 

perform the daily work activities required to operate the Technical Work Group. The 

work includes completing assignments resulting from AMWG or TWG meetings, 

consulting with stakeholders on a variety of AMP issues relating to the operation of Glen 

Canyon Dam, disseminating pertinent information to the TWG, preparing and tracking 

budget expenses, and updating Reclamation’s web page. 

Expected Results: Personnel costs will not exceed what has been proposed in the budget 

and Reclamation staff will provide budget information to the TWG on a regular basis. 

Completed work products will be promptly distributed to TWG members/alternates and 

interested parties. 

Budget: $72,847 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries 54,020 56,940 50,370 51,881 53,178 

Subtotal 54,020 56,940 50,370 51,881 53,178 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) 19,980 21,060 18,630 19,189 19,669 

Project Total 74,000 78,000 69,000 71,070 72,847 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: B.2. TWG Member Travel Reimbursement

General Project Description: This project covers the costs to reimburse TWG members 

or alternates to attend regularly scheduled TWG meetings. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal for reimbursing travel expenses to 

TWG members or alternates is to encourage their attendance at all meetings. Because the 

meetings are often scheduled in Phoenix, Arizona, many members must incur air or 

personal vehicle travel. By reimbursing those and other related travel costs, e.g., hotel, 

per diem, rental car, etc., opportunities are increased for more members to participate in a 

variety of AMWG/TWG assignments. 

Expected Results: The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program will benefit 

from having all the TWG members participate in regularly scheduled meetings. As a 

collective body, they address and resolve concerns associated with the operation of Glen 

Canyon Dam and make recommendations to the AMWG for continued research in the 

canyon. 

Budget: $20,836 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training 10,000 10,000 15,000 15,540 20,836 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 10,000 10,000 15,000 15,540 20,836 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 10,000 10,000 15,000 15,540 20,836 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: B.3. Reclamation Travel

General Project Description: This project covers travel expenses Reclamation staff 

will incur to prepare and attend TWG meetings as well as ad hoc group meetings which 

result from AMWG/TWG assignments. In order to work on those assignments, the 

meetings are often held in Phoenix, Arizona, because it is centrally located to those 

entities/states represented on the AMWG/TWG. This often requires Reclamation staff to 

make additional trips throughout the year in completion of AMWG/TWG assignments. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is for Reclamation staff to be able to 

travel to meetings and participate in completing AMWG/TWG assignments. By doing 

so, the program benefits from greater interaction among its members as well as continued 

improvement and commitment to operating GCD in the best manner possible and for 

obtaining the necessary results from science work done in the canyon. 

 

Expected Results: Reclamation staff will continue to be involved in meeting with 

AMWG/TWG members in completing work assignments and resolving issues that affect 

the operation of GCD. They will develop better working relationships with all involved 

and work toward consensus on a variety of AMP issues. 

Budget: $ 15,898 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training 18,000 18,000 17,000 15,510 15,898 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 18,000 18,000 17,000 15,510 15,898 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 18,000 18,000 17,000 15,510 15,898 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: B.4. TWG Chair Reimbursement

General Project Description: This project represents the work assigned to one 

individual under contract to the Bureau of Reclamation to act as chairperson at Technical 

Work Group meetings. This person may also work on AMWG/TWG ad hoc group 

assignments. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The chairperson’s primary responsibility is to conduct 

regularly scheduled TWG meetings. The chairperson also participates in ad hoc group 

assignments and works closely with Reclamation and GCMRC in setting meeting 

agendas. The chairperson follows up on TWG and ad hoc group assignments and ensures 

that information is shared with the members and alternates in a timely manner. 

Expected Results: The chairperson creates an atmosphere in which the members and 

other participants at TWG meetings feel comfortable expressing their individual 

viewpoints. The chairperson will bring the TWG members to consensus on sensitive 

issues with the ultimate goal of making recommendations to AMWG that incorporate the 

best scientific information available to the GCDAMP. The chairperson will follow up on 

action items and make assignments as necessary to accomplish TWG objectives. 

Budget: $22,171 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,630 22,171 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,630 22,171 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 25,000 25,000 21,000 21,630 22,171 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: B.5. Other

General Project Description: This project represents some of the other “miscellaneous” 

expenses incurred in operation of the TWG. For example: 

- overnight mailings of TWG meeting packets 

- copying of reports 

- purchasing meeting materials (cassette tapes, markers, paper, etc.) 

- equipment (audio recording/transcribing machines) 

Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to limit spending on “other” items 

as much as possible. By doing so, more money can be spent on science and research. 

Expected Results: Other expenses will be kept to a minimum in an effort to keep within 

the AMP budget. 

Budget: $2,050 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,050 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,050 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,050 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: C. Compliance Documents 

General Project Description: This project covers the costs for preparing compliance 

documents for AMP-proposed actions in order to comply with the Endangered Species 

Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. 

Project Goals and Objectives: Reclamation staff will keep informed on any changes to 

the ESA, NEPA, and NHPA and will consult with AMWG stakeholders to ensure proper 

compliance is undertaken for actions taken in support of the GCDAMP. 

Expected Results: Reclamation staff will be involved in all compliance issues related to 

the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. They will utilize travel expenses 

to meet with the AMP stakeholders to resolve any differences. 

Budget: $22,450 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries 26,000 26,000 26,000 26,780 22,450 

Subtotal 26,000 26,000 26,000 26,780 22,450 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 26,000 26,000 26,000 26,780 22,450 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
 

PROJECT TITLE AND ID: D. Contract Administration

General Project Description: This project covers the expenses for Reclamation staff to 

prepare and monitor contracts associated with the GCD AMP. Specifically, these 

contracts are for AMWG Facilitation, TWG Chairperson reimbursement, tribal 

participation, and Programmatic Agreement work. 

Project Goals and Objectives: Reclamation contract specialists will accurately apply 

funds spent on individual contracts to ensure costs do not exceed contract limits. They 

will keep other Reclamation staff informed as to those charges so accurate reporting can 

be made to both AMWG and TWG members. 

Expected Results: Contract specialists will ensure that individual contractors are 

fulfilling the requirements of their contracts. They will maintain accurate records of 

payments made against the contracts and will keep Reclamation staff informed of 

discrepancies or concerns. Work will be completed on time and within the limits of the 

contract. 

Budget: $24,394 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,750 24,394 

Subtotal 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,750 24,394 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,750 24,394 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: Public Outreach 

General Project Description: This project covers the expenses for Reclamation staff 

and the Public Outreach Ad Hoc Group (POAHG) to develop materials for the GCDAMP 

public outreach efforts. 

 Project Goals and Objectives: Reclamation Public Affairs Staff and POAHG will 

work jointly in developing materials to inform and educate the public on the goals and 

administration of the GCDAMP. They will keep other AMP members advised of 

progress and expenditures. 

Expected Results: Products will include Fact Sheets, brochures, media articles, and 

other pertinent means of advising the public and program members on the achievements 

of the GCDAMP. The POAHG will maintain accurate records of payments made against 

the contracts and will keep Reclamation staff informed of discrepancies or concerns. 

Budget: $50,000 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- 0 0 50,000 

Subtotal -- -- 0 0 50,000 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total -- -- 0 0 50,000 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 

I 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: IIA. TRIBAL CONSULTATION: Cooperative 

Agreements with Tribes

Rationale/Problem Statement: Government-to-government consultation will be 

maintained between the five AMP tribes (Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Southern Paiute 

Consortium, Pueblo of Zuni, Navajo Nation) and five Interior agencies (US Geological 

Survey, National Park Service, Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau 

of Indian Affairs). 

Integration: The purpose of the continued funding of tribal cooperative agreements is to 

ensure tribal viewpoints are integrated into continuing AMP dialogs, votes, and in the 

final recommendations made to the Secretary of the Interior. 

Expected Products: The most important product is the incorporation of tribal 

perspectives into the recommendations forwarded to the Secretary. In addition, the tribes 

prepare annual reports on activities funded under the cooperative agreements. Continued 

funding of government-to-government consultation through the agreements ensure 

enhanced communication and understanding of the AMP issues and concerns. 

Recommended Approach: A tribal consultation plan will be completed that may 

modify the current approach and will be an appendix to the AMP Strategic Plan. 

Status: Ongoing. 

External Project Awards: Tribal cooperative agreements are funded through 

appropriated dollars provided by five Department of the Interior agencies (USBR, NPS, 

FWS, BIA, and USGS). The cooperative agreements are administratively managed by 

Reclamation with funding provided by power revenues. 

Project Accomplishments: Communication and government-to-government 

consultation between agencies, tribes, and other AMP stakeholders. 

Schedule: Agreements are modified on a fiscal year basis. Each funded tribe must 

submit a yearly status report to Reclamation at the close of the fiscal year. Copies of the 

reports may be distributed to AMP stakeholders upon request. 

Budget: The cost is $475,000 annually to fund the cooperative agreements with each 

agency contributing $95,000: 
FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor 400,000 400,000 320,000* 400,000 410,000 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 400,000 400,000 320,000 400,000 410,000 

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 400,000 400,000 320,000 400,000 410,000 

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 

* Total commitment is $400,000; however, $80,000 was administered directly by 

GCMRC. 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: IIB. TRIBAL CONSULTATION: River Trip 

Logistical Costs to GCMRC 

Rationale/Problem Statement: River trips, at a logistical cost of $15,000 per tribe, 

were funded using power revenues to enable the tribes to identify resources of tribal 

concern, including traditional cultural properties eligible to the National Register of 

Historic Places. This identification effort was largely completed by the mid-1990s. 

Since then, the trips have been used by tribes to identify how and where dam operations 

are impacting identified resources or properties. Beginning in FY03, river trips were 

funded through appropriated dollars provided by the five DOI agencies. 

Integration: River trips enable the tribes to identify impacts of dam operations on 

resources of tribal concern. Based on river trip observations, tribes identify concerns to 

other AMP stakeholders and ultimately to the Secretary of the Interior. 

Expected Products: As the permitting agency, NPS requires an annual investigator 

report from each tribe conducting a river trip. In addition, the tribes are required to report 

to Reclamation or the AMP as a whole on whether conditions within the river corridor 

were stable, improving, or worsening. As a nominal variable, this can then be tracked 

over time to measure trends. 

Recommended Approach: River trip costs have been limited to $15,000 per tribe per 

year. Beginning in FY06 these costs will be indexed by the CPI. The tribes are allowed 

to select the approach they take to the trips within this cost constraint and meeting NPS 

minimum tool requirements. 

Status: Ongoing. 

External Project Awards: None. 

Project Accomplishments: Tribes have been able to identify resources or properties and 

to determine where and how dam operations affect those resources. This information will 

be used to develop treatment or mitigation plans for the array of resources of concern. 

Schedule: A report is submitted to the NPS as a result of any trips undertaken during the 

year. 

Budget: $76,875 
FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 * 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor 

75,000 75,000 60,000 75,000 76,875

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 75,000 75,000 60,000 75,000 76,875

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 75,000 75,000 60,000 75,000 76,875

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 

* An additional $15,000 was administered directly by GCMRC. 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: III.2. PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT: 

Reclamation Administrative Costs for Programmatic Agreement 

Rationale/Problem Statement: Reclamation’s regional archeologist administers the PA 

program, tribal consultation cooperative agreements and river trip fund transfers to 

GCMRC. This project funds salary, travel, and indirect costs of program administration. 

Integration: The costs help integrate the PA and tribal consultation into the larger AMP. 

Expected Products: The major product is accountability for the cooperative agreements, 

contracts, and use of both appropriated dollars and power revenues. 

Recommended Approach: Compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and 

other accountability laws, regulations, and policies. 

Status: Ongoing. 

External Project Awards: Cooperative agreements with tribes and contract 

administration for competed projects. 

Project Accomplishments: Moving towards completion of the stipulations in the 

programmatic agreement. 

Schedule: The schedule is a continuation of previous work within the fiscal year. 

Budget: $52,788 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor -- -- -- -- -- 

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries 50,000 50,000 43,000 51,500 52,788

Subtotal 50,000 50,000 43,000 51,500 52,788

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 50,000 50,000 43,000 51,500 52,788

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
PROJECT TITLE AND ID: III.2. PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT: Grand 

Canyon and Glen Canyon Treatment Plans 

Rationale/Problem Statement: In consultation with Grand Canyon NPS, develop an 

RFP for the FY06 implementation of a treatment plan for the cultural resources of Grand 

Canyon based upon a treatment plan design completed in FY05. Treatment of individual 

properties may include in situ preservation measures, nature and extent testing, full data 

recovery or additional documentation/recordation. 

It is anticipated that the bulk of development and implementation of the Glen Canyon 

treatment plan will be completed in FY05. Additional funds may be required in FY06 to 

finish the reporting task. 

Administration of Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon cultural resource monitoring will be 

transferred to GCMRC in FY06. Funding for FY06 identified in the following table is 

for implementation of the treatment plans. 

Integration: Not applicable. 

Expected Products: Re-evaluations of all affected Glen and Grand Canyon properties 

for eligibility to the Nation Register of Historic Places. Mitigation of effects as 

determined by the treatment plans. Detailed and comprehensive reports on consultant 

activities, results and recommendations. 

Recommended Approach: Evaluation, nature and extent testing, application of 

mitigative measures or total data recovery, following the Secretary of the Interior 

Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation and guidance of the Advisory Council 

on Historic Preservation. 

Status: Ongoing. 

External Project Awards: Competitive Requests for Proposals. 

Project Accomplishments: The development of the Glen Canyon treatment plan will 

begin in March, 2005, followed by treatment plan implementation. An RFP for the 

Grand Canyon treatment plan will be advertised in FY2005 with work to begin in that 

year. An RFP for implementation of that plan will be advertised in FY06. 

Schedule: The schedule is based on the fiscal year. 

Budget: Treatment plan implementation is estimated at $250,000 for Grand Canyon. $20 

will be reserved to complete the Glen Canyon implementation. 
FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside USBR 

Science/Labor 

229,000 229,000 229,000 584,840 270,000

Logistics Field 

Support -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Related 

Travel/Training -- -- -- -- -- 

Operations/Supplies -- -- -- -- -- 

USBR Salaries -- -- -- -- -- 

Subtotal 229,000 229,000 229,000 584,840 270,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (27%) -- -- -- -- -- 

Project Total 229,000 229,000 229,000 584,840 270,000

% Total Outsourced -- -- -- -- -- 
by 

THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

SOUTHWEST BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CENTER 

GRAND CANYON MONITORING AND RESEARCH CENTER 

Draft January 24, 2005 

THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SOUTHWEST BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CENTER

GRAND CANYON MONITORING AND RESEARCH CENTER

FISCAL YEAR 2006 

MONITORING AND RESEARCH WORK PLAN
i

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPER 1. THE USGS, SBSC, GCMRC FY 2006 

FINAL ANNUAL WORK PLAN.......................................................................................1 

 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 

 GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE ......................................................................................................1 

 USGS, GRAND CANYON MONITORING AND RESEARCH CENTER ......................3 

 Mission of GCMRC.................................................................................................3 

 Role and Responsibilities.........................................................................................4 

 ENSURING OBJECTIVE, QUALITY SCIENCE..............................................................4 

 GCMRC SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES..................................................................................5 

 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND STATUS UPDATE..................................................5 

 PHYSICAL SCIENCE, MODELING AND DASA PROGRAM.......................................6 

 Integrated Quality-of-Water Program Upstream Component - 

 Lake Powell .................................................................................................8 

 Integrated Quality-of-Water Downstream Component - 

 Lake Powell .................................................................................................9 

 Fine-Sediment Related Shoreline Habitats ............................................................13 

 Experimental Flows Update...................................................................................14 

 Data Acquisition, Storage and Analysis (DASA)..................................................15 

 BIOSCIENCES PROGRAM.............................................................................................21 

 Terrestrial Resources .............................................................................................21 

 Aquatic Resources .................................................................................................25 

 Food Base Resources .............................................................................................26 

 Fisheries Resources................................................................................................27 

 Experimental Flows Update...................................................................................28 

 Humpback Chub ....................................................................................................30 

 SOCIO-CULTURAL RESOURCES.................................................................................33 

 RESEARCH COORDINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM......................................41 

 Permitting...............................................................................................................41 

 Library Operations Coordination...........................................................................42 

 Survey Operations..................................................................................................43 

 Technical Support Coordination............................................................................43 

 Logistics Operations ..............................................................................................44 

 INFORMATION OFFICE.................................................................................................45 

 Functions, Programs, and Organizations ...............................................................47 

 Library Services.....................................................................................................47 

 Website Services....................................................................................................48 

 Peer Review ...........................................................................................................49 

 System Administration...........................................................................................49 

 Desktop and Servers ..................................................................................50 

 Network......................................................................................................51 

 Internet .......................................................................................................52 

 Security ......................................................................................................52 

 Intranet .......................................................................................................53 

 System backup and disaster recovery ........................................................53 

 Web and FTP services ...............................................................................54 

 Troubleshooting and maintenance .............................................................54 
ii

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

 Data storage ...............................................................................................55 

 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND INFORMATION NEEDS..................................55 

 Introduction............................................................................................................55 

 Historical Development of the Management Objectives 

 and Information Needs...............................................................................55 

 Revision Process ....................................................................................................56 

 PROTOCOL EVALUATION PROGRAM.......................................................................56 

 CONTINGENCY PLANNING .........................................................................................57 

 SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM ..................................................................................................57 

 CHALLENGES .................................................................................................................58 

 SCHEDULE AND BUDGET............................................................................................58 

 Budget Review.......................................................................................................58 

CHAPTER 2. SCIENCE ACTIVITIES .....................................................................................59 

PROJECT A. PHYSICAL SCIENCE, MODELING, AND DASA PROGRAM .................59 

MONITORING

Project A.1. Monitoring – IQWP – Upstream Monitoring of Lake Powell 

 Water Quality – Funding from Bureau of Reclamation O&M..................59 

Project A.2. Monitoring – IQWP – Downstream Monitoring of 

 Quality-of-Water for Physical, Biological and Chemical Sampling .........61 

Project A.3. Finalize 2001-2005 Monitoring & Research – Changes in Fine- 

 Sediment Storage along the Main Channel & Shorelines 

 of the CRE..................................................................................................64 

Project A.4. Monitoring, Data Acquisition through System-Wide Remote 

 Sensing Mission (DASA) – Airborne, Digital Imagery and 

 Automated Photogrammetry......................................................................67 

Project A.5. Data Storage (DASA) – Grand Canyon Integrated (Oracle) 

 Database Management...............................................................................69 

Project A.6. Remote Data Access & Control (DASA) – Geographic Information 

 Systems: Automated Monitoring Technologies and Applications ...........72 

Project A.7. GIS Support (DASA) – Geographic Information Systems: 

 GIS General Support for Integrated Analysis and Projects .......................75 

B. BIOSCIENCES ................................................................................................................77 

 Project B.1. Monitoring – Terrestrial Compliance Monitoring (KAS and SWWF)......77 

 Project B.2. Research and Development – Aquatic Foodbase, Organic Mass 

 Balance, and Foodweb Linkage Program ..................................................79 

 Project B.3. Monitoring – Status and Trends of Downstream Fish Community...........81 

 Project B.4. Monitoring – Status & Trends of Lees Ferry Trout...................................82 

 Project B.5. HCA – Concurrent Estimates of Humpback Chub....................................84 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

C. CULTURAL RESOURCES............................................................................................86 

Project C.1. Integrated Archaeological Site Monitoring ...............................................86 

Project C.2. Integrated Tribal Values Monitoring .........................................................91 

Project C.3. Integrated Campsite Monitoring Program .................................................95 

Project C.4. Continue and Finalize Aeolian Sediment Transport and 

 Cultural Site Preservation Study..............................................................101 

D. LOGISTICS OR SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM..............................................104 

Project D.1. Coordination and Support Program-Logistics Operations.......................104 

Project D.2. Survey Operations....................................................................................107 

Project D.3. Geodetic Control Network.......................................................................110 

E. INFORMATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM....................................................115 

Project E.1. Systems Administration...........................................................................115 

Project E.2. Library......................................................................................................118 

CHAPTER 3. ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES ....................121 

 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................121 

 GCMRC ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................121 

F. ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT.......................................................123 

F.1. Administrative Operations.............................................................................123 

F.2. Program Planning and Management..............................................................124 

F.3. AMWG/TWG Participation...........................................................................125 

F.4. Independent Review Panels ...........................................................................125 

 TASK GROUPS ..............................................................................................................127 

 GCMRC BUDGET..........................................................................................................128 

REFERENCES CITED................................................................................................................130 

BUDGET TABLE .......................................................................................................................136
1 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

CHAPTER 1

THE USGS, SBSC, GCMRC FY 2006 FINAL ANNUAL WORK PLAN

INTRODUCTION 

The Fiscal Year 2006 (FY 2006) U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science 

Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) Work Plan describes 

scientific activities intended to provide the information needed to address the management 

objectives developed by the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG). 

These management objectives have been recommended by the AMWG to the Secretary of the 

Interior to meet the intent of the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act (GCPA), and the Record of 

Decision (ROD, 1996) for the final Environmental Impact Statement on the operations of Glen 

Canyon Dam (GCDEIS, 1995). 

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE 

The geographic scope of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program 

(GCDAMP) is the Colorado River mainstem corridor and interacting resources in associated 

riparian and terrace zones, located primarily from the forebay of Glen Canyon Dam to the 

western boundary of Grand Canyon National Park (Figure 1.1). It includes the area where dam 

operations impact physical, biological, recreational, cultural, and other resources. The scope of 

Adaptive Management Program activities may include limited investigations into some 

tributaries (e.g., the Little Colorado and Paria Rivers). The lateral scope is an issue of ongoing 

research and investigation to determine where the effects of dam operations are located along the 

floodplain and where opportunities exist for mitigation of dam operations (e.g., sediment in the 

Paria River, or humpback chub breeding habitat in the Little Colorado River). The Adaptive 

Management Program may do research outside the geographic scope defined above to obtain 

needed information. Such linkages with other areas “should be made on a case-by-case basis, 

considering ecosystem processes, management alternatives, funding sources, and stakeholder 

interests,” (National Research Council, 1999:43; Loveless, 2000).
GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Figure 1.1. Map of the Colorado River Ecosystem (GCMRC Study Area). 
3 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

GCMRC scientific activities are intended to determine the effects of Record of Decision 

(ROD) dam operations and other management actions primarily on downstream natural, 

recreational, and cultural resources of the Colorado River Ecosystem (CRE). GCMRC activities 

include limited investigations into tributaries (e.g., the Little Colorado and Paria Rivers) and 

reservoirs (e.g., Lake Powell). The AMWG, in drawing these boundaries on the geographic 

scope of GCMRC scientific activities, acknowledge that these constraints may inhibit the ability 

to distinguish the effects of dam operations on CRE resources from other effects. Therefore, 

scientific information from programs outside the GCDAMP may be needed as a means of 

strengthening the understanding of the entire CRE. For additional information on programmatic 

and institutional scope of the Adaptive Management Program, please refer to the AMWG 

Strategic Plan on the web (http://www.uc.usbr.gov/amp/amwg/02jan17/Attach_06.pdf).

USGS, GRAND CANYON MONITORING AND RESEARCH CENTER 

The USGS is the primary science provider for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The 

scientific nature of the USGS, its national perspective, and its non-regulatory role enable the 

USGS to provide information and understanding that are policy relevant and policy neutral. The 

USGS serves the Nation as an independent fact-finding agency that collects, monitors, analyzes, 

and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. 

The mission of the USGS is to serve the Nation by providing reliable scientific 

information to: 

1. describe and understand the Earth; 

2. minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; 

3. manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our 

quality of life. 

Mission of GCMRC 

The GCDEIS directed the Secretary of the Interior, “To establish and implement longterm monitoring programs and activities that will ensure that Glen Canyon Dam is operated in a 

manner consistent with that of Section 1802. . .” of the GCPA. The mission of the GCMRC 

is: 
4 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

 To provide credible, objective scientific information to the Glen Canyon Dam 

Adaptive Management Program on the effects of operating Glen Canyon Dam 

under the Record of Decision and other management actions on the 

downstream resources of the Colorado River ecosystem, utilizing an 

ecosystem science approach. 

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Provide quality, objective science and the use of that science in the adaptive 

management decision process. 

2. Provide scientific information for all resources of concern identified in the 

“Operation of Glen Canyon Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement.” 

3. Support the Secretary’s designee and the Adaptive Management Work Group in a 

technical advisory role. 

4. Develop research designs and proposals for implementing, by GCMRC and/or its 

contractors, monitoring and research activities in support of information needs 

identified by the Adaptive Management Work Group. 

5. Coordinate review of the monitoring and research program with independent review 

panel(s). 

6. Coordinate, prepare, and distribute technical reports and documentation for review 

and as final products. 

7. Prepare and forward technical management recommendations and annual reports, as 

specified in Section 1804 of the Grand Canyon Protection Act to the Technical 

Work Group. 

8. Manage all data collected as part of the Adaptive Management Program. Serve as a 

repository (source of information) for others (stakeholders, students, public, etc.) in 

various formats (paper, electronic, etc.) about the effects of operating Glen Canyon 

Dam on the downstream resources of the Colorado River ecosystem and the 

Adaptive Management Program. 

9. Administer research proposals through a competitive contract process, as 

appropriate. 

10. Manage GCMRC finances and personnel efficiently and effectively. 

ENSURING OBJECTIVE, QUALITY SCIENCE 

 The GCMRC was established to provide objective, high quality scientific information to 

the Secretary of the Interior and to the AMWG. To accomplish these goals, specific operating 
5 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

protocols for GCMRC were established.1

 The quality and objectivity of GCMRC research 

findings is ensured through competition and independent external scientific peer review.2 All 

proposals, data, reports, etc., are reviewed by independent, external scientists as well as by the 

GCMRC science team. 

GCMRC SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES 

 The FY 2006 Work Plan describes monitoring and research activities that address the 

management objectives (MOs) and information needs (INs)3 of the GCDAMP to the extent 

allowed under current funding. Long-term monitoring is designed to determine changes in 

resource attributes. Research is used to improve monitoring, interpret and explain trends 

observed from monitoring to determine cause-and-effect relationships and research associations, 

and to better define interrelationships among physical, biological and social processes. 

In addition, GCMRC has responsibility for management and dissemination of technical 

information in the AMP program. Included is development and maintenance of a database 

management system for archiving data collected as a result of monitoring and research activities, 

maintenance of a geographic information system for analysis and archiving of spatial data, and a 

central library for additional archiving and data dissemination activities. A major emphasis is 

placed on serving digital publications, data, and analytical tools to our stakeholders and the 

public through the portal of the GCMRC website (www.gcmrc.gov). GCMRC also operates a 

surveying department to provide consistent, quality, cost-effective support to monitoring and 

research projects. Finally, GCMRC operates a logistics program to provide cost-effective 

support to scientific field activities. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND STATUS UPDATE 

 GCMRC operates under an organizational structure focused on the following five 

program areas, each with a program manager: Physical Science Modeling and DASA, 

Biosciences, Cultural Resources, Logistics and Information Technology. A program-based 

organizational structure creates challenges to better integrate monitoring and research activities 

as stipulated in the GCMRC mission statement (see above). 

 

1 Operating Protocols for GCMRC, June, 1996. 

2 GCMRC Peer Review Guidelines, October 26, 2001. 

3 The MOs and the IN’s are currently undergoing revision. This Work Plan references the draft revised MOs. The 

INs are being revised and they are not included in this document. 
6 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Furthermore, the existence of an Information Technology program formed a barrier to 

integrating the included logistical support-activities (e.g., GIS, survey, database management) 

into a larger, Center-based framework. In recognition of these challenges, the GCMRC Chief 

instituted a reorganization of the Center on October 9, 2003. Fundamental changes included 

combining the Biology and Physical Science programs into a new Integrated Ecosystem Science 

program, and strategically merging elements of the old Information Technology into the newly 

constituted science programs. The reorganization was expected to increase the effectiveness of 

GCMRC, particularly as it relates to the conduct of integrated, or ecosystem science. However, 

the workload of the Integrated Science Program exceeded the ability of staff to effectively 

manage for increased integration and productivity. In FY 2005, GCMRC expects to hire a 

Biology Program Manager to administer that component of the program. The new program 

numbering system, on the Project Summary Sheets that follow, reflect the reorganization. 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE, MODELING AND DASA PROGRAM 

 The Physical Science, Modeling and DASA Program (Physical) represents the GCMRC’s 

primary support capability for research and monitoring related to the physical elements of the 

Colorado River ecosystem, as well as development and verification of simulation models related to 

fluvial processes in the Colorado River. It is also the driving force in designing and achieving 

science integration between physical, biological and socio-cultural elements of the monitoring and 

research program. It is also the part of the program that aims to develop and verify numerical 

modeling capabilities related to predictions of flow, sediment transport, thermal regimes and other 

critical ecosystem parameters related to fluvial processes. Under GCMRC’s new 2004 and beyond, 

organizational structure (see GCMRC’s FY 2005 Annual Work Plan), science integration for the 

CRE centers primarily around analysis of airborne remotely sensed and ground-based data on the 

Colorado River ecosystem. The system-wide analyses are facilitated within the DASA (Data 

Acquisition, Storage and Analysis) and driven by team-based initiatives aimed at acquiring resource 

data, with integrated objectives for analysis clearly identified prior to data acquisition. Following 

system-wide, airborne digital data acquisition and storage activities in spring FY06, a variety of 

spatially integrated analyses of sand storage, vegetation and coarse sediment deposits (2002 versus 

2004 and 2006) will be possible in relatively shorter timeframes owing to the increasing functionality 

of the GCMRC’s Oracle relational data engine. Through a combination of technological advances in 
7 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

database and airborne positioning methods, as well as a new organizational structure, barriers that 

have hindered past integration efforts for rapid change detection are being eliminated. 

Proposed Integration Topics - The growing capabilities of the GIS and DBMS staff within 

the DASA, will be focused on integrated analyses in the following areas during FY 2006-2008: 1) 

Inventory of recreational camping areas throughout the CRE in 2006, as well as changes in these 

areas with respect to changes in sand-bar area and vegetation between 2002 and 2006, 2) recent 

changes in system-wide sandbars areas and relationships to return-current channels (backwaters) 

designated as critical habitat elements related to native fishes early life history between 2002 and 

2006, 3) recent changes in the distribution and abundance of shoreline habitat types between 2002 

and 2006 relative to distribution and abundance data of both native and non-native fish species of 

interest, 4) recent changes in fine-sediment storage between 2002 and 2006, relative to the known 

distribution of archeological preservation sites and other elements of the cultural resources program, 

5) recent changes between 2002 and 2006, in the distribution of new coarse-grained sediment 

deposited by tributary debris flows and stream floods (their impacts to associated camping areas and 

rapids) and their relationship to the benthic organisms of the ecosystem’s food web, 6) integration of 

historical data relating to Lake Powell and associated downstream trends in critical quality-of-water 

parameters, such as temperature, suspended-sediment transport, dissolved oxygen, specific 

conductivity, etc. Additional integrated science topics shall be scheduled and undertaken with the 

GCMRC in collaboration with its stakeholders and science cooperators as needs are identified. 

Model Development and Verification - In addition to pursuing integrated science analyses, 

the Physical Science program area will also continue high-resolution monitoring of the system-wide 

flux of stream flow, quality-of-water and fine sediment through the combined use of conventional 

and innovative new sensor technologies. As initiated in 2002-2004, these new technologies will be 

further supported by two-way satellite telemetry systems that allow real-time access to suspendedsediment and stream flow data, as well as remote control of automated monitoring systems. Over the 

past decade, several numerical models have been developed by cooperating scientists to predict the 

fate of operational releases from Glen Canyon Dam, as well as their influence on downstream 

resources, such as fine-sediment. Ongoing collection of high-resolution data related to the mass flux 

of fine sediment, water and other parameters such as temperature, provide the ability to further refine 

and verify the existing models, as well as develop new models. Through time, as the various model 

capabilities are advanced, the Physical Science program intends to work with the Socio-Cultural and 
8 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Biology program areas to develop additional ecological simulations for the CRE. Advanced 

modeling predictions can then be used to better focus the planning process for longer-term 

experimental designs that may need to be considered for implementation. 

Physical Science and DASA Updates - Following, are descriptions and updates on current 

knowledge related to the individual elements of the Physical Science, Modeling and DASA program 

area. 

Integrated Quality-of-Water Program Upstream Component - Lake Powell

Lake Powell Prolonged drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin and a high test 

flow in November 2004 have contributed to low Lake Powell elevations. Elevations following 

November’s release were at 3567.4 ft. This elevation is similar to that seen in the 1970’s when 

the reservoir was still filling. Storage in the reservoir was at 36% of live capacity (U.S. Bureau 

of Reclamation, http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/gcd.html) in December 2004. 

 As the warmer surface layers of the reservoir come closer to the penstock withdrawal 

elevation, increased release temperatures during the summers were recorded in 2003 and 2004. 

Release temperatures reached 12°C in September 2003 and 14°C in September 2004, the warmest 

temperatures observed for that time of year since 1973. Dissolved oxygen levels were at very low 

levels throughout the reservoir in September 2003 owing to resuspension of deltaic sediments. 

