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Glen Canyon Dam

Adaptive Management Work Group

Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning

Report to AMWG, June 2000

Strategic Plan Update

This document consists of the following components, which should be 

viewed as an integrated whole. Together, they guide the work of the 

Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group.

ß Vision and Mission

ß Principles

ß Goals 

ß Objectives

ß Glossary
Vision and Mission

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The Grand Canyon is a homeland for some, sacred to many, and a 

national treasure for all. In honor of past generations, and on behalf of 

those of the present and future, we envision an ecosystem where the 

resources and natural processes are in harmony under a stewardship 

worthy of the Grand Canyon.

We advise the Secretary of the Interior on how best to protect, mitigate 

adverse impacts to, and improve the integrity of the Colorado River 

ecosystem affected by Glen Canyon Dam, including natural biological 

diversity (emphasizing native biodiversity), traditional cultural 

properties, spiritual values, and cultural, physical, and recreational 

resources through the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and other means.

We do so in keeping with the federal trust responsibilities to Indian 

tribes, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, 

including the water delivery obligations of the Law of the River, and 

with due consideration to the economic value of power resources.

This will be accomplished through our long-term partnership utilizing 

the best available scientific and other information through an adaptive 

ecosystem management process.
Principles

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The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group embraces the following Principles. 

They guided development of the Goals and Objectives for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive 

Management Program (GCDAMP). These Principles are:

1. The Goals represent a set of desired outcomes that together will accomplish our Vision 

and achieve the purpose of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. Some of the Objectives 

and actions that fall under these Goals may not be the responsibility of the GCDAMP, 

and may be funded by other sources, but are included here for completeness.

2. The construction of Glen Canyon Dam and the introduction of non-native species have 

irreversibly changed the Colorado River ecosystem.

3. Much remains unknown about the Colorado River ecosystem below Glen Canyon Dam 

and how to achieve GCDAMP ecosystem Goals.

4. The Colorado River ecosystem is a managed ecosystem. An ecosystem management 

approach, in lieu of an issues, species, or resources approach, will guide our efforts. 

Management efforts will prevent any further human-induced extirpation or extinction of 

native species.

5. An adaptive management approach will be used to achieve GCDAMP ecosystem Goals, 

through experimentation and monitoring, to meet the intent of the Grand Canyon 

Protection Act, the Environmental Impact Statement, and the Record of Decision. 

6. Management actions, including changes in dam operations, will be tried that attempt to 

return ecosystem patterns and processes to their range of natural variability. When this is 

not appropriate, or beyond the range of operational flexibility of the dam, experiments 

will be conducted to test other approaches.

7. Because management actions to achieve a Goal may benefit one resource or value and 

adversely affect another, those action alternatives that benefit all resources and values 

will be pursued first. When this is not possible, actions that have a neutral impact, or as a 

last resort, actions that minimize negative impacts on other resources will be pursued, 

consistent with the final Glen Canyon Dam EIS and the Record of Decision.

8. Recognizing the diverse perspectives and spiritual values of the stakeholders, the unique 

aesthetic value of the Grand Canyon will be respected and enhanced.
Goal 1. Protect or improve the aquatic foodbase so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Biomass 17.5 g/m2 (Cobble)(27)

 2.7 g/m2 (Pool)(27)

150 g/m2(27) Also see McKinney et 

al. 1999(22)

Composition 49.60% Cladophora

33.10% Chlorophyta

 9.10% Fontinalis

 3.35% Chromophyta

 2.40% Rhodophyta 

 2.50% Cyanobacteria

(27)

Obtain from literature Metric is % of algal 

species that support 

upright diatoms

1 Maintain 

or attain

Algae and 

periphyton

Production

Mainstem 

from Glen 

Canyon Dam 

to Paria River

Information Need Information Need Metric is g/m2/time of 

Cladophora

Biomass 5.0 g/m2 (Cobble)(27)

1.0 g/m2 (Pool)(27)

5000 g/m2(27) Also see McKinney et 

al. 1999(22)

Composition 0.4% Worms

 3.6% Gammarus

 5.5% Oligochaetes

 0.1% Simulium

28.8% Midges

 3.8% Miscellaneous

57.7% Gastropoda

(Cobble)(27)

 1.0% Worms

 0.9% Gammarus

35.7% Oligochaete

22.3% Midges

(Pool)(27)

Information Need Metric is relative % of 

species.

2 Maintain 

or attain

Benthic 

invertebrates

Production

Mainstem 

from Glen 

Canyon Dam 

to Paria River

Information Need Information Need Metric is g/m2/time
Goal 1. Protect or improve the aquatic foodbase so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Biomass Information Need Information Need

Composition Information Need Information Need

3 Maintain 

or attain

Aquatic 

macrophytes

Production

Mainstem 

from Glen 

Canyon Dam 

to Paria River

Information Need Information Need Metric is g/m2/time

Biomass 12.21 g/m2 (Cobble)(27)

 0.35 g/m2 (Pool)(27)

50 g/m2(27)

Composition 29.9% Cladophora

23.7% MAMB

46.6% Oscillatoria

(Cobble)(27)

51.0% Cladophora

48.9% MAMB

 0.1% Oscillatoria

(Pool)(27)

Obtain from literature Metric is relative % of 

algal species. MAMB is 

for miscellaneous algae, 

macrophytes, and 

bryophytes

4 Maintain 

or attain

Algae and 

periphyton

Production

Mainstem 

below the 

Paria River

Information Need Information Need Metric is g/m2/time 
Goal 1. Protect or improve the aquatic foodbase so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

ID# Perform 

some 

action

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element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

MO Document Last Saved 9/8/002:52 PM Page 6. Mile % Cladophora % MAMB % Oscillatoria

Cobble(27)

2 49.3 43.3 7.4

 61 22.4 43.1 34.5

 68 8.7 7.2 84.1

127 5.6 12.4 82.0

205 63.7 12.4 23.9

Pool(27)

2 60.0 40.0 0.0

61 28.6 71.4 0.0

68 80.0 20.0 0.0

127 15.2 84.8 0.0

4 (continued)

Maintain 

or attain

Algae and 

periphyton

Distribution Mainstem 

below the 

Paria River

205 71.2 28.5 0.3

Information Need
Goal 1. Protect or improve the aquatic foodbase so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Biomass 0.960 g/m2 (Cobble)(27)

0.054 g/m2 (Pool)(27)

Obtain from literature

Composition 0.4% Worm

 7.1% Gammarus

 8.2% Oligochaete

 4.3% Simulium

55.4% Chironomid

 3.6% Miscellaneous

21.0% Gastropod 

(Cobble)(27)

 0.4% Worm

 1.1% Gammarus

30.1% Oligochaete

14.3% Simulium

48.9% Chironomid

 1.2% Miscellaneous

 4.0% Gastropod

(Pool)(27)

Obtain from literature Metric is relative % of 

species.

Production Information Need Information Need Metric is g/m2/time

5 Maintain 

or attain

Benthic 

invertebrates

Distribution

Mainstem 

below the 

Paria River

 20 Worms

 500 Gammarus

 120 Oligochaetes

 10 Simulium

2150 Midges

 20 Miscellaneous

1580 Gastropod

(Cobble at Mile 2)(27)

Information Need
Goal 1. Protect or improve the aquatic foodbase so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Biomass Obtain from literature Information Need

Composition Obtain from literature Information Need

Production Obtain from literature Information Need

6 Maintain 

or attain

Aquatic 

macrophytes

Distribution

Mainstem 

below the 

Paria River

Obtain from literature Information Need

Abundance 0.024 g/m3/s (Plants)

0.056 g/m3/s (Detritus)

0.001 g/m3/s (Inverts)

7 Maintain Obtain from literature

or attain

Foodbase 

drift

Composition

Mainstem 

below GCD

29.2% (Plants)

69.3% (Detritus)

 1.1% (CPOM inverts)

 0.4% (FPOM inverts)

Obtain from literature CPOM is coarse 

particulate organic 

matter. FPOM is fine 

particulate OM.
Goal 2. Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish and remove jeopardy from humpback chub and razorback sucker.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

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attribute

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place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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LCR and 

mainstem 

within 3 

miles of LCR

8096 individuals(3; 36) Information Need Target to be based on 

91-96 population 

estimate, PVA, & Ne

8 Maintain 

or attain

Humpback 

chub (150 

mm and 

larger)

Abundance

Mainstem 

except within 

3 miles of the 

LCR

225 individuals(3; 36) Information Need Target to be based on 

91-96 population 

estimate, PVA, & Ne

LCR and 

mainstem 

within 3 

miles of LCR

Obtain from literature Information Need Metric is “catch per unit 

effort” (CPUE). See 

Gorman and 

Bramblett.(9) See 

synthesis by Coggins.

9 Maintain 

or attain

Humpback 

chub (51 mm 

to 150 mm)

Abundance

Mainstem 

except within 

3 miles of the 

LCR

0-74 captures/trip(9) Information Need

10 Establish Humpback 

chub

Populations CRE 

downstream 

of GCD

One self-sustaining 

population in the LCR

One additional selfsustaining population
Goal 2. Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish and remove jeopardy from humpback chub and razorback sucker.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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LCR and 

mainstem 

within 3 

miles of LCR

Condition Information Need Information Need

Mainstem 

except within 

3 miles of the 

LCR

Information Need Information Need

LCR and 

mainstem 

within 3 

miles of LCR

Information Need Information Need

11 Attain Humpback 

chub

Health

Mainstem 

except within 

3 miles of the 

LCR

Information Need Information Need

LCR and 

mainstem 

within 3 

miles of LCR

 Information Need Information Need See Gorman and 

Bramblett.(9)

12 Maintain 

or attain

Humpback 

chub

Spawning

Mainstem 

except within 

3 miles of the 

LCR

Information Need Information Need See Gorman and 

Bramblett.(9)
Goal 2. Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish and remove jeopardy from humpback chub and razorback sucker.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Predation on 

native fish

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need Metric is rate of 

predation. See Gorman 

and Bramblett.(9)

13 Reduce Non-native 

fish

Competition 

with native 

fish

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need

14 Attain Razorback 

sucker

Populations CRE below 

GCD

0 individuals(9) Information Need Target is capability of 

the habitat to support 

the species

Flannelmouth 

sucker

113 captures (5.3%)(9) Information Need Appropriate metric to be 

determined

Bluehead 

sucker

41 captures (1.9%)(9) Information Need Appropriate metric to be 

determined

15 Maintain

Speckled 

dace

Abundance CRE below 

GCD

391 captures (18.2%)(9) Information Need Appropriate metric to be 

determined
Goal 3. Restore populations of extirpated species, as feasible.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Colorado 

pikeminnow

0 individuals(9) Information Need

Bonytail 0 individuals(9) Information Need

Roundtail 

Chub

0 individuals(9) Information Need

16 Restore

River otter

Abundance CRE 

downstream 

of GCD

0 individuals(10) Information Need
Goal 4. Maintain a wild reproducing population of rainbow trout above Lees Ferrythe Paria River, to the extent practicable and consistent 

with the maintenance of viable populations of native fish.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance 262,000 Age II+ 

individuals(23)

100,000 Age II+ 

individuals

Growth rate 15” by Age III(23) 18” by Age III

Condition Wr = 0.82(23) Wr = 0.90

Health Information Need Information Need Metric is level of 

disease and parasite 

infections 

17 Maintain 

or attain

Rainbow 

trout

Spawning

Mainstem 

from Glen 

Canyon Dam 

to Paria River

Information Need Information Need
Goal 5. Establish water temperature, quality, and flow dynamics to achieve GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Temperature 

range

6.93-18.56 oC

(17) Use decision process Target may include 

several stations in the 

mainstem.

18 Attain Water

Seasonal 

variability of 

temperature

Mainstem

Information Need Use decision process

19 Maintain Water Quality Mainstem Information Need (for 

the specific water 

quality parameters to 

use). 

Obtain from literature 

and use decision process

Parameters may include 

nutrients, salinity, pH, 

DO, nitrogen, 

phosphorus, microbes, 

and others. Data 

available from 

NASQWAN(35)

Power plant 

operations

ROD operating criteria 

BHBF flows Maximum 45,000 cfs 

(March to April)

20 Maintain Flow 

dynamics

Habitat 

maintenance 

flows

Mainstem

ROD operating criteria

Current ROD operating 

criteria 

See MO 50 for 

experimental flows
Goal 6. Increase fine sediment storageMaintain or attain levels of sediment storage within the main channel and along shorelines to achieve 

GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance 329,000 m3 (35 sites)(12; 

31)

 Information Need Metric is area (m2) and 

volume (m3) as a rolling 

average. Target level 

should consider 

spawning habitat for 

trout in Glen Canyon.

