Elevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963

Root, Jonathan C.; Jones, Daniel K.

doi:10.3133/sir20225017

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The only evidence of the prolonged lowstand since 2000 is erosion and exposure of reservoir sediment combined with alluvial and talus slope gully deposits. Implications for regional anthropogenic stratigraphy Impoundment of Lake Powell tributaries dramatically impacted hundreds of river-km along the Colorado, San Juan, Escalante, and Dirty Devil Rivers, an area up to 650 km 2 (Ferrari, 1988;Root & Jones, 2022). Observations up and down river from Calf Canyon indicate that this location is particularly sensitive to high reservoir levels: 2.5 km upstream at Imperial Canyon (Fig.…”

Section: Discussion Stratigraphic Controls and Signalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sedimentary record of annual-decadal timescale reservoir dynamics: Anthropogenic stratigraphy of Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.

Johnson¹,

Root²,

Hynek³

et al. 2022

TSR

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The tributaries of Lake Powell were impounded following construction of Glen Canyon Dam, resulting in deposition of reservoir sediment over a ∼650 km2 area since 1963. These units have been exposed through erosion as water storage in Lake Powell has decreased since 2000. This anthropogenic sedimentary record reflects the complex interplay among wet and dry periods of Colorado River runoff and the reservoir operating rules of Lake Powell. The relevant sedimentary exposures are mapped at reconnaissance level over 300 river-km above Glen Canyon Dam in canyons of the Colorado, San Juan, Escalante, and Dirty Devil Rivers. A detailed reference section measured in Calf Canyon, a tributary to the Colorado River, preserves more than 12 m of lacustrine, mainstem Colorado River, and local tributary sediment in an up-river location and elevation that is determined to have been inundated only during the highest reservoir level periods. At Calf Canyon, exposed reservoir sediment is comprised of cyclic sand-mud interbeds that record periods of deposition when reservoir level was at or above full pool. Six depositional cycles are identified in Calf Canyon, and each of these is interpreted to represent rapid sand deposition during Colorado River flood events (likely related to spring snowmelt runoff) followed by deposition of lacustrine mud while reservoir levels were high. The lacustrine mud units display significant pedogenic modification, indicating exposure and colonization dominated by tamarisk plants, prior to deposition of the next sand unit. High-precision elevation surveys of the 6 main lacustrine marker beds in Calf Canyon are correlated to multiple lake level highstands between 1975 and 2000. Preliminary observations suggest that age-equivalent strata are widespread within the reservoir-affected zones of all major tributaries including the Colorado and San Juan River arms as well as the Escalante and Dirty Devil Rivers. We predict that future mapping in other Lake Powell side canyons will demonstrate strong local control on sediment provenance, dictated by side canyon lithology, as well as time-transgressive deposition (and erosion) moving up and down the main canyons.

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Section: Discussion Stratigraphic Controls and Signalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sedimentary record of annual-decadal timescale reservoir dynamics: Anthropogenic stratigraphy of Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.

Johnson¹,

Root²,

Hynek³

et al. 2022

TSR

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“…Within sixteen years after the construction of Glen Canyon dam, the reservoir Lake Powell emerged behind the dam and is the second largest man-made reservoir in the US. It became a key water storage that provides water to over 30 million people and irrigates 5.5 million acres of land (Root and Jones, 2022). Due to growing concerns about the environmental impacts of the dam, the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (GCES) research program was initiated in December 1982.…”

Section: World Commission On Dams Framework Applied To Four Dams Acro...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Human health impacts of dams and reservoirs: Neglected issues in a One Health perspective

Ramamurthy,

Bleser,

Konradsen

et al. 2023

Aquatic Ecosystem Health &Amp; Management

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Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with WCD principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development.

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“…Research abounds on recent hydrologic changes in the western United States, nearly all pointing to future stress to water availability (e.g., Dye et al, 2023;Hidalgo et al, 2009;Schmidt et al, 2023;Wang & Rosenberg, 2023;Xiao et al, 2018;Zamora-Reyes et al, 2022). In April 2023, storage in Lake Powell (the reservoir behind Glen Canyon Dam) dropped below 6.48 billion m 3 (5.26 million acre-feet, or 21% of current capacity; Root & Jones, 2022) for the first time since the reservoir filled in the 1960s (Bureau of Reclamation, 2023a;Schmidt et al, 2023). New, albeit temporary, water-use reductions were codified this year among the seven Colorado River basin states in an effort to ensure sustainability (New York Times, 2023).…”

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confidence: 99%

A Watershed Moment for Western U.S. Dams

East,

Grant

2023

Water Resources Research

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The summer of 2023 is a notable time for water‐resource management in the western United States: Glen Canyon Dam, on the Colorado River, turns 60 years old while the largest dam‐removal project in history is beginning on the Klamath River. This commentary discusses these events in the context of a changing paradigm for dam and reservoir management in this region. Since the era of large dam building began to wane six decades ago, new challenges have arisen for dam and reservoir management owing to climate change, population increase, reservoir sedimentation, declining safety of aging dams, and more environmentally focused management objectives. Today we also better understand dams' benefits, costs, and environmental impacts, including some that were unforeseen and took decades to become apparent. Where dams have become unsafe, obsolete (e.g., due to excessive reservoir sedimentation), and uneconomical beyond saving, dam removal has become common. The science and practice of dam removal are accelerating rapidly, and some long‐term physical and biological response studies are now available. Removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River will be a larger and more complex project than any previous dam removal. The imminency of this project reflects a very different situation for dam and reservoir management than 60 years ago. Looking forward, dam and reservoir management in the western United States and worldwide will require continued collaboration and innovative thinking to meet a wide range of objectives and to manage water resources sustainably for future generations.

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Elevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963

Abstract: of the Bureau of Reclamation provided scientific support and managed lidar data acquisition.

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

Sedimentary record of annual-decadal timescale reservoir dynamics: Anthropogenic stratigraphy of Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.

Sedimentary record of annual-decadal timescale reservoir dynamics: Anthropogenic stratigraphy of Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.

Human health impacts of dams and reservoirs: Neglected issues in a One Health perspective

A Watershed Moment for Western U.S. Dams

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