Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is heralded as one of the wildest and iconic landscapes found on our planet. Yet, this seemingly untouched and natural wonder has been shaped by more than just the mighty Colorado River itself. The installment of hydropower dams have drastically altered the river and subsequently, the entire ecosystem that depends upon it. A recent wave of research has documented how river flows released from these dam operations are actually depleting this ecosystem’s base of the essential prey for fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other predators. Not only do these findings hold pivotal implications for how to more efficiently manage dam-controlled rivers, but in addition, it has all been driven by the hands and minds of citizen science.

The Grand Canyon is heralded as one of the most wild and iconic landscapes of the West. Yet, this seemingly untouched and natural wonder has been shaped by more than just the mighty Colorado River itself. Recent research conducted by the USGS has documented how unnatural water fluctuations caused by dam releases are actually depleting the aquatic insect food base in the Colorado.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllusrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

In search of the elusive humpback chub, kids and river guides from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Grand Canyon Youth check hoop nets to help collect information on the distribution of these rare fish. Data gathered on these youth trips is vital to helping researchers understand more about these endangered fish.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

The Grand Canyon is heralded as one of the most wild and iconic landscapes of the West. Yet, this seemingly untouched and natural wonder has been shaped by more than just the mighty Colorado River itself. Recent research conducted by the USGS has documented how unnatural water fluctuations caused by dam releases are actually depleting the aquatic insect food base in the Colorado.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

The Grand Canyon is heralded as one of the most wild and iconic landscapes of the West. Yet, this seemingly untouched and natural wonder has been shaped by more than just the mighty Colorado River itself. The installment of Glen Canyon Dam has drastically altered the river and subsequently, the entire ecosystem that depends upon it. Recent research conducted by the USGS has documented how unnatural water fluctuations caused by dam releases are actually depleting the aquatic insect food base in the Colorado. Limiting essential prey items for fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

Black flies, the base of the aqautic food web in the Colorado River, congregate in a tributary to the Colorado River.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

Grand Canyon Youth river guide Steph Jackson returns a beautiful humpback chub back into the mighty Colorado, after biological measurements are collected and recorded. Data gathered on Grand Canyon Youth trips are now helping researchers understand more about these endangered fish and the ecosystem they inhabit.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org
http://www.gcmrc.gov

Traveling deep into layers of ancient rock, a team of Park Service hydrologists explore a labyrinth of underground streams far below the Grand Canyon's North Rim. These flowing waters eventually feed springs within the canyon, which are crucial to many species within the canyon's desert ecosystem. In an effort to better manage and protect these critical ecosystems, the US Park Service and US Forest Service are currently working to gain a greater understanding of the complex hydrologic network that makes up the freshwaters springs of the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org

Illuminating the mysteries of the Grand Canyon, a team of Park Service hydrologists explore a massive underground chamber far below the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Part of a complex network of underground streams, the flowing waters that carve these caves eventually feed freshwater springs within the Canyon, providing a vital resource to many species within the canyon's desert ecosystem. In an effort to better manage and protect these critical ecosystems, the US Park Service and US Forest Service are currently working to gain a greater understanding of the complex hydrologic network that make up the freshwaters springs of the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon, Arizona
www.FreshwatersIllustrated.org