The GCMRC long-term monitoring program for Lake Powell continues, with monthly 

forebay and quarterly reservoir surveys. These surveys consist of the collection of a profile of 

physical and chemical parameters through the water column, sampling at discrete depths for 

major ion and nutrient concentrations, and biological sampling for chlorophyll, phytoplankton, 

and zooplankton at selected stations in the reservoir forebay, main channel, and major tributary 

arms of the reservoir. Continuous water quality monitors are in place for thermal monitoring in 

the reservoir forebay and in the reservoir tailwater. 

The database (WQDB) for Lake Powell and Grand Canyon water quality is nearing 

completion and being integrated with GCMRC’s Oracle database management system. These 

data comprise all Bureau of Reclamation, GCES, and GCMRC water quality monitoring 

information collected since 1965, representing the entire water quality history of Lake Powell. 

The consolidation and management of these data make it possible to evaluate the information 

collected from this long-term effort and make changes in sample collection to achieve a more 
9 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

efficient program. Revisions in major ion and nutrient sampling, plankton sampling, and inflow 

monitoring are expected during FY2005-2007. Monthly and quarterly provisional data from 

monitoring trips are posted on the GCMRC website and open file reports for each water year are 

published. The latter was instituted for WY2003. 

 GCMRC receives funding for the Lake Powell Water Quality Monitoring Program from 

Bureau of Reclamation Operation and Maintenance funds, based on an agreement with the Technical 

Work Group. Adaptive Management Program funds are not used directly for Lake Powell 

monitoring. The Bureau provides additional support for model development and technical field 

assistance. Reclamation provides laboratory analytical services through a service agreement, 

eliminating the need for GCMRC to contract directly for these services and reducing its direct 

funding to GCMRC. 

Integrated Quality-of-Water Downstream Component – Lake Powell

 The Integrated Quality-of-Water Project (IQWP) has two major downstream components. 

The first component is focused on monitoring and modeling the mass-balance of fine sediment in 

the CRE. Monitoring of fine sediment is important because 1) sand typically provides the 

material that accumulates in side-channel eddies and creates sandbars that provide backwater 

habitat areas for native fish and recreational campsites for river runners, and 2) very fine 

sediment creates turbidity that was ubiquitous in the pre-dam era and has a significant effect on 

many ecological functions. The second component of IQWP downstream is focused on 

characterizing other water quality components of the ecosystem, such as water temperature, 

oxygen, nutrients, and carbon. This component of the program will have a strong linkage to the 

newly developing aquatic foodbase initiative. 

Fine-Sediment Mass Balance – A return to daily monitoring of the fine-sediment mass 

balance (i.e. input minus export) in the CRE began in August of 1999. Since then, the project has 

made significant advancements in the monitoring of fine sediment transport through the use of 

emerging technologies such as laser diffraction and acoustic backscatter. Results of sand-transport 

mass balance calculations for the period of fall 1999 through September 2000, show that sand loads 

passing the Grand Canyon gage, located 102 miles downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, exceeded total 

estimated tributary inputs; except during the period of June through August 2000 (Low Summer 

Steady Flow test), when dam operations were held constant at 8,000 cfs. Sand mass-balance data for 
10 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

October 2000 through November 2001, do show evidence of some accumulation of sand upstream of 

Phantom Ranch (river mile 87), in response to an approximate 1,000,000 metric ton input of sand 

from the Paria River in October 2000, in combination with relatively low-flow releases from Glen 

Canyon Dam throughout Water Year 2001. Additional sand inputs from the tributaries that occurred 

during September of Water Year 2002, also accumulated in the channel bed under the low-flow 

operations of September through December 2002. However, preliminary observations during 

January through March 2003, suggest that experimental fluctuating flows exported 2002 sand inputs 

from critical reaches above Phantom Ranch. Indeed, mass-balance calculations for Marble Canyon 

and Upper Grand Canyon (Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch) indicate that sediment export has exceeded 

input since August 1999 (Figure 1.2). Further, Figure 1.2 indicates that significant export during the 

winter experimental fluctuating flows is contributing to the negative mass-balance. Significant 

tributary inputs during fall 2004 led to an experimental high-flow release from Glen Canyon Dam, as 

discussed in a subsequent section updating experimental flows. 

-4.0

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

MASS-BALANCE SAND BUDGET

BETWEEN LEES FERRY AND THE GRAND CANYON GAGE

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

MASS-BALANCE UNCERTAINTY ENVELOPE

WATER DISCHARGE

SAND MASS IN REACH RELATIVE TO 

THAT ON AUG 15, 1999 (million metric tons)

DISCHARGE AT THE LEES FERRY GAGE (ft3/s)

PARIA RIVER FLOODS LCR FLOOD

PARIA RIVER FLOOD

ACCUMULATION

EROSION

Figure 1.2. Mass-balance of fine sediment between Lees Ferry and Grand Canyon since August 

1999.

Existing management actions taken through Water Year 2004, under the Record-ofDecision (ROD) failed to meet even the expectations contained in the Glen Canyon Dam EIS 
11 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

that, compared to the no action alternative, the preferred alternative would result in sand 

resources in the CRE increasing over time. The basic finding of the mass-balance project team is 

that downstream transport of new sand inputs occurs much more rapidly than was previously 

predicted by the Glen Canyon Dam EIS writing team (Rubin et al., 2002). The rapid export of 

new sand inputs measured during 1999 through 2004 (Figure 1.2), from sediment-starved 

upstream reaches such as Marble Canyon, indicates that the ecosystem’s sand supply does not 

become progressively enriched over multi-year periods, except during periods when monthly 

release volumes are at about 700,000 acre feet or lower. If most ROD dam operations prevent 

new sand inputs from accumulating within the river channel, then re-deposition of new sand 

inputs cannot occur during occasional controlled floods, termed “Beach/Habitat-Building 

Flows.” Such periodic releases are intended to restore and maintain sand bars that have 

experienced erosion since dam closure. Suggested alternatives for better conserving new sand 

inputs include timing the release of bar-building floods to more closely follow significant periods 

of sand input from tributaries (this alternative was tested in November 2004, as discussed in a 

subsequent section on experimental flows). Another alternative is to schedule BHBF releases 

during periods when ROD operations at Glen Canyon Dam reflect below-average basinhydrology conditions.

 Water Quality Monitoring – Downstream water quality monitoring has been aimed 

primarily at establishing a robust record of tributary and mainstem temperature data under 

different flow conditions. More recent protocols attempt to characterize a variety of other 

parameters that provide information on the ecosystem function, such as dissolved oxygen. 

Temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH are monitored continuously at Glen 

Canyon Dam and at several locations on the Colorado River between the dam and Diamond 

Creek. Temperature is monitored at several other mainstem locations as well as on major 

tributaries. These data provide information on how these parameters change both in time and 

space throughout the CRE, aid in the calibration and validation of numerical models, and serve 

as baseline data for integration with the aquatic foodbase program. As an example, Figure 1.3 

shows temperature data collected at Lees Ferry and at the Grand Canyon gage (Phantom Ranch) 

during the Low Summer Steady Flows of 2000, illustrating the effects of low flows on 

downstream warming. Monitoring of water temperatures in backwater areas is also ongoing in 

order to assess the thermal regime of these critical habitats. 
12 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan - 2000

Feb - 2000

Mar - 2000

Apr - 2000

May - 2000

Jun - 2000

Jul - 2000

Aug - 2000

Sep - 2000

Oct - 2000

Nov - 2000

Dec - 2000

Daily water temperature (C)

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

Daily water discharge (cfs)

Lees Ferry daily water temperature

Grand Canyon daily water temperature

Lees Ferry daily discharge

Figure 1.3. Daily water temperature data at Lees Ferry (mile 0) and Grand Canyon gages (mile 

87) and daily flows at Lees Ferry during calendar year 2000. 

Ongoing data analysis includes the assessment of spatial and temporal trends in the 

monitored parameters (temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH). In the future, 

analyses of these data will be integrated with the developing aquatic foodbase program, 

particularly with respect to analyzing whole-stream metabolism using dissolved oxygen. 

Protocols are in development for the transfer of collected data into the GCMRC Oracle database 

in order to facilitate these integrated analyses. A protocol of annual data reporting (as USGS 

Open-File Reports) is also being implemented in order to give stakeholders and other scientists 

access to peer-reviewed data as quickly as possible. 

Simulation Model Development and Application – Fine sediment transport model 

development and application has been ongoing since 2003. Two models are under development. 

The first model simulates flow and sediment transport in individual eddies and is used to predict 

how sandbars build under varying flow and sediment supply conditions. The second model uses 

results from the first model to simulate sediment transport, erosion, and deposition down the 
13 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Colorado River channel between Lees Ferry and Phantom Ranch. When completed, this model 

may be used to assess the effects of various dam operations on fine sediment resources in the 

CRE, and to tailor-design any future high-flow test hydrographs (peak and duration) to maximize 

effectiveness in bar-building response. The model will be a valuable tool to help managers 

assess the potential effects of management decisions before implementation. 

One of the primary recommendations of the water quality Protocol Evaluations Panel was 

the development of numerical models of water quality dynamics within the CRE. Numerical 

models are useful for various applications, including 1) analyzing “what if” scenarios for 

management decisions (e.g. how would a temperature control device at GCD affect temperatures 

at various downstream locations?), 2) interpolating both spatially and temporally between 

collected data (i.e. filling gaps in monitoring records), and 3) isolating the effects of different 

driving mechanisms (e.g. how do fluctuating flows affect downstream oxygen levels with all 

other factors being equal?). Beginning in FY05, work was initiated on the development of a 

water quality model of the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, and this work will 

continue in FY06. The model is one-dimensional (streamwise) and incorporates results from a 

previously developed 1D flow model. A modular structure is being implemented so that any 

generic source/sink term can be added to the model in order to simulate the parameter of interest. 

The first source/sink term being added to the model is heat exchange between the river and the 

atmosphere in order to simulate water temperature, since temperature is an important parameter 

for many ecological processes. Future envisioned additions to the model include DO-BOD 

relationships, nutrient transport and cycling, and linkage to the fine sediment transport model to 

assess the effects of fine sediment on other ecosystem processes. The model will be an essential 

tool for integrated analyses of water quality data in the context of the aquatic foodbase program. 

Fine-Sediment and Related Shoreline Habitats

 Fine-Sediment Storage Monitoring: Individual sand bar data collected from 1990 

through fall 2003, show that sand bars in the actively fluctuating zone (8,000 to 25,000 cfs), and 

above the 25,000 cfs stage within Marble Canyon (river miles 0-61) have continued to decline 

since 1990, despite bar restoration gains achieved by the Beach/Habitat-Building Flow test of 

1996, and peak power-plant test flows released in November 1997 and May and September 

2000. Although high-elevation sand bars (above 25,000 cfs) below river mile 61 (Grand 
14 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Canyon) appear to be in somewhat better condition in 2000 versus 1990, than bars in Marble 

Canyon, deposits within the actively fluctuating zone continue to show decline throughout the 

ecosystem. The sand-bar time series (1990 through 2002) suggests that the long-term fate of 

beaches in the upper, critical reaches of the ecosystem will likely be in continued decline under 

current ROD operations. Beach data collected in fall 2003 show decline in bar conditions at 

many sites within the first 100 miles below the dam. The most probable reason for the 

continuing decline of sand bars appears to be related to depletion of the ecosystem’s sediment 

supply. This trend might be reversed if new fine-sediment inputs from tributaries can be 

managed more strategically using combinations of power-plant operations and BHBF’s 

following tributary floods. Declining beach trends correlate with the findings of the sediment 

mass-balance project that indicate that new sand inputs from tributaries are transported 

downstream relatively quickly rather than being retained throughout the river channel and 

periodically re-deposited on diminishing bars. 

Experimental Flows Update – Fine Sediment Testing in 2004 

Experimental fluctuating flows from 5,000 to 20,000 cfs were conducted in January – 

March 2003 and 2004. These flows are designed to disadvantage non-native fish in the Glen 

Canyon reach, but also have an effect on fine sediment transport. Because of the non-linear 

nature of the relation between sediment-transport and water discharge, higher peak fluctuations 

tend to transport much more sediment. Analysis of sediment export using rating curves indicates 

that the 5 to 20 kcfs fluctuations export 147 – 241% more fine sediment than MLLF for a 

700,000 acre-feet release month. The high export rate of sediment during these experimental 

fluctuations is also apparent in the mass-balance plot presented in the previous section (Figure 

1.2). 

 Further experimental flows were conducted in November 2004 in response to significant 

Paria River inputs during September, October, and November. Between July 1 and November 

11, 2004, fine sediment monitoring indicated that between 760,000 and 1,260,000 metric tons of 

sand had accumulated in Marble Canyon, leading managers to initiate a high-flow test in an 

attempt to redistribute this newly supplied sand to high elevation eddies and sandbars. On 

November 20th at 10 pm flows began to ramp up from 8,000 cfs at Glen Canyon Dam, reaching a 

peak of 41,000 cfs on November 22nd at 4 am. The peak was maintained for 60 hours and the 
15 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

flow returned to 8,000 cfs on November 25th at 1 pm. High-resolution suspended-sediment and 

bed material data were collected during the high-flow test, along with pre- and post-high-flow 

sandbar surveys (ground-based and aerial remote sensing combined with traditional land 

surveying) in selected reaches throughout Marble Canyon in order to evaluate the effects of the 

high-flow test on fine sediment resources within the CRE. Data analysis is ongoing with 

preliminary results expected during the fall of 2005. 

Data Acquisition, Storage and Analysis (DASA) 

Based on results of the 2000-2003, Remote Sensing Initiative (Davis, et al., 2003) and the 

success of several automated analysis projects undertaken in FY2003, the GCMRC proposes to 

refocus many of its monitoring data acquisition and analysis efforts around a common theme 

entitled, automated monitoring technologies and applications. This approach envisions: (1) 

adoption of a suite of remote sensing technologies that have either been proven or are very likely 

to produce terrestrial and hydrographic data of sufficient accuracy to satisfy many of the 

scientific needs of the physical, biological and cultural resource programs, as well as information 

requirements of resource managers, and (2) development or adoption of digital analysis routines 

for automating the extraction and classification of information formatted to the monitoring needs 

of scientists or cooperators attached to the physical, biological and cultural resource programs 

and to those of resource managers. This approach is designed to supplement and enhance more 

traditional scientific data collection and analysis technologies, and, in some cases, supplant them. 

Airborne and ground-based sensors have joined the ranks of more traditional gauging stations as 

technologies for monitoring the environment. This approach is adaptive. It recognizes that, 

while all scientific data collection cannot be automated, many analysis and field-support 

activities can be. Where applicable, the GIS program exists to provide this support. In this 

vision, ‘storage’ is that component of the triad that provides the framework for housing and 

accessing an expanding digital database composed of traditional and remotely sensed data 

together with their derived information products. 

System-Wide Data Acquisition (Airborne Remote Sensing) - The automated monitoring 

technologies and applications approach envisions implementation of many findings and remote 

sensing technologies recommended to the Technical Work Group in the final report from the 

remote sensing initiative. The remote sensing technology proposed for 2006 is multi-spectral 

and panchromatic digital imagery (25 cm and 12.5 cm spatial resolutions) together with digital 
16 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

elevation data (1 meter spatial resolution), whose analysis was automated in 2003 to produce 

terrestrial vegetation and fine-grained sediment inventories. 

Remote sensing accomplishments in FY2002-03 included acquisition of a canyon-wide 

set of multi-spectral digital imagery and a 1-meter digital elevation model (DEM), a successful 

test of very high resolution LiDAR within Marble Canyon, and the publication of results from 

the remote sensing initiative. Several automated products were developed from the multispectral imagery. These include: a canyon-wide fine-grained sediment inventory, a camping 

beach characteristic inventory, and the development of digital topographic cross-sections (based 

on the May, 2002 1-meter digital elevation model) to support hydrographic modeling. FY2004 

accomplishments included: a detailed, canyon-wide vegetation map developed from the May, 

2002 multi-spectral digital imagery; acquisition of canyon-wide multi-spectral and panchromatic 

digital imagery (assuming available funds); and very high resolution LiDAR, hydrographic 

LiDAR and selected multi-beam sonar to support a final assessment of these technologies as 

primary monitoring technologies. These data will form the basis of detailed inventories, change 

analyses and technology assessments that will be produced in FY2004 and FY2006. 

Terrestrial digital elevation base maps - Prior to 2001, GCMRC had sub-meter accuracy 

terrestrial topographic maps of approximately 80 miles of the ecosystem in 17 areas of 

concentrated scientific effort that have been referred to as GIS sites. GCMRC also has similar 

topographic maps from GCD to Badger Rapid near river mile (RM) 8 derived from our LiDAR 

evaluation in 1998. In FY2000, the GCMRC collected high-resolution orthophotography and 

topography of the entire CRE. This dataset provides one-foot resolution geo-referenced and 

rectified imagery and one meter interval contour maps as well as a four-meter digital elevation 

model. This data set was delivered, inspected, and incorporated into the GCMRC FTP site 

(accessible from the GCMRC web page or directly at ftp.gcmrc.gov) in the /data/orthophotos and 

/data/lidar subdirectories. In addition to sub-meter terrestrial base maps described above, we 

have high-resolution field surveys of 35 sand bar sites that have been repeated at varying 

intervals since 1991. We also have numerous field surveys of vegetation, cultural, and 

endangered species habitat such as KAS surveys. Additional sub-meter accuracy terrestrial 

topographic coverage needs to be obtained for the remainder of the ecosystem. 

Hydrographic base maps - The hydrographic mapping program was established for the 

purpose of producing a sub-aqueous channel map of the Colorado River within the ecosystem. 
17 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Hydrographic mapping supports several GCMRC scientific initiatives including: streamflow and 

fine-grained sediment transport, fine-grained sediment storage, streamflows and suspended 

sediment modeling, advanced conceptual modeling of coarse grained sediment, fish habitat 

mapping, and measuring changes in morphology and topography of the sub-aqueous canyon 

ecosystem. We currently have low resolution (20 meter transects) single beam base data from 

GDC to Badger Rapid, and GIS Site 7. We currently have single beam data (10 meter square) 

repeated since 1993 at 35 NAU sand bar sites (Hazel et al., 1999; Kaplinski, 2000), repeated 

surveys from Paria (RM 1) to Cathedral Wash (RM 3), 4 large pool sites in Site 5 (Wiele, 1998), 

5 repeated surveys in RM 42-43 and RM 62-65 to monitor the 1996 flood, and a pre- and postflood survey on the Lake Mead Delta. We also have high resolution (multi-beam) surveys in the 

pools from RM 1-3, RM 9-11, 29-42, and 45-68. Additional channel mapping of all the 

remaining river channel needs to be obtained as control is established. In FY2001-03, 

hydrographic channel data was collected for approximately 60 additional miles of the CRE. This 

data was processed in FY2002-03. Additionally, we explored the potential of channel mapping 

using an airborne LiDAR system with water-penetrating capabilities as part of a sediment 

augmentation feasibility study. A test flight to collect LiDAR survey data using the SHOALS 

1000T sensor and digital imagery was conducted in November 2004 for portions of the San Juan 

arm of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. Processed data from this test is expected sometime in 

March 2005, with accuracy assessments to follow thereafter. 

Mapping Riparian Vegetation - We examined various airborne remote-sensing data that 

were collected during different seasons within a one-year time frame, with different spatial 

resolutions (11 cm to 100 cm), and with various technologies (CIR film, CIR CCDs, and multispectral data) to determine the relative merits of each data set for mapping riparian vegetation 

within the Grand Canyon. This study determined that digital, 3-4 band image data using 

appropriate wavelength bands can provide maps of riparian vegetation communities at a 60-70% 

accuracy level without field surveys. Field verification and limited surveys can increase this 

accuracy to about 80% or greater. 

Mapping Warm-Water Fish Habitats and Cultural Features - We evaluated airborne 

thermal-infrared (TIR) data that were acquired at 100-cm resolution during maximum solar 

heating (at 1:30 p.m.) to determine the capability of such data for mapping warm backwaters and 

near-shore habitats for fish, in addition to mapping archaeological structural sites and natural 
18 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

springs within the Grand Canyon. Airborne TIR data can provide an instantaneous map of 

surface water temperature for very large regions, which cannot be obtained by in-situ 

measurement methods. Detection of archaeological structures requires the use of an airborne TIR 

sensor that can detect temperature differences as small as 0.1 degrees C, and provide at a spatial 

resolution of no more than 25 cm. Detection would be optimized by data collection after sunset 

or just after sunrise. Safety issues after dark and shadows during early morning make such data 

collections very difficult. Detection of natural springs is better approached using TIR data 

collected after sunset. TIR data collected during daylight hours detect only the largest springs, 

whose existence is already known. Detection of natural springs after sunset can and has been 

accomplished using rather low-resolution imagery (1-3 meters) because the spring waters spread 

from their source and present a large area and the spring water is much colder than the 

surrounding warm, dry ground. 

Monitoring Sand-Bar Deposits - The GCMRC evaluated light detection and ranging 

(LiDAR) and photogrammetric methods for remotely mapping sand bar deposits along the 

Colorado River to determine if these two remote-sensing technologies for mapping topography 

could approach the accuracies currently obtained using field survey methods and at a comparable 

cost, while providing more aerial coverage. Thus far, our studies have determined that LiDAR 

appears to be a suitable method for rapidly obtaining the topography of bare sediment surfaces 

over very large regions whereas photogrammetry produces more accurate ground topography in 

vegetated terrain than LiDAR. 

Members of the DASA are further investigating LiDAR and photogrammetry in terms of 

their ability to map volumes of terrestrial sediments, which does not require knowledge of 

absolute elevations. In FY2002-03, we investigated remote-sensing technologies to determine 

vegetation habitat structures (area, volumes, heights), to map and monitor older river terraces, to 

map and monitor channel bottom deposits, and to monitor the river water’s suspended load and 

turbidity. In November 2004, LiDAR data was collected for FIST reaches 2 through 7 (Paria 

River to Palisades) during the steady flow periods before and after the experimental high-flow of 

45,000 cfs to capture the pre- and post-flood conditions of those sites. We are currently planning 

another LiDAR mission to further monitor the same sites in May 2005. 

The remote sensing initiative was completed at the end of FY2003, and a final 

presentation on the findings and recommendations associated with the initiative was made to the 
19 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Adaptive Management Workgroup in March 2005. The final report, completed in fall FY2003, 

recommended technologies for implementation within all GCMRC program areas to the 

Technical Work Group (see Davis et al., 2003). Remote sensing activities in FY 2006 will 

consist of digital, multi-spectral data (similar to the system-wide data set from May 2002), 

collected using state-of-the-art airborne sensors in support of the biological, cultural, and 

physical science programs at GCMRC. The digital imagery collected in May 2002 has proven to 

be a definitive data source for hardcopy river atlases in support of field work, in-house spatial 

database development, spatial analysis and internet mapping applications. The overflight 

mission scheduled for May 2006 will serve these same purposes as well as supply an updated 

dataset for future scientific endeavors.

Data Storage (Database management) - The DASA is the first of three fundamental 

technologies for consolidating, storing, and distributing data gathered as part of monitoring and 

research projects at GCMRC. Its purpose is to store all tabular data available in electronic form 

and to reference additional data that is either not available in electronic form or is not tabular 

(e.g., digital imagery). The Oracle database engine was selected for GCMRC database 

development. Oracle is a state-of-the-art data storage and delivery system that can function either 

as a centralized or distributed database and incorporates a high degree of information technology 

integration. The Database Management System (DBMS) program is currently working on 

bringing together years of disparate historical data collected by multiple entities located in 

databases across the southwest, in an organized fashion and then deliver it transparently to 

stakeholders and researchers for decision-making and modeling purposes. A key aspect of this 

work has been integrating Oracle’s database management software with the Center’s ARC/INFO 

GIS, so that all tabular data sets can be viewed and queried in a spatial context. This database 

will continue to serve as the backbone for data management encompassing other DASA 

components from data storage and analysis to the automated access of CRE information. 

Data Analysis (Geographic Information Systems) – The Geographic Information Systems 

(GIS) Program provides technical support, spatial databases and spatial analysis capabilities to 

scientists in the physical, biological and cultural resource programs and their cooperators. 

Monitoring activities within the CRE are inherently spatial in nature, any cross many scientific 

disciplines. In this context, spatial database integration is an extremely important component of 

a successful integrated science program. It provides the framework for canyon-wide ecosystem 
20 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

studies. In combination with canyon-wide remote sensing data, GIS provides an important tool 

for integrating and analyzing large amounts of site-specific, regional and canyon-wide data in 

formats that are supportive of scientists as well as resource managers. 

 Over the past several years, the GIS program has provided many important products and 

services to scientists and cooperators operating within the GCMRC framework. These have 

included: spatial database collection, development and integration; field operation and mapping 

support activities; the development of common spatial referencing systems; and custom GIS 

programming and analysis for specific scientific projects. Important GIS products have 

included: a canyon-wide shoreline habitat map; an automated fine-grained sediment inventory 

and camping beach analysis developed from digital imagery; an automated tool for generating 

composite terrestrial / hydrographic cross-sections and virtual shorelines in support of hydrologic 

modeling; and large-scale river map guides. 

The GIS program will lead the effort in implementing the automated monitoring 

technologies and applications approach. This effort is designed to quickly and accurately 

classify large sets of raster and vector data into monitoring information that are useful to 

scientists and resource managers. Future GIS efforts will focus on automated analyses of 

remotely-sensed data in support of specific physical, biological and cultural resource projects 

and monitoring missions, as well as continued integration of spatial information for scientific 

analysis and reporting. In FY2003, the GIS program demonstrated that automated processing of 

multi-spectral digital imagery could be utilized to accurately map vegetation and the twodimensional distribution of fine-grained sediment deposits above 8,000 cfs on a canyon-wide 

basis. Techniques will also be developed for automated processing and classification of data 

acquired from the terrestrial and hydrographic LiDAR missions and existing multi-beam sonar 

data. 

Technical Support Coordination - Integration of support capabilities in the areas of GIS 

and Remote Sensing is critical to the success of scientific data collection and integration for all 

of GCMRC’s research and monitoring projects. Technical Support Coordination requires 

effective communication with Researchers, Program Managers and GIS and DASA personnel to 

facilitate collection and delivery of information that complies with GCMRC Data Standards. 

Coordination entails evaluation of requests and scheduling of the appropriate equipment, 
21 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

materials, services and personnel required to implement research activities. Examples of 

Technical Support requests include: 

• Copies of existing map products and aerial photo sets. 

• Processing requests to GIS for new map products. 

• Scheduling Field Equipment (i.e. Computers, handheld GPS units, digital cameras, 

etc.). 

• Scheduling personnel required to assist with field work. 

• Consultation with GIS personnel for recommendations on data collection methods to 

achieve effective integration with the GIS. 

• Consultation with Database personnel for advice on data collection formatting to 

achieve effective integration with the GCMRC Database. 

Additionally, future dissemination of essential information to researchers related to 

permitting procedures, trip planning and survey and technical support requests will necessitate 

utilization of the GCMRC web page. Development of a Research Coordination and Support 

Program web page will include information pages and access to on-line forms to submit requests 

for scheduling river trips, and survey and technical support. The web pages will be developed in 

cooperation with the Information Office staff. 

BIOSCIENCES PROGRAM 

Terrestrial Resources

Terrestrial resources of interest to stakeholders in the adaptive management program 

include riparian vegetation, riparian breeding birds and waterfowl, invertebrates including Kanab 

ambersnail, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Recommendations from a protocol 

evaluation panel (Urquhart et al., 2000) were incorporated into 2001 monitoring and research 

plans, and portions of this work continue to be evaluated and implemented through 2005. 

Through FY05 terrestrial monitoring included a yearly field-based assessment of 

vegetation cover, species richness and diversity at 60 transect sites along the CRE at discharges 

of 15, 25, 35, 45, and 60k cfs. The intent of these longitudinal transects at set discharges are to 

link changes in measured vegetation parameters to operations and climatic patterns. Multi-year 

data sets through 2003 indicate that operations and the extended drought affect vegetation cover 
22 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Stage (kcfs)

10 20 30 40 50 60

Percent Vegetative Cover

0

10

20

30

40

2001

2002

2003

Figure 1.4. Percent vegetative cover at five stage elevation zones between 2001 and 2003. 

Vertical bars represent +/- 1 standard error. Cover has declined in all zones since 2001. 

Discharge had the greatest affect on stages from 35k cfs to 15K cfs. Overall vegetation cover 

within the riparian zone is not dense, though cover is greatest at the 25k cfs zone which 

corresponds with areas utilized for camping. 

differentially. Operations had a significant affect at stages up to 35k cfs, while climate affected 

plants at higher discharges (see figure above from Kearsley et al., 2003). Since 2002 cover has 

declined below 25k stage level possibly as a result of scour associated with winter fish 

suppression flows (5-20k cfs daily), or as a result of June – August discharges that reached peaks

of 18k cfs. Vegetation is sampled in September and it is likely that cover values at the 15k cfs 

level are associated with summer discharge patterns. The mean wetland score, which most 

closely tracks operational effects on vegetation and available groundwater, showed no change 

within zones between years, but an increase in value for all zones compared to 2001 (Kearsley et 

al., 2002). Again these scores may be associated with either winter or summer discharge 

patterns. Repeat data collection would determine how these cover and wetland values may be 

trending relative to climatic and operational changes over time, and illustrates the value of 
23 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

sustained monitoring. Funding limitations in FY06 do not permit continuation of this groundbased monitoring. 

A vegetation basemap initiated in FY2003, to be completed in FY2005, serves as a 

template for past and future large-scale change detection for core monitoring, as well as for 

randomized selection of monitoring sites for vertebrates including bird patches. A system-wide 

mission to acquire a digital dataset similar to 2002 ISTAR data set is proposed for 2006. This 

dataset would permit landscape scale change detection for vegetation that is proposed as part of 

core monitoring. Questions that could be addressed in this avenue of study include camping 

beach encroachment, status of old high water zone riparian area change, and general riparian 

vegetation productivity changes at a very gross scale when used in combination with LiDAR and 

ground truth efforts for canopy heights. These questions and analysis do not address smaller 

scale species abundance and distribution questions, however. 

 Riparian breeding birds monitoring, excluding southwest willow flycatcher, will be 

temporarily suspended in 2006 due to funding limitations. Surveys over the period of 2001-

2003 suggest that bird abundances shift between Old and New High Water Zones depending on 

resource availability. Bird abundance and density, which included migrants and permanent 

winter and summer residents, was greater in the New High Water Zone (t=3.4, p=0.001) (Yard 

and Blake, 2002). Species richness was also higher in the New High Water Zone. This was in 

contrast to 2001 where species abundance was greater in the Old High Water Zone. The shift in 

bird abundance between Old and New High Water Zones may be associated with lower 

abundance and diversity of arthropods or seeds from annual grasses and herbs in the Old High 

Water Zone related to the drought conditions. Decreases in annual grasses and herbaceous plants 

was recorded in the 35k-60k cfs vegetation transect plots that incorporate stage discharge level 

(Kearsley et al 2003), which was part of this integrated monitoring project, These data provide 

correlational support for density shifts observed among riparian birds between years. Synthesis 

of invertebrate data will take place in 2004-05 and it is anticipated that trophic level interactions 

will be more developed by 2006. 
24 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Lastly, Kanab ambersnail monitoring at Vaseys Paradise has continued to follow the 

protocols begun 1997. Data collection efforts continue at two trips per year: one in spring and 

one in fall. Population estimates for the snail indicate that the snail numbers vary widely 

throughout the year (10,000 in the spring to 100,000+ in the fall), influenced by climatic and 

concomitant habitat variability (SWCA, 1999). Greatest gains in habitat occurred between 2001 

and 2002 where snail habitat at Vaseys Paradise increased 6 % in area between spring and fall of 

2002. Total surveyed habitat changed from 270.01 m2

 in April to 288.36 m2 by August 24, 2002. 

Yearly average total habitat has increased steadily and significantly since 1998, from 176 

m2

 in 1998 to 297 m2 in 2004 (see figure above). Patch composition has shifted toward more 

monkey flower and less watercress which may also be an indication of drier soil moisture 

conditions and fewer disturbances. 

KAS habitat 1998-'04

0

200

400

Year

area (sq. m)

Spring

Fall

Spring 177.8 215.7 203.3 211.4 270 277.4 274.4

Fall 175.8 162.9 210.9 220.6 288.4 289.8 297.1

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
25 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Snail Abundances - Estimated snail numbers have not changed significantly since 1998, 

but numbers have shown a decline to a value of 4147 snails in April 2004. Curiously, while 

habitat has increased, snail numbers have not had a correlated increase. The lack of increase in 

snail numbers may be associated with soil moisture and shifts in plant species composition rather 

than the amount of habitat available. The discharge from the spring at Vaseys Paradise has 

declined since 2001, the amount of watercress found within the habitat has become reduced, and 

bighorn sheep have begun to habitually visit and forage on Carex aquatilus (sedge) at the 

springs. These factors in combination may be affecting snail numbers recorded since 2001 (see 

figure below). 

Aquatic Resources 

Aquatic resources continue to undergo review of methodologies and historic data. New 

sampling methods are being incorporated into monitoring the sport fishery, native fish 

communities, food base, and water quality monitoring. Protocol review panels were held for the 

water quality program (Ruane et al., 2001), the Lees Ferry trout fishery (Culver et al., 2000) and 

for the aquatic program (Bradford et al., 2001), which includes the mainstem fishery downstream 

of Lees Ferry, and the aquatic food base program at a system-wide perspective. 

Recommendations made for the native and non-native fishery programs have included increasing 

random sampling efforts, strengthening efforts associated with integration across disciplines and 

developing modeling efforts. An effective mark-recapture program in the LCR and different 

stock assessment models for assessing the status and trends of the humpback chub have been 

developed from this review process. 

Estimated snail numbers 1998-2004

0

20000

40000

year

snails

spring

fall

spring 10953 8667 13438 3124 3745 6787 4147

fall 11921 35973 5582 16052 7444 16400

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
26 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

The water quality and food base resources are in the process of incorporating 

recommendations into a revised program and will spend 2005 – 2007 testing and evaluating data 

and sampling methods that are most pertinent to stakeholder management objectives, information 

needs, and that are biologically informative from a food web perspective. Reviews of the aquatic 

food base program determined methods and approaches done up to 2002, while informative, 

were insufficient for monitoring because an understanding about linkages between lower trophic 

levels and food availability of fish were deemed inadequate to interpret food base in relation to 

management goals. They identified that further research was needed before a long-term 

monitoring program existed, because assumed linkages between food base and fishes had not 

been empirically established. 

Food Base Resources 

The aquatic protocol evaluation panel had concerns with the lack of empirically 

established linkages between food base and fishes (Bradford et al., 2001), and identified that a 

possible consequence of the recent increase in primary and secondary production may 

differentially benefit non-native species (competitors or predators) over native species. Because 

of this, additional research and the restructuring of the existing foodbase monitoring program is 

warranted in light of its importance toward meeting stakeholder objectives. A series of 

integrated studies will address a number of issues identified by the aquatic protocol evaluation 

panel (Bradford et al., 2001). Primary focus is on the research and development of an organic 

budget and foodweb linkage program as an organizational framework to determine whether or 

not the aquatic food base is limiting, and to determine what organic sources, and where 

limitations occur within the Colorado River system. This requires multiple approaches: 1) 

conduct in-stream metabolism and community respiration experiments; 2) quantify organic and 

inorganic carbon supply and fluxes (decomposition, transformations and residency); 3) based on 

findings of the organic mass balance research design and effective sampling program having the 

appropriate sampling locations, methods and frequency for assessing and quantifying organic 

flux (sources, pools, transformations and movement), and 4) develop a better understanding of 

foodweb linkages within the spatial distribution of the entire fish community. Downstream 

water quality parameters will be developed in conjunction with the food base program to define 

biologically important water quality variables. 
27 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Several research projects assessing food-fish linkages have been recently implemented. 

These include: bioenergetics modeling (Peterson, 2003) and diet and predation associated with 

non-native trout removal project at the LCR (Coggins and Yard, 2003). Following the aquatic 

protocol evaluation panel recommendations, it is proposed that an organic mass balance project 

be used as an indicator of system-wide production and export. A request for proposals will be 

developed during 2005 for this initiative. 

Fisheries Resources 

The Lees Ferry trout fishery has developed a stock assessment model using historic 

angling data and catch effort data from past monitoring efforts. The model provides a three-to 

five-year view of the state of this fishery resource and provides an opportunity to evaluate 

management strategies associated with this fishery (Speas et al., 2001). The monitoring program 

that is in place through a cooperative effort between GCMRC and Arizona Game and Fish 

includes the historic fixed sampling sites and new random, stratified sites based on shoreline 

type. The program’s design is intended to increase sampling areas to better characterize the trout 

fishery as a whole. Recent data indicate that the fishery is strongly influenced by diel changes in 

flows and that growth is likely density dependent: The stable flows associated with ROD 

operations has increased recruitment and the increased numbers of fish has resulted in smaller 

fish (Speas et al., 2001). 

 The downstream fishery program has approached the development of a long-term 

monitoring program in a step-wise fashion to allow for analysis of historic data and to ensure that 

new monitoring protocols address adaptive management program needs. Steps that have been 

taken in the downstream fishery program include development of population estimates for 

rainbow trout and brown trout in the mainstem and for humpback chub in the LCR and its 

confluence with the mainstem. Stock assessment models of current and historic data suggest that 

the LCR population of humpback chub has been in decline for over a decade. This downward 

trend in population abundance is based on an estimated chronic recruitment decline. Multiple 

hypotheses exist for the apparent recruitment decline including dam operations, tributary 

flooding, parasitism, predation/competition and mainstem temperature effects. An independent 

panel of experts was convened in 2004 to review current stock assessment methods. A report 

from this panel was made available at the January 2004 AMWG meeting. The findings lend 
28 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

support for the stock assessment models, but did make suggestions regarding additional 

simulation efforts associated with the model. 

Associated with the 2003-2004 adaptive management experiment approved by the 

Secretary of Interior, a program of mechanical removal of non-native fishes near the confluence 

of the Little Colorado was implemented in 2003. This work continued into 2004-2005 as 

recommended. Results from 2003 through March 2004 suggest the efficacy of mechanical 

removal of non-native salmonids is quite high (>50%), but that immigration of fish back into the 

removal reaches is substantial. Therefore, frequent removal of non-native fishes is necessary to 

maintain low abundance. 

Experimental Flows Update 

In December 2002, U.S. Secretary of Interior Norton approved an adaptive management 

experiment to be conducted in Grand Canyon National Park. This experiment, recommended by 

the GCMRC, began in January 2003 and consists of elements designed to provide a better 

understanding of both sediment and fisheries resources. As part of the current GCMRC Adaptive 

Management Program, a key objective is to determine whether certain policy actions are 

improving humpback chub juvenile survival and recruitment. A central part of the fisheries 

experiment includes reducing the abundance of non-native fishes in a 16.5-mile reach of the 

Colorado River near the confluence of the Little Colorado River (LCR; RM 56.2-72.7). This 

experimental manipulation has been implemented in an attempt to better understand interactions 

between native and non-native fishes, particularly non-native coldwater salmonids and the 

federally endangered humpback chub. 

The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, at the Direction of the Glen Canyon 

Dam Adaptive Management Program, began implementation of non-native fish control in the 

LCR inflow area of the Colorado River in January of 2003 as part of a joint federal action 

entitled “Proposed Experimental Flows and Removal of Non-Native Fishes.” The fisheries 

objective of this action was to reduce the number of potential predatory and competitor fishes in 

habitat occupied by the federally endangered humpback chub, Gila cypha. The fish control effort 

uses electrofishing and had three primary purposes: 

• determine the efficacy of this technique to reduce and control the number of nonnative fishes in critical habitat for the humpback chub, 
29 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

• assess native/non-native fish interaction by conducting diet and incidence of 

predation studies on non-native fishes (primarily rainbow and brown trout), and 

• reduce the abundance of non-native fishes in the control reach as much as practicable. 

Examination of the preliminary results from 2003 and winter 2004 indicate that the 

January, February, and March of 2003 removal activities suggests a reduction ~88 % in RBT 

from the initial January abundance (6,570 fish) following the March trip (779 fish). Theses 

analyses also indicate very little change in the abundance of RBT between the end of the January 

trip and the beginning of the February trip (~ 7 fish). However, there was an apparent larger 

change in the abundance of fish between the end of the February trip and the beginning of the 

March. Monitoring by the Arizona Game and Fish Department during April indicated the 

abundance of fish in the removal reach was approximately 80% of estimates obtained the 

previously year. However, removal efforts in July 2003 suggested significant immigration into 

the removal reach had occurred such that starting abundance estimates in July were 

approximately 60% of the pre-January level. 

Diet analyses are ongoing, but results thus far indicate low rate of piscivory by rainbow 

trout and high rate of piscivory by brown trout. Increasing hoop net catches of humpback chub 

through out 2003 and 2004 may indicate a habitat/survival response by HBC following nonnative removal. These data reviewed in conjunction with stock assessment information will 

provide more definitive information regarding these questions. 

The success in the first months of the experiment, prompted GCMRC to examine and 

propose a modification to the original plan for mechanical removal. The modification extended 

the original area of removal downstream to RM 72.7, adding 7 miles to the area below the LCR. 

During 2004, removal areas and depletion pass numbers were increased. Four depletion passes 

in the original reach (RM 56.2-65.7) and 4 depletion passes in only the upper part of the 

expanded reach (65.7 – 68.5; Lava Canyon to Tanner Canyon) were conducted. This design 

permits adequate removal efforts to maintain low non-native abundance and an expansion 

beyond the originally proposed reach. This compromise should strengthen the experimental 

treatment and increase both the likelihood that a change in HBC survival and recruitment will 

occur as well as our ability to detect such an increase. 

Mechanical removal was continued into FY05 and will be implemented as per 

recommendations from the Adaptive Management Work Group as approved by the Secretary of 
30 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

the Interior. GCMRC recommends continuing implementation of experimental treatments under 

the current experimental flows plan for years 3 and 4.

Humpback Chub

The GCMRC reported a continuing decline in the Grand Canyon population of humpback 

chub (Gila cypha) in 2002. Cause for the decline is unknown, but stock synthesis models 

indicate a lower recruitment for most of the previous 10 years. 

In response to concerns about the status of humpback chub, on January 29, 2003, the 

Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) created the Humpback Chub 

Ad Hoc Committee and directed that the committee “... will consider actions to implement a 

comprehensive research and management program for the HBC (humpback chub) ... (and make) 

a recommendation to the AMWG ....” The motion that was approved further indicated that the 

Ad Hoc Committee would consist of AMWG, TWG (Technical Work Group), and GCMRC, and 

science advisors which would again develop recommendations and report to AMWG at a special 

session. Meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee were held February 12, March 12, April 1, 21, and 

22, and May 6, 2003. Conference calls were held April 16 and 25, 2003 

An overview of the status and trend of the Grand Canyon population of humpback chub 

was prepared by GCMRC for the AMWG on April 22, 2003. That report stated that recent 

analyses of historical data on humpback chub in Grand Canyon have caused considerable 

concern, because of uncertainties about the current size of the population and the strong 

probability that the population has been declining steadily for at least a decade. The most recent 

assessment model indicates that the spawning population is probably somewhere between 2,000 

and 4,000 age-4 and older fish. A different estimate, using the “Supertag” assessment model, 

resulted in an estimate of 1,100-1,200 adults in 2001. Estimates of the LCR spawning 

population for 1992-1995 were 2,000-4,700 adults (Douglas and Marsh, 1996). The assessment 

model also determined a lower level of recruitment (i.e., fish reaching maturity at age-4) over the 

last decade. The GCMRC report also stated that if recruitment continues to be stable at an 

average of the 1995-98 rate, the population will likely stabilize at 1,000-3,000 adults. 

Recovery goals exist for the humpback chub in the Colorado River Basin, and include all 

six populations (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2002). The Recovery Goals provide guidance 

on recovery of the species, basin-wide, and identify site-specific management actions, and 

objective, measurable criteria for achieving recovery. The Recovery Goals identify actions 
31 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

necessary to conserve and recover the Grand Canyon population of humpback chub, as well as 

the role of the Grand Canyon population in recovery of the species. 

A goal of the GCDAMP is to remove jeopardy and assist in achieving recovery goals for 

humpback chub in Grand Canyon by expanding the population size and reducing threats to the 

humpback chub. This will be accomplished by (1) expanding the range of spawning and rearing 

in Grand Canyon for humpback chub, (2) increasing survival and recruitment of humpback chub, 

and (3) reducing the threat of catastrophic events or unintended consequences that may 

negatively affect the wild population of humpback chub. 

The primary mechanism for expanding range would be to increase the suitability of the 

mainstem for reproduction and recruitment of humpback chub. This would be accomplished by 

warming dam releases and providing flows necessary for spawning and rearing. 

Until the TCD is approved and constructed, actions such as the translocation of young 

humpback chub from the LCR into Grand Canyon tributaries and/or mainstem could provide 

safe refugia for wild fish and possibly expand the current range of humpback chub. To be 

successful, translocations would need to occur concurrently with non-native control efforts, and 

with consideration of other factors such as water quality, flows, and tribal concerns. Use of a 

grow-out facility may be considered to increase growth and survival of wild fish to be 

translocated. If there are genetic concerns, these would need to be addressed, perhaps through 

establishing connectivity between the tributary populations and the mainstem population or other 

actions. These genetic concerns will be evaluated by conservation geneticists. 

Increasing Survival and Recruitment of Humpback Chub would be accomplished through 

a combination of temperature modification, non-native control, dam operations, turbidity 

management, control of disease and parasites, reduce impacts of scientific and recreational 

activities, and prevent invasion of new non-native species. These actions include: 

(1) Construct and test a temperature control device with the intent of improving 

spawning and rearing habitat in the mainstem for humpback chub. Providing 

adequate temperatures for mainstem spawning and rearing may increase other 

threats such as non-native predation and parasitic infestation. 

(2) Control non-native predators and competitors to reduce impacts to humpback chub 

and other native species. This would also help ensure that any negative impacts 

from temperature modification would not be on top of an already high 

predator/competitor load. Additional research may be needed to determine which 

non-natives have the greatest impact on humpback chub mortality. Mainstem and 

tributary control actions would target the most harmful species using a variety of 
32 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

methods. Monitoring of native and non-native fish species must be able to detect 

changes in these populations that may result from management action, e.g., nonnative control efforts and the warming of dam releases. 

(3) Use experimental dam releases to reduce mortality of young-of-year (YOY) 

humpback chub leaving the LCR, particularly prior to operation of the TCD. These 

actions may include releases that would impound the LCR during periods when 

young humpback chub are leaving the LCR, stabilize habitat near the LCR 

confluence, reduce non-native spawning and recruitment, displace or disadvantage 

non-native fish, and maintain levels of turbidity that reduce feeding behavior of 

sight feeders in the mainstem. Following construction of the TCD, the focus of 

dam operations might change to improving spawning and rearing habitat for native 

fish in the mainstem and controlling the spread of non-natives and parasites. 

(4) Control parasites and diseases. Additional monitoring and research is needed to 

determine the level of infestation and to develop control methods. Warmer dam 

releases may increase the spread or impact of parasites on humpback chub in the 

mainstem. 

(5) Use other management actions such as sediment/turbidity augmentation to 

disadvantage non-native fish and provide cover for native species, invasive species 

management plans, and impact reduction from scientific and recreational uses. 

There is a risk of extirpation from catastrophic events in the LCR because it is currently 

the principle spawning location for humpback chub in Grand Canyon and is occupied by much 

of the population in a given year. Also, operation of the TCD and other management actions 

intended to benefit the humpback chub carry the risk of unintended consequences that may 

negatively affect the humpback chub population. 

The top priorities to protect against such risks are (1) expand the range of the population 

both above and below the LCR confluence (both mainstem and tributaries) so that a catastrophic 

event is less likely to negatively affect the population, (2) develop and implement an action plan 

to alleviate threats that originate in the LCR watershed, and (3) establish a captive breeding 

population for restoring the Grand Canyon population in case of extirpation. 

A genetics management plan should be prepared that guides preservation of the genetic 

diversity of the humpback chub in Grand Canyon. Developing a captive breeding population 

needs to follow this peer-reviewed comprehensive plan as well as USFWS policy on controlled 

propagation. Developing the broodstock should not compromise the viability of any extant 

aggregations (i.e., it may be appropriate only to collect gametes or YOY from the mainstem 

aggregations). Gametes, YOY, or adult fish may be collected specifically for a new captive 

breeding population following the comprehensive plan and genetic analysis. The disposition and 
33 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

use of the existing Willow Beach population must be determined, and may include research or a 

portion of a founder captive breeding population. 

A total of twenty individual projects were identified and rudimentary work plans 

developed by the HBC Ad Hoc Committee. Those projects will be or are being implemented by 

GCMRC, its contractors and/or other agencies participating in the GCDAMP. The projects are 

identified as Humpback Chub Action (HCA) in this work plan. 

SOCIO-CULTURAL RESOURCES 

The Sociocultural Program has traditionally been a stand alone program within 

GCMRC’s organizational structure. In GCMRC’s new organization structure, the program’s 

independent status has been maintained, but the research and monitoring initiatives of the 

program have been realigned with GCMRC’s over-arching integrated science framework. Under 

GCMRC’s new organizational structure and approach, research and monitoring projects 

conducted in support of sociocultural program needs will be coordinated and integrated with 

ongoing research and monitoring activities in the Integrated Science Program. Data collected 

through the sociocultural program’s research and monitoring projects will be stored and analyzed 

using the Oracle database engine and GIS spatial positioning technologies, allowing impacts of 

dam operations on cultural components of the Colorado River Ecosystem to be evaluated and 

analyzed in conjunction with physical and biological elements. 

In the past, GCMRC’s sociocultural program has been defined in terms of three program 

elements: cultural resources, recreational resources, and socioeconomics. In reality, these 

program elements are closely interrelated. For example, recreational campsites are essentially 

the modern equivalent of prehistoric archaeological sites, in that they are places preferentially 

selected for human activity according to the dictates of the culture currently making active use of 

the Grand Canyon river corridor. Values attached to traditional cultural places by Native 

American communities have counterparts in the values attached to beaches, rapids, fishing holes, 

and trails by modern recreational (angler and whitewater boating) communities. While the 

specific, culturally-determined values associated with particular places in the CRE may be very 

different, the fundamental concern with protecting specific place-based attributes and the river 

corridor as a whole from adverse effects of dam operations is similarly focused on retaining the 

intrinsic values of places that foster and perpetuate a community’s sense of identity and tradition. 
34 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

There are specific legal obligations and regulations that pertain to historic cultural 

resources deemed eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; these legal 

mandates require that certain classes of cultural resources be treated and managed in accordance 

with regulatory guidelines and standards promulgated by the Secretary of Interior. The Bureau 

of Reclamation has primary responsibility for managing and treating National Register-eligible 

cultural resources within the CRE for the purposes of meeting the legal requirements of Section 

106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. BOR fulfills its Section 106 responsibilities 

through conforming to the stipulations of a Programmatic Agreement with the the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation. The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, National Park 

Service, and six Native American Tribes are also signatories to this agreement. In the past, 

GCMRC has assisted the BOR and PA signatories with fulfilling their Section 106 obligations 

through contracting required studies, organizing review panels, and conducting protocol 

assessments. The GCMRC sociocultural program has also addressed the cultural resource needs 

for research and monitoring that fall outside the purview of the PA and relate directly to the 

mandates of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. Beginning in FY06, GCMRC will oversee an 

integrated cultural resource monitoring program that meets both the needs of the PA program 

and NPS for basic archaeological site condition information, while also meeting the needs of the 

AMP for information specific to effects of dam operations and cause-and-effect relationships 

among the various factors and processes contributing to current cultural resource conditions in 

the CRE. 

Due to the need for continuing consultation with the Native American tribes who have a 

long-standing affiliation with the landscape and resources of the Grand Canyon, and because of 

the unique trust responsibilities of the federal government in relation to Native Americans, 

GCMRC’s sociocultural program involves more than implementing and directing cultural 

resource-related science projects. Therefore, the sociocultural program has retained its 

independent status within the new GCMRC organization, while at the same time moving towards 

increased levels of integration with the other science programs. 

Cultural Resources - Cultural resources of interest to the AMP along the Colorado River 

corridor include National Register eligible archaeological sites and traditional cultural places, as 

well as non-eligible resources of traditional cultural importance such as springs, landforms, and 

traditionally used plants and animals. In keeping with the stated purpose of the Grand Canyon 
35 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Protection Act (Section 1802) to “operate Glen Canyon Dam in ... such a manner as to protect, 

mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for with Grand Canyon National Park and 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established,” the GCD-AMP seeks to ensure the insitu preservation of cultural resources with minimal impact to the integrity of those resources. 

When in-situ preservation is not possible, data recovery through excavation or other mitigation 

measures as appropriate may be implemented. GCMRC works with the signatories to the 

Programmatic Agreement for Cultural Resources and their designated representatives, as well as 

other stakeholders in the AMP, to help devise monitoring and research projects that will assist in 

the preservation and treatment of National Register eligible properties. In addition, GCMRC is 

concerned with devising and implementing monitoring and research projects that address the 

non-eligible resources of traditional importance to Native American tribes who have cultural 

affiliation with the Grand Canyon.

Since 1992, cultural resources have been monitored by National Park Service 

archaeologists and by tribal representatives (Leap et al., 2000). The cultural resource monitoring 

work conducted to date has primarily been carried out in fulfillment of the Programmatic 

Agreement requirement to provide information for use in developing a long-term Historic 

Preservation Plan. The PA-driven monitoring activities typically have included repeated visits to 

archaeological sites, using repeat photography and qualitative observation to track changes in 

resource condition. Tribal assessments of traditional cultural resources employ many of the 

same techniques used in monitoring archaeological sites: repeat field visits, repeat photography 

and qualitative observations recorded on forms. Tribal assessments of the overall “health” of the 

ecosystem are generally based on subjective assessments grounded in traditional perspectives. 

Cultural resources are monitored routinely and during high flow events. Beginning in FY06, 

monitoring of cultural resources in the CRE will be redirected to focus on the specific 

requirements of the Grand Canyon Protection Act, in addition to providing basic condition 

information to meet the requirements for monitoring under the PA. The former PA monitoring 

program will be realigned and redesigned to generate data that will improve understanding of the 

effects of dam operations on these highly valued and largely non-renewable resources and to 

provide information to the AMP that will be useful in formulating recommendations to the 

Secretary of the Interior about managing dam operations so as to “protect, mitigate adverse 

impacts to, and improve” the cultural resource values in the CRE. 
36 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Many of the archaeological resources along the river corridor are contained in the 

sediment deposits that form alluvial terraces. Since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam, the 

sediment resource has declined. The alluvial terraces where many archaeological sites are 

located continue to erode. A system-wide method for regenerating the river terraces and 

redistributing sediment has been identified as an essential component to maintaining future 

integrity for cultural resources (Balsom and Larralde, 1996).

Previous Cultural Resource Investigations: During the past five years, GCMRC 

implemented and saw to completion the following projects: a synthesis of data collected by the 

NPS and Tribal groups (Neal et al., 2000), mainstem flow and deposition modeling (Wiele, 

2003), and development of a geomorphic model for predicting the susceptibility of 

archaeological sites to erosion (Thompson and Potochnik, 2000), and preparation of a cultural 

resource research design for the river corridor (Fairley, 2004).. The data synthesis report (Neal 

et al., 2000) identified crucial data gaps in previously collected data. Wiele’s (2003) stage flow 

and deposition modeling project provided information on estimated sediment deposition at 

selected archaeological resource locations, given particular water releases and modeled sediment 

loads. The geomorphic model by Thompson and Potochnik (2000) attempted to distinguish 

erosional processes that are related to dam operations versus naturally-occurring processes. Also 

in FY2000, a cultural resource protocol evaluation panel (PEP) was organized. The panel’s 

report (Doelle, 2000) provided GCMRC and USBR with a series of recommendations for 

program coordination and future activities. The work activities undertaken since 2001 have been 

driven by the PEP recommendations. 

New initiatives implemented by GCRMC in the last few years, following 

recommendations of the 2000 cultural PEP, include a project to evaluate the effectiveness of 

check dams as a mitigation strategy to slow erosion at archaeological sites, and a comprehensive 

research design for the cultural resources in the river corridor. 

The check dam study was initiated in FY01, and a final report was completed in 

November, 2003. The results of this project (Pederson et al., 2003) suggest that check dams are 

effective if they are situated appropriately, use appropriate materials (brush appears to be more 

effective and less damaging than rock checks), and are continually maintained. Another related 

goal of this research initiative was to test the accuracy of photogrammetry as a tool for detecting 

geomorphic changes at archaeological sites. Pederson et al. (2003) concluded that errors 
37 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

associated with low-level, high resolution photogrammetry are too great to detect meaningful 

changes in arroyo depths and nick point migration at the level most desirable for tracking erosion 

at archaeological sites (less than 20 cm vertical change); however, they noted that newly 

developed remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR may be able to provide remote data with 

the necessary accuracy. 

Another cultural PEP recommendation that was implemented in FY2002 involved the 

preparation of a comprehensive research design to guide future research and monitoring 

initiatives in the river corridor. The research design was identified by the PEP as a key 

component of the Historic Preservation Plan mandated as a stipulation of the current PA. 

Although originally intended to serve the specific needs of the PA program, GCMRC expanded 

the scope and purpose of the research design to include a framework for researching and 

monitoring the full spectrum of cultural resources found within the CRE, in order to meet not 

only the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act but also the broader mandates of 

the Grand Canyon Protection Act. A draft version of the research design was submitted to 

GCMRC and reviewed by independent scientists and PA signatories in spring, 2003; the final 

research design was published in 2004 (Fairley, 2004). 

Recent and Ongoing Cultural Resource Investigations: Current resource monitoring of 

archaeological and traditionally-valued resources indicate that archaeological resources continue 

to be impacted by physical processes such as surface erosion and gullying in both the Grand and 

Glen Canyon areas. In the CRE, some surface erosion is clearly due to natural processes that are 

unrelated to dam operations; however, other sediment loss from archaeological sites is believed 

to be related to dam operations. The contributing effects of dam operations to the ongoing 

erosion of the river corridor’s alluvial terraces (where many archaeological sites) are located 

remains uncertain and a issue of continuing controversy. Furthermore, the contributing effects of 

visitor use to the erosion of archaeological resources have never been systematically evaluated, 

although a relationship between human recreational activities and soil compaction and erosion is 

known to exist. 

A new cultural resource research project that was initiated in FY2003 is designed to track 

the effects of aeolian transport of fine sediment on the preservation of archaeological resources 

in the CRE (Rubin, 2003). This research project is one of the integrated research initiatives 

being conducted as a component of Fine Sand-Storage (FIST) Monitoring in FY04-05. (See 
38 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Project A.2 in this document for more details). In FY06, the Cultural Program hopes to continue 

this aeolian study with one year of additional funding. 

In November 2004, a high-flow experiment was conducted to test a variety of hypotheses 

that resulted from the 1996 Beach Habitat Building Flow. The 1996 BHBF presented an 

opportunity to study the effects of high flow discharge from Glen Canyon Dam on alluvial 

terraces and margin deposits along the river corridor. The flow was expected to provide 

system-wide mitigation to most cultural sites in the Colorado River corridor through the 

accumulation of additional sediment. The overall findings of the cultural resources studies 

strongly suggested that the 45,000 cfs BHBF flow had either no effect, no adverse effect, or a 

beneficial effect on cultural resources (Balsom and Larralde, 1996.) These findings lent support 

to the original contention that beach habitat-building flows above power plant capacity could 

offer system-wide mitigation for cultural resources. One location in the Glen Canyon reach, did 

experience loss of sediments in a way that, in the long run, could be detrimental to cultural 

resources(Balsom and Larralde, 1996), but three of the four study areas gained sand, and some of 

the newly deposited sand appears to have been redeposited over subsequent months at higher 

elevations through wind action (Hazel et al. 2001.) The experimental high flow of November, 

2004 provided an opportunity to reassess the potentially beneficial aspects of bar-building flows 

near archaeological sites. One location in the Palisades area that had been studied in 1996 was 

remapped both before and immediately following the 2004 experimental flow, and we will be 

continuing to track the fate of sand deposits in that area by means of repeat mapping through 

FY06. 

Recreational Resources - Recreational resources encompass several diverse, tangible 

elements: the blue-ribbon trout fishery at Lees Ferry, the challenging whitewater rapids in the 

Colorado River, and camping beaches in Grand Canyon. Recreational resources also encompass 

experiential attributes, such as opportunities to experience solitude, natural quiet, and physical 

challenges in a wilderness-like environment. Recreational issues of specific concern to the 

GCMRC sociocultural program include changes in the size and availability of camping beaches 

due to dam operations, changes in the quality of recreational experiences within the CRE 

(including trout sport fishing, recreational river trips, and wilderness-dependent recreational 

opportunities) due to effects of dam operations, plus the economic impacts to the recreation 

industry from varying flow regimes. GCMRC has supported studies in all of these areas. 
39 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Previous Recreation Investigations: Sand bars serve as campsites for rafting groups and 

are highly valued by the boating public based on size, boat mooring quality, wind protection, 

access to side canyon hikes, scenery, and shade. Historically, these beaches were replenished 

annually by sand and silt transported by the river during spring runoff. Approximately 93% of 

this sediment now settles out in Lake Powell, so the beaches downstream are eroding due not 

only to the river's clear, sediment-free flows (Kearsley et al., 1994), but also due to the way that 

the remaining 7% of the sand supply is currently being managed through dam operations. 

Camping beaches are also being eroded through gullying induced by monsoon rainstorm runoff. 

Due to the lack of periodic, sediment-enriched floods, these increasingly degraded beaches are 

not being replenished. Since dam operations began in 1963, most pre-dam beaches have become 

considerably smaller, while some have disappeared completely. Another factor contributing to 

the loss of campable areas in the CRE is vegetation encroachment, which is a direct result of the 

lack of frequent scouring floods under current dam operations. The size and availability of 

camping beaches is directly tied to visitor experience parameters in that the decreasing size, 

abundance, and distribution of campsites constrains the visitor carrying capacity of the CRE and 

may lead to crowding or reduction in visitor access, thereby creating adverse impacts to visitor 

use values in the CRE. 

In 1994, change in campable area from previous studies was analyzed using aerial 

photographs (Kearsley et al., 1994). This analysis revealed that loss of campsites was an 

ongoing process. The researchers noted that not all sand bars responded in the same manner to 

flows and vegetation encroachment, and that campsite availability in critical reaches (Marble 

Canyon, the Inner Gorge, and the Muav Gorge) had decreased the most. Effects of the 1996 

controlled flood at selected campsites were also evaluated, and it was found that the increase in 

the number and size of campsites was of short duration (Kearsley et al., 1999). The post-BHBF 

data indicated that while floods temporarily increased campsite number and size, the beneficial 

effects to campsites were temporary, and that campsite size rapidly degenerated to pre-BHBF 

levels and then continued to erode more slowly. Although the effects of the 1996 artificial flood 

were temporary, periodic “floods” above power plant capacity appear to be the only feasible 

means of depositing sediment and rejuvenating camping beaches above normal fluctuations 

(Kearsley et al., 1999). 
40 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

One previous study assessed recreational preferences relative to dam-controlled flows 

and quality of camping opportunities (Stewart et al., 2000). The study concluded that users of 

the Colorado River were relatively unconcerned about impacts of fluctuating flows, had strong 

concerns (generally positive) about impacts of spike flows, and strongly preferred sandy beaches 

with shade (especially from trees) for camping. 

Recent and Ongoing Recreation Investigations: Recent GCMRC studies have assessed 

camping beaches, trout fishing activities, and recreational river running in terms of visitor 

experience issues and safety concerns associated with varying flow levels. Low Steady Summer 

Flows in summer 2000, provided data on impacts to recreational experiences (Jonas and Stewart, 

2002), travel rates and safety (Jalbert, 2001) and economic impacts to concessionaires (Hjerpe 

and Kim, 2001). Final reports have been received for all projects except the safety study. 

Annual monitoring of 31 campsite areas is on-going as part of the FIST. Interim results 

from this monitoring effort indicate that camping areas continue to erode steadily. However, 

research results also suggest that erosion can be offset by flows greater than power plant capacity 

combined with adequate sediment supply (Hazel et al., 2001). A more complete discussion of 

sediment monitoring is found in the previous sediment resources section for fine-sediment 

storage and sand bar monitoring. 

In addition to the quantitative evaluation of beach size, camping beaches are also being 

monitored by repeat photography carried out by volunteers working for the Grand Canyon River 

Guides through the Adopt-A-Beach (AAB) program. Initiated in 1996, the Adopt-A-Beach 

effort relies largely on volunteer contributions of commercial guides to provide qualitative and 

anecdotal information on changing beach conditions. The program relies on repeat photography 

taken from established photo points, supplemented by the guide’s observations. The results of 

the AAB monitoring effort supplements the quantitatively derived information derived from the 

campsite surveys. The FY04 AAB report generally supports findings of the most recent beach 

surveys (Kaplinski et al., 2004) that campsite areas are generally declining due to both loss of 

sediment from the beaches and encroachment of vegetation.

An analysis of past campsite assessment and monitoring protocols used to qualitatively 

and quantitatively assess changes in beaches (sand bars) and detect area and volume changes 

was finalized in December 2003 (Kaplinski et al., 2003) One recommendation of this 

assessment effort is that GCMRC should convene a panel of recreational experts to assess the 
41 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

effectiveness of current approaches for monitoring visitor use values over the long-term. This 

recommendation is being implemented through organizing a recreational PEP review in spring, 

FY05. In addition, the researchers point out that despite 30 years of monitoring human and damrelated impacts at campsites, we lack a comprehensive inventory of campsites in the river 

corridor. A campsite monitoring program proposed for FY06 will rectify this inventory 

deficiency, and at the same time, bring together various pieces of the current recreation 

monitoring program into a single, more unified program. 

RESEARCH COORDINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM 

 Implementation of the GCMRC mission to provide credible, objective scientific 

information to the AMP begins with effective coordination of all technical and logistical support 

of research activities. The Research Coordination and Support Program staff functions as a team 

to facilitate collaboration with the Integrated Science and Cultural Programs through effective 

communication with Program Managers, PI’s and the Technical Support Services. The program 

encompasses the integration of 5 elements: 

• Permitting 

• Library Operations Coordination 

• Survey Support Coordination 

• Technical Support Coordination 

• Logistics Operations 

Program Staff address each of these elements in assessment of support requests from 

researchers to determine which tools and processes will best facilitate the most effective 

collection and delivery of information from research projects. Through the combined effort of 

the program elements the process of research support is executed as a complete and fully 

integrated support service. The process is initiated in the proposal review and permitting stage, 

continued through the support coordination stage and completed with information delivery. The 

process acts as an accountability checkpoint, failure to meet agreed data collection and delivery 

standards is addressed immediately and corrective solutions are sought to avoid any delay in 

project completion. 

 Permitting-Research projects supported by the GCMRC must hold all required permits in 

compliance with Federal, State, Tribal and Local Agencies in which project activities are 

conducted and accessed. Research activities conducted within Grand Canyon National Park and 
42 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area require National Park Service Research and Collecting 

Permits and Access Permits for all river launches, back country use, over flights, and media 

(filming) production. All permits acquired for GCMRC-supported projects are processed and 

submitted through the Research Coordination and Support Program. Copies of all approved 

permits are kept on file in the Research Coordinator’s Office. 

All Investigators, Permitees, and project cooperators are responsible for compliance with 

the regulations and restrictions of their Research and Collection Permit. All trip participants are 

expected to comply with all GCNP Commercial Operating Requirements while participating on 

research trips. All PI’s and their designated Permitee are required to sign a Research Use 

Affidavit/Notice of Adverse Actions and Penalties Form which specifies potential penalties for 

violations of permit conditions. Failure on the part of investigators or their representatives 

to adhere to Park and Permit Regulations may result in withdrawal of their permit and 

other penalties.

• Research and Collecting Permits-Researchers submit project proposals and all other 

required information (guidelines available on NPS web site) to the GCMRC Research 

Coordinator. Proposals are distributed externally for review in accordance with the 

GCMRC Peer Review Guidelines and Protocols. Internal review is completed by 

Program Managers, support coordinators, and are submitted to the GCMRC Chief for 

final approval. Finalized permit information is then submitted to the NPS for final 

review and approval. NPS Research and Collecting Permit applications require 90 

days for processing. 

• Access Permits-Researchers holding approved R & C Permits submit a Trip Request 

Form to the Research Coordinator 60 days in advance of their planned research 

activity. This form includes request for logistical and support services and all 

information required for an NPS access permit application. NPS Access Permit 

applications require 45 days for processing. 

Library Operations Coordination - Interaction with Library Operations is a vital 

component in the success of the support of GCMRC’s monitoring and research projects. 

Coordination with Library Operations facilitates the support of research activities in two key 

aspects: 

1. The Library provides a centralized repository for hard copy information such as 

books, reports, maps, photography, and videos. A fundamental function of the library 

is to provide funded researchers access and use of these library’s materials unique to 

the GCMRC collection. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

2. The Library has also implemented a consistent peer review process to help ensure the 

quality of scientific projects conducted by the GCMRC. The Peer Review Protocols 

developed and administered by the library are utilized in the NPS permitting process 

for external review of project proposals prior to submittal to the NPS Research Office 

for review and approval. 

Survey Operations - The long term monitoring objectives of GCMRC require positions 

and elevations for past, present, and future spatial datasets. The GCMRC Survey Department’s 

mission is to provide survey support for 1) collection of these spatial measurements and, 

2) referencing the spatial data collected in the Colorado River ecosystem to the primary control 

network. The survey department is also responsible for establishing and maintaining the geodetic 

control network in Grand Canyon. The geodetic control network serves as the foundation for all 

spatial measurements necessary for long term monitoring. This control network also serves as the 

spatial framework for the Geographic Information System (GIS). The referencing of spatial data 

must be consistent in order to perform accurate change detection. All measurements collected for 

studies approved by the Adaptive Management Program are archived for quality assurance, 

quality control, network adjustment, and database integration. 

The survey department provides network control point coordinates and error estimates, 

QA/QC for remote sensing, topographic and hydrographic maps, and the additional manpower 

necessary to collect these data. The survey department staff also incorporates historical datasets 

that had been previously referenced to superceded or local control coordinates into the CRE 

database. This integration requires translation and rotation of the instrument and reference 

azimuth stations to match the most current coordinates, which reference the primary geodetic 

control network. 

The survey department is familiar with data collection and processing of topographic, 

hydrographic, and geodetic data. Specific equipment available to researchers includes static, 

kinematic, and Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning Systems, single-beam and multibeam hydrography, acoustic Doppler sensors, laser scanners and conventional survey equipment. 

The Survey coordinator assesses the level of survey support required to efficiently implement 

individual studies and evaluates and schedules equipment and personnel requests. 

Technical Support Coordination - Integration of support capabilities in the areas of GIS 

and Remote Sensing is critical to the success of scientific data collection and integration for all 
44 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

of GCMRC’s research and monitoring projects. Technical Support Coordination requires 

effective communication with Researchers, Program Managers and GIS and DASA personnel to 

facilitate collection and delivery of information that complies with GCMRC Data Standards. 

Coordination entails evaluation of requests and scheduling of the appropriate equipment, 

materials, services and personnel required to implement research activities. Examples of 

Technical Support requests include: 

• Copies of existing map products and aerial photo sets. 

• Processing requests to GIS for new map products. 

• Scheduling Field Equipment (i.e. Computers, handheld GPS units, digital cameras, 

etc.). 

• Scheduling personnel required to assist with field work. 

• Consultation with GIS personnel for recommendations on data collection methods to 

achieve effective integration with the GIS. 

• Consultation with Data Base personnel for advice on data collection formatting to 

achieve effective integration with the GCMRC Data Base. 

Additionally, future dissemination of essential information to researchers related to 

permitting procedures, trip planning and survey and technical support requests will necessitate 

utilization of the GCMRC web page. Development of a Research Coordination and Support 

Program web page will include information pages and access to on-line forms to submit requests 

for scheduling river trips, and survey and technical support. The web pages will be developed in 

cooperation with the Information Office staff. 

 Logistics Operations - The GCMRC provides complete logistical support for 35-50 

research, monitoring and administrative river trips through the Grand Canyon annually. These 

trips range in length from 7 to 21 days and from 4 to 36 people in size. Trips are comprised of a 

variety of motor and oar powered boats operated by contracted boat operators. Projects operating 

in the Glen Canyon reach of the Colorado River (Glen Canyon Dam to Lee’s Ferry) are 

supported by a variety of motor powered boats operated by GCMRC researchers and contracted 

boat operators. Additionally, research activities on the Little Colorado River and at other 

locations outside of the Grand Canyon National Park boundaries are supported by helicopter 

services contracted with the Bureau of Reclamation. Ground based support for other research 

activities outside of the river corridor are also coordinated with the use of GCMRC vehicles. 

 The GCMRC uses a method of supporting trips in which government owned boats and 

river logistical equipment are used in conjunction with a contracted vendor who supplies 
45 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Technical and Logistical Boat Operators. A concerted effort is made to match PI’s with the best 

possible Boat Operators for their particular study. Food packs, trip supplies, and equipment are 

organized, packed and maintained at the GCMRC warehouse. Put-in and take-out transportation 

is provided with the use of GSA leased vehicles and contracted shuttle drivers. 

 This logistical approach has evolved since the GCES phase to allow a detailed overview 

of trip particulars that most influence cost and efficiency, ultimately giving the GCMRC control 

over trip costs and productivity. Effective communication with PI’s and sensitivity to and 

awareness of the challenges they face in implementing their studies enable the GCMRC to offer 

more customized (and therefore more cost-effective and productive) logistical support than other 

support strategies utilized previously. Retaining control over the process of supporting trips also 

facilitates compliance with NPS regulations and allows greater control over issues sensitive to 

the general public and the “recreational river community.” 

 The trip planning and scheduling process begins in the fall when the Logistics 

Coordinator, in cooperation with contracted PI’s, Program Managers and the Research 

Coordination and Support Staff work together to generate a draft schedule of trips for the fiscal 

year. The schedule includes; launch and take-out dates, numbers of personnel and specific boat 

and boat operator requests for each trip. Researchers must submit a Trip Request Form a 

minimum of 60 days prior to the scheduled launch date. This form provides information for two 

purposes: 1) determine and schedule logistical and support services and 2) complete a GCNP 

River Trip Application in order to meet the GCNP 45 day deadline for submitting access permit 

applications. 

 The Logistics Budget is distributed to GCMRC projects based on a formula proportional 

to use of services. The formula takes into account contractor costs, trip size and length, and a 

percentage of operating expenses, salaries and permitting costs. 

INFORMATION OFFICE 

The GCMRC information office was formally established on October 9, 2003 as a result 

of the GCMRC reorganization. The purpose of the office is to increase awareness of GCMRC 

activities and products and to facilitate the dissemination of data, information, and products to 

the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group members, Technical Work Group 

members, scientists, and the public. These groups of people can be collectively referred to as our 

constituency. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Information office objectives will be accomplished through the activities of two primary 

programs and four functions. The two programs are library services and systems administration. 

The library contains all hardcopy data, information, and products as well as digital data on 

electronic media. A complete catalog of library content will be maintained and searchable on the 

website. The library is currently undertaken a project intended to digitize all legacy hardcopy 

content so that it can be incorporated into and disseminated from the website. The library also 

coordinates the Center’s peer review function. Peer review helps insure that GCMRC products 

are of the highest quality. 

Systems administration is responsible for providing computer and network infrastructure 

needed for the website and library as well as the rest of the GCMRC. Systems administration 

also coordinates the Center’s World Wide Web presence via a website on the Internet. All digital 

data, information, and products will be available to our constituency from this website. This plan 

proposes that future website development be serviced in-house to provide greater flexibility with 

the changing needs of the GCMRC. A new full-time Web development term position will be 

created that will be funded jointly by the GCMRC and the SBSC. 

The library is staffed by one permanent full-time federal employee and one contract 

student employee. The student employee is primarily responsible for digitizing legacy hardcopy 

content. Systems administration will be staffed by a permanent full-time systems administrator 

and a full-time computer technician and Web developer shared and funded jointly by the 

GCMRC and SBSC. 

Program implementation, primarily in the area of web development, is expected to 

commence in FY2004 and continue through FY2006 at which point the program will enter into a 

maintenance mode that will primarily involve minor system modification and the integration of 

new data and information as it becomes available. It is anticipated that new development cycles 

will need to commence on 1 to 3 year intervals depending upon the changing needs of GCMRC 

science activities, user needs, and advances in technology. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Functions, Programs, and Organization 

The Information Office provides four functions: 

1) Library services 

2) Website services 

3) Peer review 

4) Systems administration 

These functions are provided through two Information Office programs: the library and 

systems administration. Peer review functions are contained within the library and website 

functions are contained within systems administration. These functions combine to provide easy 

access to high quality products in an automated fashion. With the exception of the website, 

operating procedures for these programs and functions have been developed and implemented 

and the programs are fully functional. The website is currently undergoing an extensive overhaul 

based upon recommendations of an ad-hoc committee composed of GCMRC, AMWG, and 

TWG members. 

Library services 

The library contains the historic record of information gathered on the CRE and provides 

access to this information to our constituency. This is made possible through the establishment of 

a strict information routing protocol within GCMRC and a computerized library catalog. The 

information routing protocol ensures that information delivered to GCMRC is received by the 

library for inclusion into its collection. 

The library catalog provides a comprehensive catalog of individual library content and 

where they are located. Library content consists of books, reports, and journal article reprints 

resulting from monitoring and research activities in the CRE and elsewhere; aerial and oblique 

photography and imagery; videotapes containing videography (aerial video) and video of 

programs related to the CRE; and maps. Most of this information is in hardcopy form and is only 

available by visiting or contacting the library. However, more and more information is being 

made available in digital form. The library catalog and some digital content are available from 

the GCMRC website. 

The library facilitates monitoring and research by providing a centralized repository for 

hard copy information such as books, reports, maps, photography, and videos. The singularity of 

many library holdings require a special policy concerning the borrowing of these materials. If 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

any item is requested for which only one is available, it is prioritized to be converted to digital 

format and the digital copy is provided to the requester. 

It is estimated that the library currently contains over 8000 reports, 28,000 aerial 

photographs and images, 8000 photographs, 700 videos, and 300 maps. Approximately 10 

percent of this content is available digitally. Digital information has numerous advantages over 

hardcopy data including computer analysis and distribution over the World Wide Web. Because 

of this, GCMRC data standards require that information delivered as part of its contracts and 

cooperative agreements be received in digital form. The library has also embarked upon an 

aggressive project to digitize legacy hardcopy content over the next 5 years. 

The library is staffed by one full-time Technical Information Specialist and one student 

contractor. The student employee is primarily responsible for digitizing legacy hardcopy content. 

Website services 

Aside from direct personal contact through formal and informal meetings with staff, the 

GCMRC website is the most comprehensive and visible interface with our constituency. The 

website is intended to provide multiple types of information at varying degrees of complexity to 

accommodate the broad spectrum of individuals who make up our constituency. These primarily 

are: 

1) General information about GCMRC’s mission and projects 

2) Contact information for staff 

3) Links to other relevant U.S. Geological Survey offices and GCDAMP partners 

4) Fact sheets, strategic and annual work plans 

5) Location map 

6) Calendar of meetings and events 

7) Employment opportunities 

8) Notices of requests for proposals (RFPs) 

9) Protocol evaluation panel reports 

10) Information on large science initiatives 

11) Searchable library catalog 

12) Access to digital content 

In addition, the website hosts electronic discussion forums for GCMRC, AMP, and the 

U.S. Geological Survey LiDAR discussion group and provides a number of interactive maps of 

the ecosystem. Related to the website is the GCMRC’s FTP site that contains over 500 Gbytes of 

additional miscellaneous data and information. However, this information is often non-descript 

(data with little explanation) and difficult to navigate. It is the intent of the Information Office to 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

integrate this data into the GCMRC website with complete data descriptions and navigation 

tools. Data from other sources will be integrated into the GCMRC website as it becomes 

available. When fully developed, the website will be a one-stop-shop for all of your information 

needs related to the CRE including data and library content.

Services would include restructuring the website for improved navigation and appeal, 

integration of additional data including the content of the FTP site, new and improved feature 

content about GCMRC programs and projects suited for the public at large, and the addition of a 

public outreach section. 

Peer review 

The GCMRC has developed and implemented a rigorous peer review process to help 

insure the quality of products produced by its staff, cooperators, and contractors. The peer review 

process is coordinated by the library and addresses the review process for reports, unsolicited 

proposals and the annual requests for proposals. The review process is documented in the 

GCMRC review policy available on the website. The review process will be augmented by the 

forthcoming SBSC review policy. 

The library maintains a database of potential reviewers organized by subject area. When a 

review is needed, two or three candidates are provided by the COTR and augmented by names of 

potential reviews selected from the database. If the database does not include enough potential 

reviewers, additional candidates are identified through a search of academic and journal 

websites. The database is dynamic in that new reviewers are sought out and added as needed 

while others resign their services. 

Systems administration 

The GCMRC computing environment is a complex system of servers, workstations, 

laptops, printers, plotters, disk arrays, routers, hubs, switches, tape backups, copy and Fax 

machines, and audio-visual and telecommunications equipment. In addition, over 50 software 

applications are utilized by scientists and support personnel in carrying out the collective mission 

of the GCMRC. The computing environment currently includes workstations, laptops, network 

printers, tape backup systems, and over 7 Terabytes of disk storage. These devices must work 

together in a reliable, seamless, and secure manner in order to facilitate the mission of GCMRC. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

The systems administration program (SAP) supports the collective mission of GCMRC 

by providing a secure and standardized computing environment for scientists, managers, 

administrators, and support staff. Computer hardware is largely a combination of state-of-the-art 

PC (Intel) processors running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Each workstation has a 

core suite of software applications that include mainstream off-the-shelf integrated office 

products such as a word processor, spreadsheet, graphics, database, Internet browser, etc. 

Additional software needed for specialized scientific data processing is also available. To the 

extent possible, hardware and software is standardized throughout the GCMRC. Standardization 

facilitates the inter-office exchange of information and reduces the administrative effort needed 

for hardware and software support to a sustainable level. 

The SAP normally replaces desktop computers, servers, and other hardware every three 

years on a rotational basis; however, in some cases it may be as often as every year. The newest 

and fastest computers first go to the areas within GCMRC that place the most demands on them. 

These areas have traditionally been GIS, survey, graphics users, and biostatistical users. 

The SAP is staffed by one permanent full-time federal employee and one contract student 

employee primarily responsible for assisting with troubleshooting the GCMRC’s computing 

environment. 

SAP activities are as follows: 

Desktop and servers - GCMRC’s computing environment is based upon the PC 

platform, Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office, office automation 

software. The desktops consist of Micron and Dell computers (Dell has been awarded a 

mandatory contract by the DOI) and processors run from P3 600 megahertz to P4 3.0 gigahertz 

central processing units with 512 to 2gigabytes of memory. The majority of desktops are 

standard off the shelf configuration for cost savings. Laptops range from P2 Panasonic rugged 

field laptops for work in the canyon to P3 traveling laptops from Sony and Compaq for meetings 

and conferences. The tablet PCs are Fujitsu and primarily used for work in the field. Handhelds 

are Compaq IPAQ’s and used primarily for field work. 

GCMRC has a life cycle replacement program established. This program insures 

equipment will meet the research needs of GCMRC and thus the Adaptive Management 

Program. Hardware contract for the primary database system lowers parts replacement cost. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

Systems maintenance is performed in house to facilitate quick turnaround and minimize 

downtime. 

GCMRC currently utilizes 12 servers from P3-600 to Dual P4-400 processors and 512mb 

to 2gb of memory. All servers are windows based operating systems. The server environment is 

currently being upgraded from NT4 to Windows 2003 Active Directory. All DOI departments 

must move to Active Directory by Dec 2004. 

Servers are utilized in the following capacity: 

Primary Function Secondary Function

Primary Domain Controller File Server 

GIS Server File Server 

Tape Backup Server 

Internet Web Server FTP Server (Outside Firewall, Public) 

Intranet Server 

Database Production Server File Server 

Database Development Server File Server 

Application Server Print Server 

IMS Server 

WWW Development server Program Development Server 

Active Directory Server (will replace 2 Domain Controllers) 

Database Public Server (Outside Firewall, Public) 

Network - GCMRC computer interconnectivity is provided using TCP/IP network 

communication protocol running on a 1000baseT and 100baseT network media. This media 

consists of Fiber Optic cabling between buildings and Cat5e/Cat6 internal to the buildings down 

to the desktop. Patch cables are purchased or built to Cat5e standards to insure compatibility 

with 1000baseT throughput. Network traffic is arbitrated by 5 3COM switches and hubs 

operating at 100 Mbps and 1 Gigabit (Gbps). 

Hubs and switches are interconnected by fiber or 1 Gbps cable. All are monitored for 

throughput and port capacity/failure. The connections to all servers are 1 Gbps and all servers 

run on the same switch. This facilitates network backup and file transfer. GIS and Survey 

connections are 1 Gbps, or are 100 Mbps and scheduled for upgrade to 1 Gbps. This facilitates 

the massive amount of data processed. The majority of desktops connections are 100 Mbps. This 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

is our basic network connectivity for smaller file transfers, email and day-to-day processing. 

There are still a few 10 Mbps connections that are planned for upgrade. Connections are in a 

building scheduled for renovation. As switches and hubs are replaced due to equipment failure, 

the entire backbone will move to 1Gbps connectivity. 

Internet – The SAP provides for Internet connectivity for GCMRC staff through the 

Flagstaff Field Center GEOnet-3 router. The router provides a secure DS-3 (45 Mbps) virtual 

circuit to Menlo Park where it joins the U.S. Geological Survey’s GEOnet network and portal to 

the Internet. 

Security – Computer security consumes more and more of the available SAP resources 

with each year in terms of budget and manpower. Vulnerabilities allowing remote access by 

unauthorized individuals are discovered almost daily. In addition, computer viruses are released 

on the Internet at large just as frequently. During the last year alone there have been over 7000 

attempted hacks on GCMRC computer systems. Largely due to the diligence of the SAP in 

maintaining a secure computing environment, none of these hacks have been successful. 

Computer security begins with a firewall located at the U.S. Geological Survey’s portal 

to the Internet via the GEOnet network at Menlo Park. Secondly and more specifically a dual 

firewall exists at the Flagstaff Field Center campus. The first firewall restricts enterprise level 

intrusion attempts while allowing the public access to our publicly available web, database and 

FTP servers. The second firewall restricts external access to our internal network. 

To maintain the integrity of our desktop computing environment, we employ three 

software programs. Microsoft Systems Update Server (SUS), Microsoft Systems Management 

Server (SMS) and Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition (AV-CE). Microsoft Operating 

systems (OS) are updated to minimize vulnerabilities using SUS. SUS automates a central 

delivery system for patch management. This system downloads nightly all OS fixes released by 

the manufacture. This is then reviewed by the systems administration staff. Applicable patches 

are flagged for release and pushed to GCMRC computers. Computers are scheduled to retrieve 

updates from the SUS server each night. 

All other application products, including the office suite are patched for vulnerabilities 

using SMS. SMS works similarly to SUS with one major exception, patches must be 

downloaded and a package built to be delivered to the desktops. SMS delivers the package to the 

desktops on an as required basis. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

AV-CE virus updates are downloaded from the web to the AV-CE server as released and 

pushed to all systems the same night. The AC-CE server allows for central management of antivirus information and tracking of virus infections that are introduced. Centrally managing the 

anti-virus software and updates insures protection is enabled on the desktops and standards are 

followed for scanning introduced files. 

Intranet - GCMRC’s intranet offers a secure centralized medium for information 

exchange among GCMRC employees. The intranet is located inside a firewall and is served from 

a Windows 2003 Server utilizing active server pages and .NET. The content is designed and 

maintained using the Macromedia Studio software suite and Visual Studio.net. Content is 

checked for compliance with USGS, DOI and federal standards. Access to the intranet from 

locations outside of the Flagstaff Field Center is through a virtual private network connection 

that provides a secure computing environment remotely. 

Among things to be internally shared via the intranet are: standard operating procedures, 

personnel availability, internal contact info, vehicle checkout, equipment loans, internal calendar, 

discussion forums, interactive questionnaires, standard forms and an IT support system. This 

functionality is new and expected to grow with time and utilization. 

System back-up and disaster recovery - Servers at the GCMRC are configured with 

Redundant Array of Independent (and inexpensive) Drives (RAID). GCMRC utilizes RAID 5 

hot-swap disk arrays whenever possible. This allows the RAID 5 system to stay up and running 

before, during, and after a drive failure. RAID 5 systems store parity (redundancy) data across all 

hard drives equally and do not need to be powered down to change out a faulty disk drive. If a 

RAID 5 disk were to fail, the surviving drives have the information needed to reconstruct the 

data onto the replacement drive. In a RAID 5, three or more drives are used to create that 

configuration. The RAID 5 configuration provides excellent levels of redundancy and 

performance. 

When raid-5 is not possible we utilize disk mirroring. This allows for a redundant copy 

of the data and is utilized where 3 or more drives are not present. 

Network backup is accomplished using an Overland NEO series tape library. This tape 

library has dual Linear Tape-Open -1 (LTO-1) drives in a 30 slot carriage, capacity of 3 terabytes 

non-compressed, with a maximum of 6 terabytes compressed without changing tapes. Daily 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

backups start in the evening Monday thru Thursday, weekly and monthly backups start on Friday 

evening 

Web and FTP Services - The GCMRC web site and FTP site serve to make the mission 

and findings of GCMRC accessible to the public. During the last year the GCMRC website has 

been accessed over 1.5 million times. This illustrates the importance of the website as a highly 

visible interface to our constituency. 

The web server is located inside a firewall. The firewall restricts enterprise level intrusion 

attempts while allowing the public access to our publicly available web and FTP servers. 

GCMRC hosts and maintains the web and FTP sites on a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with 

Internet Information Services. The web content is served utilizing Active Server Pages (ASP) 

and .NET. The content is designed and maintained using the Macromedia Studio software suite 

and Visual Studio.net. Content is checked for compliance with USGS, DOI and federal 

standards. 

The sites offer our updated work plan, descriptions of our program areas, and various 

interactive stores of data including our Internet Map Server, our online library and discussion 

forums for GCMRC, AMP, and USGS LiDAR discussion group. 

Currently we are working with the information providers to incorporate information from 

the FTP site (over 500 GB) into the web site. The goal in doing this is to provide the information 

in a user friendly format that is easier to locate. 

The continuing duties involved in maintaining the web and FTP servers include: adding 

new content and updating existing content, ensuring that hardware and software is secure and up 

to date, and maintaining section 508 compliance. The web site serves a range of content, both 

static pages as .html (Hyper Text Markup Language) and dynamic pages by means of ASP.NET 

and PHP Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP). PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting 

language that is especially suited for Web development and can be embedded into HTML.) 

This site is continually monitored for intrusion attempts, security updates and adjustments 

are applied as necessary. 

Troubleshooting and maintenance - Helpdesk support is provided as 

requested/required. Requests are received via the web, email and telephone. Currently we 

utilize a program, accessible help desk, to track helpdesk request and problems in a searchable 

database with solutions to facilitate prioritization and resolution. This program is available 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

through the GCMRC website and we actively encourage all GCMRC staff to utilize this forum 

as a means for problem identification. 

The system administration staff utilizes Systems Management Server (SMS) software to 

acquire remote control over user’s desktops to view and / or resolve problems remotely. 

Hardware inventory, software inventory and licensing are also maintained through SMS. This is 

utilized to insure compliance with licensing limitations, DOI guidance and federal law. 

Data storage - The GCMRC utilizes over 7 Terebytes (Tbytes) of on-line disk storage. 

This disk storage is provided by multiple servers with Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) 

disk arrays. Servers at the GCMRC are configured with Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or 

Independent) Drives (RAID). GCMRC utilizes RAID 5 hot-swap disk arrays whenever possible. 

Server disk arrays are configured to be hot swappable with raid 5 to minimize downtime. 

Primary and secondary power supplies for each array are wired to separate 

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS’s) to provide redundancy and extend uptime during a 

power failure. This enables systems administration to perform a safe shut down in the event of a 

power outage. If this was not in place, data would be corrupted or lost during power fluctuations 

and outages due to server crashes. 

GCMRC also utilizes Networked Attached Storage (NAS) devices. These devices are 

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) drives connected to a SCSI backplane. NAS units are used to 

provide bulk storage capacity at less expense than standard SCSI arrays. These drive arrays 

contain the repository of all digital and electronic data from GCMRC. 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND INFORMATION NEEDS 

Introduction

 Management objectives (MOs) and information needs (INs) help to define measurable 

standards of desired future resource conditions to be achieved by the AMP. The MOs and INs 

also drive the strategic planning process and they provide the basis for the annual monitoring and 

research program described in this plan. 

Historical Development of the Management Objectives and Information Needs

 Using the nine resource areas in the EIS, meetings and workshops were held in 1996 to 

formulate management objectives and to define information needs associated with the various 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

management objectives. These were intended to guide the development of GCMRC monitoring 

and research activities. In 1997 and 1998, additional discussions were held to revise 

Management Objectives and prioritize Information Needs. In FY 2001, the AMWG adopted a 

new set of MOs that resulted from its effort to develop an AMP strategic plan. The full AMP 

strategic plan was completed in FY 2002-03. 

Revision Process

 As part of the AMP strategic planning process, the INs were revised and approved by the 

AMWG in August 2003. The approval MOs and INs are listed in Appendix One. 

 The monitoring and research activities proposed in the FY 2006 Work Plan are intended 

to address the current management objectives and information needs. The specific MOs 

addressed by the monitoring and research activities proposed in this plan are listed in Appendix 

Two and referenced in the project descriptions. 

PROTOCOL EVALUATION PROGRAM 

 The Protocol Evaluation Program (PEP) was initiated in 1997 to provide independent 

external review of all GCMRC monitoring and research programs and provide recommendations 

to GCMRC regarding the specific monitoring protocols that will be used. Phase I of the PEP 

process for evaluating current and new alternative protocols in all program resource areas, except 

socio-economic and recreation, was completed by the end of FY 2003. A PEP was conducted 

during winter 2002 for assessment of survey support services to GCMRC. The 

recommendations resulting from these workshops have been distributed to the TWG and AMWG 

and are being used to develop a monitoring plan for the Colorado River ecosystem and modify 

the FY 2006 work plans as appropriate. All PEP workshops and evaluations are conducted in 

cooperation with external experts identified through a competitive, nationwide selection process, 

as well as in collaboration with GCMRC science cooperators, contractors, and Technical Work 

Group members. All PEP final and draft reports are available through the GCMRC’s web site. 

Phase II PEP reviews are proposed in FY 2006 for remote-sensing and physical-resource 

monitoring toward implementation of the GCMRC’s monitoring plan. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

CONTINGENCY PLANNING

 The GCDAMP has adopted hydrologic criteria and resource criteria for triggering 

releases above peak power plant discharge from Glen Canyon Dam. When triggered, these 

criteria provide little lead time for monitoring and research planning. In addition, hydrologic 

conditions can lead to unplanned release events which may also require GCMRC to implement 

monitoring and research activities with little to no lead time. The possibility for unanticipated 

hydrologic events to force experimental treatments results in the need for contingency planning. 

Annually, GCMRC develops contingency plans for implementation of: 

1. Effects monitoring before and (or) after unplanned events, as appropriate; 

2. research assessments of above peak power plant discharges from GCD (as per the 

GCDEIS) or other short-duration high flow unplanned events; and 

3. an effects monitoring and research program for planned events between January-July 

of a given year. 

SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM 

The GCMRC has initiated a program of regular scientific symposia to discuss the current 

state of scientific knowledge regarding the Colorado River ecosystem, as well as to learn about 

similar research in other systems. The GCMRC convenes a biennial Colorado River ecosystem 

science symposium, and between these years GCMRC program managers and participating 

scientists make presentations at the biennial Colorado Plateau symposium hosted by the 

Colorado Plateau Field Station of the Biological Resources Division of the USGS. The initial 

science symposium was convened in Flagstaff in Spring 1997, and focused on results of the 1996 

controlled flood experiment. A second symposium, convened at Grand Canyon National Park in 

1999, focused on monitoring and research related to the 1996 Record-of-Decision operations at 

Glen Canyon Dam. GCMRC hosted a third symposium in Spring 2001 that focused on the 

preliminary results of the Low-Steady Summer Flows implemented during Summer 2000. A 

fourth science symposium was held in Tucson in Fall 2003. The GCMRC will host its fifth 

science symposium in October, 2005, to present preliminary results from the FY 2003-05 

experimental treatments, as well as report on the current status of knowledge about the initial 

phase of its long-term monitoring program. 
58 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Draft January 24, 2005) 

CHALLENGES

GCMRC and the adaptive management program, in general, face a number of challenges 

with respect to designing monitoring and research activities to gather information on specific 

experimental management actions. These include potentially both the construction and operation 

of a temperature control device (TCD) on Glen Canyon Dam and the implementation of 

experimental endangered fish flows to satisfy the 1995 biological opinion on the operation of 

Glen Canyon Dam. 

SCHEDULE AND BUDGET

In the FY2006 budget proposal for GCMRC, the costs are not necessarily correct for FY 

2005. This is because of a discrepancy in funding amounts and application of the USGS $1 

million appropriation discovered by GCMRC and the BOR during a January, 2005 budget 

meeting held in Salt Lake City. The expenses identified will need to be reworked to account for 

the discrepancy in funding and cost share expenses as well as the 15% DOI customer burden. 

The total FY 2005 and FY 2006 budgets for the AMP are $10,664,600 (uncorrected) and 

$9,891,315, respectively. These totals include $8,672,600 in FY 2005 and $8,889,415 in FY 

2006 from AMP Power Revenues; and $210,000 and $215,250, respectively, from the Bureau of 

Reclamation Water Quality fund for both years. 

For information about other AMP activities and budget, and the Programmatic 

Agreement, please contact Mr. Dennis Kubly at the Bureau of Reclamation, Salt Lake City, 

Utah. 

Budget Review

Should the appropriated funds requested to support the GCMRC FY 2006 

Work Plan not be fully funded, GCMRC will work with the AMWG to try and secure the 

required funds using all available budget mechanisms. Second, GCMRC will review the FY 

2006 budget and identify specific work activities that could be deferred. The list of activities 

that could be potentially deferred will be discussed with the TWG and AMWG. A 

recommendation supporting GCMRC’s proposed prioritization and deferral of specific work 

activities in FY 2006 will be sought from the AMWG.
59 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

CHAPTER 2 

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

 

A. PHYSICAL SCIENCE, MODELING AND DASA PROGRAM 

Project A.1. Monitoring - IQWP – Upstream Monitoring of Lake Powell Water Quality - 

Funding from Bureau of Reclamation O&M 

 FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 94,000 25,000 25,000 29,000 0

Logistics Field Support 0 0 0 0 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training 10,000

Operations/Supplies 25,000 25,000 25,000 35,000 38,924

GCMRC Salaries 146,000 151,000 128,000 115,000 138,250

Project Subtotal — — — — 187,174

USGS Assessment (15%) 0 36,000 32,000 31,000 28,076

Funding to GCMRC 265,000 237,000 210,000 210,000 215,250

Reclamation Assistance 35,000 114,000 *0 *0 ?

Project Total 300,000 351,000 210,000 210,000 ?

% Total Outsourced 35% 10% ~12% ~14% 0

Principal Investigators: Vernieu (Lake Powell Coordinator) and Hueftle, U.S. Geological 

Survey (GCMRC) 

Statement of Problem: Water quality refers to the physical, chemical and biological 

characteristics of water. The components affect higher-level community composition, quality 

and interactions and represent a cornerstone resource upon which all other downstream aquatic 

and terrestrial resources depend. The water quality parameters are linked to upper basin inflows, 

reservoir dynamics, and operations of Glen Canyon Dam, and downstream tributary inputs. The 

relationship between operations of Glen Canyon Dam and water quality variables affecting 

downstream resources is a management concern. Of special concern is the current draw-down 

condition in Lake Powell, resulting from several years of drought. Total capacity has been 

reduced 40%, resulting in warm releases, deltaic sediment resuspension, dissolved oxygen 

reductions and salinity increases. 
60 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Summary Project Description: Funded by an interagency agreement with the Bureau of 

Reclamation Upper Colorado Regional Office, GCMRC conducts monitoring and research on 

Lake Powell to meet the following information needs. 

- Determine status and trends of physical, chemical, and biological components of 

water quality in the Lake Powell reservoir as a function of regional hydrologic 

conditions and their relation to downstream releases. These components include 

temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, major ions, 

nutrients, trace elements, chlorophyll, plankton, and organic matter. 

- Determine stratification, convective mixing patterns, and behavior of advective 

currents in Lake Powell and their relation to Glen Canyon Dam operations to predict 

seasonal patterns and trends in downstream releases. 

- Determine status and trends of physical, chemical, and biological components of 

water quality in Glen Canyon Dam releases. 

- Evaluate quality and collection methods of existing data and determine where 

monitoring activities should be implemented, augmented, revised, decreased, or 

discontinued. 

Decreased funding in the project reflects a combination of personnel restructuring, reduced 

chemical sample collection and processing, direct funding from USBR for sample analysis and 

field assistance and redirection of effort in development of the downstream water quality 

program. USBR supplies support personnel and funding for technical field assistance and 

maintains service contracts for chemical sample analysis, further reducing the amount of direct 

funding to GCMRC. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 7, MO’s 7.1 – 7.3 

Status/Schedule: Monthly and quarterly monitoring program for Lake Powell. Sampling for 

major ions and nutrients, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, and other basic 

parameters. Reservoir drawdown from current drought has resulted in increased release 

temperatures, resuspension of deltaic sediments, and the potential for hypoxic releases in 2005. 

Since 2005, chemical analysis is being provided by the USBR Lower Colorado Regional 

Laboratory through a service agreement with the UC Region. Beginning in 2004, monthly webbased updates of water quality status have been provided on the GCMRC web site. Data from 

this project provides a basis for predictive capability for downstream water quality parameters, 

including temperature. 
61 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Monthly web site report 

• Annual water year open file report 

• Complete Lake Powell water quality database 

• Publish and provide on-line access to historical water quality information 

• Contribution to SCORE report 

Integration: During FY 2006, new research on food web dynamics will be initiated through a 

competitive process. As this effort gets underway, the Integrated Quality of Water program will 

be evaluated and modified to meet the needs of this new research effort, as well as other existing 

project. The Lake Powell monitoring program will be included in these evaluations, as well as 

any planning that occurs related to future implementation of thermal modification experiments. 

Project A.2. – Monitoring, IQWP – Downstream Monitoring of Suspended-Sediment 

Transport and Quality-of Water for Physical, Biological and Chemical Sampling 

FUNDING 

HISTORY* Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 329,000 476,000 614,500 927,500 500,000

Logistics Field 

Support 40,000 40,000 152,000 160,000 90,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 15,000

Operations/Supplies 235,500 130,500 142,500 190,000 70,000

GCMRC Salaries 81,000 162,000 195,000 330,000 293,150

Project Subtotal — — — — 968,150

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 145,223

Project Total 685,500 808,500 1,104,000** 1,607,500** 1,113,373

% Total 

Outsourced ~51% ~61% ~63% ~63% ~52%

* In earlier annual plans and budgets, this project was previously described and budgeted as two separate projects, one relating to Downstream 

Quality of Water monitoring and the other relating to the monitoring of suspended-sediment flux. The FY 2002-2005, budget totals shown here 

reflect the combined sums of costs from the two projects, respectively, shown in the previous work plans. Combining the two projects is done to 

better integrate the monitoring and the FY 2006 efforts combine the logistical support needed for accomplishing the suspended-sediment mass 

flux with other downstream quality-of-water monitoring. 

** The FY 2004 & 2005 total project costs reflect additional research funding to support additional monitoring of the experimental Fluctuating 

Flows in 2003-2004, & the High-Flow test conducted in November 2004. 
62 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Principal Investigators: Topping, Wright, Melis, Rubin and Wiele, U.S. Geological Survey 

National Research Program, GCMRC, Marine Geology Team and Arizona District of Water 

Resources Discipline, respectively. 

Statement of Problem: Glen Canyon Dam has altered the character of the water that is released 

downstream into the Colorado River. The supply of fine sediment has been reduced to nearly 

zero, which has impacted fine sediment deposits and turbidity in Glen, Marble, and Grand 

Canyons. The thermal regime of the releases has changed from seasonal variations that followed 

air temperatures to nearly constant release temperatures throughout the year which are colder in 

the summer and warmer in the winter than pre-dam temperatures. These changes, as well as 

changes in the downstream delivery of minerals, nutrients, and carbon have altered the 

ecosystem of the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. The Lake Powell Project 

characterizes the water quality of the lake and downstream releases. This project monitors how 

the releases affect the downstream ecosystem and develops tools to assist decision-makers in the 

management of Glen Canyon Dam. 

Summary Project Description: 

 The downstream IQWP has two major components. The first component is focused on 

monitoring and modeling the mass-balance of fine sediment in the CRE. The second component 

of IQWP is focused on characterizing other water quality components of the ecosystem, such as 

water temperature, oxygen, nutrients, and carbon. Each component has monitoring and research 

elements as described below. 

Downstream Monitoring Components: 

1. Fine sediment mass balance: Use of laser-acoustic system and conventional 

suspended-sediment samples to monitor transport at several locations along the 

mainstem Colorado River and on key tributaries. Monitoring data are used to provide 

a continuous accounting of the mass-balance (input minus export) of sand and fine 

sediment in Marble and Grand Canyons and to assess the impacts of experimental 

flows on the mass-balance. 

2. Continuous water quality monitoring: Temperature, conductivity, dissolved 

oxygen, and pH are monitored at several locations along the mainstem Colorado 

River and key tributaries. Most sites are coincident with the mass-balance monitoring 

locations. Temperature monitoring in selected backwater habitat areas. Data are used 

to characterize the thermal regime and longitudinal gradient in mineral and oxygen 

content of the river, and to calibrate and validate numerical models. 
63 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Research Components:

1. Numerical model development and application: Fine sediment transport models 

are currently in use and under development. Research includes flume studies and 

detailed flow measurements of sediment transport dynamics. Water temperature 

model development is underway. Research includes detailed measurements of heat 

exchange between the river and the atmosphere; water temperature dynamics in 

backwater habitat areas. 

2. Real-time two-way telemetry: A system is being developed to provide two-way 

telemetry between the office and instrumentation in the Canyon. The two-way 

communication not only provides real-time access to data, but also allows the user 

full control of the instrument from the office. The system is being developed in a 

generic fashion to allow use with any instrument that uses serial communications. 

3. In-stream Metabolism experiments: Previously collected single-station and twostation dissolved oxygen data is currently being evaluated and used for metabolism 

calculations. Further research may include additional dissolved oxygen data 

collection at various sites. 

4. Nutrient- Carbon budgeting: Future research directions may include the 

development of nutrient and carbon budgets for the CRE. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Goals 7 and 8, Management Objectives 7.1 – 7.4 and 8.1 

Status/Schedule: FY02-06: Monitoring activities are ongoing and scheduled to continue. 

Analysis of the November 2004 high-flow test data is scheduled to continue into FY06. 

Completion of the initial phase of suspended-sediment transport model development is scheduled 

to be completed in FY05 with continued refinement in FY06. Water quality model development 

to continue with scheduled completion of the water temperature component in FY06. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Preliminary real-time data posted to World-Wide-Web for some sites for parameters 

that do not require extensive processing. 

• Preliminary data made available in real-time through the GCMRC Oracle database 

using the in-development two-way telemetry system. 

• Final, reviewed data made available through GCMRC Oracle database annually. 

• Annual Open-File Reports summarizing methods and collected data. 

• Peer-reviewed publications where appropriate, including assessment of the November 

2004 high-flow test. 

• Presentations at AMWG/TWG meetings as well as other professional meetings. 

• Numerical models made available for general use at appropriate time. 
64 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Integration: The fine sediment mass balance project is intimately linked with the fine sediment 

storage project because the mass balance should track with changes in storage. The water quality 

project will become integrated with the new aquatic foodbase program as it develops.

Project A.3. Finalize 2001-2005 Monitoring& Research – Changes in Fine-Sediment 

Storage along the Main Channel & Shorelines of the CRE 

FUNDING Fiscal year HISTORY 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 300,000 300,000 621,000 760,000 256,250

Logistics Field 

Support 58,000 18,000 120,000 120,000 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 0

Operations/Supplies 100,000 93,000 63,000 60,000 0

GCMRC Salaries 53,000 31,000 56,000 60,000 0

Project Subtotal — — — — 256,250

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 38,438

Project Total 511,000 442,000 860,000* 1,000,000* 294,688

% Total 

Outsourced ~68% ~71% ~79% ~87% 100%

*The FY 2004 & 2005 project totals include extra data acquisition costs for monitoring effects of experimental Fluctuating Flow 

& the sediment High-Flow test implemented in November 2004. The FY 2006 costs are to support final reporting on the 2001-

2005, monitoring and research related to the High-Flow test. 

Principal Investigators: Rubin, Topping, Schmidt and Parnell, U.S. Geological Survey (WRD, 

GD & BRD, plus Utah State and Northern Arizona Universities) 

Statement of Problem: Sandbars and other sandy deposits in and along the Colorado River in 

Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) were an integral part of the pre-dam riverscape, and are 

important for habitat, protecting archeological sites, and recreation. These deposits have eroded 

substantially following the 1963 closure of Glen Canyon Dam that reduced the supply of sand at 

the upstream boundary of GCNP by about 94%; sandbars in Marble Canyon have decreased in 

size by about 25% during the last 15 years. Results from the geomorphic synthesis project have 

shown that the deeper portions of eddies and the channel pools also contain about 25% less sand, 

silt, and clay than they contained in the early 1990s. 
65 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

 Relationships between Glen Canyon Dam operations, fine-sediments input from gaged 

and ungaged tributaries below the dam, and interrelated downstream biological, socio-cultural 

resources are of primary management concern. This is true owing to the fact that sand bars are 

the primary substrate along many shoreline areas of the ecosystem. Monitoring data on finegrained (sand and finer) deposits, linkages with physical habitats and relationships to nonphysical resources and processes offer insight on the effectiveness of the Secretary’s 1996 

Record-of-Decision (ROD), relative to management objectives. 

Annual-to-biennial monitoring of fine-grained sediment storage provides information: 

(1) on the status of near-shore aquatic and terrestrial habitats where vegetation and associated 

fauna, socio-cultural resources are of management concern; (2) on the availability of finegrained sediment that can be periodically manipulated through controlled floods to preserve and 

sustain downstream resources dependent on fine sediment; (3) on identification and 

interpretation of linkages between dam operations and changes in physical habitats and related 

ecosystem resources. All three areas of information support science-based evaluations of largescale flow experiments (e.g., the Secretary’s actions), and associated decision responses required 

for adaptive management to succeed. 

Summary Project Description: Fine-grained deposits (sand and finer) of the main channel 

constitute a major storage component of the Colorado River ecosystem’s sediment budget. Glen 

Canyon Dam operations influence fine deposits in ways that affect aquatic and terrestrial habitats 

over both short and long periods. The emphasis of this long-term monitoring project is to 

document system-wide changes in fine-grained deposits relative to dam operations and natural 

inputs, with emphasis on key storage settings within critical reaches. This project was initiated 

through release of a competitive solicitation in October 2000. The first phase of this project was 

scheduled for completion at the end of FY 2005 but has been extended through FY 2006 owing 

to the additional field data collection campaign around the November high-flow test, and will be 

externally reviewed through the PEP process. In addition, the project is also focused on 

researching the fate of campsite areas on an annual basis, as well as the fate of sand bars 

reworked by wind in the vicinity of archeological preservation sites. 

Two other subcomponents of this project include monitoring sediment deposition in 

arroyos near archaeological sites and monitoring changes at campable beach areas owing to 
66 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

experimental high flows. These projects are described in the Two-Year Science Plan for

Experimental Flow Treatments and Mechanical Removal Activities in WY’S 2002-2004. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: MOs under Goal 8 including 8.1, 8.2. 8.3, 8.4., and 8.5. 

Status/Schedule: FY01-06: This project was scheduled for completion in FY05 but will be 

extended into FY06 because of the additional field work around the November 2004 high-flow 

test. No additional field work is scheduled, and FY06 will serve as the reporting year for this 

project. 

Reports published to date: 

• Rubin, D.M., in press, A simple autocorrelation algorithm for determining grain size 

from digital images of sediment: Sedimentology. 

• NAU Fact Sheets. 

• Hazel, J.E., Jr., Topping, D.J., Schmidt, J.C., Kaplinski, M., and Melis, T.S., 

Downstream effects of a dam on sediment storage in a bedrock canyon: the relative 

roles of eddy and channel storage for the Colorado River in Marble Canyon, AZ, in 

press. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Final report summarizing the findings of the FIST project, including an assessment of 

sandbar changes between 2000 and 2005 and the effects of the November 2004 highflow test. 

• 2-3 more peer-reviewed journal articles or USGS reports during FY 2006. 

• All reach data from this project delivered to the GCMRC database coordinator during 

FY2006 as scheduled under the original project timeline defined in FY2001. 

Integration: This project is closely integrated with the Integrated Quality-of-Water Project, 

particularly the fine sediment mass balance. 
67 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project A.4. Monitoring, Data Acquisition through System-Wide Remote Sensing Mission 

(DASA) – Airborne, Digital Imagery and Automated Photogrammetry, DASA Coordinator 

(T. Gushue), Remote Sensing Support (F.M. Gonzales)

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 82,500 123,000 170,000 630,000 0

Logistics Field 

Support N/A 20,000 5,000 5,000 0

Project Related 

Training/Travel 0 0 0 5,000 0

Operations/Supplies 0 0 0 10,000 0

GCMRC Salaries 20,000 20,000 25,000 82,100 0

Project Subtotal — — — 732,100 0

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — 109,815 0

Project Total 102,500 163,000 200,000 841,915 0

% Total 

Outsourced 80% 82% 85% 86% 0

Note: Remote sensing funds become available for analysis and interpretation in FY2007. 

Principal Investigators: DASA Coordinator (T. Gushue), U.S. Geological Survey (GCMRC)

Statement of Problem: Sediment and vegetation data are important at various scales to 

numerous scientists and resource managers. Past monitoring efforts have focused on expensive, 

large-scale, manual data collection aimed at small areas of the CRE. These were supplemented 

by collecting hard-copy aerial photography to help in manual interpretation. In FY2004, further 

development was made in automated processing of multi-spectral digital imagery to accurately 

map the two-dimensional distribution of fine-grained sediment deposits (sand) above 8,000 cfs 

on a canyon-wide basis. These products were derived from the system-wide digital overflight 

collected in May 2002, which offered a spatial resolution of 44 cm for the red, green and blue 

color bands, 22 cm for the panchromatic band, and a horizontal accuracy (RMSE) of 30 cm. 

Digital elevation data accompanying the imagery provided 1-meter resolution with a vertical 

accuracy (RMSE) of approximately 40 cm as measured against survey data. While these vertical 

accuracies are just outside the error range deemed acceptable to physical scientists for change 

detection, they are more than acceptable to resource managers that are concerned with canyon-
68 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

wide changes in sediment, vegetation and camping beaches. A need exists to repeat this data 

collection effort as best as possible to provide the necessary inputs for determine changes to the 

resources in the CRE between May 2002 and May 2006. 

Summary Project Description: In accordance with the DASA program’s long-term monitoring 

goals, an airborne mission to collect digital imagery for the entire CRE from Glen Canyon Dam 

down to Lake Mead is scheduled for May 2006. This will fulfill the requirement currently set by 

GCMRC to collect system-wide aerial imagery every 4 years as outlined in the draft Core 

Monitoring Plan. The dataset will be similar to that collected in May 2002, using digital sensors 

mounted in a fixed-wing aircraft to collect data for both panchromatic and red, green, blue 

(RGB) bands in the visible spectrum as well as near-infrared data. A Digital Surface Model 

(DSM) with a 1-meter pixel resolution will also be a part of the dataset from this mission. The 

DSM will be comparable to that collected in May 2002 for change detection in the nonvegetated, open sand areas. 

Breakdown of Costs for May 2006 System-wide Overflight 

Year Remote Sensing Component Cost per km Kilometers Total Cost 

• Digital Multi-spectral Imagery 

• Digital Surface Model (1-meter) 

• Mission Overhead / Labor 

• TOTAL PROJECT COST 

$869 480 $417,000

$172,000

$41,000

$630,000

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 12 and others related to specific resource monitoring and 

research objectives. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: The digital, multi-spectral imagery 

collected in May 2002 has served as the seminal source dataset for numerous spatial databases 

developed through both data collection in the field and automated processing in the office. The 

May 2006 mission will again provide the DASA team with the necessary source data to repeat 

these procedures and continue to support the scientific goals of GCMRC through mapping and 

spatial analysis. The increased costs from the May 2002 mission reflects industry trends in the 

availability of the digital sensors required to capture the necessary data proposed in this project. 

Status/Schedule: The System-wide remote sensing mission is scheduled for May 2006 with 

products expected to be delivered by the end of September 2006. A quality and accuracy period 
69 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

will immediately follow the receipt of all deliverables and should take approximately one to two 

months, after which time existing automated procedures will be adapted for the newly acquired 

data and used to perform a variety of spatial analyses designed to determine changes to the 

resource over time. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Canyon-wide, four band, multi-spectral digital imagery at 25 cm spatial resolution. 

• Canyon-wide, panchromatic digital imagery at 25 cm spatial resolution. 

• Canyon-wide, digital surface model at 1 meter spatial resolution. 

Integration: The system-wide imagery dataset will provide the necessary base information for 

all mapping and spatial analysis, and coupled with selected automated-classification techniques, 

the data will then be made available to the physical, biological and cultural resource programs as 

baseline monitoring data and information from which program assessments can be made, 

resource theses tested, and more detailed data collection efforts planned. 

Project A.5. Data Storage (DASA) – Grand Canyon Integrated (Oracle) Database 

Management, Acting System Manager (G. Bennett) 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 100,000 251,000 18,000 15,000 27,200

Logistics Field 

Support — — — — 0

Project Related 

Training/Travel 3,000 1,000 2,000 3,000 3,000

Operations/Supplies 10,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 12,000

GCMRC Salaries 56,000 67,000 80,000 89,000 89,000

Project Subtotal — — — — 131,200

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 19,680

Project Total 201,000 363,000 128,000 128,000 150,880

% Total 

Outsourced 50% 69% ~14% ~12% ~21%

Principal Investigators: DASA Coordinator (T. Gushue), U.S. Geological Survey (GCMRC) 
70 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Statement of Problem: The need for a comprehensive database for maintaining this 

information was recognized by the National Academy of Sciences in their initial review of the 

GCES Program in 1987, and reinforced during a second review in 1990. Extensive data and 

information currently exists in the GCMRC collections relating to resource conditions, quality, 

and relationships to other resources. Potentially equal amounts of data and information exist 

within museums, universities, agencies, etc. However, much of this information has not been 

organized, managed or integrated into an analysis of the interrelationship among various 

resources and dam operations. 

Summary Project Description: The purpose of the GCMRC Database Management System 

(DBMS) is to store and deliver all tabular and spatial data, via our Spatial Data Engine (SDE), 

gathered as the result of GCMRC investigations and legacy data. Developing the DBMS requires 

inventorying, organizing, archiving, and developing delivery systems for many years worth of 

environmental data collection activities representing a vast array of disparate data including 

physical, biological, cultural, socio-economic, and climatic information. Many datasets have 

been integrated into our DBMS with additional datasets in working progress. The additional 

data yet to be included in our DBMS are organized in Microsoft Excel files, Microsoft Access 

databases, SAS, or another proprietary format. The DBMS program is currently working on 

bringing together years of disparate historical data, collected by multiple entities located in 

databases across the southwest, in an organized fashion and then deliver it transparently to 

stakeholders and researchers for decision making and modeling purposes. Delivering data in an 

automated fashion is key to the success of the DBMS. Accommodating such a task will be done 

utilizing database driven web pages and ArcIMS, a web accessible tool to allow access to our 

spatial data. These technologies can be integrated to deliver tabular and spatial data referenced 

through the Oracle relational database. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Besides supporting Goal 12, the DBMS indirectly assists 

GCMRC personnel and cooperators in completing the majority of other resource MO’s and IN’s. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: The currently proposed budget for FY 

2006 will allow the database development to continue, but at a very minimal level and pace. The 

Grand Canyon Integrated Databases is currently severely understaffed and there is a constant 

threat of losing the knowledge base necessary for basic database maintenance as well as the 
71 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

development of new procedures that will allow increased access to the database for scientists, 

resources managers and the public alike. Significant progress had been made in database 

accessibility during the second half of FY2004 and the beginning of FY2005, unfortunately, 

owing to a change in personnel this aspect of database development is likely to be reduced until 

the recently vacated role of database programmer can be filled. 

Status/Schedule: FY01-03 – DBMS development produced the following datasets: Fish 

Monitoring Data (1977 to present); Discharge unit values (1921 to present); Lake Powell water 

quality (1986 to present); Sediment transport data (1921 to present); Water temperature 

(downstream); Survey Control database. 

FY04-05 – Develop applications to interact with database, set up database outside firewall for 

external read-only access, conduct training sessions, manage (backup, recover, and tune), service 

data requests, and continue developing schemas. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Integrated DBMS (Internal read-write database and external read-only database) 

• Applications for accessing both databases 

• Documentation for backups, recoveries, DBMS daily tasks, and disaster recovery 
72 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project A.6. Remote Data Access & Control, (DASA) – Geographic Information Systems: 

Automated Monitoring Technologies and Applications, Advanced Programmer (G. 

Bennett) 

 FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 0 8,000 0 0 12,000

Logistics Field 

Support — — — — 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training 0 0 0 0 2,000

Operations/Supplies 0 0 10,000 10,000 10,000

GCMRC Salaries 0 20,000 70,000 70,000 0

Project Subtotal — — — — 24,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 3,600

Project Total 0 28,000 80,000 80,000 27,600

% Total 

Outsourced N/A 30% 0% 0% 50%

Principal Investigator: DASA Coordinator (T. Gushue), plus part time student contractor. 

Statement of Problem: Data collection in the CRE is inherently difficult and expensive owing 

to the remote nature of the canyon environment. Past efforts have focused on expensive, largescale, manual data collection efforts aimed at small areas of the CRE. Research and analysis 

conducted during the Remote Sensing Initiative (FY2000-2003) concluded that various remote 

sensing data products could be utilized for numerous monitoring activities, with a coincident 

increase in the area being monitored and a reduction in per unit costs. Within GCMRC, the 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program is focusing on selecting a suite of remote 

sensing technologies / products and developing analysis routines for automating the extraction 

and classification of information customized to the monitoring needs of scientists within the 

physical, biological and cultural resource programs and resource managers. 

Integration: Classification products will be provided to the physical, biological and cultural 

resource programs as baseline monitoring data and information from which program assessments 

can be made, resource theses tested, and more detailed data collection efforts planned. 
73 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Summary Project Description: In FY2003, GCMRC showed that automated processing of 

multi-spectral digital imagery could be utilized to accurately map vegetation and the twodimensional distribution of fine-grained sediment deposits (sand) above 8,000 cfs on a canyonwide basis. Data collected in May 2004 has recently been received and is currently being 

checked by the DASA team. In FY2005, the analysis techniques previously employed will be 

repeated with an emphasis on change detection for the two-year period (May, 2002-04) once the 

imagery dataset has passed an accuracy assessment and made available for analysis. Techniques 

will also be developed for automated processing and classification of data acquired from the 

terrestrial and hydrographic LiDAR missions collected in conjunction with the experimental high 

flow of November 2004. The datasets develop from these techniques will be compared to and 

integrated with existing multi-beam sonar data collected during the same time span. Additional 

effort will be put towards synthesizing the various LiDAR datasets from both pre- and post-flood 

missions, and using these data for change detection analyses associated with the high flow. 

Project Goals and Objectives: Automated processing of remotely sensed data products is 

designed to quickly and accurately classify large sets of raster and vector data into monitoring 

information that are useful to scientists and resource managers. 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 12 and others related to specific resource monitoring and 

research objectives. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: In FY06 a significant reduction in 

available funds has occurred compared to the prior fiscal budget. Funds previously used to 

GCMRC salaries FY04-FY05 have shifted to reflect a change in the organizational structure of 

the Center. The repeatability of automated procedures will allow for the DASA team to continue 

development of the anticipated products outlined in this project. With fewer resources available, 

however, it is expected that the time frame in which the procedures and analyses can be tailored 

to the new datasets will be somewhat longer. 
74 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Expected Products: 

Products derived from multi-spectral digital imagery:

• Fine-grained sediment inventory and change detection: May, 2002-4 and May, 

2004-6.

• Undifferentiated vegetation inventory and change detection: May, 2002-4 and May, 

2004-6.

• Camping Beach inventory and change detection: May, 2002-4 and May, 2004-6. 

Products derived from very high resolution LiDAR:

• Technical report outlining methodology for automated or semi-automated 

classification of very high resolution LiDAR into vegetation and non-vegetation 

components.

• Bare-earth elevation models for selected monitoring areas in Marble Canyon: May, 

2004 and May, 2006.

• Changes in sub-aerial sand bar morphology based on very high resolution LiDAR: 

May, 2004-06.

• Vegetation canopy volumes derived from very high resolution LiDAR: May, 2004 

and May, 2006. 

Products derived from hydrographic LiDAR and multi-beam sonar.

• Report summarizing the applicability of hydrographic LiDAR for monitoring subaqueous bathymetry and fine-grained sediment deposits in the CRE.

• Technical report outlining methodology for automated classification and estimation 

of eddy deposit volumes using multi-beam sonar.

• Changes in sub-aqueous eddy deposit volumes based on hydrographic LiDAR and / 

or multi-beam sonar.

Recommended Approach/Methods: A variety of existing methods will be customized to 

achieve automation in analysis of remotely sensed imagery. In addition, new applications will be 

developed on an “as-need” basis to meet the requirements of conducting change detection for 

resources of concern in the Colorado River ecosystem. 

Status/Schedule: Products to be delivered in FYs 2004-07. 

Experimental Component: GIS applications will be applied, as needed, to a variety of 

remotely sensed data sets collected in support of high-flow experiments designed to test various 

sediment-conservation hypotheses. Examples include: sand volume and area change detection 

and channel-bed substrate classification. 
75 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project A.7. GIS Support (DASA) – Geographic Information Systems: GIS General 

Support for Integrated Analyses and Projects, GIS Leader, (T. Gushue) 

 FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 8,000 8,000 0 0 50,200

Logistics Field 

Support — — — — 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training 0 0 0 0 5,000

Operations/Supplies 50,000 46,000 15,000 15,000 15,000

GCMRC Salaries 91,000 76,000 65,000 65,000 69,800

Project Subtotal — — — — 140,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 21,000

Project Total 149,000 130,000 80,000 80,000 161,000

% Total 

Outsourced 5% 6% 0% 0% ~36%

Principal Investigator: GIS & DASA Coordinator (T. Gushue), plus one GIS contractor. 

Statement of Problem: The traditional role of the GIS Program is inherently service-oriented, 

providing spatial database development, programming and analysis support to the science 

programs and their cooperators on both a planned and an as-needed basis. To continue 

functioning in this capacity it is imperative to factor in designated blocks of time to maintain and 

in some cases improve the level of GIS support. There is also a need for a higher level of 

support for more specific GIS application development and analysis of available spatial data. 

Integration: Analyses performed using GIS tools will allow for, and often require, the 

integration of datasets from across several scientific disciplines. An example of this would be 

using the existing shoreline habitat dataset, which is geomorphic in nature, in junction with 

terrestrial vegetation for developing a food base generation dataset. 

Summary Project Description: Work performed by GIS personnel for physical, biological and 

cultural resource projects include but are not limited to the following: Data entry and GIS 

database development, analysis of new and existing spatial data, map and graphic generation for 

field collection, presentation and publication purposes. 
76 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project Goals and Objectives: To provide spatial products and analysis capabilities to the 

physical, biological and cultural resource programs and their cooperators. 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: Those associated with Goal 12 and others related to specific 

resource monitoring and research objectives for the Colorado River ecosystem. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: The increased level of support within 

funding levels are constant, and provide a level of services similar to FY04. 

Expected Products: Products derived from GIS support include maps for publications, 

generation and printing of maps and graphics for posters, creation of improved base maps for 

Lake Powell and Grand Canyon, instructional sessions for staff, cooperators and contractors on 

GIS layer development, integration and analysis, and advanced spatial analysis for monitoring 

projects. 

Recommended Approach / Methods: Standard GIS applications, plus customized 

programming developed by the DASA coordinator intended to facilitate and expedite rapid 

analysis of data collected by GCMRC science staff, cooperators and various contractors. 

Status/Schedule: Products to be delivered in FYs 2004-05. 

Experimental Component: Standard GIS and Oracle data applications will be applied, as 

needed, to a variety of remotely sensed data sets collected in support of high-flow experiments 

designed to test various sediment-conservation hypotheses. The GIS department will also assist 

in directing data collection protocols of scientists prior to and during key experimental 

treatments and will also assist in post-processing and analysis of experimental data sets. 
77 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

B. BIOSCIENCES 

Project B.1. Monitoring – Terrestrial Compliance Monitoring (KAS and SWWF)* 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 10,000 30,000 21,000 22,000 55,000

Logistics Field 

Support 40,000 33,000 37,000 35,000 45,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 5000

Operations/Supplies 16,000 6,000 7,000 7,000 0

GCMRC Salaries 16,000 12,000 14,000 15,000 87,400

Project Subtotal — — — — 192,400

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 28,860

Project Total 82,000 81,000 79,000 79,000 221,260

% Total 

Outsourced 48% 69% 64% 63% 29%

Note: In FY06 there were be no other planned terrestrial data collection under the biology program due to funding limitations 

and in accordance with funding priority directives provided by the Adaptive Management Work Group. 

Principal Investigators: Arizona Game and Fish Department, TBD, U.S. Geological Survey 

(B. Ralston). 

Statement of Problem: Kanab ambersnail and southwestern willow flycatcher (SWWF) are 

federally listed endangered species that occur with the Colorado River ecosystem. Kanab 

ambersnail is endemic to Vaseys Paradise, though a translocated population exists at Elves 

Chasm. The snail and its habitat is a unique ecosystem identified as a resource of concern by 

stakeholders. The abundance and distribution of the snail and the quality of its habitat is 

influenced by operations of Glen Canyon Dam, as well as by springs located at Vaseys Paradise. 

Monitoring of habitat area and ambersnail numbers occurs on a more detailed scale due to the 

limited nature of the habitat. These surveys occur twice per year. Southwestern willow 

flycatchers utilize habitat in lower Marble Canyon and in western Grand Canyon. Surveys for 

SWWF follow standard protocols developed by USFWS that require surveys in May, June and 

July. Surveys assess presences of breeding pairs. 
78 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Monitoring of Kanab ambersnails and utilized habitat, and southwestern willow 

flycatcher breeding pairs: (1) is a compliance requirement and allows managers to assess the 

status of this endangered species (2) provides data on the effect of periodic management of 

sediment through high flows under the Record of Decision on the population dynamics and 

habitat interactions of Kanab ambersnail. 

Summary Project Description: To determine the extent of Kanab ambersnail habitat at Vaseys 

Paradise and estimate the abundance of Kanab ambersnails at Vaseys Paradise. To determine the 

presence of breeding pairs of southwestern willow flycatchers within the CRE. Specific 

objectives of the project include: 

• Provide habitat estimates and change detection of habitat of Kanab ambersnail for 

varying stage levels. 

• Provide yearly estimates of adult snails at Vaseys Paradise 

• Provide data to use in population model development for snails at Vaseys Paradise. 

• Identify the location of breeding pairs of southwestern willow flycatchers. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: MOs under Goal 5, including 5.1, 5.2.; Goal 6, 6.7.

Status/Schedule: FY01-05 – Initiated in its current design as a monitoring effort in FY 2001 

through a cooperative agreement with AGFD. FY2005 should initiate review of methodologies 

and incorporation of methods that utilize less intrusive methods to estimate KAS numbers. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Annual data delivery Trip reports providing area estimates of vegetation and general 

description of status of snails at Vaseys Paradise. 

• Contribution to SCORE report 
79 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project B.2. Research and Development– Aquatic Foodbase, Organic Mass Balance, and 

Foodweb Linkage Program 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor N/A N/A 160,000 220,000 216,000

Logistics Field 

Support N/A N/A 40,000 40,000 100,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 5,000

Operations/Supplies N/A N/A 18,000 25,000 0

GCMRC Salaries N/A N/A 30,000 30,000 79,500

Project Subtotal — — — — 400,500

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 60,075

Project Total N/A N/A 248,000 315,000 460,575

% Total 

Outsourced N/A N/A ~79% ~81% 54%

Principal Investigators: Kennedy and others to be determined. 

Statement of Problem: River systems are fueled by different sources of organic material that 

originate from a combination of allochthonous (organic debris from terrestrial environments) and 

autochthonus production (algae, and macrophytes). These organics serve as the fundamental 

food source and linkage between aquatic invertebrates and higher level consumers such as fish 

and waterfowl. The proportion of these organic sources and their overall quantity and quality 

varies between and within different river systems. Since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam some 

of the coarser larger organics (woody debris) supplied to the Colorado River are sequestered in 

Lake Powell. Owing to increased water clarity conditions algal production has become very 

extensive in the upper river section; however downstream periodic suspended sediment and 

organic debris supplied from tributaries causes a decline in algal production. The aquatic 

foodbase is assumed to be both derived from primary production and limited to consumers such 

as native and endangered fish. Algal production appears to support the major component of the 

foodbase in the upper river section, yet it remains uncertain whether or not algal production is as 

important, or as limiting to the downstream foodweb. The aquatic protocol evaluation panel had 

concerns with the lack of empirically established linkages between food base and fishes, and 
80 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

identified that a possible consequence of the recent increase in primary and secondary production 

may differentially benefit non-native species (competitors or predators) over native species. 

Research and the restructuring of the existing foodbase monitoring program is warranted in light 

of its importance toward meeting stakeholder objectives. 

Summary Project Description: This study will address a number of issues identified by the 

aquatic protocol evaluation panel. This project focuses on the research and development of an 

organic budget and foodweb linkage program as an organizational framework to determine 

whether or not the aquatic foodbase is limiting, and to determine what organic sources, and 

where limitations occur within the Colorado River system. This requires several approaches: 1) 

conduct in-stream metabolism and community respiration experiments; 2) quantifying organic 

and inorganic carbon flux and decompositional rates; and 3) based on findings of the organic 

mass balance research develop an effective sampling design having the appropriate sampling 

methods and frequency for assessing and quantifying organic flux (sources, pools, 

transformations and movement). Sampling will focus on research and development of alternate 

collecting devices (e.g., Hester-Dendie, drift sample collections) and alternate sample processing 

techniques during 2005–2007. Sampling will be coordinated with the fisheries and quality of 

water programs to encourage true linkages of variables collected and variables of biological 

significance in a food web framework. Request for proposals will be developed during 2005 

addressing items above for initiation during 2006. Development of long term monitoring 

protocols will proceed during 2005-2007 based on the results of research and development 

during 2005-2006. It is anticipated that a request for proposals to implement a long term 

monitoring program will be developed in 2008. 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: MOs under Goal 1. 

Status/Schedule: Project scheduled for implementation in FY06 and to continue through FY07. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Contribution to SCORE report

• Publications on in-stream metabolism 

• Publications on organic and inorganic flux and decompositional processes 

• Development of an organic mass balance sampling program 
81 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

• Research, design and feasibility analysis for developing long-term monitoring 

program. 

Integration: (Linkages downstream IQWP and with fisheries) 

Project B.3. Monitoring - Status and Trends of Downstream Fish Community 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 469,000 570,000 596,000 546,000 550,000

Logistics Field 

Support 176,000 153,000 150,000 150,000 150,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 5,000

Operations/Supplies 0 15,000 30,000 30,000 20,000

GCMRC Salaries 28,000 71,000 94,000 94,000 116,500

Project Subtotal — — — — 841,500

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 126,225

Project Total 673,000 809,000 870,000 820,000 967,725

% Total 

Outsourced 92% 88% 84% 83% 65%

Principal Investigators: Coggins, U.S. Geological Survey, (GCMRC) and technician, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and SWCA, Inc. 

Statement of Problem: The downstream fish community is an assemblage of native and nonnative fish that occur in the Colorado River ecosystem. This assemblage is exclusive of the trout 

fishery that is managed in Glen Canyon by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The 

constituents include four native fish and introduced competitors/predators like rainbow trout, 

brown trout, channel catfish, carp, and other non-native forms. The status and trends of the 

fishery are regulated by biotic and abiotic mechanisms that may in turn be affected by the 

operations of Glen Canyon Dam. Monitoring basic population statistics including recruitment, 

abundance, and distribution of native and non-native fishes provide the fundamental information 

necessary to assess the status of these resources and the attainment of program goals and 

objectives. 
82 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Summary Project Description: Since 2000, GCMRC and cooperators have been developing a 

long-term monitoring program for fishes in the CRE. To date, significant progress has been 

made toward this end such that it is now appropriate for GCMRC to formalize a long-term 

monitoring program for key non-native fishes (i.e. rainbow trout, brown trout, and common 

carp). The FY 06 funding recommendation is sufficient to maintain downstream monitoring in 

the Little Colorado River and in the mainstem for salmonids. Remaining funds will be used to 

continue development and implementation of the long-term monitoring program as described in 

the core monitoring plan. 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 2, MOs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.8, and Goal 4 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Annual stock assessment reports for humpback chub and non-native fish. 

• Contribution to SCORE reports 

• Trip reports following each trip summarizing general catch effort and preliminary 

results. 

• Evaluation of alternative sampling designs that may be tested.

• Data delivery following every sampling trip. 

Integration: (Linkages downstream IQWP and with fishery life histories and ecosystem 

dynamics, distribution and abundance of fishes relative physical habitat elements) 

Project B.4. Monitoring - Status & Trends of Lees Ferry Trout 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC Science/Labor 90,000 116,000 80,000 90,000

Logistics Field Support 20,000 20,000 10,000 13,000

Project Related Travel/Training — — — —

Operations/Supplies 10,000 16,000 10,000 0

GCMRC Salaries 18,000 9,000 11,000 0

Project Subtotal — — — 103,000

DOI Customer Burden (15%) — — — 15,450

Project Total 138,000 161,000 111,000 118,450

% Total Outsourced 78% 83% 85% 87%

Principal Investigators: Persons, Arizona Game and Fish Department 
83 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Statement of Problem: The Lees Ferry trout fishery refers to the tailwaters portion of the 

Colorado River ecosystem managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department. This fishery 

represents an important recreational and economic resource. This assemblage includes 

flannelmouth suckers and competitors such as carp. The status and trends of the fishery is linked 

to the phytobenthic community and to operations of Glen Canyon Dam. Community traits such 

as spawning and recruitment are influenced by the quality of substrate, water, and food. 

Competitive interactions between trout and other fish species and among trout may also account 

for population status. The relationships between operations from Glen Canyon Dam, and the 

coarse-sediment that forms the spawning substrate and the near shoreline habitat used by young 

developing trout in the Glen Canyon portion of the Colorado River ecosystem resources are a 

management concern. 

Summary Project Description: Primary method uses electrofishing as the sampling method 

over multiple nights, which occurs tri-annually. Electrofishing equipment and trained operators 

are contracted personnel through the GCMRC logistical contract. As of FY01 this monitoring 

project has used a random stratified sampling approach based on shoreline habitat characteristics 

for site selection. Nine sites are consistently sampled and linked to past monitoring efforts 

conducted since 1990. The other remaining 27 sites are randomly selected. Direct and derived 

metrics for assessing status and trends are to be reported including CPE, stock assessment, PSD 

and condition factor of fish. 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 4 and M.O. 4.1 

Status/Schedule: Renewal for monitoring status and trends of Lees Ferry Trout are expected to 

continue for FY04 and FY05. Development of an RFP for monitoring the status and trends of 

Lees Ferry Trout and technical proposal review are scheduled for FY05. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Annual report of status and trends of fishery 

• Contributions to SCORE report

• Data delivery following each sampling period. 

• Trip report following each sampling period 
84 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Integration: (Linkages downstream IQWP and with fishery life histories and ecosystem 

dynamics, distribution and abundance of fishes relative physical habitat elements) 

Project B.5. HCA – Concurrent Estimates of Humpback Chub 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor NA 

NA NA NA

59,100

Logistics Field 

Support 

NA NA NA NA

95,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training 

NA NA NA NA

0

Operations/Supplies NA NA NA NA 0

GCMRC Salaries NA NA NA NA 63,500

Project Subtotal NA NA NA NA 217,600

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) 

NA NA NA NA

32,640

Project Total NA NA NA NA 250,240

% Total 

Outsourced 

NA NA NA NA

27%

Principle investigators: fisheries biologist U.S. Geological Survey (GCMRC) and cooperators, 

TBD. 

Summary of Problem: Determining population estimates of humpback chub in Grand Canyon 

is an information need for recovery of humpback chub. Approaches used to determine an 

estimate vary from in stream concurrent estimates with those done in the Little Colorado River, 

to model simulations that use the Age Structure Mark Recapture model and other models. The 

direction of approach remains to be determined at this time. These funds would be used to 

support either approach with a cost break down provided for field support. In lieu of a field 

effort these funds would be used for model workshops and information sharing among state and 

federal agencies. For this effort to be successful would require the full-time attention of a 

fisheries biologist. 

Status/Schedule: Progress in this project is subject to outcomes associated with U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service’s workshops being held in 2005. 
85 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Trip report if a field effort is required 

• Data delivery following each sampling period
86 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

C. CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Project C.1. Integrated Archaeological Site Monitoring 

 FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007* 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor — — 17,500 234,420 240,280

Logistics Field 

Support — — 15,000 80,000 82,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 1,500

Operations/Supplies — — 5,000 9,150

GCMRC Salaries — — 7,500 20,720 21,240

Project Subtotal — — 40,000 340,140 350,145

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — 51,021 52,520

Project Total — — 391,161 402,665

% Total 

Outsourced* — — 63% 81% 81%

* FY06-07 budget figure includes does not include the weather monitoring component. Weather monitoring is a separate budget 

item, although is an integral aspect of this program. 

Principal Investigators: TBD 

Statement of Problem: Cultural resources (composed of National Register eligible 

archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, and places of traditional significance, plus biotic and 

mineral resources of cultural importance to Native American tribes) are influenced by dam 

operations and are also affected by physical processes unrelated to dam operations, including 

visitor activities. Specifically, dam operations directly affect cultural resources through 

inundation and other stream flow processes. Dam operations also affect these resources 

indirectly and cumulatively through constraining and managing flows in a manner that prohibits 

retention of sediment within the channel and adjacent sand bars and by limiting regenerative 

disturbance processes within the riparian ecosystem. Dam operations control sediment inputs 

and determine the amount, grain sizes, and elevations of fine-grained sediment deposits, which in 

turn form the matrix and cover of many archaeological sites in the river corridor. Damcontrolled flows also determine the availability and location of low elevation sand bars, which 
87 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

provide a potential source of sediment for transportation by wind to higher elevation terraces, 

where most cultural resources occur. 

Monitoring of archaeological sites by NPS archaeologists has been ongoing in the river 

corridor since the late 1970s. Until the 1990s, the NPS monitoring program focused almost 

exclusively on visitor impacts to archaeological resources. In 1992, intensive monitoring of 

cultural resources to determine effects of dam operations began. Monitoring since 1992 has been 

conducted under the Programmatic Agreement for Cultural Resources. Although these past 12 

years of monitoring have documented ongoing erosion of archaeological sites, as well as 

continuing impacts from visitation, the data have not been collected in a manner that allows 

amounts, rates and trends of erosion (or visitor impacts) to be tracked and quantified, nor does it 

allow for the effects of dam-related vs. non-dam-related erosion to be distinguished in a 

meaningful manner. Monitoring of diverse kinds of cultural resources (archaeological sites, 

plants, mineral resources) has also been conducted by individual Native American tribes using a 

variety of field methods. 

In 2000, a Protocol Evaluation Panel reviewed the entire cultural program and 

recommended that the PA monitoring program be redesigned and “reoriented to contribute 

information to: 1) prioritize historic properties for treatment decisions, and 2) evaluate the 

effectiveness of treatment options” (Doelle, 2000:8). The panel also recommended that in the 

future “monitoring should be used in a much more focused manner to document progressive 

erosion at sites where preservation actions have not been implemented, to assess the 

effectiveness of particular protection measures, and to ensure that effects of visitor activities 

remain below a threshold that causes long-term damage” (Doelle, 2000:8). Specific monitoring 

protocols were not recommended by the PEP. Although the National Park Service instituted 

some minor changes to their previous monitoring approach as a result of these recommendations, 

the fundamental issues that prompted the PEP to make these recommendations remain to be 

addressed. 

 

Summary Project Description: This project will implement new monitoring protocols to 

quantify the amount and extent of erosion and other types of geomorphic and visitor impacts at a 

variety of cultural resource sites. This integrated site monitoring program will also assess 

interactions between dam operations, non-fluvial physical processes, and human activities in 
88 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

causing or accelerating erosional impacts to cultural resources by directly measuring amounts 

and rates of geomorphic change at a random sample of sites. Detailed monitoring of geomorphic 

variables will occur at approximately 40 sites every year, in conjunction with more generalized 

condition monitoring that will occur at approximately 60 sites per year. 

In FY05, GCMRC will host a PEP that will focus specifically on refining monitoring 

protocols for archaeological sites. National experts in geomorphology, statistical sampling, and 

cultural resource integrity evaluation will be brought in to review the current program and 

recommended revisions based on the monitoring objectives defined by the cultural program 

(stakeholders and GCMRC scientists) as a whole. In FY06, a four year pilot program will be 

implemented. After the fourth year (2009), the initial results will be reassessed to ensure that the 

selected approaches are providing the requisite quality and quantity of data necessary to detect 

meaningful changes within a reasonable time frame. 

The proposed long term core monitoring program for archaeological sites will be 

composed of several interrelated components: 1) archaeological site condition monitoring 

(approximately 60 sites per year), 2) intensive monitoring of a randomly selected site sample to 

detect and quantify rates and trends of geomorphic change and to relate these changes to systemwide processes (approximately 40 sites per year), and 3) weather monitoring. (Although closely 

related to the archaeological site monitoring effort, tribal values monitoring is discussed below 

under a separate project statement and budget.) 

The first two components of this integrated cultural monitoring program are described 

below as a single project description. The weather monitoring and tribal values monitoring 

components are included under separate project descriptions, although all components are 

interrelated and will ultimately comprise a single, integrated program. 

Component 1: Site Condition Monitoring: This component involves completing visual 

assessments of site impacts and overall condition for approximately 60 sites per year. Over a 

four year period, a total of approximately 240 sites will be monitored. These sites have 

previously been identified as being potentially affected by dam operations. We will reassess the 

geomorphic context of each site during the first four year cycle of monitoring and eliminate sites 

that have no potential for future impacts due to dam operations (e.g., rock art sites on high cliff 

faces, sites situated in rockshelters above the prehistoric flood plain). The remaining sites will 
89 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

be divided into three to four groups of 60-70 sites each, and every site in each group will be 

monitored on an even schedule (approximately once every 3-4 years, depending on the total 

number of sites remaining in the pool.) Condition and impact information will be recorded 

according to a standardized format, and the results tabulated to produce an overall site condition 

index rating that can be objectively compared from one monitoring episode to the next. The 

recording format will build on the previous NPS monitoring protocols but will incorporate new 

variables, eliminate redundant variables, and incorporate some new recording methods as 

dictated by the PEP review. This monitoring component will require to two river trips per year. 

Component 2: The second component of the integrated archaeological site monitoring program 

is explicitly structured to quantify amounts and rates of erosion occurring at archaeological sites 

in a system-wide sense and establish the nature and extent of linkages between dam operations 

and archaeological site conditions. Monitoring of a stratified random sample of cultural 

resources will provide measured data on: (1) rates and amounts of change in the physical 

conditions of cultural resources; (2) cause-and effect linkages between dam operations and 

natural physical processes in the ongoing erosion of archaeological sites and other cultural 

resources; (3) information on system-wide influences of flow regulation on archaeological 

resources, with specific respect to long-term stability of high elevation fluvially-derived 

sedimentary deposits. 

These objectives will be attained through selecting a stratified random sample of 

approximately 40 sites from the total population of sites included in Component 1. The site 

population will be stratified by a constellation of geomorphic attributes, using the Thompson and 

Potochnik model (or some other scheme recommended by the PEP) as the basis for stratification. 

Stratification ensures that the sample of monitored sites covers a broad range of geomorphic 

settings within the CRE, while randomization ensures that sites will not be pre-selected on the 

basis of assumed rates/amounts of ongoing erosion. This sample of sites will be subject to 

repeat mapping, using state-of-art mapping technologies tied to geo-referenced controls. 

Measurements will be geared towards tracking geomorphic changes through time in order to 

determine trends in resource status. Specific monitored attributes will include volumetric 

(topographic) change, nickpoint migration, channel thalweg evolution/incision, and channel 

cross section widening. The mapping component of the long-term monitoring program will 
90 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

require an additional two trips per year, focused exclusively on repeat mapping of the sample 

sites. 

Component 3: Linking observed changes in resource condition to dam operations and other 

geomorphic drivers in the system requires that observed changes in resource condition be 

assessed in relation both to ongoing dam operations, as well as regional climatic processes and 

localized weather events. The current monitoring program documents evidence of active and 

inactive site erosion, but has no way of evaluating those data in a meaningful context. Without a 

weather context with which to evaluate this information, the data remain uninterruptible. 

The proposed weather monitoring component of this project--although presented as a 

separate monitoring program with broad applications to diverse resources within the CRE—will 

be integral to the success of a long term intensive monitoring effort for cultural resources, as it 

will allow us to begin to establish the various cause-and-effect relationships between dam 

operations, weather events, and observed changes in physical conditions at individual 

archaeological sites. (At the present time, weather monitoring is NOT included in the FY06 

budget.) 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: CMINs 11.1.1, 11.1.2, 11.1.3a, 11.1.4 and 11.2.1 (also RINs 

11.2.2 and 11.2.4) 

Consequences of FY05 - 06 Funding Recommendations: FY06 will be the first full year of 

what will be the long term core monitoring program for cultural resources focused on addressing 

the mandates of the Grand Canyon Protection Act, as well as meeting the needs for cultural 

resource monitoring under NHPA. Field implementation in FY06 will be preceded by a cultural 

monitoring PEP during FY05. 

At the present time, the weather monitoring component is not included in the FY06 

budget. The lack of local weather data will preclude our ability to determine cause-and-effect 

relationships between local weather events, observed erosion at archaeological sites, and dam 

operations. However, we will still be able to gather measurements on rates and amounts of 

erosion, which will constitute a significant improvement in the overall scientific quality of the 

cultural program data. 

During FY’s 2007-2009, this core monitoring effort will continue. After FY09, the 

program will be re-evaluated and refined, if necessary. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Status/Schedule: FY05 – Convene review committee to develop and refine specific protocols 

for quantitatively monitoring changes in the condition of cultural resources and linking observed 

changes to dam operations. FY06 – 09 pilot the protocols and reassess their effectiveness for 

detecting change. Refine protocols as necessary. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: 

• Map products including detailed topographic maps, longitudinal survey profiles of 

gully thalwegs, measured channel cross sections, and accompanying technical reports 

• Annual reports, documenting changes in the condition of monitored resources 

• Digital files of all maps, photographs, and raw monitoring data resulting from the 

field effort, plus all analyzed data sets. 

• SCORE report and peer-reviewed journal articles documenting influences of dam 

releases on the status and long-term condition trends of cultural resources in the 

Colorado River ecosystem. 

Project C.2. Integrated Tribal Values Monitoring 

 FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007* 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/labor — — — 250,000 —

Logistics Field 

Support — — — —

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — —

Operations/Supplies — — — —

GCMRC Salary 

(student intern) — — — 25,000 —

Project Subtotal — — — 275,000 —

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — 41,250 —

Project Total — — — 316,250 —

% Total 

Outsourced — — — 91% —

*logistical costs are covered through tribal river trips and participation with NPS archaeological site monitoring trips 

Principal Investigators: TBD 

Statement of Problem: The five tribal groups participating in the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive 

Management Program have cultural traditions associated with Grand Canyon that extend back 

many hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of years. Many of the same resources are valued by 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

multiple tribes for different reasons. Resources valued by the tribes include many of the same 

prehistoric and historic sites that are also valued by the National Park Service and the general 

public for their informational and potential interpretive values. In addition to archaeological 

sites, the tribes place value on a number of specific locations (geologic landmarks, springs, 

shrines) in the CRE that they identify as being important to their traditional cultures. Many of 

the sites and landmarks qualify as traditional cultural properties under the National Historic 

Preservation Act, although formal determinations of eligibility have not been completed. Other 

resources valued by the tribes included a broad suite of plants and animals (particularly those 

found in proximity to archaeological site and TCP areas) and minerals. Numerous native plant 

and animal species in the CRE have been identified by the Southern Paiute, Navajo, Hualapai 

and Hopi people as having significant cultural value because they were traditionally or are 

currently used in ceremonies, as medicines, and in daily living. (Jackson, 1993; Lomaomvaya, 

1999; Southern Paiute Consortium and Bureau of Applied Research, 1997). Above and beyond 

these individual resources, however, the Tribes value Grand Canyon as a whole for its uniquely 

important role in their traditional histories and spiritual lives. 

Since the mid 1990s, three of the five tribal entities participating in the AMP (Southern 

Paiute Consortium, Hualapai, and Hopi) have monitored some of their traditionally-valued 

resources at selected locations in the river corridor in conjunction with annual tribal river trips 

funded by the DOI agencies through the AMP. Like the current historic property monitoring 

program, the purpose and rationale behind most of the current tribal monitoring programs has not 

been made explicit. Methods are highly variable between the various programs, and the data 

being gathered and reported are not always clearly tied to the needs of the AMP for information 

on the effects of dam operations. 

Systematic monitoring of register-eligible TCPs is currently hampered by the lack of a 

formal inventory and evaluation of tribal TCPs within the CRE. Because TCPs are highly 

variable in nature, ranging from unmodified natural landmarks to humanly crafted structures and 

from very small areas to extensive expanses of terrain, it is necessary to identify the TCPs and 

their values, at least in a general sense, in order to devise appropriate monitoring strategies. The 

identification and evaluation of TCPs must be carried out by the community that values these 

resources, as the resource values are in many cases, tribally (culturally) specific. Many Native 

American communities are reluctant to identify TCPs for fear that these places will be co-opted 
93 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

or desecrated by ignorant or insensitive people. It is nevertheless necessary to identify TCP 

values in a general sense in order to ensure that monitoring and management approaches are 

relevant and sensitive to the particular resources of concern. 

In 2001, GCMRC attempted to engage the Tribes in the development of a long-term 

terrestrial ecosystem monitoring program (TEM) to incorporate tribal needs for information 

about non-Register eligible plant and animal resources of cultural importance. This attempt met 

with only limited success. Although representatives from Southern Paiute, Hualapai, and Hopi 

attended most of the TEM meetings, and representatives from Hopi and the Kaibab Band 

participated on TEM river trips, only the Hopi Tribe provided specific input to GCMRC about 

how current data collection strategies could be modified or supplemented to meet their specific 

needs for information. Hualapai and Southern Paiute representatives indicated that their needs 

could be met through the TEM program as currently designed, because the resources of interest 

to them are tied to specific locations in the river corridor, while the TEM program relies on a 

randomly selected sample of study sites, none of which overlap with their specific locations of 

interest. 

Regardless of the final TCP inventory and evaluation results, future monitoring of 

tribally-valued resources needs to be explicitly linked to the goals of GCPA and the needs of the 

AMP for current information on the status of resources relative to dam operations. Currently, 

three of five tribal entities engaged in the AMP are conducting monitoring programs of one kind 

or another in the CRE. Most of these programs monitor one or more tribally-identified TCPs, 

plus archaeological sites, and plant and mineral resources. The upcoming (FY05) Traditional 

Values and Science Integration workshop will assist the tribes in refining their current 

monitoring programs in spring FY05 to articulate with the needs of the AMP for tribal feedback 

on resource conditions. GCMRC will work with the tribes to provide guidance on implementing 

the workshop results and modifying current protocols as necessary to meet the specific needs of 

the GCD-AMP. 

Management Objectives Associated with Cultural Resources

MO # Objective 

11.1 Preserve historic properties in the area of potential effect via protection, 

management, and/or treatment (e.g. data recovery) for the purpose of federal agency 

compliance with NHPA and AMP compliance with GCPA. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

11.2 Preserve resource integrity and cultural values of traditionally important resources 

within the Colorado River Ecosystem.

11. 3 Protect and maintain physical access to traditional cultural resources through 

meaningful consultation on AMP activities that might restrict or block physical 

access by Native American religious and traditional practitioners. 

CMIN # Question 

11.1.1 Determine the status of historic properties under Record of Decision operations. 

(11.1.1a Determine periodically whether the essential physical features are visible 

enough to convey their integrity or retain their information potential)

11.1.3 What are the thresholds for impacts that threaten the integrity and eligibility of 

historic properties? (11.1.3a Are the current monitoring programs collecting the 

necessary information to assess resource integrity?) 

11.1.4 How effective is monitoring, and what are the appropriate strategies to capture 

change at an archaeological site – qualitative, quantitative? 

11.2.1 Are the traditionally important resources and locations for each tribe and other 

groups being affected? 

Proposed Program: Tribal monitoring protocols for traditionally valued resources will be 

developed through the upcoming Traditional Values and Western Science Integration workshop. 

The tribes will work with research collaborators from Northern Arizona University to assess 

their current programs in terms of their relevance to GCPA and the AMP goals as well meeting 

tribal information needs, and to ensure that they address the CMINs identified in the AMP 

strategic plan. Tribes will be asked to articulate rationales for using specific approaches and 

methodologies, as well as generic values of resources that they consider important to monitor 

and preserve. For example, if a tribe is concerned with preserving native plant diversity at 

certain culturally important locations in the river corridor, a monitoring strategy that is 

specifically designed to measure and track the proportion of native vs. non-native plants at those 

locations needs to be developed. On the other hand, if a tribe is concerned with tracking the 

abundance of a specific plant or animal species on a system-wide basis, then a different 

monitoring approach is required. The first step is for the tribes to define the values of interest to 

them and articulate the specific parameters that must be monitored in order to determine whether 

those values are being retained, degraded, or enhanced under current dam operations. 

Tribal monitoring programs will be piloted in FY06. To the extent possible, field-based 

tribal monitoring efforts will be integrated with ongoing archaeological site monitoring trips to 

reduce overall trip numbers while improving communication and integration of cultural 

monitoring activities across program boundaries. Integration of tribal monitoring activities with 
95 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

archaeological site monitoring makes good sense, both economically and programmatically, 

because the tribes are interested in monitoring many of the same locations that are currently 

monitored by NPS archaeologists, although they do not necessarily want to monitor the same 

attributes at these locations. By combining field efforts, we hope that the amount of human 

(monitoring-related) impact to fragile archaeological areas can be minimized and communication 

and exchange of ideas across internal cultural program boundaries improved. The tribes will 

continue to receive funding for at least one river trip per year, during which time they can 

monitor particularly sensitive locations independently and consult with tribal elders in private. 

Project C.3. Integrated Campsite Monitoring Program 

 FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor — — — — 141,040 144,566 

Logistics Field 

Support — — — — 40,000 41,000 

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 0 0

Operations/Supplies — — — — 6,000 6,150 

GCMRC Salaries — — — — 6,000 6,150

Project Subtotal — — — — 193,040 197,866

 DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 28,956 29,684

Project Total ———— 221,996 227,550

% Total Outsourced — — — — 83% 83% 

Principal Investigators: TBD 

Statement of Problem: Campable areas in the CRE are diminishing in size, quality and overall 

number under current dam operations (Kaplinski et al., 2003; NPS, 2005.) In the early 1980s, 

growing public concern over diminishing size and quality of camping opportunities in the CRE 

and the impact of proposed changes in dam operations on “camping beaches” was one of the 

critical issues that prompted the Bureau of Reclamation to initiate the Glen Canyon 

Environmental Studies program. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

The loss of campable area in the CRE impacts visitor use values in a variety of ways. 

The number, size classes, and distribution of campsites are critical for maintaining the types and 

quality of recreational opportunities consistent with National Park Management objectives (NPS, 

2004). These three critical factors--number, size, and distribution--constrain the upper limits of 

the Colorado River corridor’s visitor carrying capacity (NPS, 2005). A diminishing quantity and 

range of camping opportunities negatively impacts visitor experience through increasing 

crowding, increasing numbers of contacts between groups, and increasing human use-related 

impacts (an end result of large numbers and large groups of recreational users being forced to 

camp in increasingly smaller areas.) Moreover, some specifically-valued campsite qualities 

such as amount and spatial distribution of open sand area, boat mooring attributes, and 

availability of shade (Stewart et al., 2000) are directly influenced by dam operations. 

Repeat surveys of a non-random sample of camping areas in the CRE shows a continual 

downward trend in campsite area (Kaplinski et al., 2004.) As sand bars continue to decline in 

size, elevation, and distribution, recreational users “pioneer” new camps in the old high water 

zone. Visitors also “pioneer” new camps in the New High Water zone by deliberating breaking 

or cutting back vegetation or by modifying the landscape in other ways. These impacts are 

contrary to the Grand Canyon National Park’s long-term management objectives for the 

Colorado River corridor. 

The relationship between operations of Glen Canyon Dam and camping opportunities in 

the river corridor has been studied over the course of the last three decades, using a variety of 

assumptions and approaches (Borden, 1976; Brian and Thomas, 1984; Brown and Hahn-O’Neill, 

1987; Kearsley and Warren, 1993; Kearsley et al., 1994, 1995, 1994; Shelby et al., 1976, 1992; 

Stewart et al., 2000; Kaplinski et al., 2004; see also Behan, 2000 and Kaplinski et al., 2003 for a 

summary of past recreation monitoring and research approaches pertaining to the Colorado River 

in Grand Canyon.) Recent monitoring shows that sand bar camp size and opportunities have 

decreased through time as sediment has been removed from the system by dam operations 

(Kaplinski et al., 2004). 

Decreases in total amount of campable area are also due to vegetation encroachment 

(Kaplinski et al., 2004.) The lack of periodic scouring floods under current dam operations has 

allowed vegetation to become established on many formerly open sand areas. Vegetation 

encroachment is believed to be an important factor contributing to the reduction in size and 
97 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

abundance of campable areas in the CRE, yet actual rates and amount of campsite loss due to 

vegetation encroachment remain unmeasured and unknown (Kaplinski et al., 2003, 2004). 

The National Park Service currently monitors approximately 100 campsites for visitor 

related impacts such as social trailing, vegetation damage, fire scars and litter. NPS recently 

initiated a new pilot campsite impact monitoring program to meet Park-specific management 

needs related to the Colorado River Recreation Management planning process. The current NPS 

recreation monitoring programs are primarily concerned with tracking human impacts at 

campsites, rather than focusing on physical changes linked to dam operations. The current NPS 

monitoring program will continue into the foreseeable future as a separate but complementary 

program to the one presented here. The AMP currently does not have a well conceived, 

integrated campsite monitoring program that is fully responsive to stakeholder needs. 

Despite more than 30 years of research on Grand Canyon river corridor campsite issues, 

an up-to-date, comprehensive inventory of camping areas in the river corridor is currently 

lacking (Kaplinski, 2003). Such an inventory is needed to provide a comprehensive baseline 

record of campsite number, distribution, and size in the CRE, from which changes and trends in 

physical conditions can be objectively compared and tracked over time. In addition to a 

comprehensive inventory (list) of all camps, we also need a ground-truthed record of current 

camp area, so that changes in area, vegetation growth, and related-social impacts can be tracked 

and measured over time. 

A long-term campsite monitoring program is essential for tracking both long-term and 

short-term impacts, as well as cumulative effects of current dam operations on camp-based 

visitor use values in the CRE. Currently, the only AMP-sponsored campsite monitoring program 

is funded and conducted on an ad hoc basis. The current program serves to define one important 

component of the visitor use equation: overall change in the amount of suitable camping area 

(extrapolated from repeat surveys at approximately three dozen popular campsites). A more 

comprehensive and integrated approach, as proposed here, will track system-wide changes in the 

numbers, distribution and qualities of the camping resource over time, using primarily remotely 

sensed data collected as digital imagery once every four years, coupled with repeat survey and 

photographic data. 

Summary Project Description: This campsite monitoring program is designed to track and 

quantify trends in the size, distribution, and physical qualities of recreational camping 
98 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

opportunities in the CRE, using a combination of remotely sensed and field-based data. This 

project will build on the current (FIST) campsite area survey program and integrate it with 

complementary data derived from remotely sensed vegetation and sediment (digital imagery) 

data. The long-term photographic record produced by the Grand Canyon River Guides Adopt-abeach program will continue to provide a long term, site specific visual record of campsite 

changes, to complement the more generic assessments accomplished through analysis of 

remotely sensed imagery. In addition, we will complete a comprehensive inventory (georeferenced maps) of current camping areas and transfer these maps to a GIS, which will serve as 

the foundation for monitoring system-wide changes in campsite size, distribution and quality 

through time. 

The baseline GIS-based inventory will serve as the foundation for the long-term core 

campsite monitoring program. Once the baseline inventory of camp sites is in place (a two-year 

process), we will be positioned to use remotely sensed imagery to make system-wide 

assessments of changes in camp site size, distribution, and quality over time in relation to 

ongoing dam operations. During the first two years of this project, we will compile the results of 

all previous camp sites inventories into a GIS, integrating legacy campsite data with information 

derived from a recent remotely sensed campable area initiative (Breedlove, 2003), coupled with 

on-the-ground maps of current campsite areas. Current use levels will be established through 

surveys of current recreational users, and compared with use level data from prior studies. Prior 

inventory data will be validated and refined through field inspections, as necessary. 

GCMRC and NPS recreation management staff will collaborate to define campsites 

boundaries from a management perspective (i.e., NPS staff will define what they consider to be 

the acceptable boundaries of each camp). We will also document all areas currently used for 

camping, including areas that NPS considered to be “out-of-bounds,” based on physical evidence 

of prior use and river runner survey data. 

The specific (interrelated) components of this project include the following: 

1) The current program of repeat mapping of campable area at a judgmental sample of 

sand bar camps will continue, while we transition to more use of remotely sensed 

data. 

2) Aerial photo-based inventories by Weeden et al. (1975), Brian and Thomas (1984), 

and Kearsley and Warren (1993) will be compiled into a single GIS. The quality and 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

collection methods of this pre-existing aerial photo data will be evaluated, then 

transferred to one set of orthorectified digital imagery in a spatially referenced GIS. 

3) We will comprehensively inventory all campsites currently used by river runners in 

the river corridor. We will supplement the existing inventory data (now somewhat 

out of date) with information derived from recent commercial guidebooks (e.g. 

Martin and Whitis, 2004) and by interviewing commercial guides and science 

outfitters to identify all actively used locations. We will combine the geographic 

information with past and current NPS assessments of the maximum group size 

considered appropriate for each identified campsite. 

4) With NPS collaboration, we will outline current camp sites areas on orthorectified 

images in the field using the pen tablet approach pioneered by Kaplinski et al. (2003). 

Important attributes of camp sites will be coded in linked data fields (e.g., type of 

camp: bedrock ledges vs. open beach, percentage of total area covered by sand vs. 

vegetation, boat mooring characteristics, etc). 

5) We will compare currently used camp sites with formerly identified sites to determine 

changes in type, distribution and (where possible) size of camp sites over the past 

thirty years. 

6) We will compare currently used camp sites with campable area polygons derived from 

analysis of remotely sensed data (Breedlove, 2003). As part of this effort, we will 

also thoroughly evaluate the limitations and benefits of using remotely sensed data to 

track changes in various attributes at various types of camp sites through time. 

7) We will track and quantify amounts and rates of vegetation encroachment at 

campsites. Vegetation encroachment will be measured at camps currently being 

monitored by NAU, as well as at key Adopt-A-Beach sites, plus at a random sample 

of all CRE camp sites (selected from the total population of camp sites identified 

through the inventory). We will directly measure vegetation encroachment via repeat 

comparisons of remotely sensed, digital imagery. (The digital imagery data will be 

gathered once every four years, but analysis of the data will be ongoing throughout 

the intervening period.) 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

8) To supplement the remotely sensed vegetation and beach area data, we will continue 

to gather and maintain a visual record of campsite changes using volunteer labor 

provided through the Grand Canyon River Guides’ Adopt-A-Beach program. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Goal 7, MO’s 7.1 – 7.3 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: This long-term monitoring project 

should be a high priority for implementation in FY06. FY06 presents the first opportunity to 

implement the project. 

Status/Schedule: FY06-09: This multi-year project will begin in FY06. The first two years will 

emphasize collection of baseline campsite data and refining methods for calculating sand area 

and vegetation change. Collection of system-wide digital imagery will occur in FY06; analysis 

of this digital data set will continue through FY09. This project builds upon and integrates the 

previous work of Kaplinski et al. (2004), Breedlove (2003), and the ongoing Adopt-A-Beach 

effort. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: A series of GIS layers composed of 1) previously inventoried 

camp sites tied to spatially-referenced digital imagery, 2) current campsites with NPS 

management boundaries and actual use areas delineated; 3) inventory of potentially campable 

sand areas (based on remote sensing analysis); 4) vegetation. GIS data will be complemented by 

the long-term visual (photographic) record of campsite changes derived from the ongoing AdoptA-Beach Program. A thorough GIS-based analysis of these data will be conducted to 

1) document changes in type, distribution and size (where feasible) of camp sites over time, and 

2) document encroachment of vegetation on campable areas. We also hope to establish the 

reliability of using remotely-sensed data to predict future camp site locations. 

Integration: This project integrates vegetation monitoring, sand bar area monitoring, and repeat 

photo monitoring into one, integrated campsite monitoring program. This project also integrates 

remotely sensed data with legacy data derived from conventional aerial photos into one GIS, and 

it ultimately builds our capacity to link the physical attributes of camp sites to experiential 

parameters that are important for tracking effects of dam operations on other visitor use values. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

C.4. Continue and Finalize Aeolian Sediment Transport and Cultural Site Preservation 

Study 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor — 40,000 95,000 — 135,000

Logistics Field 

Support — — — — 15,000

Project Related 

Travel/Training — — — — 0

Operations/Supplies — — — — 0

GCMRC Salaries — — — — 0

NPS Salaries — — — — 0

Project Subtotal — — — — 150,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) — — — — 22,500

Project Total — — — — 172,500

% Total 

Outsourced — — — — 83%

* Due to unanticipated high costs of the FY05 experiment, FY05 funding for continuing this project is uncertain. FY06 funding

assures that we will be able to collect and process data for one additional year. 

Principal Investigators: Rubin and Draut, USGS-GD 

Statement of Problem: Aeolian (wind-blown) sedimentation is a major process that affects 

sand transport, sand storage, and geomorphic evolution of the Colorado River corridor in Grand 

Canyon. Operations of Glen Canyon Dam have led to smaller, lower sand bars along the river, 

reducing the source area for sand that can be transported by wind to higher elevations. The 

elimination of natural floods prevents sand from being deposited at pre-dam flood elevations, 

further reducing the sediment available for aeolian transport. Absence of floods has also allowed 

vegetation to encroach upon aeolian areas and river-level bars; dense vegetation reduces the 

ability of wind to rework and transport sediment. 

Many archeological sites located near the river were built in or on aeolian deposits above 

the pre-dam annual flood level. Many have also been covered over by aeolian sand. Previous 

studies (Hereford et al. 1993; Lucchitta 1991) hypothesized that wind-transported sand helped to 

protect archaeological sites by dispersing the erosive effects of run-off and filling in small gullies 

before they could develop into major arroyos. The reduction of sand available for aeolian 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

transport is believed to be a major factor contributing to observed high rates of erosion of 

archeological features along the river corridor. Many cultural features that were formerly buried 

in aeolian sand are becoming exposed as wind deflates the land surface on which they are built, 

while dam-controlled flows retain little to no new sediment. 

Summary Project Description: This ongoing research initiative is evaluating the importance of 

aeolian sedimentation at archeological sites along the river and assessing the conditions and 

management strategy necessary to maximize site preservation. The project was initiated in FY03 

with a small amount of funding, and became part of the FIST effort in FY04. In FY06, we 

propose to continue the project for one more year as a stand-along effort. 

Aeolian transport rates are currently being measured at four locations in the river corridor 

with archaeological sites concentrations using anemometers and sand traps; rain gauges have 

also be installed to measure rainfall events (and account for sand wetness in reducing 

transportation rates during windy periods.) In addition, the pre-dam sedimentological contexts of 

selected archaeological sites are being analyzed through examining arroyo and trench profiles to 

determine the relative importance of aeolian versus alluvial processes in creating and 

maintaining the pre-dam depositional contexts of prehistoric archaeological sites in the CRE. 

Funding proposed for FY06 will continue the project for one more year. We will 

continue to gather data on sand transport rates at the four previously established locations, and 

we will replace some of the existing monitoring equipment with more robust technologies that 

are better suited to withstanding the rigorous environmental conditions in the CRE. In addition, 

we will examine the sedimentological context of several (3-5) additional archaeological locations 

in the CRE to ascertain relative importance of aeolian deposition in prehistoric contexts 

compared to the situation in the same location today. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: CMIN: 11.1.2. 

RIN: 8.5.9; 11.1.1; 11.1.1d; 11.1.3b; 11.1.5; 11.2.3; 11.2.4. 

Cultural PEP Recommendations: Refine definition of the APE; Integrated historic properties 

treatment plan; Reassess geomorphology research priorities. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: This project has already demonstrated 

considerable promise for demonstrating empirical linkages between current dam operations and 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

long-term preservation of archaeological sites. It is evaluating the role of aeolian sediment 

transport in preserving cultural remains and is helping to elucidate measures by which dam 

operations could ultimately enhance the preservation of archaeological sites. This proposal will 

continue the monitoring and maintenance of the sediment transport study areas that currently 

exist. In 2006, 3-5 additional archaeological areas will undergo analysis of their sedimentary 

context, and this information will also help to inform the Grand Canyon Treatment Plan that will 

be prepared in 2006. The stratigraphic field work will be conducted on one river trip, while the 

maintenance and downloading of data loggers will be accomplished by “piggy backing” on other 

scheduled river trips. A final report compiling the previous 3 years of work will be prepared in 

FY06. 

Status/Schedule: This project was initiated in spring 2003, with start up funds provided by the 

PA cultural program. Serious fieldwork did not start until FY04, and it is continuing into FY05 

with funding provided through the FIST and experimental flows budgets. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: One USGS Scientific Investigations report, based on the 

May 2004 stratigraphy work, has been completed and is currently undergoing USGS review; a 

second report on aeolian transport processes is underway. A comprehensive report compiling the 

results this study will be completed by Draut, Rubin and others in FY06. Formal papers and 

informal presentations will be made at professional conferences and in front of the TWG. Data 

and reports resulting from this project will be maintained at GCMRC, with copies provided to 

the NPS. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

D. LOGISTICS OR SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM 

Project D.1. Coordination and Support Program-Logistics Operations 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Operations/Supplies (direct 

funded) --- --- --- --- 100,000

GCMRC Salaries (direct funded) 98,300 121,000 121,000 125,000 59,700

Direct Funded Subtotal --- --- --- --- 159,700

DOI 15% Customer Burden --- --- --- --- 23,955

Direct Funded Total --- --- --- --- 183,655

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 537,000 402,000 406,000 444,000 478,000

NPS Permit Processing 57,000 72,000 76,000 97,000 100,000

Outside GCMRC Subtotal 

(Project Funded) --- --- --- --- 578,000

Operations/Supplies (Project 

Funded) 70,000 210,000 222,000 240,000 120,000

Project Total 762,300 805,000 825,000 906,000 881,655

% Total Outsourced 78% 59% 58% 60% 67%

Notes: 1Project Funded dollars are deducted from applicable projects where the burden has been calculated. They 

are shown here to demonstrate the proportion of work that is completed by non-GCMRC individuals. 

2

All Logistics Operations/Supplies costs are distributed to GCMRC projects based on a formula proportional to use of services. 

The formula takes into account contractor costs, trip size and length, and a percentage of operating expenses, salaries and 

permitting costs. 

3

In FY2005 the logistics coordinator position became part of the Program Manager’s position over seeing logistics, 

survey and control network. In FY2006 the Program Manager’s salary will be included under the Program Planning 

and Management category (F.2). 

Principal Investigators: Carol Fritzinger and Parke Steffensen 

RIN’S ADDRESSED by this Project: The Logistics Program provides support to the GCMRC 

science programs and the adaptive management program. 

Program Description: Implementation of the GCMRC mission to provide credible, objective 

scientific information to the AMP begins with effective coordination of all technical and 

logistical support of research activities. The Research Coordination and Support Program staff 

functions as a team to facilitate collaboration with the Integrated Science and Cultural Programs 

through effective communication with Program Managers, PI’s and the Technical Support 

Services. The program encompasses the integration of 5 elements: 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

• Permitting 

• Library Operations Coordination 

• Survey Support Coordination 

• Technical Support Coordination 

• Logistics Operations 

 Program Staff address each of these elements in assessment of support requests from 

researchers to determine which tools and processes will best facilitate the most effective 

collection and delivery of information from research projects. Through the combined effort of 

the program elements the process of research support is executed as a complete and fully 

integrated support service. The process is initiated in the proposal review and permitting stage, 

continued through the support coordination stage and completed with information delivery and 

report. The process acts as an accountability checkpoint, failure to meet agreed data collection 

and delivery standards is addressed immediately and corrective solutions are sought to avoid any 

delay in project completion. 

Summary Project Description: The GCMRC provides complete logistical support for 35-50 

research, monitoring and administrative river trips through the Grand Canyon annually. These 

trips range in length from 7 to 21 days and from 4 to 36 people in size. Trips are comprised of a 

variety of motor and oar powered boats operated by contracted boat operators. Projects operating 

in the Glen Canyon reach of the Colorado River (Glen Canyon Dam to Lee’s Ferry) are 

supported by a variety of motor powered boats operated by GCMRC researchers and contracted 

boat operators. Additionally, research activities on the Little Colorado River and at other 

locations outside of the Grand Canyon National Park boundaries are supported by helicopter 

services contracted with the Bureau of Reclamation. Ground based support for other research 

activities outside of the river corridor are also coordinated with the use of GCMRC leased 

vehicles. 

 The GCMRC uses a method of supporting trips in which government owned boats and 

river logistical equipment are used in conjunction with a contracted vendor who supplies 

Technical and Logistical Boat Operators. A concerted effort is made to match PI’s with the best 

possible Boat Operators for their particular study. Food packs, trip supplies, and equipment are 

organized, packed and maintained at the GCMRC warehouse. Put-in and take-out transportation 

is provided with the use of GSA leased vehicles and contracted shuttle drivers. 
106 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

 This logistical approach has evolved since the GCES phase to allow a detailed overview 

of trip particulars that most influence cost and efficiency, ultimately giving the GCMRC control 

over trip costs and productivity. Effective communication with PI’s and sensitivity to and 

awareness of the challenges they face in implementing their studies enable the GCMRC to offer 

more customized (and therefore more cost-effective and productive) logistical support than other 

support strategies utilized previously. Retaining control over the process of supporting trips also 

facilitates compliance with NPS regulations and allows greater control over issues sensitive to 

the general public and the “recreational river community.” 

Schedule: The trip planning and scheduling process begins in the fall when the Logistics 

Coordinator, in cooperation with contracted PI’s, Program Managers and the Research 

Coordination and Support Staff work together to generate a draft schedule of trips for the fiscal 

year. The schedule includes; launch and take-out dates, numbers of personnel and specific boat 

and boat operator requests for each trip. Researchers must submit a Trip Request Form a 

minimum of 60 days prior to the scheduled launch date. This form provides information for two 

purposes: 1) determine and schedule logistical and support services and 2) complete a GCNP 

River Trip Application in order to meet the GCNP 45 day deadline for submitting access permit 

applications. The schedule is implemented throughout the fiscal year. Project cost distribution is 

determined at the close of the fiscal year. 

Consequences of FY05 Funding Recommendations: The Logistics Budget represents the 

funding required to support all research and monitoring projects in the 2005 work plan. Any 

reduction in funding will result in inability to provide logistical support to projects as proposed. 
107 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project D.2. Survey Operations 

 FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 0 0 33,000 0 0

Logistics Field Support 0 0 12,200 45,200 40,000

Operations/Supplies 

(includes equipment) 35,000 36,000 36,800 68,800 28,150

GCMRC Salaries 35,550 41,180 44,000 44,000 61,000

Project Subtotal 129,150

DOI 15% Customer 

Burden 70,550 77,180 126,000 158,000 19,373

Project Total 0 0 26% 0 148,523

% Total Outsourced 0%

Principal Investigators: Kristin Brown, U.S. Geological Survey (BRD- GCMRC) 

Rationale: GCMRC’s survey department supports the research needs of the scientists and 

includes acquiring topographic data, positioning remotely sensed data, evaluating innovative 

mapping techniques supporting research goals, validating accuracy of topographic and spatial 

data, compiling historical data, as well as, updating positions for historical topographic and 

spatial data for inclusion into the GIS database. For inclusion into the GIS database, the spatial 

data must be referenced to the geodetic control network which provides highly accurate realworld coordinate values from which measurements computing change are calculated. 

Referencing historical, current and future data to the control network ensures that the data are in 

a common reference system, and are comprised of the most accurate coordinate values available 

for ecosystem monitoring studies, research and inclusion into the GIS database for analysis. 

 The survey support offered by GCMRC allows for consistent data collection methods by 

technically trained personnel familiar with the surveying equipment and the logistical constraints 

of Grand Canyon fieldwork. The survey department also develops and performs consistent 

storage and database protocols for all survey data collected in the CRE for simple integration 

into the GIS database. 

Statement of Problem: Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) is charged 

with providing credible, objective scientific information to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Management Group on the downstream resources of the Colorado River using an ecosystem 

wide approach. This approach requires that physical, biological and cultural spatial data be 

integrated into a regional Geographic Information System (GIS) database to allow for accurate, 

long-term change detection analysis of CRE resources and for interrelationship analysis between 

CRE resources. All spatial data collected under the direction of the GCMRC requires referencing 

to the geodetic control network established by the National Geodetic Survey and the GCMRC. 

The geodetic control network is the framework for the entire Geographic Information System 

Database (GIS). Accurate positioning of the spatial data allows for accurate change detection 

computations including volumetric and surface area computations. The trained GCMRC Survey 

staff supports research and monitoring activities by collecting survey data following survey 

protocols, and by delivering the data in the formats consistent with data standards. The survey 

staff maintains survey equipment for field use including conventional total station equipment, 

static, kinematic and Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS equipment, digital cameras, echo 

sounders, acoustic Doppler and bathymetry systems, and field maps for resource identification. 

Summary Project Description: The survey department has several responsibilities. First, the 

control point database must be populated and verified to serve as a reference for positioning 

current and future field data, as well as a reference for updating historical data for inclusion in 

the GIS database. Second, the survey department assists the researchers collect the field 

measurements for scientific investigations, following protocols that ensure researchers, 

contractors, and staff, achieve accurate spatial data with realistic error assessments for reliable 

data analysis and database integration. Furthermore, the survey department advises researchers 

on the appropriate methods of collecting topographic or spatial data to meet the requirements of 

a scientific study. Finally, the survey is responsible for obtaining, maintaining and upgrading all 

survey equipment necessary to meet the needs of the researchers. 

Survey operations in support of programs within GCMRC are divided into the following areas: 

1) Positioning of historically and newly collected spatial data. 

2) Reference historical spatial data to modern control network. 

3) Populate the Control Point Database. 

4) Quality Assurance/ Quality Control of spatial data. 

5) Evaluate innovative mapping techniques 

6) Maintain and upgrade equipment 
109 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Recommended Approach and Methods: Control points are established and spatial data is 

collected using both GPS and conventional survey methods. Surveys follow protocols developed 

by GCMRC with technical support from the National Geodetic Survey, Army Corps of 

Engineers, and the Federal Geodetic Data Committee. 

Integration: All programs within the GCMRC require spatial data measurements. Integration 

with each program’s requirements and the GIS database is imperative to the process of survey 

data collection, post-processing, storage, and evaluation. The survey department is available to 

all GCMRC principal investigators and can often collect data for multiple projects during the 

same mission. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.4, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 9.3, 11.2, 12.2, 

12.3, and 12.9 

Consequences of FY05 Funding Recommendations: Funding will allow for more historical 

datasets to be integrated into the GIS database for accurate change detection with GIS tools. 

Additional funds will be preserved by attaining accurate positions and elevations of spatial data 

prior to integration into GIS database. 

Status/Schedule: FY2001- Low Summer Steady Flows, Kanab Amber Snail, Channel Mapping 

FY2002- Fine-grained Sediment Team, Cultural Mitigation, Kanab Amber Snail, 

Remote sensing support 

FY2003- Remote sensing support, Cultural Mitigation, Kanab Amber Snail 

FY2004- Physical resource historical data sets, Colorado River Ecosystem Elevation 

Database, Fine-grained Sediment Team, Kanab Amber Snail, Colorado River 

Ecosystem Elevation Database, remote sensing support 

FY2005-6 Physical resource historical data sets, Cultural resource historical datasets, 

cultural mitigation, Kanab Amber Snail, Colorado River Ecosystem Elevation 

Database, remote sensing support 

Project Goals and Objectives: 

1) Supply GCMRC principal investigators with the necessary equipment, supplies, and 

survey knowledge to perform the spatial data collection required by their research. 

2) Publish updated control point coordinates, superseded coordinates, and associated 

error estimates for all network control. This will be done through the development of 

the GCMRC control point database and made available to Grand Canyon National 

Park and all CRE researchers. 
110 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

3) Publish control point maps and make them available for all CRE field survey 

activities 

4) Publish and populate the descriptions in the Control Point Database. 

5) Continue translating and rotating historical survey data sets to updated network 

control coordinates 

6) Integrate the prioritized historical survey datasets into the CRE database 

7) Educate principal investigators and researchers regarding the limits of various 

mapping techniques. 

8) Evaluate innovative mapping techniques supporting research goals 

Project D.3. Geodetic Control Network 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 0 50,000 0

Logistics Field 

Support 54,000 52,000 40,000

Operations/Supplies 10,000 20,000 51,150

GCMRC Salaries 22,000 33,000 62,600

Project Subtotal 153,750

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) 26,063

Project Total 86,000 150,000 176,813

% Total Outsourced 0% 22% 0%

Principal Investigators: Keith Kohl, U.S. Geological Survey (BRD- GCMRC) 

Rationale: The geodetic control network serves as the foundation for all spatial measurements 

necessary for long term monitoring. This control network also serves as the spatial framework 

for the Geographic Information System (GIS). The referencing of spatial data must be consistent 

in order to perform accurate change detection. All spatial data collected within the CRE requires 

georeferencing to the primary geodetic control network established by the GCMRC and the 

National Geodetic Survey. While current remote sensing and long-term monitoring sites have 

been referenced to this network, additional GCMRC monitoring activities require expanded 

network control efforts. 
111 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Statement of Problem: The geodetic control network serves as the spatial framework for the 

entire Geographic Information System Database (GIS). Discrepancies of control point 

coordinates affect both the surveys that reference these coordinates and the spatial data analyses 

performed with available GIS tools. These discrepancies exist, mainly in the vertical component, 

due to complications of deflection of the vertical, local gravitational anomalies, satellite signal 

multipath errors, and the combination of conventional measurements, which reference gravity, 

with GPS measurements, which reference a geocentric ellipsoid. It is the geoid that provides the 

connection between terrestrial and GPS surveys and it is the geoid that, at this time, is undefined 

within the complex topography of Grand Canyon. 

Summary Project Description: The geodetic control network in Grand Canyon requires both 

survey operations for research and survey operations for program support. Research is required 

to better understand the vertical accuracies associated with the Grand Canyon control network. 

The National Geodetic Survey is pursuing height modernization efforts that will allow for more 

accurate height systems. Current NGS-funded geodesy research is concentrating on the 

gravitational effects on heights and geoid computations within the Grand Canyon. The Grand 

Canyon was selected as a study area to determine the effects of terrain in an extreme and 

computationally challenging topographic setting. Results from this research will immediately 

assist GCMRC in the accuracy assessment of CRE control and will potentially contribute to 

height modernization projects throughout the world. 

It has been shown that horizontal positions can be efficiently attained with the use of GPS 

techniques. While the vertical component is more problematic, heights referencing the ellipsoid 

can be effectively calculated throughout much of the CRE. These horizontal and vertical 

coordinates are required for previously collected data sets prior to inclusion in the CRE Oracle 

database. Coordinates are also required for control in areas of future data collection to eliminate 

the need to translate and rotate surveys collected in local or historical coordinate systems. 

Substantial project cost savings are achieved when the geodetic control is established within 

study areas prior to field data collection in support of monitoring and research projects. 

QA/QC is required for all remotely sensed spatial data sets. The Photo-identifiable Fixed 

Point Database is designed to give positions and elevations at visible “hard points” along the 

river corridor. This dataset can be used to check accuracy of LiDAR and digital aerial 

photography (ISTAR) remote sensing techniques, both on a canyon wide basis and for a local 
112 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

assessment of positional and elevational accuracies of each day’s flight. With the high cost of 

remote sensing data collection, QA/QC is critical to analyzing the usefulness of each data subset. 

Additionally, this elevation database can also be used to georeference scanned photos from 

previous missions to study change detection. 

Recommended Approach/Methods: Control points are established using both GPS and 

conventional survey methods. GPS techniques utilize relative positioning where antennas and 

receivers are placed at both known and unknown network positions. Distances are measured 

between the known and unknown points by time dependant calculations from GPS satellite data. 

Conventional survey techniques involve the use of a total station (a survey instrument which 

combines the horizontal and vertical angle measurement abilities of a transit with electronic 

distance measurements). Conventional traverse surveys begin at a known reference point, 

measure through a series of line-of-sight stations, and close at either the point of beginning or 

another known reference point. Both conventional and GPS measurements will be required for 1) 

coordinate determinations of positions and elevations throughout the CRE, and 2) realistic error 

estimates for each network control station. 

Integration: Accurate spatial positioning of scientific data from the cultural, biological and 

physical programs is necessary for facilitating change detection methods. Historical data must be 

adjusted to reliable coordinates before integration into the database and before these resource 

assessments can be made. Often, past surveys that relate to current monitoring efforts have been 

referenced to local datums. These sites also require accurate positional and elevational data 

before the data can be entered into the GIS database for examination and change detection.

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: 6.4, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 9.3, 11.2, 12.2, 12.3, and 12.9 

Consequences of FY05 Funding Recommendations: Funding will allow for more accurate 

change detection using GIS tools and utilize the expertise of the NGS and cooperators to create 

more accurate error estimates for all spatial data sets. Additional funds will be preserved by 

attaining accurate positions and elevations of spatial data prior to integration into GIS database. 

Status/Schedule: The CRE geodetic control network schedule has been modified to reflect 

changes resulting from the development of the long-term monitoring reaches of the biological, 
113 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

cultural, and physical resource programs. Efforts have been concentrated to establish, verify and 

validate the coordinates of the control stations utilized in these monitoring studies. Additional 

efforts have added 9 stations to the primary rim control network and 36 secondary control 

stations extending the line-of-site network from Glen Canyon Dam to Bright Angel Creek. These 

efforts both increase accuracy of the entire network and minimize errors inherent with longer 

baselines (distances from known to unknown positions). Future survey operations will increase 

accuracy of CRE control points by expanding the river corridor network. These GPS data sets 

will be combined with conventional traverse measurements to evaluate the effects of varying 

geoid undulations and to give realistic error estimates to all network control stations. 

Project Goals and Objectives: The objective of this project is to develop a high-precision 

control network throughout the CRE. Control monuments will be established at consistent 

intervals throughout the CRE and at locations required for accurate positions and elevations of 

past, current, and future data sets. The goal of this project is the expansion of the control network 

into the necessary areas prior to spatial data collection required by the research activities. By 

having stable control monuments and accurate coordinates completed before spatial data 

acquisition begins, post-processing methods are reduced, and both human resources and money 

are conserved. 

Expected Products: The products of the CRE control network project will be: 

• A network of survey control points established in specific research areas and 

throughout the CRE, referenced to the primary control network established by the 

Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and the National Geodetic Survey. 

• Coordinates and realistic positional and height accuracy estimates for all network 

control stations will be available to the National Park Service, the GCMRC, and all 

cooperating agencies. 

• Index maps showing the location of the network control stations. 

• Creation of a Photo-identifiable Fixed Point Database for georeferencing of past 

datasets and accuracy evaluation of remotely sensed data. 

• GIS layers with control station information. 
114 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Timeline for Geodetic Control Network 

 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 

Primary Network 

Established, 

LSSF reaches 

surveyed 

LTM reaches 

surveyed, Lineof-site network 

established to 

Bright Angel 

Creek 

Densification of 

primary network, 

Accuracy assessment 

of previous control 

network 

Georeferencing of 

historical datasets 

upstream of Bright 

Angel Creek 

Primary, secondary 

and tertiary network 

adjustment, NSRS 

inclusion data. 

Georeferencing of 

historical datasets 

throughout CRE 
115 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

E. INFORMATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM 

Project E.1. Systems Administration 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 0 0 17,000 17,000 0*

Logistics Field 

Support 0 0 0 0 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training --- --- --- --- 5,000

Operations/Supplies 111,000 166,000 166,000 166,000 165,000

GCMRC Salaries 57,000 84,200 80,000 80,000 129,600**

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 299,600

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) --- --- --- --- 44,940

Project Total 168,000 250,200 263,000* 263,000* 344,540

% Total Outsourced 0% 0% 6% 6% 0%

*Outsourced science/labor reduced to $0 due to conversion of two student contractors into one full-time computer technician. 

**GCMRC salaries increase results from more accurate reporting of the system administration position ($86,600 as opposed to 

$80,000) and adding a full-time computer technician from footnote 2 ($43,000). 

Principal Investigators: Dale Blank, U.S. Geological Survey (BRD) 

Statement of Problem: The GCMRC computing environment is a complex system of servers, 

workstations, laptops, printers, plotters, disk arrays, routers, hubs, switches, tape backups, copy 

and Fax machines, and audio-visual and telecommunications equipment. In addition, over 50 

software applications are utilized by scientists and support personnel in carrying out the 

collective mission of the GCMRC. These devices must work together in a reliable, seamless, 

and secure manner in order to facilitate the mission of GCMRC. 

Summary Project Description: Systems administration supports the collective mission of 

GCMRC by providing a secure and standardized computing environment for scientists, 

managers, administrators, and support staff. Computer hardware is largely a combination of 

state-of-the-art PC (Intel) processors running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Each 

workstation has a core suite of software applications that include mainstream off-the-shelf 

integrated office products such as a word processor, spreadsheet, graphics, database, Internet 

browser, etc. Additional software needed for specialized scientific data processing is also 
116 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

available. To the extent possible, hardware and software is standardized throughout the GCMRC. 

Standardization facilitates the inter-office exchange of information and reduces the 

administrative effort needed for hardware and software support to a sustainable level. 

MO’s and IN’s ADDRESSED: Systems administration supports all GCMRC science and 

administrative programs. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendations: The currently proposed budget for FY06 

will maintain the current level of computer support. Reduced funding will result in the possible 

loss of scientific data due to backup equipment failure and lack of storage capacity. Potential 

loss of productive work hours for scientists and management due to breakdowns in equipment. 

Loss of software licensing and upgrades, impacting scientific programs. Reduced updates and 

development on internal and external web sites. 

Status/Schedule: FY01 – Initiated in its current design as a standardization and support effort 

for the entire GCMRC. FY 2004-06, were identified to be years in which increased disk storage, 

increased web presence and public accessibility to information are priorities. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: Specific products of GCMRC systems administration are: 

• Desktop and servers - GCMRC’s computing environment is based upon the PC 

platform, Microsoft Windows operating system, and Microsoft Office, office 

automation software. Systems maintenance is performed using a combination of 

warranty service, service contracts, and in-house service as needed to facilitate quick 

turnaround, minimize downtime, and reduce costs. 

• Network environment- Computer interconnectivity is provided using TCP/IP network 

communication protocol running on a 1000baseT and 100baseT network media. 

Network traffic is arbitrated by 4 3COM switches and hubs operating at 100 Mbps 

and 1 Gbps. 

• Internet connectivity– The GCMRC computer network is linked to the Internet 

through the Flagstaff Field Center GEOnet-3 router that provides a DS-3 (45 Mbps) 

virtual circuit to Menlo Park where it joins the U.S. Geological Survey’s GEOnet 

network. Also located in Menlo Park is a network portal to the Internet operated by 

the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA through a peering partnership. GEOnet 

provides a secure Survey-wide networking environment that interconnects 

headquarter region, district, and field offices located throughout the United Sates. 

• Intranet website– GCMRC’s intranet offers a secure centralized medium for 

information exchange among GCMRC employees. Among things to be internally 

shared via the intranet are: standard operating procedures, personnel availability and 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

contact info, vehicle and equipment loans, and an IT support system. The GCMRC 

intranet is served from a Windows 2000 Server utilizing ASP. 

• Computer security – Network security is provided by firewalls, routers, system 

update server (SUS), systems management server (SMS) and antivirus (AV). 

Firewalls and routers are configured and maintained to restrict outside access to 

authorized systems. Operating systems (OS) are updated to minimize vulnerabilities 

using SUS that automates a central delivery system for patch management. AV 

updates are downloaded from the web as released and pushed to all systems the same 

night. 

• System back-up and disaster recovery – System back-up and disaster recovery is 

accomplished using dual LTO tape drives in a 30 slot carriage with a capacity of 3 

Tbytes. Tapes are stored locally in a fire vault and archival tapes are stored off-site. 

