HR: 1340h
AN: H53B-1246    [Abstracts]
TI: Predictive Tools for Evaluating Aeolian Sediment Redistribution After Experimental Floods: Monitoring Studies in the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona
AU: * Draut, A E
EM: adraut@usgs.gov
AF: US Geological Survey/UC Santa Cruz, USGS Pacific Sciences Center 400 Natural Bridges Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 United States
AU: Rubin, D M
EM: drubin@usgs.gov
AF: US Geological Survey, USGS Pacific Sciences Center 400 Natural Bridges Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 United States
AU: Fairley, H C
EM: hfairley@usgs.gov
AF: USGS - Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2255 North Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 United States
AU: Melis, T S
EM: tmelis@usgs.gov
AF: USGS - Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2255 North Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 United States
AB: The Colorado River through Grand Canyon is subject to complex river management protocols and multi-faceted geomorphic research through the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. Predicting aeolian redistribution of sediment following experimental floods is important for assessing the potential of controlled flooding to help preserve archaeological sites by replenishing sediment deposits above the flood-stage elevation. We present initial results of an ongoing instrumentation program supported by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center in which aeolian sediment transport rates, wind magnitude and direction, and precipitation are measured at multiple locations along the river corridor. These data allow resolution of seasonal and regional variability in wind intensity and direction, and resultant aeolian sediment transport, as well as precipitation patterns. Data collected since Fall 2003 indicate that wind velocities and sand transport were greatest during April and May 2004 at all locations studied (with winds locally $>$25 m/s, and transport rates locally $>$9 kg/m/day). Dominant wind direction during strong wind intervals varies with location, but during the April-May windy season the greatest transport potential was directed upstream in Marble Canyon (upper Grand Canyon). Such information can be used to evaluate the potential for aeolian reworking of new fluvial sand deposits, and restoration of higher-elevation aeolian deposits, following experimental beach/habitat building flows. These aeolian deposits, many of which contain and preserve archaeological material, comprise a critical part of the Grand Canyon ecosystem.
DE: 1815 Erosion and sedimentation
DE: 1824 Geomorphology (1625)
DE: 1894 Instruments and techniques
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting