Pilot for Long-Term Monitoring of Resources on the Colorado River in the GrandCanyon Using Geographic Information Systems

摘要

Through the GCES (Glen Canyon Environmental Studies), the Bureau of Reclamation,in cooperation with several other agencies, has been working to determine environmental impacts of Glen Canyon Dam operations on the resources of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. A long-term monitoring program has been applied as the optimal methodology to anlayze the effects on natural and cultural resources caused by fluctuating flows. A GIS (Geographic Information System) data base developed to assess the impacts of variable flow rate on Grand Canyon resources serves as an integral component of the the GCES. Long-term program objectives have been established through a pilot study at a single monitoring site by defining: data that are available and practical for use in the GCES/GIS; specific resources features to be monitored and temporal increments at which they should be monitored; the agency responsible for data collection and analysis of each feature; specific end products to be developed for each feature; software to access, query, display, and analyze the GCES/GIS.