Server disks are configured to run either a raid-5 array or mirrored for redundancy. 

• Web and FTP Services – The GCMRC web site and FTP site serve to make the 

mission and findings of GCMRC accessible to the public. The sites offer our updated 

work plan, descriptions of our program areas, and various interactive stores of data 

including our Internet Map Server and our online library. 

• Online discussion forums – GCMRC hosts on-line discussions forums for the 

AMWG, GCMRC, and the U.S. Geological Survey LiDAR discussion group. These 

forums provide a widely accessible medium for informal discussions and 

announcements relating to the respective topics. 

• Troubleshooting and maintenance – helpdesk support is provided as 

requested/required. Requests are received via the web, email and telephone. Support 

is tracked in a searchable database with solutions to facilitate prioritization and 

resolution. 

• Data storage – Over 7 Tbytes of on-line disk storage is provided by multiple servers 

with SCSI disk arrays. Server disk arrays are hot swappable to minimize downtime. 

GCMRC also utilizes Networked Attached Storage (NAS) devices. These devices are 

IDE drives connected to a SCSI backplane. NAS units are used to provide bulk 

storage capacity at less expense. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Project E.2. Library 

FUNDING HISTORY Fiscal year 

 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor 0 15,249 0 17,0001

 23,1752

Logistics Field 

Support 0 0 0 0 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training --- --- --- --- 4,000

Operations/Supplies 18,000 29,000 39,000 39,000 29,250

GCMRC Salaries 47,500 32,800 40,000 43,000 57,6003

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 114,025

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) --- --- --- --- 17,104

Project Total 65,500 77,049 79,000 99,000 131,129

% Total Outsourced 0% 20% 0% 17% 20% 1

Student contractor funding for 2004 funded in 2003. 

2

This figure assumes an increase in pay rate for a student contractor with a bachelor’s degree as well as additional costs 

of hiring through a university and other services. 

3

This figure reflects the total salary of Librarian. Previously, a portion of this salary was covered under the independent review 

line-item. 

Principal Investigators: Stephanie Wyse – GCMRC and Esther Quinn - Contractor 

Statement of Problem: The scope and purpose of the library is to collect, archive and deliver 

materials that assist GCMRC in its efforts to administer long-term monitoring and research. 

Many of these materials are archival, meaning only one copy exists, and are at risk of loss or 

damage. The library program also coordinates GCMRC’s peer review process to ensure the high 

quality of the scientific information it produces. 

Summary Project Description: Library operations facilitate monitoring and research by 

providing a centralized repository for hard copy information such as books, reports, maps, 

photography, and videos. The library has undertaken a project to convert all materials in the 

library and make them accessible on the GCMRC website. Having materials available through 

the website will allow multiple users to access data concurrently from remote locations as well as 

protect one of a kind items from damage or loss. This project commenced in 2003 and will be 

completed in 2008. Independent scientific peer review at all levels of GCMRC scientific 

activities -- proposals, ongoing programs, publications, and other products -- provides a 

mechanism for ensuring the quality, credibility, and objectivity of GCMRC’s scientific activities. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

MO’s and RIN’s ADDRESSED: The library provides support to the GCMRC science programs 

and the adaptive management program and addresses all MO’s and RIN’s. 

Consequences of FY06 Funding Recommendation: The currently proposed budget for FY06 

will maintain the current level of library support. In addition, the library scanning project will 

proceed on schedule. Additional funding during 2006 would allow the library scanning project 

to proceed ahead of schedule and increase the number of digital products available on the 

website in 2006. 

Status/Schedule: FY2006 is year 4 of the six year scanning project. All other library activities 

are ongoing. 

Expected Products/Deliverables: Specific products of the library include: 

• On-line library catalog which provides access to more than 8000 publications. 

• Catalog records of new materials. 

• Monthly update of new reports received in the library. 

• Review process for proposals and reports which includes a monthly report of the 

status of deliverables as it relates to the review process. 

• Assistance to cooperators, stakeholders, media contacts and the public by providing 

access to reports, aerial photos, maps, slides and photos in hardcopy and digital form. 

• Research in locating contemporary and legacy materials. 

• A research facility for researchers, GMCRC employees, cooperators and the public. 

• Access to 17,652 aerial photographs, 9000 digital aerial images, 8000 hardcopy 

reports, 8000 photos and slides, and 700 videos in broadcast and VHS format. In 

additional, once the library scanning project is complete, this information will be 

available in digital format from the library via digital media such as DVD and on-line 

via the World Wide Web. 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

TIME LINE FOR PRODUCT COMPLETION FOR 

LIBRARY SCANNING PROJECT FY03-07 

 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Work plan 

completed, 

contract staff 

hired and 

equipment 

purchased 

End of 

FY2003 

 

Project 

Completion 

Schedule: 

 

Aerial 

Images 

 200 film 

frames scanned 

400 film 

frames scanned 

400 film 

frames scanned 

Texts 300 texts scanned 300 texts 

scanned 

200 texts 

scanned 

200 texts scanned 

Videos 500 broadcast 

videos converted 

to digital format 

21 broadcast 

videos 

converted to 

digital format 

121 VHS videos 

converted to 

digital format 

Slides 8000 slides 

scanned at high 

and low 

resolution 

 

Photos 700 photos 

scanned at high 

and low 

resolution 

 

Flightline 

Maps 

 60 Arc Info 

Coverages 

 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

CHAPTER 3

ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

INTRODUCTION 

This chapter provides descriptions and budget information on GCMRC administration 

and technical support services. GCMRC administration includes sections on administrative 

operations, program planning and management, AMWG/TWG participation, and the 

independent review process. Technical support services include geographic information 

systems, systems administration, library operations, database management, survey operations, 

and logistics support. At the end of this chapter is a schedule for implementing the FY 2006 

monitoring and research annual plan. 

GCMRC ADMINISTRATION 

The GCMRC is currently administered by a Chief and five Program Managers: Physical 

Science, Modeling and DASA Program, Biological Sciences, Socio-cultural, Logistics and the 

Information Program. As mentioned above, a Biology Program Manager will be hired in the 

near future; at this time the position is filled with an Acting Biology Program Manager. The 

Program Managers provide Center support as Deputies to the Chief and oversee the individual 

resource areas and an extensive program of data analysis and management. GIS and information 

transfer, surveying, and evaluation of remote sensing technologies support program integration 

and evaluation of the effects of dam operations on the CRE. 

In addition to their program management responsibilities, the program managers are also 

expected to remain subject area experts in their respective fields on the Colorado River 

ecosystem. It is important that GCMRC program managers and scientific staff maintain this 

expertise so they can provide high quality technical assistance in the form of expert analysis, 

opinion, and advice to the Chief, TWG and the AMWG as requested. This will include but is not 

limited to the State of the Canyon Resources (SCORE) Report, evaluation of the Beach/HabitatBuilding-Flow (BHBF) resource criteria, and preparing syntheses of current knowledge and 

other such activities that may be requested. The Socio-cultural Program Manager also functions 
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GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

as the Native American Coordinator. The program managers supervise additional technical and 

support staff, and act as project lead with their cooperators. 

The Information Program has personnel with specific responsibility for systems 

administration, and library activities. A major focus of the new program will be outreach to our 

stakeholders emphasizing knowledge of, and access to data and tools available as a result of 

GCMRC monitoring and research activities. Under this organization, surveying activities are 

now merged with the Logistics Program in an effort to align them more closely with the 

monitoring and research activities they support. For example, the surveying department is 

staffed by two full-time surveyors and a staff assistant who provide GCMRC and other 

researchers with high quality, cost-effective, and timely support in the areas of terrestrial and 

bathymetric surveying. Having in-house capability ensures familiarity with the challenges of 

surveying in the canyon and promotes reproducible, quality data critical to sound monitoring and 

research programs. These personnel assure critical support to GCMRC monitoring and research 

program. 

 The GCMRC will continue to conduct logistics for its programs in FY 2006, with direct 

coordination with appropriate NPS offices. This approach has proven to be cost-effective. In 

addition to cost savings, by running the logistics program in-house, GCMRC is able to ensure 

compliance with all NPS directives, consolidate and coordinate river trips, and create a level 

playing field so all researchers have an equal chance at competing for proposals and successfully 

implementing their projects. All river trip logistics and permitting, helicopter support, rescue, 

etc., is overseen by the logistics coordinator in cooperation with the NPS. GCMRC expects to 

initiate between 35 and 45 river trips in FY 2006. 
123 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

F. ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT 

F.1. Administrative Operations 

FUNDING 

 HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Admin costs --- --- 395,000 400,000 12,000

Logistics Field 

Support 

--- --- --- --- 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training 

--- --- --- --- 18,000

Operations/Supplies --- 340,500 154,000 160,000 300,000

GCMRC Salaries --- 243,500 71,000 78,000 262,000

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 592,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) 

--- --- --- --- 88,800

Project Total --- 584,000 620,000 638,000 680,800

% Total Outsourced 0% 0% 64% 63% 2%

 These costs are for salary and other operating expenses in support of administrative 

operations and management of GCMRC. Included is salary of the Chief and administrative staff, 

space and facilities, non-project related travel and training, vehicles, office supplies and 

equipment and maintenance. Also included are costs for USGS local network, Flagstaff Science 

Center support, and USGS regional services including contracting and personnel. 
124 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

F.2. Program Planning and Management 

FUNDING 

 HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor --- --- --- --- 0

Logistics Field 

Support --- --- --- --- 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training --- --- --- --- 11,500

Operations/Supplies --- 226,000 20,000 22,000 0

GCMRC Salaries --- 243,000 254,000 260,000 465,000

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 485,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) --- --- --- --- 72,750

Project Total 584,000 274,000 282,000 557,750

% Total Outsourced 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

 

 In FY2006, in an effort to simplify distribution of program planning and management 

salaries and travel, the Program Manager salaries were assigned to this category exclusively. 

Travel expenses in support of the program, but separate from TWG and AMWG participation 

are also included. These costs are for the five Program Managers: Physical Science, Modeling 

and DASA, Biological Sciences, Socio-cultural Resources, Information Office and the Logistics 

Program. 
125 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

F.3. AMWG/TWG Participation 

 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor --- --- --- --- 0

Logistics Field 

Support --- --- --- --- 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training --- --- --- --- 17,000

Operations/Supplies --- 12,000 12,000 12,350 0

GCMRC Salaries --- 26,500 33,000 34,000 0

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 17,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) --- --- --- --- 2,550

Project Total --- 38,500 45,000 46,350 19,550

% Total Outsourced 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

 

 Included in this category are the travel expenses related to attending and participating in 

TWG and AMWG meetings. Project related travel expenses are accounted for by projects, and 

administrative travel (e.g. safety training) are planned under the Administrative Operations 

budget. 

F.4. Independent Review Panels 

FUNDING 

HISTORY Fiscal year 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Outside GCMRC 

Science/Labor --- 89,000 200,000 240,000 150,000

Logistics Field 

Support --- --- --- --- 0

Project Related 

Travel/Training --- --- --- --- 0

Operations/Supplies --- --- --- --- 0

GCMRC Salaries --- 10,000 22,000 32,000 0

Subtotal --- --- --- --- 150,000

DOI Customer 

Burden (15%) --- --- --- --- 22,500

Project Total --- 99,000 222,000 272,000 172,500

% Total Outsourced 0% 90% 90% 90% 100%
126 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

 Independent external review is at the heart of GCMRC’s approach to program 

management and implementation. Together with the competitive process, independent external 

peer-review ensures the quality and objectivity of GCMRC’s programs. Independent review 

panels are utilized to evaluate GCMRC’s plans and activities. All proposals, reports, programs, 

etc., are subject to independent peer review according to GCMRC’s peer-review protocols. 

Managing GCMRC’s peer-review process requires 3 to 6 person-months and is the 

responsibility of the Librarian/Review Coordinator. The Review Coordinator reports to the 

Information Program Manager. 

Peer Review

 All of GCMRC's scientific activities undergo an independent, external peer-review. This 

is true for all proposals, whether unsolicited, solicited, or an in-house proposal. Similarly, all 

draft reports received by GCMRC undergo independent, external peer-review. The peer-review 

protocols developed by GCMRC meet or exceed the standards articulated by the Secretary of the 

Interior for the Department of the Interior. 

 Peer-review for proposals received by GCMRC in response to an RFP is conducted 

through a panel process, while peer-review for unsolicited and in-house proposals, as well as 

project reports is conducted through the mail. In all cases, the peer-reviewers are offered 

anonymity and the individual and panel reviews, where applicable, are provided to the PIs along 

with comments from GCMRC. In addition, GCMRC conducts protocol evaluation panels (PEPs) 

to review and assess GCMRC’s projects and methodologies. To date, PEPs have been held for 

remote sensing, physical, survey control, terrestrial and aquatic, cultural resources and the water 

quality program. Recommendations from the various PEPs are described in Chapter 1 of this 

plan. 

 The GCMRC review process is handled by a report review coordinator to ensure that the 

peer-review process is conducted one-step removed from the GCMRC program managers to 

guard against any conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Strict conflict-of-interest guidelines are 

adhered to. GCMRC annually recruits new individuals to join the ranks of its peer-reviewers and 

maintains a database of almost 500 potential reviewers, organized by area of expertise. GCMRC 

peer-reviewers come from academia, Federal, State and Tribal government, non-governmental 

organizations, and the private sectors. Reviewers are selected on the basis of their record of 

scientific accomplishment and expertise. 
127 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

Science Advisors

The GCMRC works with a group of Science Advisors (SAs) as one of its independent 

review panels. The SAs are advisory and not a decision-making body. It is an interdisciplinary 

group composed of scientists who are qualified, based on their record of publication in the peerreviewed literature, or other demonstrable scientific achievements. An executive Director 

provides leadership to the SAs and serves as the liaison officer to the AMWG and the GCMRC. 

 The SAs together and individually will be expected in FY 2006, among other things, to 

review and comment to the AMWG and GCMRC on: (1) GCMRC's annual work plan and 

budget proposal, (2) GCMRC's long-term monitoring and research plan, (3) the results of 

GCMRC's completed monitoring and research activities, (4) the results of any synthesis and 

assessment activities initiated by the GCMRC, and (5) any other activities (i.e., developing a 

monitoring plan, enhancing opportunities for integrated science, and other program specific 

scientific advice) it is asked to address by the GCMRC Chief or the AMWG. 

TASK GROUPS 

 Task groups have been established in areas where GCMRC seeks on-going dialogue and 

guidance for specific issues. Two task groups are described below; however, other task groups 

can be formed as needs arise. 

 A Cultural Resources Task Group operates to facilitate the incorporation of cultural 

concerns within all GCMRC program areas to assist the GCMRC in the development of a more 

integrated program that incorporates Native American perspectives in project development and 

work plans. The Task Group consists of the GCMRC Socio-cultural Resources Program 

Manager, Reclamation’s Regional Archaeologist, NPS managers, Western Area Power 

Administration's Archaeologist, and Tribal representatives. In addition, a tribal task group 

functions to obtain guidance from tribal representatives in program development, and program 

and project implementation. 

 A Biological Opinion Task Group operates to ensure appropriate coordination between 

GCMRC and the monitoring and research needs of the Bureau and USFWS under various 

biological opinions. The Task Group consists of the GCMRC Biological Resources Program 

Manager and appropriate representatives of Reclamation, FWS, AGFD, Tribal governments, and 

other AMWG and TWG members. All proposed activities are reviewed by the TWG. 
128 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

GCMRC BUDGET 

In FY 2003 the USGS began full-cost recovery accounting and instituted a DOI customer 

rate of 15% against all DOI agency reimbursable funding. The DOI customer rate was 

established by the USGS Bureau Headquarters and determined to be significantly lower than the 

“full” burden rate that varies annually and includes facilities and the Cost Center and the Bureau 

burdens. In addition to the above rates, a special “pass through” rate of 6% was also instated. 

As a transitional aid to GCMRC, which had received under a previous administration the 

guarantee that USGS would not charge the power revenue funds any burden, the Bureau allowed 

the entire GCMRC power revenue budget to be charged only the 6% special rate (3% was 

retained by the Cost Center and 3% by Headquarters). 

In FY2004, USGS Headquarters approved the special rate of 6% for only a portion of 

GCMRC’s power revenue funding. This rate was applied to approximately $1 million dollars of 

funding that went directly to GCMRC cooperators. The balance of power revenue funds were 

charged the full DOI customer rate of 15%. As a part of the full cost recovery policy, the USGS 

established a process referred to as “cost share” as a means of handling a limited electronic 

financial system. 

Cost Share is the funding that “covers” the balance of the full burden rate minus the DOI 

customer rate. In most cases, reimbursable funding from non-DOI agencies is charged the full 

burden rate. In FY 2004, the full burden rate for GCMRC was approximately 30%. The 

difference between the full rate of 30% and the DOI Customer rate of 15% equals 15% (all 

percentages are approximate). In FY 2004 the cost share funding requirement for all DOI 

agency reimbursable dollars received by GCMRC equaled almost $1 million. USGS policy 

requires cost share funding be from appropriated dollars only, and those funds are also charged 

the Cost Center burden rate. In essence, the $1 million dollar appropriation provided by USGS to 

GCMRC in FY 2004 had the effect of not adding funding, but merely filling the holes created by 

the cost share policy. 

In FY 2005 and FY 2006 the USGS appropriation expected for GCMRC (also $1 

million), should not be added to the funding table (refer to E-188 and 189). Per the full cost 

accounting policy and the requirement that cost share dollars be appropriated dollars only, the 

effect of these appropriations is entirely transparent and does not add funding to the AMP. 
129 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

In the FY2006 budget proposal and spreadsheet (see attached) for GCMRC, the costs are 

not necessarily correct for FY 2005. This is because of a discrepancy in funding amounts and 

application of the USGS $1 million appropriation discovered by GCMRC and the BOR during a 

January, 2005 budget meeting held in Salt Lake City. The expenses identified will need to be 

reworked to account for the discrepancy in funding and cost share expenses as well as the 15% 

DOI customer burden. 

The total FY 2005 and FY 2006 budgets for the AMP are $10,664,600 (E-196; 

uncorrected) and $9,891,315 (F-196), respectively. These totals include $8,672,600 in FY 2005 

(E-186) and $8,889,415 in FY 2006 (F-186) from AMP Power Revenues; and $210,000 (E-194) 

and $215,250 (F-194), respectively, from the Bureau of Reclamation Water Quality fund for both 

years. 
130 

GCMRC FY2006 Annual Work Plan (Final, January 24, 2005) 

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Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. 
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

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10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334

AB C D E F G H 

ID Project Descriptions BOR Approved FY04 Budget BOR Approved FY05 Budget BOR Draft FY06 Budget 

Reclamation Administration Power Revenue Funded Projects

A Adaptive Management Work Group1 Personnel Costs 151,000 155,530 159,4182 AMWG Member Travel Reimbursement 13,000 13,390 15,7253 Reclamation Travel 18,000 15,540 13,0004 Facilitation Contract 21,000 21,000 25,0005 Other 9,000 7,000 7,175

BOR AMWG Subtotal 212,000 212,460 220,318B Technical Work Group1 Personnel Costs 69,000 71,070 72,8472 TWG Member Travel Reimbursement 15,000 15,450 20,8363 Reclamation Travel 17,000 15,510 15,8984 TWG Chair Reimbursement 21,000 21,630 22,171 Unknown if travel and/or other costs5 Other 2,000 2,000 2,050

TWG Subtotal 124,000 125,660 133,801C Other 1 Compliance Documents 26,000 26,780 22,4502 Contract Administration 25,000 25,750 24,394ADM Public Outreach 0 0 50,000 Moved from USGS in FY06; Ad Hoc Other Subtotal 51,000 52,530 96,844Reclamation Administrative Subtotal 387,000 390,650 450,964Programmatic Agreement Cultural Resources1 Reclamation Administration 43,000 51,500 52,7882 NPS-GRCA Monitoring Costs 200,000 206,000 - FY06 Moved under GCMRC Cultura3 NPS-GLCA Monitoring Costs 28,000 28,840 - FY06 Moved under GCMRC Cultura

4 NN & GLCA Treatment Plan and Implementation 100,000 100,000 20,000 Should be completed with 20K in FY5 Canyon Treatment Plan and Implementation 0 250,000 250,0006 Zuni Conservation Program Mitigation 0 10,000 - Covered under treatment7 TCP GIS Documentation 0 30,000 -PA Subtotal 371,000 676,340 322,788Reclamation Power Revenue Program Subtotal 758,000 1,066,990 773,752

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

3536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657

AB C D E F G H 

Reclamation Administration NON-Power Revenue Funded Projects

HCA Development of a LCR Management Plan 0 100,000 - BOR; Includes spill prevention, invas

Tribal ConsultationA Cooperative Agreements with Tribes1 Hopi Tribe 80,000 82,400 82,400 TWG requests more info on products 2 Hualapai Tribe 80,000 82,400 82,400 TWG requests more info on products 3 Navajo Nation 80,000 82,400 82,400 TWG requests more info on products 4 Pueblo of Zuni 80,000 82,400 82,400 TWG requests more info on products 5 Southern Paiute 80,000 82,400 82,400 TWG requests more info on products Tribal Consultation Subtotal 400,000 512,000 412,000B River Trips for Consulation and DOEs1 Hopi Tribe 0 15,000 15,375 TWG requests more info on purpose

2 Hualapai Tribe 0 15,000 15,375 TWG requests more info on purpose

3 Navajo Nation 0 15,000 15,375 TWG requests more info on purpose

4 Pueblo of Zuni 0 15,000 15,375 TWG requests more info on purpose

5 Southern Paiute 0 15,000 15,375 TWG requests more info on purpose

Tribal River Trip Subtotal 0 75,000 76,875Tribal Subtotal 400,000 587,000 488,875Reclamation NON-Power Revenue Subtotal 400,000 587,000 488,875

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TOTAL AMP 1,158,000 1,653,990 1,262,627

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resource Division - GCMRC - Power Revenue Funded Projects

A Physical Sciences, Modeling & DASA

A.2 CM Integrated Downstream Water Quality Monitoring 179,000 250,000 500,000 75,000 15,000 A.3 CM Fine-Sediment Storage - Monitoring 549,000 250,000 256,250 - - 

CM Streamflow & SS Transport - Monitoring 505,000 500,000 - - - 

EXP SS Mass Balance - Exp. Support 420,000 137,500 - - - RES Nutrient Flux - Res. Toward Core Mon. 0 0 - - - RES SS Transport Modeling 231000 0 - - - CM Coarse-Grained Inputs - Monitoring 135,000 0 - - - EXP Coarse Sediment - Debris-Fan Reworking 49,000 0 - - - EXP Fine-Sediment Storage - Extra EXP. Elements 500,000 750,000 - - - EXP Fine-Sediment - Sand Deposition in Arroyos 25,000 0 - - - EXP Fine-Sediment - Camping Beach Changes 25,000 0 - - - EXP SS Transport Modeling - Sand Routing Exps. 62,000 0 - - - 

Physical Sciences Subtotal 2,680,000 1,887,500 756,250 75,000 15,000 DASA Activities

A.4 CM Air-Remote Sensing - Monitoring 163,000 200,000 630,000 5,000 - A.5 DASA Data Base Management System 128,000 128,000 27,200 - - A.6 DASA GIS: Automated Monitoring Technologies & Applications 12,000 - A.7 DASA GIS: GIS General Support for Integrated Analyses & Projects 160,000 160,000 50,200 - - 

DASA Channel Mapping 90,000 0 - - - 

DASA Subtotal 541,000 488,000 719,400 5,000 0 

Physical Sciences, Modeling & DASA Subtotal 3,221,000 2,375,500 1,475,650 80,000 15,000 

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

58

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

858687888990919293949596979899

100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114

B BioSciences Program

Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecosystem Activities

B.1 CM Kanab Ambersnail & SWWF - Monitoring 79,000 79,000 55,000 40,000 5,000 B.2 CM Aquatic Foodbase - Monitoring 248,000 315,000 216,000 85,000 15,000 B.3 CM Status & Trends of DS Fish - Monitoring 870,000 820,000 550,000 130,000 20,000 B.4 CM Status & Trends LF Trout - Monitoring 161,000 111,000 90,000 8,000 5,000 

CM Terrestrial Ecosystem - Monitoring 505,000 300,000 - - - 

CM Habitat Map & Inventory - Monitoring 48,000 0 - - - EXP Primary Productivity, Carbon Flux 59,000 0 - - - EXP Temperatures and Habitat Use Monitoring 200,000 150,000 - - - EXP Kanab Ambersnail Population EHF Impacts 10,000 10,000 - - - EXP Foodbase Impacts of EHF Flows 50,000 0 - - - EXP Spawning Redds & Suppression Mechanisms 175,000 0 - - - EXP Food Base Impacts of Fluctuating Flows 60,000 0 - - - EXP Mechanical Removal of Non-native Fish 586,000 586,000 - - - EXP Rainbow Diet Analysis & Predation of Chubs 50,000 50,000 - - - HCA Translocation of Humpback Chub 25,000 50,000 - - - HCA Dam Operations Experiment 50,000 50,000 - - - HCA Scientific, Recreation Impact Assessment 11,000 30,000 - - - HCA Fish Monitoring below Diamond Creek 50,000 50,000 - - - HCA Monitoring Parasites and Diseases 50,000 55,000 - - - 

B.5 HCA Concurrent LCR, Mainstem HBC Pop Est. 250,000 200,000 59,100 80,000 15,000 

HCA HBC Outreach 0 0 - - - 

HCA Genetics Management Plan 0 0 - - - HCA Sediment, Turbidity Augmentation 50,000 25,000 - - - HCA Sediment Augmentation Feasibility Study 0 50,000 - - - HCA HBC Genetics Evaluation 0 0 - - - HCA Feasibility of HBC Augmentation 0 0 - - - BioSciences Subtotal 3,587,000 2,931,000 970,100 343,000 60,000 

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

58

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142

C Sociocultural ProgramCM Eval. & Plan for Cultural - Monitoring 0 0 - - - 

RES 1st Yr Geomorph. Model, Process Study 0 135,000 - - - RES Implementation of Recreation PEP recommendations 0 40,000 - - - RES Implementation of Socioeconomic PEP recommendations 0 40,000 - - - EXP Tribal Funding for Experimental Flows 0 25,000 - - - RES Tribal Outreach Workshop (Tribal Training/Integration) 45,000 0 - - - RES APE Study 25,000 0 - - - 

C.1 CM Integrated Archaeological Site Monitoring 0 0 70,000 234,420 10,000 C.2 CM Integrated Tribal Values Monitoring 0 0 - 250,000 - C.3 CM Integrated Campsite Monitoring Program 0 0 35,000 141,040 5,000 C.4 RES Aeolian Sediment Transport & Cultural Site Preservation Study 0 0 15,000 135,000 - 

Sociocultural Program Subtotal 70,000 240,000 760,460 120,000 15,000 D Logistics Support

D.1 L&S Logistics (Dispersed throughout projects) - - - D.2 L&S Survey Operations 126,000 126,000 - 35,000 5,000 

EXP Technical Support - Survey Equipment 32,000 32,000 - - - 

D.3 L&S Control Network 86,000 150,000 - 35,000 5,000 

Logistics Support Subtotal 244,000 308,000 0 70,000 10,000 E Information OfficeIPO Web page and product development - 75,000 - - - 

E.1 IPO Systems Administration 242,000 242,000 - - 

EXP Technical Support - Computer 21,000 21,000 - - - 

E.2 IPO Library 79,000 99,000 23,175 - 

Information Office Subtotal 342,000 437,000 23,175 0 

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

58

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166

Admin. & Tech. Supp. ServicesF Administrative & Management

F.1 ADM Administrative Operations(1) 620,000 638,600 15,000 - - 

EXP Administrative Support 5,000 5,000 - - - 

F.2 ADM Program Planning & Management 274,000 282,220 - - F.3 ADM 45,000 46,350 - - F.4 ADM Independent Reviews 222,000 272,000 175,000 - - 

ADM Public Outreach (Moved to BOR in FY06) 85,000 50,000 - - - 

AMP AMWG, TWG Requests 0 73,000 - - - AMP Unsolicted Proposals (Other research activities) 0 50,000 - - - Administrative & Management Subtotal 1,251,000 1,417,170 190,000 - - 

Logistics, Info Office & Admin Support Subtotal 1,837,000 2,162,170 213,175 70,000 10,000 

GCMRC Power Revenue Subtotal 8,715,000 7,708,670 3,419,385 613,000 100,000 

U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resource Division - GCMRC - NON-Power Revenue Funded ProjectsA Lake Powell

A.1 CM Lake Powell Monitoring 210,000 210,000 - - - 

HCA Temperature Control Device (TCD) 200,000 50,000 173,913 - - 

RES Kanab Ambersnail Taxonomy (USGS Appr. Only) 88,000 0 - - - 

GCMRC NON-Power Revenue Funded Project Subtotal 498,000 260,000 173,913 0 0 

GCMRC TOTAL AMP PROGRAM COSTS: 9,213,000 7,968,670 3,593,298 613,000 100,000 

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

58

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201202203204

FISCAL YEAR 

2004

FISCAL YEAR 

2005

 FISCAL YEAR 

2006 

758,000 1,066,990 773,752 

8,715,000 7,708,670 7,148,105

737,000 874,940 1,010,566

10,210,000 9,650,600 8,932,422 

400,000 587,000 488,875 498,000 260,000 415,250 

0 0 54,163 

898,000 847,000 958,288

1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000

12,108,000 11,497,600 10,890,710

OTHER AGENCY AMP PROGRAM COSTS FISCAL YEAR 2004 FISCAL YEAR 2005 FISCAL YEAR 2006 

US Fish & Wildlife ServiceHCA HBC Captive Breeding/Refugia 40,000 0 ? USFWS responsibility to be complet

HCA Willlow Beach genetics Assessment 0 0 ? USFWS responsibility to be complet

National Park ServiceHCA Bright Angel Non_Native Fish Removal 167,000 167,000 ? NPS Funds; feasibility study initiated

HCA Tributary Non-native Fish Survey & Removal 0 0 ? NPS Funds; feasibility study initiated

TOTAL AMP PROGRAM COSTS FOR OTHER AGENCIES: 207,000 167,000 0

FISCAL YEAR 

2004

FISCAL YEAR 

2005

 FISCAL YEAR 

2006 

12,315,000 11,664,600 10,890,710

FUNDING: FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006(2)USBR & USGS Power Revenues under cap 8420000 8,672,600 8,889,415Carry Over 793,000 0 0USGS Appropriations (3) 1,100,000 1,000,000 1,097,775 USGS Appropriations will be applied 

USBR Appropriations (4) 295,000 322,800 297,775 BOR appropriations unknown at this NPS Funds (5) 167,000 167,000 97,775

NPS Appropriations (3) 95,000 97,400 97,775

FWS Appropriations (3) 95,000 97,400 97,775BIA Appropriations (3) 95,000 97,400 97,775BOR Operations & Maintenance (IQWP) 210,000 210,000 215,250

USGS Funds for Remote Sensing 180,000 0 0TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS 11,450,000 10,664,600 10,891,315TOTAL FUNDING NEEDED 12,315,000 11,664,600 10,890,710AVAILABLE FUNDS - ESTIMATED COSTS (865,000) (1,000,000) 605 

BOR & USGS-GCMRC AMP PROGRAM COSTS

GCMRC Power Revenue Program CostsBOR Power Revenue Program CostsSubtotal BOR & GCMRC Power Revenue Program Costs

Subtotal BOR & GCMRC Non-Power Revenue ProgramCostsTOTAL AMP PROGRAM COSTS - ALL AGENCIES:Estimated Cost Share expense required by USGS policy(3)TOTAL AMP PROGRAM COSTS (BOR & GCMRC):GCMRC DOI Customer Burden (Indirect Costs)GCMRC DOI Customer Burden (Indirect Costs)GCMRC Non-Power Revenue Program CostsBOR Non-Power Revenue Program Costs

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM
AMP DRAFT BUDGET FY2006 

58

AB C D E F G H 

GCMRC 

Work Plan 

ID

ID Project Descriptions Approved FY04 Budget Approved FY05 Budget Outside GCMRC Science/Labor Logistics Field Support Logistics NPS Permitting(1) 

205206207208209210211212213214215216217218

FY2006 Budget Footnotes:(1) The Logistics NPS Permitting costs are combined with the Logistics Field Support Line in the Budget Narrative(2) CPI adjustment of 2.5% used for FY2006(3) Cost share is the difference between the USGS full burden rate and the DOI customer rate. USGS full burden rate varies between fiscal years; the DOI customer rate has rem

 In FY2006, the estimated full burden rate is approximately 35%. The cost share dollars needed would be the difference between the 37% and 15%, or 22%. Cost share dolla In FY2006 we estimate the Cost Center rate to be approximately 20%FY2006 Budget Assumptions:*It is unlikely that the USGS would approve a special "pass-through" rate of 6% for GCMRC; it has not been factored into the budget.

*Budget based on the assumption that BOR contributes $200K for TCD*GCMRC budget based on assumption that the DOI Customer Burden Rate remains 15% and that the USGS Bureau contributes approximately $1 million for the cost share portion USGS Indirect Costs(2)

FY06 MASTER Draft AMP Budget - BOR GCMRC

January 26, 2005 2:00PM