Glen Canyon Dam Technical Work Group Webinar/Conference Call

January 25, 2018

Date: January 25, 2018 Start Time: 8:30 a.m. MDT

Conducting: Seth Shanahan, TWG Chair

Vineetha Kartha, TWG Vice-Chair

Committee Members/Alternates Present:

Melinda Arviso-Ciocco, Navajo Nation

Jan Balsom, NPS/GRCA 

Cliff Barrett, USAMPS 

Carlee Brown, State of Colorado 

Charley Bulletts, Southern Paiute Consortium

Shane Capron, WAPA

Kerry Christensen, Hualapai Tribe

Kevin Dahl, National Parks Conservation Assn. 

Bill Davis, CREDA

Kurt Dongoske, Pueblo of Zuni

Craig Ellsworth, WAPA

Katrina Grantz, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Paul Harms, State of New Mexico (phone)

Ken Hyde, NPS/GLNRA

Leslie James, CREDA

Robert King, State of Utah

Ryan Mann, Arizona Game & Fish Department

Jessica Neuwerth, State of California

Don Ostler, 

Ben Reeder, Grand Canyon River Guides

Peggy Roefer, CRC/Nevada

Larry Stevens, Grand Canyon Wildlands Council

Jim Strogen, Federation of Fly Fishers/TU

Steve Wolff, State of Wyoming

Michael Yeatts, the Hopi Tribe

Kirk Young, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Committee Members Absent:

Chip Lewis, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center: 

Helen Fairley, Program Manager

Ted Kennedy, Aquatic Biologist

Mike Moran, Deputy Center Director

Scott VanderKooi, Center Director

Interested Persons

Rob Billerbeck, NPS

David Braun, Sound Science LLC

Kathy Callister, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Bill Chada, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Marianne Crawford, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

Paul Davidson, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Brent Esslin, Arizona Dept. of Water Resources

Alicyn Gitlin, Sierra Club 

Jessica Gwinn, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Amy Haas, Upper Colorado River Commission

Heather Hansman, Reporter

Brian Healy, NPS/GRCA

John Jordan, Federation of Fly Fishers/TU

Don Ostler, Upper Colorado River Commission

Clayton Palmer, Western Area Power Administration

Theresa Pasqual, DOI Joint Tribal Liaison

Sarah Rinkevich, DOI Joint Tribal Liaison

Dave Rogowski, Arizona Game & Fish Department

Mike Runge, U.S. Geological Survey

Steve Spangle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Meeting Recorder: Linda Whetton

Welcome and Administrative: Mr. Shanahan welcomed the members and the public. Introductions 

were made and a quorum determined.

• Ms. Grantz thanked everyone for their understanding in cancelling plans to attend the AR/TWG meetings as a 

result of the government shutdown. The ARM will be rescheduled in March.

• Approval of August 30-31, 2017, Meeting Minutes. Pending one change, the minutes were approved by 

consensus.

• Approval of October 12, 2017, Meeting Minutes. Pending two changes, the minutes were approved by 

consensus.

• Ad Hoc Group Updates. Mr. Shanahan disbanded the CRAHG, however, a Cultural Resources update will be a 

standing agenda item for future meetings with Mr. Chada providing updates as needed on the HPP, PA, or other 

issues.

• Science Advisors Program Update – Mr. Braun. The review of the Bright Angel/BT Removal Project draft report 

will be completed tomorrow. The SA will review the “White Paper.” Mike Runge will address the topic this 

afternoon. Mr. Braun will distribute the BA reviews to NPS and BOR when completed and BOR will determine 
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Final Minutes of January 25, 2018 Webinar/Conference Call Page 2

broader distribution. The new SA authorization covers: (1) external review topics for FY18-20, and (2) reestablishing a standing expert panel of science advisors to provide routine advisory services covering annual 

reports, work plans, triennial knowledge assessment and the triennial planning cycle. They will send out surveys 

for the external review topics and areas of expertise that should be represented. There will be two additional 

surveys for the final ranking of the external review topics and a survey for nominations for the expert panel once 

the list of expertise is finalized. 

• Update on GCMRC Water Quality Review – Mr. Moran. The review was held Oct 24-26, 2017, in Page, AZ. It 

went quite well with a good mix of presentations and discussions. A field trip was scheduled to Lake Powell, 

including Wahweap Station, and a GCD tour, and a boat trip to Horseshoe Bend. Mike received a draft report 3 

weeks ago and expects the report to be final in a few weeks. 

