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GCMRC Survey Department

control point

The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) Survey Department was established in 1992 by its predecessor, Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (GCES), to perform a variety of mapping activities that directly support natural and cultural resource monitoring and research in the Colorado River Ecosystem (CRE). Currently, the Survey Department provides support to GCMRC scientists to collect spatially referenced field data. The three main services the GCMRC

control point

Survey Department provides are positional control, terrestrial mapping, and hydrographic mapping. The products generated by these services are geo-referenced, terrestrial and hydrographic base maps and change detection maps throughout the ecosystem, as well as positional data for remote sensing applications. The scientific scope of work for the survey department is determined by the requirements of GCMRC science programs which are in turn derived from management objectives and information needs identified by the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management and Technical Work Groups.

computer generated river model

Although the GCMRC Survey Department primarily supports spatial data collected for resource monitoring and research projects initiated by GCMRC scientists, the survey department manages the channel base map data and the control network data.

river bank boat

The detailed functions of the GCMRC Survey Department are summarized in the following five mission statements:

1) Provide high quality mapping support to GCMRC scientists and their contractors for volumetric or surface area change detection.

2) Provide consistent and high quality support for acquiring remotely sensed data sets utilized by multiple researchers.

3) Provide a consistent and high quality geographic control from which to spatially reference scientific research and monitoring data in real world coordinate systems

4) Provide topographic and hydrographic base maps and resource mapping products that provide a basis for many monitoring and research projects funded by the GCMRC.

5) Evaluate and develop new technologies for monitoring and research activities in the ecosystem with the goal of reducing impact and cost and increasing the quality of science.

To successfully support GCMRC scientists and their research, the GCMRC Survey Department often relies on the assistance of volunteers, cooperating agencies, and river boatmen. These people facilitate field data collection operations and help the survey department accomplish project objectives. The GCMRC Survey Department commends and appreciates their hard work. Furthermore, the survey department would like to acknowledge all former survey department staff for their contribution to the spatial positioning of data in the Grand Canyon.

Web site links commonly used by the Survey Department.