2007 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Open-File Report
2009-1098
Prepared in cooperation with Utah State University and Northern Arizona University
By: Amy E. Draut, Timothy Andrews, Helen C. Fairley, and Christopher R. Brown
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Abstract
Weather data constitute an integral part of ecosystem monitoring in the Colorado River corridor and are particularly valuable for understanding processes of landscape change that contribute to the stability of archeological sites. Data collected in 2007 are reported from nine weather stations in the Colorado River corridor through Grand Canyon, Ariz. The stations were deployed in February and March 2007 to measure wind speed and direction, rainfall, air temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure. Sand traps near each weather station collect windblown sand, from which daily aeolian sand-transport rates are calculated. The data reported here were collected as part of an ongoing study to test and evaluate methods for quantifying processes that affect the physical integrity of archeological sites along the river corridor; as such, these data can be used to identify rainfall events capable of causing gully incision and to predict likely transport pathways for aeolian sand, two landscape processes integral to the preservation of archeological sites. Weather data also have widespread applications to other studies of physical, cultural, and biological resources in Grand Canyon. Aeolian sand-transport data reported here, collected in the year before the March 2008 High-Flow Experiment (HFE) at Glen Canyon Dam, represent baseline data against which the effects of the 2008 HFE on windblown sand will be compared in future reports.
Suggested Citation
Draut, A.E., Andrews, T., Fairley, H., and Brown, C.R., 2009, 2007 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona (Version 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1098, viii, 110 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20091098.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | 2007 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2009-1098 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20091098 |
| Edition | Version 1.0 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Contributing office(s) | Southwest Biological Science Center |
| Description | viii, 110 p. |
| Time Range Start | 2007-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2007-12-31 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |