Without high flows, sand slowly makes its way downstream to Lake Mead. The high flow is intended to drive sediment up along the sides of the canyon and above the normal water level. "It looks like we might have conserved 15 to 20 percent of the sand," Melis said of the recent release. The sand is also important for protecting eroding archaeological sites. It is blown over the sites by spring winds, USGS reported. Research teams will measure the sand formations, vegetation, chub food supplies and other indicators to further evaluate the success of the experiment over the next 18 to 24 months, according to Andrea Alpine, director of the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center in Flagstaff. "Doing that kind of big release is an important exercise to restore the natural conditions as best they can at the Grand Canyon," said David Nimkin, southwest regional director of the National Parks Conservation Association in Salt Lake City, an organization that advocates for national parks. The bigger question will be how the Bureau of Reclamation uses what the scientists learn in plans for managing water flows in the canyon, he said. "We're anxious, we're interested, and we're appreciative of the scientific inquiry," he added. The next high flow release is planned for 2012. Related Links: Larry O'Hanlon's blog: Earth Impacts |
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