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f,~ <'1 , Archaeology in the Grand Canyon By: Chris Coder, Project Archaeologist Grand Canyon National Park As part of the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies, the National Parle Service, with support from Northern Arizona University, conducted an intensive archaeolog- ical survey along the Colorado River corridor between Glen Canyon Dam and Separation Canyon from August 1990 to May 1991. The survey, completed in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, provided infonnation for impact analysis for the Opemtion of Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement. The survey documented 475 archaeological sites over a 255- mile stletch of the rivet Archaeological field CleWS covered the rough and beautiful terrain from the water's edge up to the hypo- thetical 300,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) level. The upper sur- vey line varied depending on the corridor width at river level and the Canyon caprice with regard to rock slides, debris flows, cliff faces, and density of vegetation. As anyone who has hiked along the river knows, it is nearly impossible to walk in a straight line on the slopes of the inner Canyon. . Few people have the opportunity to walk the entire length of the Grand Canyon; and for evetyone participating in the survey, it was an honor to do so. Despite fonnidable logistical obstacles-intense heat and freezing cold, mging rapids, and leg-wrecking rock--the project came in on time, on budget, and without serious mishap. "This survey scrotinized a slice of the Colomdo Plateau as never before, creating a clearer picture of human histoty in the Canyon. Unique rock art, prehistoric villages, pot caches, rock shelters, roasting features, historic mining camps, and inscrip- tions were located and recorded. Yet, the work is not finished; nor is the stoty of the erosional processes of the Canyon and their long-term effects on archaeological sites. Monitoring Program After completing the survey, evaluation of potential impacts to archaeological sites led to development of a programmatic agreement which guides long-term monitoring and stabilization of cultural resources in the river corridor. A unique aspect of the program is the coopemtive nature of the project which includes Reclamation (lead agency); National Parle Service (principal land manager); Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO); Havasupai, Hopi, and Hnalapai Tnbes; Kalbab Paiute; Navajo Nation; San Juan Southern Paiute; Shivwits Paiute; Zuni Pueblo; and the Advisety Council on Historic Preservation. Project archaeologists work closely with U.S. Geological Swvey geologists Richard Hereford and Ivo Lucchitta and their respective teams conducting geomOlphological studies at sever- allocations along the river. Of particular value is the detailed mapping and description of the depositional sequences at Nankoweap, Palisades, and the area around and including Granite Parle. Of the 475 sites, 263 are located on river-deposited sediment accumulated over the centuries prior to Glen Canyon Dam~ The dam now traps sediment on its upstream side. As the old blan- ket of protective sand is blown away, a new supply is not avail- able to replace it This loss of sediment working in tandem with a regime of artificial flows puts the archaeological sites at risk. The test flow scheduled for the spring of 1996 may rectify this problem to some degree by replenishing the beaches. On-site monitoring has continued since the initial survey, with completion of a field monitoring form and "same location" pho- togmphs to observe changes over the course of time. In addi- tion, archaeologists make detailed maps of selected sites and recommend erosion control measures at threatened sites. Stabilization Workshop In May 1995, Reclamation and the Parle Service conducted a sta- bilization workshop on erosion control techniques to develop a strategy to protect archaeological sites at risk in the river corri- dor. Key to this approach is the Zuni Pueblo Soil Conservation Program which pioneered low impact techniques using natura1- ly occurring materials to cwb the destructive results of erosion. Workshop participants reconvened on September 12 to field test erosion control techniques on archaeological sites near Palisades Creek. Progranunatic agreement representatives and Forest Service personnel launched six oarllOwered boats from Lees Feny for the trip to Palisades Creek for 3 days of labor-intensive rehabilitation work. Zuni rehabilitation methods were utilized as well as the tried and tested techniques established by the Grand Canyon National Parle's rehabilitation specialists. Over 100 tons of locally procured rock, brosh, and logs were transformed into 70 checkdams. Several styles of checks were constroctoo to fit each erosional feature in a manner appropriate to each particular circumstance. (conw.ued on page 8) 7