Grain-size 0.3-0.4 mm(12; 31) Information Need Also see Kondolf.(16)

Target level should 

consider spawning 

habitat for trout in Glen 

Canyon.

21 Maintain 

or attain

Sediment

Distribution 

Main channel 

up to power 

plant capacity

Information Need Information Need Metric is # sandbars by 

reach. Target level 

should consider 

spawning habitat for 

trout in Glen Canyon.

Abundance 289,120 m3 (35 sites)(12; 

31)

Information Need Metric is area (m2) and 

volume (m3) as a rolling 

average

Grain-size 0.15-0.18 mm(12; 31) Information Need

22 Maintain 

or attain

Sediment

Distribution

Eddies up to 

power plant 

capacity

Information Need Information Need Metric is # sandbars by 

reach
Goal 6. Increase fine sediment storageMaintain or attain levels of sediment storage within the main channel and along shorelines to achieve 

GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance 0.37m (Glen Canyon)

0.60m (Marble Canyon)

0.80m (Grand Canyon) 

(12)

Information Need Metric is area (m2) and 

volume (m3) as a rolling 

average

Grain-size 0.15-0.18mm(31) Information Need

23 Maintain 

or attain

Sediment

Distribution

Shorelines 

between 

power plant 

capacity and 

maximum 

BHBF Information Need Information Need Metric is # sandbars by 

reach
Goal 7. Maintain or attain viable populations of Kanab ambersnail.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Vasey’s 

Paradise

 7100 (April 1999)

 6400 (May 1999)

20,000 (July 1999)

35,000 (Sept/Oct 1999)

(Individuals below 

70,000 cfs stage)(24)

Information Need The metric is the 

population parameter(s) 

that indicate viability. 

Target is a viable 

population.

24 Attain and 

maintain

Kanab 

ambersnail

Population

AZ (except 

Vasey’s 

Paradise)

 3 individuals

 (Keyhole)

21 individuals (Elves)

 0 individuals (Deer

 Creek)(1)

Information Need The metric is the 

population parameter(s) 

that indicate viability. 

Target is a viable 

population.

25 Maintain Kanab 

ambersnail

Habitat Vasey’s 

Paradise

82-99m2

(monkeyflower)

36.6 m2 (watercress)

(area below 70,000 cfs 

stage)(24)

Information Need Target is level needed to 

sustain a viable 

population.
Goal 8. Protect the presence of southwestern willow flycatcher and its critical habitat in a manner consistent with riparian ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

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attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance CRE below 

GCD

12 breeding pairs(26) Information Need The target is the number 

of breeding pairs that 

the habitat is capable of 

supporting. 

Distribution CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need The target is the 

distribution of breeding 

pairs that the habitat is 

capable of supporting.

26 Maintain 

or increase

Southwest 

willow 

flycatcher

Fledging 

success

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need See GCMRC(7)

27 Maintain Southwest 

willow 

flycatcher

Critical 

habitat

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need

28 Reduce Brownheaded 

cowbird

Brood 

parasitism

CRE 50% of nests 

parasitized(2)

Information Need
Goal 9. Protect or improve the biotic riparian and spring communities.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance 1215 patches (4.6 ha)(7) Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Composition Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

29 Maintain Marsh

Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Abundance Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Composition Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

30 Maintain New high 

water zone

Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Abundance Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Composition Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

31 Maintain Old high 

water zone

Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Abundance Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

Composition Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)

32 Maintain Sand beach

Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need See Kearsley(15) and 

Stevens et al.(29)
Goal 9. Protect or improve the biotic riparian and spring communities.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Abundance 157 species (Plants)(21; 

30)

33 Maintain Culturally Information Need

important 

species Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need

Abundance 95+ species (Plants)(28)

3 species (Birds)(28)

34 Reduce Invasive non- Information Need

native species

Distribution

CRE below 

GCD

Information Need Information Need
Goal 10. Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of 

GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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35 Maintain Visitor Physical 

access and 

safety

Mainstem Information Need Information Need Target level should be 

within the capacity of 

the CRE to absorb 

visitor impacts. Target 

level should consider 

GLCA and GRCA 

Management Plans. See 

Myers et al.(25)

36 Maintain 

or improve

Recreational 

spectrum

Quality and 

quantity

Glen Canyon Information Need GLCA Management 

Plan levels

Target level should be 

within the capacity of 

the CRE to absorb 

visitor impacts. Target 

level should consider 

GLCA and GRCA 

Management Plans. See 

Myers et al.

(25)

Size Information Need Information Need Target level should be 

within the capacity of 

the CRE to absorb 

visitor impacts. Target 

level should consider 

GLCA and GRCA 

Management Plans. See 

Myers et al.(25)

37 Maintain 

or increase

Camping 

beaches

Quality

Mainstem

Information Need Information Need Metric includes 

parameters for 

vegetation, sanitation, 

and shade
Goal 10. Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of 

GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Number 262 campsites(14) Information Need

Distribution 37% of campsites in 

critical reaches(14)

Information Need

38 Maintain 

or improve

Rapids Navigability Mainstem Information Need Information Need Target level to be 

developed from NPS 

on-river accident rates. 

See Myers et al.(25)
Goal 10. Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of 

GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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39 Maintain 

or enhance

Experience Wilderness Grand 

Canyon

Information Need Information Need Metric to include 

parameters for primitive 

character, unconfined 

experience, 

undeveloped natural and 

wild character, 

opportunities for 

solitude, sounds of 

nature and scenic 

beauty.
Goal 11. Maintain or increase power and energy generation within the framework of GCDAMP ecosystem goals.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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40 Maintain 

or increase 

Power Generation 

flexibility 

GCD ROD and current 

operating practices(33)

Information Need
Goal 12. Preserve, protect, manage, and treat Ccultural resources within the river corridor shall be preserved, protected, managed and treated 

for the inspiration and benefit of past, present and future generations.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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41 Preserve Registereligible 

properties

National 

Register 

integrity

APE Information Need 100% of extant historic 

properties

Target level should 

consider recreational 

impacts. See USBR(32)

and Leap et al.(19)

42 Preserve Other cultural 

resources

Cultural 

values

CRE Information Need Information Need Target level should 

consider recreational 

impacts.

43 Attain and 

maintain

Management 

action

Consultation CRE Information Need 100% of management 

actions

See USBR(32)

44 Protect 

and 

maintain

Traditional 

cultural 

resources

Physical 

access 

CRE Information Need Information Need See USBR(34)

45 Integrate Information Cultural and 

other 

resources

CRE Synthesis report(30) Information Need
Goal 13. Maintain a high-quality monitoring, research, and adaptive management program.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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Hydropower N/A Information Need Information Need

Air quality N/A Information Need Information Need

Wilderness N/A Information Need Information Need

Recreation N/A Information Need Information Need

Non-use 

values

N/A Information Need Information Need

46 Maintain 

or attain

Socioeconomic 

data

Tribal & 

spiritual 

values

N/A Information Need Information Need

The current level is how 

much socioeconomic 

data we have on the 

attributes. The target 

level is how much 

socioeconomic data is 

needed for adequate 

decision-making.

47 Attain and 

maintain 

Monitoring 

and research 

program

Natural, 

cultural, and 

recreational 

resources

CRE GCMRC Strategic Plan Updated GCMRC 

Strategic Plan

That 

acknowledges 

uncertainty 

and uses 

experimentati

on, 

monitoring & 

research

48 Attain and Information Need Information Need

maintain 

AMP 

composed of 

all 

stakeholders

Participation

N/A

See meeting records Information Need

49 Attain and 

maintain

Funding Tribal 

Participation

AMP $75,000 (Appropriated)

$400,000 (Power 

revenues)

Information Need
Goal 13. Maintain a high-quality monitoring, research, and adaptive management program.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

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50 Conduct Experimental 

flows

Flow 

dynamics

Mainstem Information Need Information Need Target level is the 

experiments needed to 

gain critical understanding of ecosystem 

function under different 

dam operations.

51 Conduct Management 

experiments

Other 

management 

actions

CRE Information Need Information Need Target level is the 

experiments needed to 

gain critical understanding of ecosystem function under different 

management alternatives outside of dam 

operations.

52 Build AMP Public 

support

N/A Information Need Information Need Metric should include 

GCMRC and BOR web 

pages; GCD programs 

and tours; AMWG 

Outreach Committee; 

publications; various 

AMWG member 

activities.

Foundation 

and Corporate

N/A $0 Information Need

Appropriated N/A $75,000 (FY2000) $1,485,000 (FY2002)

State Agency N/A Obtain from literature Information Need

53 Maintain 

or attain

Funding

Power 

revenues

N/A $6.22M (for GCMRC) 

$1.443M (for BOR)

Information Need
Goal 13. Maintain a high-quality monitoring, research, and adaptive management program.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

MO Document Last Saved 9/8/002:52 PM Page 28.

54 Maintain 

or attain

Participation Externallyfunded 

investigators

CRE Information Need Information Need Current and target levels 

should include small 

and cost-shared projects 

in NPS, AGFD, etc.
Goal 14. Build a broad, effective outreach program.. NOTE: This goal is now part of Goal 13.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

MO Document Last Saved 9/8/002:52 PM Page 29.
Goal 15. Broaden the funding base to achieve GCDAMP Goals and Objectives. NOTE: This goal is now part of Goal 13.

ID# Perform 

some 

action

On some 

element

On some 

attribute

At some 

place

From the current level To the target level Comments

MO Document Last Saved 9/8/002:52 PM Page 30.
Glossary

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ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Adaptive management is an iterative process, designed to experimentally compare selected 

management actions by evaluating alternative hypotheses about the ecosystem being managed. 

It consists of three parts: management actions, monitoring, and adaptation. Management actions 

are treated as experiments subject to modification. Monitoring is conducted to detect the effects 

of the management actions. Finally, management actions are refined based on the enhanced 

understanding about how the ecosystem responds.

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is “the variety of organisms considered at all levels, from genetic variants belonging 

to the same species through arrays of species to arrays of genera, families, and still higher 

taxonomic levels [including] ... the variety of ecosystems...”(38)

BIOTIC COMMUNITY

A biotic community is a “group of organisms ... that co-occur in the same habitat or area and 

interact through trophic and spatial relationships....”(20) 

COLORADO RIVER ECOSYSTEM

The Colorado River ecosystem 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. It includes the 

downstream inundation level to which dam operations impact physical, biological, recreational, 

cultural, and other resources. The scope of GCDAMP activities may include limited 

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

CONCEPTUAL MODEL

A conceptual model is an “assessment of the dynamics of the more important compartments and 

fluxes of material or energy in a system [i.e., patterns and processes], or of changes in a 

population.”(20) A conceptual model is a heuristic tool to provide a framework for thinking about 

how an ecosystem functions and to discover gaps in our knowledge. 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Cultural resources includes, but is not necessarily limited to, any prehistoric or historic district, 

site, building, structure, landscape, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in the National 

Register, including artifacts, records, and material remains related to such a property or resource. 

Properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe are included in this 

definition under Section 101(d)(6)(A) of NHPA. 

ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem is “a community of organisms and their physical environment interacting as an 

ecological unit.”(20) An ecosystem consists of patterns and processes that are dynamic and occur 

within a particular range of temporal and spatial variability. 

ECOSYSTEM INTEGRITY

Ecosystem integrity is “the ability to support and maintain a balanced, integrated, adaptive 

biological system having the full range of elements (genes, species, and assemblages) and 
Glossary

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processes (mutation, demography, biotic interactions, nutrient and energy dynamics, and 

metapopulation processes) expected in the natural habitat of a region.”(13) Ecosystem integrity is 

related to ecosystem resilience (i.e., the capacity to maintain characteristic patterns and 

processes) following a disturbance. 

ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

An ecosystem management approach differs from an issue-, species-, or resource-specific 

approach. Ecosystem management is a method for sustaining or restoring ecosystems and their 

functions and values. “It is goal driven, and it is based on a collaboratively developed vision of 

desired future conditions that integrates ecological, economic, and social factors. It is applied 

within a geographic framework defined primarily by ecological boundaries.”(11) Ecosystem 

management is a process that attempts to mimic appropriate ecosystem patterns (abundance and 

distribution of species and habitats) and ecosystem processes (drivers of ecosystem patterns). It 

includes managing for viable populations of all native species.

ECOSYSTEM PATTERNS

Ecosystem pattern is the abundance of species, biotic communities, and physical habitats, as well 

as their spatial and temporal distribution. This is a broader concept than “composition and 

structure.” Composition usually refers only to species presence or absence, and structure usually 

refers to the distribution of biotic communities.

ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES

Ecosystem processes are the abiotic (i.e., non-living) and biotic (i.e., living) functions, 

disturbances, or events that shape ecosystem patterns. There are physical processes (e.g., fire, 

hydrologic, geomorphic, and climatic regimes; air chemistry, nutrient cycling), biological 

processes (e.g., competition, predation, herbivory, parasitism, disease, migration, dispersal, gene 

flow, succession, recruitment, maturation), and anthropogenic processes (e.g., habitat 

conversion, novel toxins, vandalism).

MONITORING

Monitoring is the “collection and analysis of repeated observations or measurements to evaluate 

changes in condition and progress toward meeting a management objective.”(4) Monitoring needs 

to produce data of sufficient statistical power to detect a trend if in fact it is occurring.(8)

Monitoring differs from inventorying, which is the measurement of environmental attributes at a 

given point in time to determine what is there. It also differs from research, which is the 

measurement of environmental attributes to test a specific hypothesis.

RANGE OF NATURAL VARIABILITY

The Range of Natural Variability is the spatial and temporal variation in ecosystem patterns and 

ecosystem processes under which the ecosystem has evolved. The range of natural variability for 

ecological processes is usually defined by their frequency (e.g., number/year), intensity (e.g., 

cubic feet per second), duration (e.g., number of days), magnitude (e.g., acres), seasonally, and 

rate of change. See Landres(18) for a full discussion.
Glossary

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REASONABLE AND PRUDENT ALTERNATIVE

“Reasonable and prudent alternatives refer to alternative actions identified during formal 

consultation that can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the 

action, that can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal agency's legal authority 

and jurisdiction, that is economically and technologically feasible, and that the Director believes 

would avoid the likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species or resulting 

in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.”(5)

REASONABLE AND PRUDENT MEASURE

“Reasonable and prudent measures refer to those actions the Director believes necessary or 

appropriate to minimize the impacts, i.e., amount or extent of incidental take.”(5)

RECOVERY

Recovery is improvement in the status of a listed species to the point at which listing is no longer 

appropriate, under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act (5).

REMOVAL OF JEOPARDY

To “jeopardize the continued existence of [a listed species] means to engage in an action that 

reasonably would be expected, directly or indirectly, to reduce appreciably the likelihood of both 

the survival and recovery of a listed species in the wild by reducing the reproduction, numbers, 

or distribution of that species.”(5) Removing (or avoiding) jeopardy is intended to be 

accomplished through the implementation of reasonable and prudent alternatives. 

RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM

The riparian ecosystem is the streamside zone that is influenced by rive rine processes, e.g., flood 

regime and distance to subsurface water. 

RIVERINE ECOSYSTEM

The riverine ecosystem is any area typically inundated by the river. 

VIABLE POPULATION

A population is considered viable when there is a high chance of persistence over a long 

timeframe without demographic or genetic augmentation. Population viability is not the same as 

“recovery” or “removal of jeopardy” for a species. However, the concept of population viability 

is an important consideration in determining recovery and removal of jeopardy.
Literature cited

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1. AGFD. 1999. Kanab ambersnail translocation efforts in Grand Canyon. Arizona Game and 

Fish Department. 

2. Brown, B.T. 1994. Rates of brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds on riparian 

passerines in Arizona. Journal of Field Ornithology 65: 160-168.

3. Douglas, M.E. and P.C. Marsh. 1996. Population estimates/population movements of Gila 

cypha, an endangered cyprinid fish in the Grand Canyon region of Arizona. Copeia 1996: 

15-28.