• Update on Potential Rainbow Trout Stocking in Glen Canyon – Mr. Spangle. The FWS has a proposed action 

from AZGF and are trying to arrange a meeting with Jim deVos and Chris Cantrell to better understand the scope 

of the proposed action. Their intent is to do Section 7 consultation and enter into an MOU with AZGFD on fish 

stocking in the Colorado River. Dr. Grantz will talk offline with Steve about a presentation at the upcoming AMWG 

meeting. Mr. Dongoske expressed Pueblo of Zuni concerns about stocking RBT followed by mechanical removal. 

Mr. Reeder pointed out that the lack of nutrients in the system limits invertebrate production and it cannot support

the additional trout.

• Update on Monitoring and Research Trips (Attachment 1) – Mr. VanderKooi. A table of planned GCMRC River 

Trips and field activities through April 2018 was provided. Mr. Healy: NPS added that periodic BT tracking trips 

were taking place in GLCA. Starting monthly in March there will be some RBS trips going out, small bodied and 

larval fish sampling, and work at Shinumo Creek as part of translocation projects outside the AMP. 

Long-Term Experimental and Management (LTEMP) Biological Opinion Conservation Measures 

Update (Attachment 2) – Mr. VanderKooi and Ms. Grantz. Reclamation completed a report on the status 

of progress on compliance for the LTEMP BO and sent it to the FWS for their review. Once the report is 

finalized, it will be shared with the TWG. The numbers of HBC in 2017 were above the Tier-1 threshold of 

9,000 HBC. 

Discussion of Possible Experimental and Management Actions that May be Implemented for 

CY18 – Ms. Grantz. The process of communication and consultation for the LTEMP was explained. It’s 

important to hold an in-person annual reporting meeting to review the work that will be done under the 

LTEMP ROD. Reclamation will meet with tribes in a separate venue to develop a 2-step consultation 

and notification process regarding experiments. Based on the types of experiments envisioned in the 

LTEMP, the earliest one could be implemented would be beginning in May. There is support for doing 

bug flows and to consider partial TMFs, although an appropriate design for TMFs would take some

timeto develop. 

Discussion Regarding the Development of Monitoring Metrics for the Goals and Objectives in 

Section 1.4 of the LTEMP Final Environmental Impact Statement (Attachment 3) – Mr. Shanahan. A 

review of past work done by the AMWG and TWG and their respective roles in developing metrics was 

presented. One of the standing requirements of the TWG is to consult with GCMRC in developing 

criteria and standards for monitoring and research programs but this is not the same as developing goals 

and metrics. He suggested using the Knowledge Assessment as a possible framework that could be 

used in a longer-term perspective. Even if that activity didn’t have enough time to resolve all issues, it 

provided a way to organize all the information in what we know about how experiments affect resources. 

However, there are still some gaps. Next steps: (1) TWG members should outreach to their AMWG 

representatives and, (2) Reclamation needs to develop a process to complete the work. 

Update on Hydrology and Operations (Attachment 4) ̶Mr. Davidson. Due to extremely dry conditions, 

we’re trailing the worst hydrologic year on record. As of January 23, the upper basin SWE is 66% of 

median with 36% of total average accumulation and 61% through the snow accumulation season. The

inflow forecast for Lake Powell is 54% of average. The Lake Powell 2018 Operating Tier was set in 

August 2017 as the Upper Elevation Balancing Tier. The minimum, most, and maximum probable inflow 

scenarios show a projected initial annual release of 8.23 maf, with an April adjustment to balancing
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Final Minutes of January 25, 2018 Webinar/Conference Call Page 3

releases of 9.0 maf. None of the inflow scenarios show a chance of equalization. Lake Powell ended 

CY2017 at 3,622.85 feet (58% full). Projections for 2019, show some variance in the range of projected 

reservoir elevations. With projected annual releases from Lake Powell of 9.0 maf in the minimum, most 

and maximum probable inflow scenarios, there is not a lot of variance in the range of projected 

elevations at Lake Mead. The only thing that would vary are the side inflows into Glen Canyon and Lake 

Mead. Scheduled maintenance at GCD currently projects that all hydropower 8 units would be available 

for a possible HFE in November 2018. 

End of Fiscal Year 2017 Reclamation Budget Report (Attachment 5a) - Ms. Grantz. The budget is on 

a 3-year triennial budget cycle and FY17 was the third and final year of that budget cycle. In FY17 the 

total amount allocated with a CPI of CPI rate of 1.5% was $10,916,000 for the overall program. The total 

amount was divided with Reclamation’s portion at $2,110,000 and GCMRC’s receiving $8,806,000 from 

power revenues. Reclamation’s total expenditures for FY17 was $1,359,642. The current balance for the 

Native Fish Conservation Contingency Fund is estimated at $1,600,000, but needs to be confirmed.

GCMRC FY 2017 Budget Update (Attachment 5b) – Mr. VanderKooi. He presented a pie chart showing 

the division of research projects out of the FY15-17 work plan specifically for FY17. Each of the projects 

are listed and what proportion of the budget they comprise. The budget that was initially recommended 

by the AMWG and approved by the Department assumed an incorrect an CPI rate of 3% which resulted 

in a lower level. They also had projected that they would be in their new building but that hasn’t 

happened. The amount of $9,040,000 is funding that was needed after changes and overhead rates, CPI 

change, and what was required to do the work outlined in the FY17 work plan. 

Brown Trout in Lees Ferry: Evaluation of Causal Hypotheses and Potential Interventions

(Attachment 6) - Mr. Runge. Increases in brown trout were observed in Lees Ferry from 2013-16 which 

led to questions about the causes and potential interventions. A BT workshop was held in September 

2017 to investigate the questions. Following the workshop, a writing team was convened to continue the 

evaluation in greater depth. The report should provide information on what the possible tradeoffs are 

using different strategies. The following schedule was provided:

Jan 25 Update to TWG

Jan 30-31 Working meeting, finalize results

Feb 14 Present results to the AMWG

Mar 1 Submit report for peer review

Mar 15 Reviews returned

Apr 1 USGS Open-File Report published

Expanded Non-Native Management Plan Below Glen Canyon Dam (Attachment 7) – Mr. Billerbeck. 

Many of the threats of non-natives have been addressed from tools under two processes, the CFMP and 

aspects of the LTEMP. GSF were located in Glen Canyon in multiple years right after the LTEMP was 

completed. BT also appeared to be increasing. Other non-natives will likely appear over time. There will 

be no change to the existing compliance; the CFMP and LTEMP. Additional tools will be considered to

prevent, control, minimize, or eradicate potentially harmful non-native species or the risks associated 

with their presence. The Lees Ferry recreational RBT fishery is very important to NPS and there are 

many partners that have a vested interest in this recreational opportunity. Public scoping meetings were 

held and they were asked to consider other threats to native species and some tools may be ruled out.

Date/Time Frame Activity or Event

Nov 15, 2017 – Jan 5, 2018 Public scoping and meetings held in Arizona with one 

webinar

January – April 2018 Review public comments/produce scoping report, collect 

contributing studies, coordinate with cooperators, revise 
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alternative options or dismiss options, analyze impacts 

and prepare a draft EA

May 2018 EA made available for 30-day public review and 

comment public meetings

Late Summer/Early Fall 2018 NPS issues decision document, as appropriate

Discussion of Emerging Issues and Request for Agenda Items for Next Meeting – Mr. Shanahan. 

• The Trout Ad Hoc Group has expressed a desire to have the TAHG review and discuss the NPS EA as it relates 

to impacts on the RBT fishery and TWG provide feedback.

• Stocking issues 

• Possible experiments

• Consideration of a springtime HFE as soon as possible (2020) and the process involved.

• Request from WAPA to include a presentation by Dr. Hank Jenkins-Smith relative to hydropower evaluation. 

• It may be timely to have a NOAA presentation on climate changes affecting hydrology within the basin

• Action following the release of the BT Workshop report.

• Plans for a TCD feasibility study

• GCMRC report on how much life was lost during the work in the canyon doing monitoring and research and/or 

management actions. 

