Flooding the Colorado

2008 High-Flow Release--Glen Canyon Dam; Credit T. Ross, Bureau of Reclamation on NPT

The most recent experiment on the Colorado River shows a shift in perspective--or at least an incorporation of more diverse values--into the management of the river ecosystem as a whole.  On Monday, November 20, 2012, "The Colorado River cascaded in a flood from the Glen Canyon Dam," according to NBCNews.  This "flood" was actually an experimental release of water that had been in the works for many months prior to the event.  In fact, it was back in May 2012 that Interior Department officials finally decided that they would release water from Lake Powell down the Colorado River.

Courtesy EarthLabs.

Glen Canyon Dam is a massive 710-foot-tall structure that sits on the Colorado River right below Arizona's northern border near the town of Page.  It holds back Lake Powell's average 20+ million acre feet (maf) storage of water and generates hydroelectric power by means of eight turbines.  This is the largest volume of storage on the Colorado River, an element which has become essential to meeting the water needs of the Southwest.  However, the dam also restricts the natural seasonal flows of the river, drastically affecting the ecology of the river system and surrounding area.

Humpback chub, Courtesy Deserted Fish.

This experimental release, through both the power-generating and the bypass tubes of the dam, aims to mimic natural flows and help "rebuild high-elevation sandbars, deposit nutrients, and restore backwater channels," according to USGS.  In particular, restoring the habitat for the endangered native humpback chub is often cited as a primary goal.  The USGS website goes on to the explain that the last high-flow release in 2008 (proceeded by releases in 2004 and 1996) allowed 41,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to flow freely down the Colorado River for about sixty hours.  This time, the flood gates were opened for five days, allowing a peak flow of 42,000 cfs to be reached for one day at the start of the experiment.  All of the specific stats on flow volumes and schedules can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation's website.

According to an article by National Parks Traveler, the 2008 release in particular was quite controversial with National Park officials, who were worried about the true purpose behind the releases.  Park Superintendent Steve Martin was particularly skeptical of the Environmental Assessment of the project, highlighting that the Bureau of Reclamation did not make the Park a cooperating agency in the process or give them proper time to comment on the plans.  Moreover, Martin was concerned with the scientific soundness of the plan, which described "steady" releases over the next five years that did not correspond with the previously established National Park management policies.  Because the water flowing down the Colorado River is such a valuable resource to all stakeholders involved, it's easy to see why Martin may have suspected that the goal of the flooding was not actually to benefit the natural resources, but instead to provide water to downstream users or benefit hydroelectric interests.  However, plans for the flooding pressed on.

Then DOI Secretary Dirk Kempthorne begins the 2008 release; Courtesy DOI.

In 2010, the US Geological Survey released an assessment of these high-flow events that claimed, "high flows through the Grand Canyon that mimic natural ebbs and flows are beneficial for the river corridor," but also noted that "many of the benefits are erased within six months due to energy demands that dictate releases through the Glen Canyon Dam."  Thus, the experiment is officially continuing (and is now slated to run on and off through 2020), but still meets some resistance.

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, has attempted to mitigate this conflict by explaining that high-flow releases that greatly benefit fish populations and improve sediment distribution can occur while simultaneously promoting other goals, such as electricity generation and water supply.  He promises further scientific assessment and increased inclusiveness of all necessary stakeholders in the process, a premise which is becoming increasingly important in policy-making endeavors throughout the American West in particular.  Additionally, although the high flows will temporarily cause some campsite closures, recreational interests are also jumping on board.  George Wendt, who serves as the president and CEO of OARS Outdoor Adventure River Specialists and a member of Protect the Flows (an organization mentioned in my earlier post on recreation), has publicly applauded the DOI for their decision to release flows that promote conservation and consequently improve the canyon for future use by boaters, rafters, and other recreators.

2012 Release from Bypass Tubes; Courtesy Bureau of Reclamation.

By including a wider variety of stakeholders--which inherently brings a breadth of new values to the table--and promising further scientific investigation into the issue, the Department of Interior seems to have made a positive step toward a more smooth and inclusive river management strategy.  Hopefully a portion of all of the diverse goals can be met:  improving ecosystems, increasing recreational activity, providing reliable hydroelectric power and water to residents, and perhaps most importantly, helping to bring various organizations together to promote sustainable future management of the Colorado River.