4. Elzinga, C.L., et al. 1998. Measuring and monitoring plant populations. BLM.

5. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1986. 

Interagency cooperation - Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended; final rule, June 

3. Federal Register 51: 19926-19963.

6. GCMRC. 1998. Draft GCMRC response to the Glen Canyon TWG (ad-hoc group) request for 

assessment of a proposal to develop a research plan to analyze resource responses to 

alternative BHBF and load-following releases from Glen Canyon Dam. Grand Canyon 

Monitoring and Research Center. 

7. GCMRC. 1999. The state of natural and cultural resources in the Colorado River ecosystem: 

1998 report. Glen Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. Dated 8 Dec 1998. 

8. Gibbs, J.P., et al. 1998. Monitoring populations of plants and animals. BioScience 48: 935-

940.

9. Gorman, O.T. and R.G. Bramblett. 1999. Monitoring and studies of native fishes of the 

Colorado River ecosystem in Grand Canyon, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

10. Hoffmeister, D.F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. University of Arizona Press, Tucson.

11. Interagency Ecosystem Management Task Force. 1995. The ecosystem approach: healthy 

ecosystems and sustainable economies. National Technical Information Service.

12. Kaplinski, M., et al. 2000. Monitoring fine-sediment storage of the Colorado River 

ecosystem below Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. Northern Arizona University Department 

of Geology. 

13. Karr, J.R. 1996. Ecological integrity and ecological health are not the same. Pages 97-109 in 

P. Schulze, ed. Engineering within ecological constraints. National Academy Press, 

Washington, D.C.
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14. Kearsley, L.H., et al. 1999. Changes in the number and size of campsites as determined by 

inventories and measurement. Pages 147-159 in R.H. Webb, et al., eds. The controlled 

flood in Grand Canyon. American Geophysical Union.

15. Kearsley, M.J.C., et al. 1999. Second year transition monitoring of riparian vegetation from 

Glen Canyon Dam to Pearce Ferry: draft final report. Report prepared for the Grand 

Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. 

16. Kondolf, G.M. 2000. Assessing salmonid spawning gravel quality. Transactions of the 

American Fisheries Society 129: 262-281.

17. Korn, J. and W. Vernieu. 1998. Mainstem and tributary temperature monitoring in Grand 

Canyon, Arizona. Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. 

18. Landres, P.B., et al. 1999. Overview of the use of natural variability concepts in managing 

ecological systems. Ecological Applications 9: 1179-1188.

19. Leap, L.M., et al. 2000. Grand Canyon monitoring project 1992-1999: synthesis and annual 

report FY99. Grand Canyon National Park and Northern Arizona University. 

20. Lincoln, R., et al. 1998. A dictionary of ecology, evolution and systematics. Cambridge 

University Press, Cambridge.

21. Lomaomvaya, M., et al. 1999. Ongtuvaqava sakwtala: Hopi ethnobotany in the Grand 

Canyon, review draft. Hopi Tribe. 

22. McKinney, T., et al. 1999. Lotic community responses in the Lees Ferry reach. Pages 249-

258 in R.H. Webb, et al., eds. The controlled flood in Grand Canyon. American 

Geophysical Union.

23. McKinney, T.R.S. and W.R. Persons. 1999. Rainbow trout and lower trophic levels in the 

Lees Ferry tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish 

Department. 

24. Meretsky, V.J. and D.L. Wegner. 1999. Kanab ambersnail at Vaseys Paradise, Grand Canyon 

National Park, 1998-99 monitoring and research: draft final report. SWCA, Inc. 

25. Myers, T.M., et al. 1999. Fateful journey: injury and death on Colorado River trips in 

Grand Canyon. Red Lake Books, Flagstaff.

26. Paradzick, C.E., et al. 2000. Southwestern willow flycatcher 1999 survey and nest 

monitoring report. Technical Report 151. Arizona Game and Fish Department. 

27. Shannon, J.P., et al. 1999. Monitoring the aquatic food base in the Colorado River, Arizona 

during fiscal year 1999. Northern Arizona University. Report prepared for the Grand 

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28. Stevens, L.E. and T.J. Ayers. In press. The biodiversity and distribution of alien vascular 

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