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Foreword As a "larger than life" Director of the US. Geological Survey and the first person known to have successfully rafted the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, John Wesley Powell sent out a call to raise science aloft, a call that has particular resonance for the Glen. Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. In Grand Canyon, science offers a means of under- standing and predict- ing the relationships between the opera- tions of Glen Canyon Dam and downstream resources of concern. This fact was recog- nized by both the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 and the final environ- mental impact statement that proposed the Adaptive Management Program. Moni- toring and research were selected as the tools to allow scientists to unravel the many uncertainties that existed, and con- tinue to exist, about downstream impacts from dam operations. 9 i9 d-- iii Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park were established. These are the wishes of the American people as expressed in the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992. The following chapters summa- rize a decade of monitoring and research activities for many key resources in the Colorado River corridor below Glen Canyon Dam. 'Vhere possible, scientists assess the effects of dam opera- tions, particularly the modified low fluctuat- ing flow alternative, on given resources and highlight the linkages among system features that managers identified as important. "Let us not gird science to our loins as the warrior buckles on his sword. Let us raise science alqfl as the olive branch oj peace and the emblem oj hope. )) --john 'Nesley Powell, 1882,p.70 Significantly, science within the context of adaptive management is intended to serve management and policy. Scientists are responsible for developing relevant information, and river managers are responsible for making resource decisions by using the best information available. ''''hen scientists and managers work togethel~ science can be the olive branch of peace and emblem of hope needed to mitigate the adverse effects of dam opera- tions and improve the values for which The role that John Wesley Powell envi- sioned for science in 1882 reflects the highest goals of the scientists and other professionals of the US. Geological Survey today. In keeping with this vision, The State if the Colorado River Ecosystem in Grand Canyon is emblematic of the high quality science that the US. Geological Survey is committed to providing to its customers. Science of the type reported here, which can be used to make informed decisions, is the return on investment that American taxpayers deserve and appreciate. P. Patrick Leahy, Ph.D. Acting Director US. Geological Survey Powcll,j.\V, 1882, Darwin's contribution to philosophy, in Addresscs delivcred on the occasion of the Darwin memorial mceting, May 12, 1882: Washington, D.C., Biological Socicty of \ Vashington, p. 60-70.