LESSONS LEARNED FROM EVALUATING LESSONS LEARNED FROM EVALUATING NAVAJO NATION SURFACE WATER NAVAJO NATION SURFACE WATER MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING

SYSTEMSYSTEM

AREGAI TECLEAREGAI TECLE (Northern Arizona University, (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ), Flagstaff, AZ), Gregg GarfinGregg Garfin (University of Arizona, (University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ), Tucson, AZ), Diana Anderson and Paul Heinrich Diana Anderson and Paul Heinrich (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ), and (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ), and John Leeper and Jolene Tallsalt-Robertson John Leeper and Jolene Tallsalt-Robertson (Navajo (Navajo Department of Water Resources, Fort Defiance, Department of Water Resources, Fort Defiance,

AZ.AZ.Little Colorado River Watershed Little Colorado River Watershed

Coordinating Council,Coordinating Council,Second Annual Winter Watershed Second Annual Winter Watershed

ConferenceConferenceShow Low,Show Low, ArizonaArizona

January 28-30, 2009January 28-30, 2009

PRESENTATION PRESENTATION INCLUDES:INCLUDES:

Purposes for surface water Purposes for surface water measurement and monitoringmeasurement and monitoring

Measurement devices or Measurement devices or approachesapproaches

Data typesData types Methods of data retrieval or Methods of data retrieval or

collectioncollection State of Navajo Nation stream State of Navajo Nation stream

flowflow measurementmeasurement ConclusionsConclusions Some recommendationsSome recommendations

STREAM WATER COMES STREAM WATER COMES FROM SURFACE AND FROM SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE SOURCES. SUBSURFACE SOURCES.

PRECISE MEASUREMENT PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF THE STREAM OF THE STREAM DISCHARGE RATE IS DISCHARGE RATE IS NEEDED TO ACCURATELY NEEDED TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE THE TOTAL ESTIMATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WATER AMOUNT OF WATER LEAVING A WATERSHED. LEAVING A WATERSHED.

Kinlichee CreekKinlichee Creek gaugegauge

GENERAL DATA INADEQUACY GENERAL DATA INADEQUACY CONCERN CONCERN

There are major concerns or perils due to absence, or inadequate, or reduced monitoring of the Nation’s streams and rivers (New York Times, April 11, 2006)

There are many reasons for the need to know the amount and rate of stream flow.

Flooding in Wisconsin on 6/9/2008

OVERARCHING REASONS FOR ACCURATE MEASUREMENT AND

MONITORING SURFACE WATER IN

THE NAVAJO NATION Protect & manage Navajo

Nation surface water resources for economic, social, cultural and spiritual benefits of the Nation

Improve the Nation’s capacity to monitor, plan and manage extreme hydrologic conditions (drought & flooding)

Flooding in Wisconsin on 6/9/2008

SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR STREAM FLOW STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENTMEASUREMENT To enhance public safety by providing data To enhance public safety by providing data

for forecasting and managing flood events for forecasting and managing flood events To delineate and manage flood plainsTo delineate and manage flood plains To characterize current water-quality To characterize current water-quality

conditions conditions To operate and design multipurpose To operate and design multipurpose

reservoirs reservoirs

- For domestic and agricultural water - For domestic and agricultural water supplysupply

- For flood control - For flood control

- For energy generation - For energy generation

- Recreation and wildlife habitat - Recreation and wildlife habitat To design highway bridges and culverts To design highway bridges and culverts

SPECIFIC PURPOSES FORSPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENT –STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENT –

Cont.Cont. To set minimum flow requirements to To set minimum flow requirements to meet meet aquatic life goals (spawning area, food aquatic life goals (spawning area, food source, source, migration paths of fish and other migration paths of fish and other wildlife) wildlife) To monitor compliance with minimum To monitor compliance with minimum flow flow requirementsrequirements To develop or operate recreation To develop or operate recreation facilities facilities To allocate water for municipal, To allocate water for municipal, industrial, industrial, and agricultural usesand agricultural uses To determine impacts of phreatophyte To determine impacts of phreatophyte water water consumptionconsumption To evaluate surface- and ground-water To evaluate surface- and ground-water interactionsinteractions To facilitate long-term scientific To facilitate long-term scientific studies of any studies of any changes in the hydrologic cyclechanges in the hydrologic cycle

