Update on 2008 Experime

Flow Test and Observ

Technical Workgroup Mee

Phoenix, AZ - April 08, 2

[1300 – 1330]

Ted Melis, David Topping, John HamiMatthew Andersen, Helen Fairley, GleAnd Many OthersGrand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 2255 North Gemini Dr.Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Part I – Review of Science 

Relevant Questions & Re

•Strategic Science Questions [Table 1]•Projects & Budgets [Table 2]•Strategy for Evaluating Test Results [Fi•Review of Completion Timeline [FY08-0•Synthesis of High Flow Testing [FY10]
Part II –

Early results from 200

All Observations and Results are Preliminary – And Revision
Grand Canyon ga

(88-mile)

above Diamond Creek gage

(226-mile)

1996 synopsis

•No recent tributary sand enrichment prior to 

flood•Erosion of upstream sandbars led to highelevation sand deposition downstream•Upstream sandbars did not rebuild during subsequent years•Non-sustainable approach

166-mileNational Canyon gage

(Schmidt, AGU-Mono., 1999; Hazel et al., JGR, 2006; Topp
Grand Canyon ga

(88-mile)

above Diamond Creek gage

(226-mile)

2004 synopsis

• > 800,000 metric tons of sand retained above r

mile 30 prior to flood (mostly above river-mile 8)•Sandbars built between river-miles 1 & 40•Downstream from river-mile 40, erosion of upstr

sandbars led to high-elevation sand deposition downstream•Canyon-wide July-November 2004 sand mass 

balance remained positive•Sustainable approach ?????

(Toppin

166-mileNational Canyon gage
Grand Canyon ga

(88-mile)

above Diamond Creek gage

(226-mile)

2008 synopsis

• Demonstrable sand enrichment prior to flood in 

reaches except between river-miles 61 and 88•Sandbars eroded in uppermost Marble Canyon•Impressive sandbar deposition in parts of lower Marble Canyon and eastern Grand Canyon•October 2006-March 2008 sand mass balance remained positive between river-miles 1 and 88•Data are still being collected as you listen to this 

< 0.5 million

Preliminary results – subject to review and 

166-mileNational Canyon gage
Part III – Sand Transport M

During 2008 Test at Phanto

2008 Test Hydrograph vs. 2004 or 19What Does Suspended Sand Data TeHow Was Sand Transport Different i
The computed mass balance shows ~ 

retention upstream from river mile 88 -than the ~10% retention measured dur2004 experiment upstream from river-mAt least 270,000 metric tons of the 1.1 metric tons of sand accumulated after 2006, upstream from river-mile 88 was sandbars in this reach during the 2008 

Preliminary results – 

su
-2.0

-1.0

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.0

OCT 2006 - MAR 2008 MASS-BALANCE SAND 

FOR MARBLE CANYON AND EASTERN GRAND CANYO

OCT 2006

DEC 2006

FEB 2007

APR 2007

JUN 2007

AUG 2007

OCT 2007

DEC 2007

MASS-BALANCE UNCERTAINTY ENVELOPE

WATER DISCHARGE

SAND MASS IN REACH RELATIVE TO 

THAT ON OCTOBER 1, 2006 (million metric tons)

ACCUMULATION

EROSION

Demonstrable > 270,000 metric tons sand ret

2008 

Preliminary results – su
0

10,00020,00030,00040,00050,000

05112233

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

1996 FLOOD HYDROGRAPH 2004 & 2008 FLOOD HYDROGR

1996 SUSPENDED-SAND CABLE SAMPLES2004 SUSPENDED-SAND CABLE & PUMP SAMPLES2008 MULTI-FREQUENCY ACOUSTIC SUSPENDED SAND

WATER DISCHARGE (ft

3

/s)

DAYS AFTER ARRIVAL OF FLOOD

• Concentrations at beginning of 2008 HFE were similar to d

1996 and 2004 controlled-flood experiments • But concentrations decreased more slowly during the 2001996 or 2004 controlled-flood experiments • Thus, the river was most sand enriched at this site during a result of the downstream export of sand stored in lower Mar2008 HFE.

Preliminary results – su
Part IV – Initial Photograp

“A Tale of Winners & Los

Long Term (Cathedral Wash) Site in UBackwater Study Site in Upper MarblSandbars in Lower Marble Canyon?A Few Sandbars Between LCR and P
Photographic Data – R

LOSERS WHERE WE NEEDED WINNERS 

Matched Photos – Above Cathedral Wash 

A Clear “Backwater” Loser in 2

Pre- 08’Test Post- 08

February 21, 2008 March 28, 200
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – Above Cathedral Wash 

Professor Emmett Laursen Predicted Net Er

October 1987 March 29, 2008

This Isn’t What Was Ther
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – Below Six Mile Wash o

Another Backwater Habitat Go

February 21, 2008 March 29, 

Despite the Fact that there were 1 Million Metric tons of Sand wa
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – Hot Na Na Camp on 

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HFE 

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – 22-Mile on River 

A Backwater Habitat Gain

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

How Long Will this Habitat L
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – “Harry McDonald” Camp 

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data – R

Matched Photos – 30-Mile on River 

Another Backwater Habitat & Camps

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – “Fence Fault” Camp -R

A Gain Similar to the 2004 Respo

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – South Canyon C

Higher & Wider!

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology De
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – on River Left “Nautal

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – on River Right “Buck F

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data - RM 

Matched Photos – Eminence Break Eddy – Long

Pre- 08’Test Post- 08’T

Backwater Habitat Gainer

K. Schloff, Delft/Deltaris
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – 45-Mile on River 

Starved Reattachment Bar?

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – “Willie Taylor Site” on 

Another Backwater Gain Here

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – on River Left Above N

What Happened Here?

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – Kwagunt Ma

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – on River Left Above L

Higher, Not Wider?

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF
Photographic Data – RM 

Matched Photos – Grapevine Cam

Higher & Wider!

Pre-HFE 2008 Post-HF

R. Parnell, NAU Geology Dept
RIV

Preliminary results – su

Tanner Camp “Point Bar” o

And Here Too!
RIV

Preliminary results – su

Zoroaster CampBelow Clear Cree

Especially Good ResulCamping Site Reaches
WELL, WE HAVE OVER 1,0

SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT SPROCESS....STAYED TUNE

UPDATES in 2008

When Will Result

Thanks for Yo