Campsite Monitoring in Grand Canyon Campsite Monitoring in Grand Canyon

Matt Kaplinski, Joe Hazel, Rod Parnell Matt Kaplinski, Joe Hazel, Rod Parnell Northern Arizona University Northern Arizona University

AndGCMRC, NPS, GCMRC, NPS, Nams, etc...


History of Campsite Monitoring

Weeden et al (1975), F. Yates Borden (1976)Brian and Thomas (1984)Kearsley et al. (1991 to 1997)Grand Canyon River Trip Simulator (1998 to 1999)GCRG Adopt A Beach (1996 to present)Kaplinski et al. (1998 to 2003)
Harmer Weeden et al. (1975)

June 16-19, 1973 Air Photos, plus U2 photos (unknown date)!area-based estimates of capacity (#’s of people)336 campsites identified169 visited – ground truth photointerp., topography, human impac

35mm slides, veg. mapping, mooring, bathing safety, pit effects, etc.

Comprehensive analysis of camping beachesledge camps not included
Brian and Thomas (1984)

Post 1983 high flows438 camps identifiedFloat by assessment of camp size (small, medium, large)Included ledge camps, some camps not identified by Weeden Some camps identified by Weeden were not actually used as c
Kearsley et al. (1991 to 1997)

Kearsley, L.H., and K. Warren, (1993)Kearsley, L. H., J. C. Schmidt, and K. D. Warren, (1994), Kearsley, L.H., (1995), Kearsley, L. H. and Quartoroli, R., (1997)

Inventory and area measurements in 1991, 1994, 1996226 campsites in 19919% loss of campsite area from 1991 to 1994 218 pre-1996 flood301 post-199657% increase in camp area at measured sites

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Discharge (ft3/s)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 








 	







	










	














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119 Mile

5000 15000 25000 35000 45000

Discharge (ft3/s)

89.590.090.591.091.592.092.593.093.594.094.595.095.5

Elevation (m)
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 

Stage Elevation (1000 x ft3/s)

Campsite Area (m2

)

199819992000200120022003

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-45< 45

119 Mile
4000

60008000

1000012000140001600018000

Area (m2)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Total campsite area
2000

3000400050006000700080009000

10000

Area (m2)

Marble CanyoGrand Canyon

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
2000

3000400050006000700080009000

100001100012000

Area (m

2

)

criticanon-cr

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 

Stage Elevation (1000 x ft3/s)

Camp Area (m

2

)

15-2020-2525-3030-45

< 45

10-15

5000

7500

10000125001500017500

Year

Area (m

2

)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
-30

-20-10

0

1020304050

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 

% Change Between Surveys Campsite Inventory Cam
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 200

Time (years)

Campsite Availability IndexCampsite Inventory Campsite Area
Recommendations for Future Campsite Moni

1. Campsite Area should be collected using total station or orthopho2. Conduct a comprehensive Inventory of all campsites within the CR3. Develop an estimate of visitor capacity within the CRE.4. Develop an integrated long-term monitoring program for measurin

and visitor capacity within the CRE.

5. Convene an expert panel to begin the development of a LTMP an

discuss managerial and institutional issues. (PEP ?)