Date of Award

8-2020

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Watershed Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Peter Wilcock

Committee

Peter Wilcock

Committee

Alan Kasprak

Committee

Belize Lane

Abstract

Lake Powell reservoir is the second-largest reservoir in the United States. As climate change reduces watershed runoff in the Colorado River Basin, questions arise about the management and even existence of Lake Powell. If lake levels continue to drop, what will the emerging canyon look like and what value will we assign it? Lake Powell traps all incoming fine sediment from the Colorado River, the San Juan River, and many smaller tributaries. What is the fate of this sediment under falling reservoir levels and how will it influence other resources? To support a robust public discourse, we provide an immersive ESRI StoryMap, combining a range of information in a visually compelling, user-friendly digital format. A particular focus of the StoryMap is the configuration and persistence of sediments deposited in the reservoir during previous high stands. In this document, we provide background information for stakeholders and user groups that desire to understand more about the region, reservoir and dam operations, climate change and aridification, and sediment transport. The StoryMap can be accessed at https://arcg.is/1feGiO or at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ 41b5fda81d8b47d0abe8958845fd0194.

Included in

Geomorphology Commons

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