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National Park Service Research Needs
TITLE:
Determine
the Effects of Upstream Impoundments and Diversions on
National Park Service Areas
SUBMITTING BUREAU: National Park Service
Originating Office: Rocky Mountain Regional Office
DATE SUBMITTED: March 31, 1995
BIN NUMBER: NPS07CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Information needs include the effects of upstream impoundments and diversions on instream fluvial process and associated aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation and systems, aquatic biota, wildlife, recreational use (including boating and camping), and the overall functioning of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Information also is needed on the effects of alternative flow regimes on river and riparian resources, and on tradeoffs between alternative flow regimes, resource benefits/impacts, and reservoir operation needs of different units of the NPS on the same river system. The information needed would best be developed as part of an integrated research program, rather than on a project-by-project basis.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: The National Park Service manages numerous units downstream of existing and proposed dams and diversions in the drainages of the Colorado River, Missouri River, Platte River, and others in the Mid-Continent Region. We have conducted several studies on effects of dams and diversions on National Park Service areas. In addition, an intensive research program has been conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation on the effects of dam operations downstream of Glen Canyon Dam.
However, we still have many ongoing as well as anticipated needs in this area. For example, information is needed on the potential effects of altered daily flows, annual flooding and altered water quality on resources downstream of a proposed dam at Capitol Reef NP, and the National Park Service needs to be able to provide input into the design of daily flow and flood regimes for that dam, should it be built.
On the Colorado River System, an annual operating plan is developed to prescribe the annual patterns and amounts of water delivered between reservoir units and to downstream users. The National Park Service needs to be able to provide input to the Annual Operating Planning Process and to the review of Annual Operating Criteria on the effects of alternative operations on park resources. The Platte, Missouri and Green/Colorado Rivers all have park resources which depend upon periodic flooding. Information is needed on the frequency and magnitude of flooding required for such things as cottonwood reproduction and succession, beach and riparian habitat rejuvenation, and aquatic habitat rejuvenation. In addition, seasonal patterns of monthly releases and hourly patterns of daily releases on these river systems affect the habitat conditions of native species and the types and qualities of recreational opportunities.
While site-specific studies are needed to establish cause-effect relationships between flows and dependent resource attributes, even more pressing is the need to develop, as part of a comprehensive program, analytical tools/models which will permit the extrapolation of process and conditions studied at one place to other locations, and to model tradeoffs between alternative flow regimes on a systemwide basis.
BUREAU CONTACT: Janet Wise, 303-987-6678, janet_wise@nps.gov
Cluster Contacts:
Great Plains - Jill Medland, 402-221-3994,
jill_medland@nps.gov
Great Lakes - Rich Klukas, 402-221-3603, richard_klukas@nps.gov
Southwest - Nancy Skinner, 505-988-6862, nancy_skinner@nps.gov
Rocky Mountain - Tom Wylie, 303-969-2970, tom_wylie@nps.gov
Gulf Coast - Suzette Kimball, 404-331-3648
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: MESC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Marshall Flug
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): Marshall Flug has communicated with the new Regional NPS Office contact who is now listed as the primary NPS Contact. As of this reporting date, no specifics have been established and identified by the new Bureau Contact who is investigating this BIN.
As a matter of background, this BIN has continued on the list as in previous years. However, Dr. Flug's USGS/BRD project funds in support of this effort were redirected by BRD/MESC at the end of FY?97; and he is no longer an active participate in Colorado river reservoir annual operation planning as a Management Work Group member. This is reflected on both the SIS Table and project Completion Report for MESC project 222. Funding was reprogrammed to other projects in FY98.
Dr. Flug continues to maintain periodic communication with the NPS Water Resources Division in Fort Collins, CO regarding Colorado River water management activities. Although not currently provided by USGS/BRD, the NPS continues to need technical support and representation as a member of the Colorado River Management Work Group, to discuss, evaluate and formulate the Colorado River - Reservoir System Annual Operating Plan (AOP). This is an interagency Work Group spearheaded by the BOR, with representation of the seven western states that use Colorado river water and several other DOI, federal, and state agencies. (The AOP is a required annual document that the Secretary is responsible for; the Work Group prepares the draft document). In addition, the AOP process undergoes a major review on a five year cycle, Review of the Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs. The NPS has seven units along the mainstem Colorado River which are directly impacted by Operating Criteria AOP operations. In the past Marshall Flug served as a member of the Colorado River Modeling User Involvement Group (UIG), which provides review, analysis and assumptions that are input into the computer model CRSS (Colorado River Simulation System) for performing simulation of Colorado River - Reservoir flows and is used to support the AOP plan. The UIG functions as a sub-group of the Colorado River Management Work Group and is chaired by a BOR representative. At this time without supplemental funding MESC can only provide periodic assistance to NPS on Colorado River reservoir operation issues. Communications will continue with the new NPS contact.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: November 30, 1998
PREPARED BY: Dr. Marshall Flug, River Systems Management Section, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO (970) 226-9391; E-mail marshall_flug@usgs.gov
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98): Marshall Flug has communicated with the new Regional NPS Office contact as listed above. In addition, he continues to maintain routine and regular communication with the NPS Water Resources Division contact regarding cooperation with respect to multiple Colorado River water management activities. The NPS requires technical support and representation as a member of the Colorado River Management Work Group, to discuss, evaluate and formulate the Colorado River - Reservoir System Annual Operating Plan (AOP). This is an interagency Work Group spearheaded by the BOR, with representation of the seven western states that use Colorado River water and several other DOI, federal, and state agencies represented. (The AOP is a required annual document that the Secretary is responsible for; the Work Group prepares the draft document). Flug continues to communicate with the National Park Service, through the Water Resources Division as well as with the NPS Intermountain Field Area Office (Regional office). In addition, the AOP process undergoes a major review on a five year cycle, Review of the Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs. Flug’s continued participation is requested to help in this review. The NPS has seven units along the mainstem Colorado River which are directly impacted by Operating Criteria AOP operations. Marshall is also a member of the Colorado River Modeling User Involvement Group (UIG), which provides review, analysis and assumptions that are input into the recently completed computer model CRSS (Colorado River Simulation System) for performing simulation of Colorado River - Reservoir flows and is relied on to support the AOP plan. The UIG functions as a sub-group of the Colorado River Management Work Group, and is also chaired by a BOR representative. Flug's involvement in these Colorado River efforts are directly in response to NPS needs for technical support of a very complex river - reservoir system and in use of the computer modeling tools for this system.
In addition, MESC (within the Stream and Riparian Ecology section) is currently conducting three other studies focused on the effects of existing or potential upstream dams and diversions on the riparian resources of NPS lands. This work is being done in collaboration with the Water Rights Branch, Water Resources Division, of NPS. The roles of extended inundation and shear stress from peak discharge in controlling the streamward extent of riparian trees is being studied for box elder at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and for salt cedar along the Little Colorado River. The distribution of herbaceous vegetation in relation to hydrologic conditions in the riparian zone of the Fremont River is being investigated at Capital Reef National Park
Action Proposed: We propose to redirect the recently completed Work Unit 222 "Modeling Techniques and Tools for Water Resources Management" toward this NPS information need and the Bureau of Reclamation BIN #9 has similar title and common goals. If redirection is approved a new study plan will be prepared in collaboration with NPS, BOR and FWS personnel. Based upon discussion with NPS the new study will focus upon Colorado River reservoir releases and BOR water management within river corridors managed by NPS.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: October 29, 1997
PREPARED BY: Dr. Marshall Flug, River Systems Management Section, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO (970) 226-9391; E-mail marshall_flug@usgs.gov
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