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Stakeholder Profile: USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
The U.S. Geological Survey, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) is a key component of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (AMP). The GCMRC was formally established in October of 1996, and became part of the Southwest Biological Science Center in October 2002. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the GCMRC studies effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations on the resources along the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lake mead. The GCMRC's scientific activities contribute to meeting the statutory requirements placed on the Secretary of the Interior by Congress via the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act, the 1995 Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement, and the 1996 Record of Decision.
The goals of the GCMRC are to develop monitoring and research programs as well as related scientific activities that evaluate short and long-term impacts of the Glen Canyon Dam operations on the biological, cultural, recreational, and physical resources of the Colorado River ecosystem. The GCMRC also provides information concerning the status of the Colorado River ecosystem to the Adaptive Management Work Group and the Secretary of the Interior. The GCMRC operates within the Adaptive Management Program to define research objectives, and develop monitoring programs to meet information needs of the AMP.
GCMRC activities are divided into four major program areas including the Integrated Ecosystem Science Program, Cultural and Socio-Economic Program, Information Program, and the Logistics Program. The Integrated Ecosystem Science Program conducts research and monitoring activities on both physical and biological elements of interest to the AMWG. Examples of physical science research includes studies of sediment storage and transport in the regulated river, and integrated downstream water quality monitoring and research. The latter is a critical component of background studies to assess the potential effect of a planned temperature control device on Glen Canyon Dam as part of an effort to elevate water temperatures and favor native fish. Biological research includes studies assessing population status of native and non-native fish, including the federally protected humpback chub, studies of the similarly endangered Kanab ambersnail, and other species affected by dam operations.
The Cultural and Socio-Economic Program focuses on the impact of dam operations on culturally significant sites and artifacts. In addition, program activities address the impact of dam operations on recreation activities based in the Grand Canyon.
The Information Program deals with both external outreach to our stakeholders and clients but also with systems administration related to archiving significant data collected since the 1980's. The GCMRC library contains a wealth of technical reports and publications from the research and monitoring program, much of it accessible in electronic format on our web site: www.gcmrc.gov.
Finally the Logistics Program supports up to 50 river trips per year and coordinates research permit management for the Center.