7275

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7275
• Author: Pucherelli, M. J. and R. C. Clark.
• Title: Comprehensive Report ‎(1986-1988)‎ on the Effects of Green River Flows on Backwater Habitat Availability as Determined by Remote Sensing Techniques ‎(Remote Sensing)‎.
• USFW Year: 1989.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

19

Table 17. Photography - videography cost comparisons.

Cost component

CIR aerial photography

Airborne videography

Data acquisition
Field work (2 staff weeks)
Image interpretation
Map preparation
Digitization
Computer costs
Plotting
Report

S5,600
4,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
400
400
1,000

SI,600
4,000
3,000
o
o
o
o
1,000

Totals

S18,400

S9,600

Cost for data acquisition was based on 21 rm; interpretation cost was based
on 6 rm.

The total cost for aerial photography/GIS was approximately twice that of
airborne videography/MIPS. The costs for image interpretation of
videography may be reduced significantly as image analysts become more
familiar with videography images and the computer software used.

DISCUSSION

1986 Pilot Study

The 1986 pilot study indicated that 1:4,000 scale color infrared aerial
photography could be successfully used to determine backwater availability
on the Green River. Analysis of the two 1,889 ft3/s flows photographed at
different times produced some interesting observations. The October Flaming
Gorge Dam releases averaged 2,700 ft3/s with a high flow of 3,240 ft3/S~ and
the November releases averaged 3,800 ft3/s with a high flow of 4,180 ft Is.
Apparently flows of this magnitude were sufficient to displace and degrade
sandbars. These high flow events increased total backwater area by about
57 percent although total backwaters decreased.

1987 Study

Optimum flows for maximizing Green River backwater habitat varied among
sites. However, the data indicated a range of flows which produced maximal
backwater area and numbers under the conditions of the study. When the four
upper sites are considered, a range of flows from 1,101 to 1,773 ft3/s
produced substantially more backwater area and numbers than did 5,260 and
2,423 ft3/s flows. The Island Park and Jensen sites had predictably more
backwater area as flows were decreased, and backwater area was maximized at
a range of 1,101 to about 1,430 ft3/s. The large increase in backwater area