DIFFERENT WAYS OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF MEASURING SURFACE MEASURING SURFACE

WATER FLOWWATER FLOW

STREAMFLOW MEASURING DEVICESSTREAMFLOW MEASURING DEVICES

Flume used for small Flume used for small stream flow stream flow measurementsmeasurements

Various parts of a Various parts of a stilling well: left stilling well: left figure showing figure showing most appropriate most appropriate location by a location by a bridge to ensure bridge to ensure channel stability; channel stability; right figure shows right figure shows the different parts the different parts of a stilling well.of a stilling well.

Structure of a Parshall flumeStructure of a Parshall flume Structural example of a V-Structural example of a V-notch weirnotch weir

STREAM FLOW MEASURING STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - ContinueDEVICES - Continue

Pressure transducerPressure transducer – installed – installed submerged in the flow channel useful for submerged in the flow channel useful for long-term measurement and operation long-term measurement and operation (may also be used with no cable as (may also be used with no cable as battery-operated)battery-operated)

Radar level sensor – non contact Radar level sensor – non contact measurement of water surface, mostly measurement of water surface, mostly used for long-term operation and used for long-term operation and measurement (sensitive to disturbance)measurement (sensitive to disturbance)

Utrasonic water level sensorUtrasonic water level sensor – non- – non-contact measurement of water contact measurement of water surface elevation used for long term surface elevation used for long term operation and monitoring (sensitive to operation and monitoring (sensitive to disturbances)disturbances)

Electromagnetic Electromagnetic current metercurrent meter – – advantageous in advantageous in channels where channels where fouling fouling mechanical mechanical sensors is sensors is problematicproblematic

STREAM FLOW MEASURING STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - ContinueDEVICES - Continue

Mechanical (Mechanical (PygmyPygmy) current meter for ) current meter for infrequent flow measurement – vertical infrequent flow measurement – vertical axisaxis

Mechanical current meter – Mechanical current meter – horizontal axishorizontal axis

Current meter – Current meter – acoustic acoustic doppler doppler velocity meter velocity meter – used for – used for infrequent non-infrequent non-continuous continuous water velocity water velocity measurement measurement (has high (has high accuracy)accuracy)

Price pigmy Price pigmy stream flow stream flow measuring measuring device –done device –done from a from a suspended suspended position.position.

STREAM FLOW MEASURING STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Cont.DEVICES - Cont.

Ultrasonic velocity with water level Ultrasonic velocity with water level transducer –current meter. It is typically transducer –current meter. It is typically mounted in the channel bottom and mounted in the channel bottom and measures water surface elevation and measures water surface elevation and vertically-integrated velocity in small vertically-integrated velocity in small channels.channels.

Bubble manometer – the Bubble manometer – the manometer shelter can be manometer shelter can be located at a distance from located at a distance from the water’s edge in a safe the water’s edge in a safe location and the orifice may location and the orifice may be easily moved to follow be easily moved to follow changing stream channel. changing stream channel. Gas bubbles keep the orifice Gas bubbles keep the orifice from getting covered by from getting covered by sedimentsediment

Microwave water Microwave water surface velocity surface velocity gage – useful for gage – useful for water surface water surface velocity velocity measurement measurement during high stage during high stage floodsfloods..

Remote hydrologic Stations

GOES

Wallops, VirginiaCommand and DataAcquisition Center

DOMSAT

User Operations

( Internet )

Stage

After Chris Smith, USGS (2008)After Chris Smith, USGS (2008)

DATA TYPESDATA TYPES

Snow water Snow water equivalentequivalent

Stream flow dataStream flow data

- Stage height- Stage height

- Event stream flow - Event stream flow rate rate

or discharge rate or discharge rate

- Cumulative or total - Cumulative or total

stream flow stream flow amountamount

SOURCES OF INFORMATION SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED IN THIS USED IN THIS

PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION On-site examination of stream On-site examination of stream

flow flow gaging sites and instrumentsgaging sites and instruments

Relevant literature reviewRelevant literature review Interview of relevant personnel Interview of relevant personnel

(NNDWR, USGS and NWS)(NNDWR, USGS and NWS) Historical data acquisitionHistorical data acquisition Evaluation of NNDWR stream Evaluation of NNDWR stream

flow data collection, reporting, flow data collection, reporting, communication, and integration communication, and integration needsneeds

Comparing data from USGS and Comparing data from USGS and NDWR operated gaugesNDWR operated gauges

Aggregate Annual SWE for Chuska Mtns 1985-2006 (Data: NNWMB, 2006)

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Aggregate Annual SWE (sites >8,000ft)Aggregate Annual SWE (sites<8,000ft)

CHUSKA AGRICULTURE CASE CHUSKA AGRICULTURE CASE STUDYSTUDY

Observed Changes:Observed Changes: Decreased snow, soil moisture, and Decreased snow, soil moisture, and irrigation supply since 1999 – irrigation supply since 1999 – Cessation of farmingCessation of farming

Rachael Novak, CLIMAS and Univ. Arizona Geosciences

STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT TYPES TYPES

Stage heightStage height – height of the water in a stream – height of the water in a stream above a certain baseline in feet or meter. above a certain baseline in feet or meter.

Stream flow or dischargeStream flow or discharge – is volume flow of – is volume flow of water (in cubicwater (in cubic

Feet or meter cubic) moving past a cross-section of a Feet or meter cubic) moving past a cross-section of a stream during a specific period of time (in seconds), stream during a specific period of time (in seconds), hence the rate of discharge is cubic feet per second.hence the rate of discharge is cubic feet per second.

Rating curveRating curve – A graphical representation of the – A graphical representation of the relationship between the stage height and the relationship between the stage height and the discharge rate of a stream flow.discharge rate of a stream flow.

Crane, Crane, current current meter, and meter, and weight used weight used to measure to measure the stream the stream flow rate flow rate from a from a bridge.bridge.

River bedRiver bed

OBSERVATIONS OBSERVATIONS ON OPERATIONAL ON OPERATIONAL STREAM GAGES STREAM GAGES

AND ASSOCIATED AND ASSOCIATED DATADATA QUALITY IN QUALITY IN

THE NAVAJO THE NAVAJO NATIONNATION Black

Creek

CHARACTERISTICS THAT CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE INFLUENCE

DATA QUALITY AND DATA QUALITY AND RELIABILITYRELIABILITY INSTRUMENT RELIABILITYINSTRUMENT RELIABILITY

INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCEINSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE DATA HANDLING DATA HANDLING DATA PROCESSING DATA PROCESSING DATA ACCESSIBILITY DATA ACCESSIBILITY

(Location)(Location) SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND

REPRESENTATIVENESS OF REPRESENTATIVENESS OF DATADATA

KNOWLEDGEABLE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED PERSONNEL DEDICATED PERSONNEL AVAILABILITY AVAILABILITY

MAINTENANCE OF FACILITYMAINTENANCE OF FACILITY

Captain Tom Captain Tom wash gagewash gage

Gages are concentrated mainly on Gages are concentrated mainly on streams draining the Chuska streams draining the Chuska Mountains, which is a small part of the Mountains, which is a small part of the Navajo NationNavajo Nation..