Public Comment: None

Adjourned: 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Whetton

Upper Colorado Region

Bureau of Reclamation
Glen Canyon Dam Technical Work Group

Final Minutes of January 25, 2018 Webinar/Conference Call Page 5

Key to Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program Acronyms

ADWR – Arizona Dept. of Water Resources

AF – Acre Feet

AZGFD – Arizona Game and Fish Department

AIF – Agenda Information Form

AMP – Adaptive Management Program

AMWG – Adaptive Management Work Group

AOP – Annual Operating Plan

ARM – Annual Reporting Meeting

ASMR – Age-Structure Mark Recapture

BA – Biological Assessment

BAHG – Budget Ad Hoc Group

BCOM – Biological Conservation Measure

BE – Biological Evaluation

BHBF – Beach/Habitat-Building Flow

BHMF – Beach/Habitat Maintenance Flow

BIA – Bureau of Indian Affairs

BO – Biological Opinion

BOR – Bureau of Reclamation

BWP – Budget and Work Plan

BT – Brown Trout

CAHG – Charter Ad Hoc Group

CAP – Central Arizona Project

CESU – Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit

cfs – cubic feet per second

CFMP – Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan

CMINS – Core Monitoring Information Needs

CMP – Core Monitoring Plan

CRBC – Colorado River Board of California

CRAHG – Cultural Resources Ad Hoc Group

CRCN – Colorado River Commission of Nevada

CRE – Colorado River Ecosystem

CREDA – Colorado River Energy Distributors Assn.

CRSP – Colorado River Storage Project

CWCB – Colorado Water Conservation Board

DAHG – Desired Future Conditions Ad Hoc Group

DASA – Data Acquisition, Storage, and Analysis

DBMS – Data Base Management System

DOE – Department of Energy

DOI – Department of the Interior

DOIFF – Department of the Interior Federal Family

EA – Environmental Assessment

EIS – Environmental Impact Statement

ESA – Endangered Species Act

FACA – Federal Advisory Committee Act

FEIS – Final Environmental Impact Statement

FRN – Federal Register Notice

FWS – United States Fish & Wildlife Service

FY – Fiscal Year (October 1 – September 30)

GCD – Glen Canyon Dam

GCES – Glen Canyon Environmental Studies

GCT – Grand Canyon Trust

GCMRC – Grand Canyon Monitoring & Research Center

GCNP – Grand Canyon National Park

GCNRA – Glen Canyon Nat’l Recreation Area

GCPA – Grand Canyon Protection Act

GLCA – Glen Canyon Nat’l Recreation Area

GRCA – Grand Canyon National Park

GCRG – Grand Canyon River Guides

GCWC – Grand Canyon Wildlands Council

GSF – Green Sunfish

HBC – Humpback Chub (endangered native fish)

HFE – High Flow Experiment

HMF – Habitat Maintenance Flow

HPP – Historic Preservation Plan

IG – Interim Guidelines

INs – Information Needs

KA – Knowledge Assessment (workshop)

LCR – Little Colorado River

LCRMCP – Lower Colorado River Multi-Species 

Conservation Program

LTEMP – Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan

LTEP – Long Term Experimental Plan

MAF – Million Acre Feet

MA – Management Action

MATA – Multi-Attribute Trade-Off Analysis

MLFF – Modified Low Fluctuating Flow

MO – Management Objective

MRP – Monitoring and Research Plan

NAU – Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ)

NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act

NHPA – National Historic Preservation Act

NNFC – Non-native Fish Control

NOI – Notice of Intent

NPCA – National Parks Conservation Association

NPS – National Park Service

NRC – National Research Council

O&M – Operations & Maintenance (Reclamation Funding)

PA – Programmatic Agreement

PBR – Paria to Badger Creek Reach

PEP – Protocol Evaluation Panel

POAHG – Public Outreach Ad Hoc Group

Powerplant Capacity = 31,000 cfs

R&D – Research and Development

RBT – Rainbow Trout

RFP – Request for Proposal

RINs – Research Information Needs

ROD Flows – Record of Decision Flows

RPA – Reasonable and Prudent Alternative

SA – Science Advisors

SAEC – Science Advisors – Executive Coordinator

Secretary – Secretary of the Interior

SCORE – State of the Colorado River Ecosystem

SHPO – State Historic Preservation Office

SOW – Statement of Work

SPG – Science Planning Group

SSQs – Strategic Science Questions

SWCA – Steven W. Carothers Associates

TCD – Temperature Control Device

TCP – Traditional Cultural Property

TEK – Traditional Ecological Knowledge

TES – Threatened and Endangered Species

TMC – Taxa of Management Concern

TMF – Trout Management Flows

TWG – Technical Work Group

UCRC – Upper Colorado River Commission

UDWR – Utah Division of Water Resources

USBR – United States Bureau of Reclamation

USFWS – United States Fish & Wildlife Service

USGS – United States Geological Survey

WAPA – Western Area Power Administration

WY – Water Year