Protocol implementation plan for monitoring geomorphic change along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park
Bennett J and Bozek M. 2019. Protocol implementation plan for monitoring geomorphic change along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. Natural Resource Report. NPS/CHDN/NRR—2019/1881. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Big Bend National Park and the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network (CHDN) selected River Channel Characteristics (RCC) as a Vital Sign (CHDN 2010). This Protocol Implementation Plan and the Standard Operating Procedures, provide the details of how CHDN will use the Big Rivers Geomorphology peer-reviewed and published protocol from the Northern Colorado Plateau Network (Perkins et al. 2017) to monitor changes in the geomorphology of the Rio Grande. In particular, significant historical demands in water use occurring on both sides of the US-Mexico border have altered the hydrology of the system, which in turn, affect the sediment delivery, floodplain dynamics, and riparian structure and function throughout the river. The previous work by NCPN in combination with USGS scientists have honed monitoring of big rivers (e.g., Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa) across the Colorado Plateau and which are pertinent to monitoring similar changes occurring in the Rio Grande. It should be noted that this Protocol Implementation Plan will undergo periodic scientific review and that modifications may occur if recommendations are made that significantly improve the monitoring and the generalization of using similar methodologies across more systems. However, any changes must be weighed against the value of long-term standardization and a strong argument must be made to deviate from the standardized approaches outlined herein. Likewise, the SOPS will also undergo similar scrutiny.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Bennett, Jeff; Bozek, Michael
- Date of Issue
- 2019-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- BIBE , CHDN , NRSS