BLACK CREEKBLACK CREEK:: GAGE GAGE CONDITIONCONDITION

Instrument has been operating continuously, however,Instrument has been operating continuously, however,data recording has been interrupted a number of timesdata recording has been interrupted a number of times

Sediment accumulationSediment accumulation

Concerns with the Concerns with the gaging stationgaging station

Channel invasion by Channel invasion by Exotic vegetation Exotic vegetation

Channel bed Channel bed sediment sediment accumulationaccumulation

Channel Channel aggredation & aggredation & degradationdegradation

Stilling well & vegetationStilling well & vegetation

OctNovDec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

2003 20

04 2005 20

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BLACK CREEK STREAMFLOW CHARTBLACK CREEK STREAMFLOW CHART

ASSAYI CREEKASSAYI CREEK: : GAGE GAGE CONDITIONCONDITION

Concerns with Assayi Creek gageConcerns with Assayi Creek gage

1.1. Invasion by vegetation 3. Data have not been Invasion by vegetation 3. Data have not been regularlyregularly

2.2. Sediment accumulation taken and processedSediment accumulation taken and processed

June 2007June 2007

ASSAYI CREEK DATA ASSAYI CREEK DATA

Assayi Creek Sporadic Stream Flow Measurement

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Stage height versus Stream flow rate for Assayi Creek

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The graph on the left shows sporadic The graph on the left shows sporadic stream flow data while the dotted graph stream flow data while the dotted graph on the right shows stage-discharge on the right shows stage-discharge relationship of the recorded data. The relationship of the recorded data. The chart shows little flows for high stage chart shows little flows for high stage which may be due to errors in data which may be due to errors in data recording or instrument reading or due to recording or instrument reading or due to large amount of sediment accumulation.large amount of sediment accumulation.

Note stream bed Note stream bed

sediment accumulationsediment accumulation

CHINLE CREEK:CHINLE CREEK: GAGE GAGE CONDITIONCONDITION

Stilling well

CHINLE CREEKCHINLE CREEK: : GAGE GAGE CONDITION-ContCONDITION-Cont

Three major concerns are apparent in this gauging station: Three major concerns are apparent in this gauging station: 1) stream braiding resulting in most of the flow taking place 1) stream braiding resulting in most of the flow taking place away from the gauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and away from the gauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and 3) stream bottom plant and tree growth 3) stream bottom plant and tree growth

The consequences of these The consequences of these

conditions are both under and conditions are both under and over estimation of stream flowover estimation of stream flow

streambed vegetation streambed vegetation invasioninvasion

Flow a way from Flow a way from gagegage

CHINLE CREEK DATACHINLE CREEK DATA

Chinle Creek stage height versus stream flow rate

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ge

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Chart of sporadic flow rate data for Chinle Creek

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The graph on the left hand side shows the The graph on the left hand side shows the sporadic nature of the data collected form the sporadic nature of the data collected form the gage at Chinle, and there is little one can do with gage at Chinle, and there is little one can do with such data. The dotted graph of stage-discharge such data. The dotted graph of stage-discharge relationship on the right shows low correlation relationship on the right shows low correlation between the two forms of stream flow between the two forms of stream flow measurement, which reflects the channel measurement, which reflects the channel problem.problem.

WHEATFIELDS CREEKWHEATFIELDS CREEK: : GAGE CONDITIONGAGE CONDITIONStream flow record at Wheatfieklds gauging station

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Stage-discharge relationship of stream flow at Wheatfield gauging station

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The higher correlation between The higher correlation between stage and discharge at low flows stage and discharge at low flows comopared to at higher flows is comopared to at higher flows is reflective of the stream cross-reflective of the stream cross-section. It is stable near the bottom section. It is stable near the bottom of the stilling well but have of the stilling well but have vegetation at higher level.vegetation at higher level.

TheThe gauge is in a stable cross-section. However there is a great deal of vegetation invasion above the bankful stage to affect the accuracy of a stream flow measurement. As in the other gages, we do not have a continuous record to make much sense of the data.

LUKACHUKAI CREEKLUKACHUKAI CREEK: : GAGE CONDITIONGAGE CONDITION

Stage-discharge relationship at Lukachukai Creek

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Observe the Observe the tremendous tremendous amount of amount of sediment sediment accumulation accumulation along the along the stream bed. stream bed. There is also There is also plenty of plenty of vegetation vegetation growth along growth along the stream bed.the stream bed.

Stream flow record at Wheatfieklds gauging station

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The order less The order less scatter of the stage-scatter of the stage-discharge discharge relationship points relationship points on the right hand on the right hand side graph shows side graph shows the poor gaging the poor gaging station condition. station condition. Large sediment Large sediment accumulation and accumulation and in-channel in-channel vegetation growth vegetation growth give a false high give a false high stage height.stage height.

As with the data from the other gauging stations those from As with the data from the other gauging stations those from Lukachukai Creek have not followed proper protocol to provide any Lukachukai Creek have not followed proper protocol to provide any important information on the stream flow nor can they be used in important information on the stream flow nor can they be used in any modeling or decision-making process. any modeling or decision-making process.

CAPTAIN TOM WashCAPTAIN TOM Wash: : GAUGE GAUGE CONDITIONCONDITION

Stream flow rate record chart at Captain Tom Creek

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Stage-discharge relationship at Captain Tom gauging station

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There are lots of boulders in the stream cross-There are lots of boulders in the stream cross-section where the stilling well is located. We section where the stilling well is located. We could also see the sediment accumulation could also see the sediment accumulation inside the stilling well. These along with the inside the stilling well. These along with the vegetation in the stream can affect the vegetation in the stream can affect the reliability of the flow data significantly. They reliability of the flow data significantly. They need to be cleaned.need to be cleaned.

WHISKEY CREEKWHISKEY CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONStream flow record chart from Whiskey Creek gauging station

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Stage-discharge relationship at Whiskey Creek gauging station

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The flume in this The flume in this station has some station has some vegetation growth vegetation growth problems, but it is problems, but it is relatively in good relatively in good condition. The condition. The stage-discharge stage-discharge data on the right data on the right shows this shows this relatively good relatively good condition.condition.

This is one of Navajo This is one of Navajo Nation’s Safety of Dams Nation’s Safety of Dams automated stations that automated stations that provide real-time data to provide real-time data to protect lives and protect lives and property.property.

Where gaged stream Where gaged stream channels are stable and channels are stable and well maintained, long-well maintained, long-term data can be term data can be generated to forecast generated to forecast extreme hydrological extreme hydrological events such as drought events such as drought and flood periods.and flood periods.

TSAILETSAILE CREEKCREEK

Detail of the state-of-the-art automated streamgage and weather Station instrumentation at Tsaile Creek.

TSAILETSAILE CREEKCREEK

TSAILETSAILE CREEK CREEK DATADATA

Stage-discharge relationship at Tsaile stream gauging station

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Stream flow rate chart at Tsaile

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The measured stream flow record for the The measured stream flow record for the gage at Tsaile is sporadic like those in gage at Tsaile is sporadic like those in most of the other NNDWR-operated most of the other NNDWR-operated gages. However the condition of the gages. However the condition of the stream makes the stage-discharge points stream makes the stage-discharge points on the right look good. In this situation as on the right look good. In this situation as in others, there is a need for continuous in others, there is a need for continuous data collection and processing.data collection and processing.

KINLICHEE CREEKKINLICHEE CREEK: : GAUGE GAUGE CONDITIONCONDITION

Stream flow stage-discharge relationship at kinlichee Creek

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Streamflow rate chart at Kinlichee Creek gauging station

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The gauge at kinlichee Creek is located under a bridge which is stable with no The gauge at kinlichee Creek is located under a bridge which is stable with no vegetation growth and little sediment accumulation. The effect can be see in the vegetation growth and little sediment accumulation. The effect can be see in the near-perfect stage-discharge relationship curve belownear-perfect stage-discharge relationship curve below

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEROON: LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEROON: ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A USGS-OPERATED ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A USGS-OPERATED

STREAM GAUGESTREAM GAUGE

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1947-2005 stream flow record in the Little

Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

1947-2005 5-year running average of LCR discharge (in cfs) near Cameroon, Arizona

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Annual average stream flow (in cfs) of Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

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Monthly average stream flow (in cfs) of Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

This is a long term data which can be manipulated to show different hydrologic conditions around the area of measurement. The graphs on the right hand side show wet and dry periods for 58 years, the upper one on a monthly basis in 3-D and below it is the bimodal monthly averages. The graphs to the left show the annual average (upper) and a 5-year running average (lower) showing a generally decreasing trend with time.

SAN JUAN RIVER SAN JUAN RIVER STREAM FLOW STREAM FLOW

CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS

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A five year running average of stream flow rate (in

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Monthly average hydrograph of 1978-2005 flow

rate at San Juan River (in cfs)

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

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1990

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2002

2004

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MonthsYears

10000-12000

8000-10000

6000-8000

4000-6000

2000-4000

0-2000

1979-2006 Stream flow of San Juan River in New Mexico near the border with the Navajo Nation

The San Juan River gage is operated by the The San Juan River gage is operated by the USGS. Compared to those operated by the USGS. Compared to those operated by the NNDWR, the data can be used for many NNDWR, the data can be used for many purposes. Here we use it to show the wet purposes. Here we use it to show the wet season in the lower right hand side and to season in the lower right hand side and to show the decreasing stream flow (or drying) show the decreasing stream flow (or drying) condition with time in the lower left hand condition with time in the lower left hand side. The 3-D figure to the right shows the side. The 3-D figure to the right shows the monthly average stream flow for 27 years. monthly average stream flow for 27 years. The figure also shows periods of high and low The figure also shows periods of high and low flows as well as its persistent unimodal flows as well as its persistent unimodal nature. We can also use the data for nature. We can also use the data for modeling water yield and peak flow or flood modeling water yield and peak flow or flood forecastingforecasting

STATION INSTALLATION AND STATION INSTALLATION AND RETENTION CRITERIARETENTION CRITERIA

There are many criteria to consider when installing or retaining a gauging station: These include:

Presence of population centers around or downstream of the station sites Present or future presence of reservoirs

downstream of the potential or existing station sites Value in the data for recreation and tourism

enterprises Present or potential presence of large irrigated

areas nearby the station Multiple versus single use of stations Potential for additional uses of the station Easy access to station location Proximity of station location to

telecommunications Location of station in a unique or important

ecosystem Station data reliability (are many data missing

from the station)

STATION INSTALLATION AND STATION INSTALLATION AND RETENTION CRITERIA-Cont.RETENTION CRITERIA-Cont.

Presence of high density stations in close proximity High potential for land ownership or

where the station becomes prone to vandalism Usefulness of station to wildlife

monitoring efforts High potential (or a history) of site for

high wildlife habitat disturbance Capability of station location, or the

length of station record to facilitate climate change monitoring Excessive cost of operating and

maintaining station Educational and research values of

station Possibility for area economic

development support of station

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT CURRENT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTSEFFORTS

Working with NAU AND UofA on hydroclimate data Working with NAU AND UofA on hydroclimate data acquisition capacity building acquisition capacity building

Collaborating with the USGS on stream gaging and Collaborating with the USGS on stream gaging and data collectiondata collection

Collaborating with NWS to acquire and locate Collaborating with NWS to acquire and locate

NOAA Weather Radio stations and other facilitiesNOAA Weather Radio stations and other facilities Continuous BIA funding and assistance to continue Continuous BIA funding and assistance to continue

develop weather, water, and climate data acquisition develop weather, water, and climate data acquisition and processing capacityand processing capacity

Collaborating with Corps of Engineers on watershed Collaborating with Corps of Engineers on watershed modelingmodeling

Collaboration with private companies and Collaboration with private companies and individuals as well as other federal and state individuals as well as other federal and state agenciesagencies

CONCLUDING REMARKSCONCLUDING REMARKS The condition of the different streams and the gauging The condition of the different streams and the gauging

facilities in the Navajo Nation and the data gathered from facilities in the Navajo Nation and the data gathered from those streams tell us many things.those streams tell us many things.

1.1. The stream gauges operated by the Navajo Nation are all The stream gauges operated by the Navajo Nation are all functioning, however,functioning, however,

2.2. The stream reaches where the gauges are located are not The stream reaches where the gauges are located are not well maintained to provide reliable datawell maintained to provide reliable data

- data are not gathered in a consistent and continuous - data are not gathered in a consistent and continuous manner and manner and even if they wereeven if they were

- - the data from most of the gages need proper the data from most of the gages need proper processing for any processing for any use in decision makinguse in decision making

3.3. The available gauges are concentrated in a very small The available gauges are concentrated in a very small portion of the Nation to represent the hydrologic portion of the Nation to represent the hydrologic conditions in the Navajo Nationconditions in the Navajo Nation

4.4. The main reasons for the problems are inadequate funding The main reasons for the problems are inadequate funding and shortage of manpower to properly operate existing and shortage of manpower to properly operate existing gages, install new ones, process and make data available gages, install new ones, process and make data available for various uses. for various uses.

5.5. Poor sampling leads to poor understanding of weather, Poor sampling leads to poor understanding of weather, water, and climate issues.water, and climate issues.

CONCLUDING REMARKS – Cont.CONCLUDING REMARKS – Cont.

6. Limits ability to help 6. Limits ability to help save lives and property.save lives and property.

7. Present gages are 7. Present gages are restricted to small restricted to small areas; data would be areas; data would be needed to represent needed to represent varying climatic, varying climatic, topographic and land topographic and land use areas use areas

8.8. Some gaging stations Some gaging stations are not in good shapeare not in good shape

9.9. Shortage of NWS Shortage of NWS retrievable climate data retrievable climate data for hydrologic for hydrologic forecasting purposesforecasting purposes

10. Data needed for various 10. Data needed for various development needs as development needs as indicated next.indicated next.

SOME RECOMMENDATIONSSOME RECOMMENDATIONS Since availability of accurate and reliable Since availability of accurate and reliable

stream flow data are important for the stream flow data are important for the various reasons stated previously, we various reasons stated previously, we recommendrecommend: :

1.1. That having adequate hydrological information be That having adequate hydrological information be a priority since many important situations such as a priority since many important situations such as accurate flood forecasting, proper reservoir accurate flood forecasting, proper reservoir operation, reliable estimation of agricultural and operation, reliable estimation of agricultural and domestic water supplies, drought management as domestic water supplies, drought management as well as satisfactory wildlife and ecosystem well as satisfactory wildlife and ecosystem maintenance and management depend on it;maintenance and management depend on it;

2.2. Obtain adequate funding for existing instrument Obtain adequate funding for existing instrument maintenance, personnel training and hiring new maintenance, personnel training and hiring new employees;employees;

3.3. Ensure that data gathered from existing gages are Ensure that data gathered from existing gages are properly processed and analyzed following properly properly processed and analyzed following properly protocol and make it available for others to use;protocol and make it available for others to use;

4.4. In the long-term, obtain funds for installing gauges In the long-term, obtain funds for installing gauges in streams that are not gauged at present.in streams that are not gauged at present.

RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS – Cont.– Cont.

5. Enhance data communication – telemeter data in near real-time – this will enhance usability and quality control;

6.6. Incorporate Navajo Nation data with USGS Incorporate Navajo Nation data with USGS data to provide reliable forecasting system;data to provide reliable forecasting system;

7.7. Develop a collaborative effort among local Develop a collaborative effort among local (Navajo) and relevant state and federal (Navajo) and relevant state and federal agencies to work together to ensure agencies to work together to ensure availability of needed hydrological availability of needed hydrological information for various uses;information for various uses;

8.8. Develop ecosystem-based and Develop ecosystem-based and multiobjective water resources multiobjective water resources management.management.

THANK THANK YOUYOU