Skip Navigation Links

October 1 to October 31, 2004

1. Highlights of GCMRC activities:

AMWG Outreach Meeting Attended: Mike Liszewski attended the AMWG Outreach Ad-Hoc meeting in Phoenix, AZ, on October 4th. The meeting was attended by members of the Outreach Ad-Hoc committee chaired by Pam Hyde of the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council. The purpose of the meeting was to review progress on the short-term public outreach strategy and begin development of long-term public outreach strategy. Contact: Mike Liszewski, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, AZ; telephone: 928-556-7458; email: mjlisz@usgs.gov.

Adaptive Management Work Group Meeting Attended: Jeff Lovich, Mike Liszewski, Helen Fairley, Ted Melis, Scott Wright, Barb Ralston, and Phil Davis attended the Adaptive Management Work Group meeting in Phoenix, AZ, on October 25 and 26. The meeting was attended by members of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group chaired by Michael Gabaldon, Secretary's designee from the Bureau of Reclamation. Jeff Lovich presented an update on the SCORE report and the core monitoring and strategic work plans and Ted Melis presented an update on sediment input into the Colorado River below Lee's Ferry. Contact: Jeff Lovich, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, AZ; telephone: 928-556-7358; email: jeffrey_lovich@usgs.gov.

Lake Powell Water Quality Survey: Researchers Bill Vernieu and Nick Voichick of the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center conducted a quarterly Lake Powell water quality survey September 9-14, 2004, with assistance from National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation personnel. They surveyed 25 sites on the Colorado, San Juan, and Escalante Rivers upstream from Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell's surface elevation is currently 3,571 feet, the lowest level recorded since May 1970 (representing 42% of capacity). Glen Canyon Dam release temperature was 55°F on September 9, 2004, the highest temperature for the month of September since 1971, due to continued reservoir drawdown from the prolonged drought. Contact: Bill Vernieu, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ; telephone: 928-556-7051; email: bvernieu@usgs.gov.

Lake Powell Fluctuations: On September 28, 2004, Bill Vernieu of the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center led a boat trip for Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service public affairs officials to help assess Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's efforts to provide accessibility to Lake Powell's resources as water levels decline. During the expedition to Rainbow Bridge, Vernieu also briefed the officials on the effects of the continuing drought on Lake Powell's surface elevations and water quality. Contact: Bill Vernieu, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ; telephone: 928-556-7051; email: bvernieu@usgs.gov.

Grand Canyon Reference Points: Keith Kohl of the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) and Lex Newcomb of the National Park Service (NPS) have unveiled an updated Grand Canyon primary geographic control network. The network now includes highly accurate coordinates for more than 32 stations. Cooperation among GCMRC, NPS, and the National Geodetic Survey has resulted in station at all Lake Powell marinas, on the San Juan River, and at Marble Canyon, Arizona, and Hanksville and Mexican Hat, Utah. These stations will be included into the National Spatial Reference System and will serve as the foundation for all geodetic measurements in the region. The GPS survey highlights the need for accurate geographic control throughout Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Contact: Keith Kohl, USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Southwest Biological Science Center; telephone (928) 556-7371; email kkohl@usgs.gov.

2. GCMRC in the news:

South Florida Sun Sentinel article - A full page article covering natural and cultural resource issues relating to the Colorado River Ecosystem and the Glen Canyon Dam was printed in the South Florida Sun Sentinel on October 24, 2004. The article included coverage on fish habitat, cultural sites, hydrology, and sediment. The article mentioned the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program as being part of the solution in addressing these issues. Overall it was very positive and provided good coverage. Contact: Mike Liszewski, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, AZ; telephone: 928-556-7458; email: mjlisz@usgs.gov.

3. New publications received by the GCMRC library:

Message from the librarian- No new final reports funded by GCMRC were received by the library in October. However, periodically I will be highlighting reports, articles and books recently received by the library that may be of general interest. Because of the loss of some materials over the years, the library has implemented a policy whereby materials will only be lent out if an electronic version exists. Please contact the librarian if you would like to obtain access to a publication.

  1. Péwé, Troy L. 1983. Colorado River Guidebook: Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch. Third edition. Sims Printing Company, Phoenix.
  2. Schwartz, Douglas W. 1988. On the Edge of Splendor: Exploring Grand Canyon's Human Past. The School of American Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  3. Schwartz, Douglas W., Richard C. Chapman and Jane Kepp. 1980. Unkar Delta. The School of American Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  4. Schwartz, Douglas W., Michael P. Marshall and Jane Kepp 1979. The Bright Angel Site. The School of American Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Contact Stephanie Wyse at the GCMRC library (928-556-7373) to obtain reprints of publications not available electronically.