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D. Stream Gage Installation and Operation <br />A streamflow gaging station, 06768035 Platte River Middle Channel, Cottonwood <br />Ranch, Near Elm Creek, NE, was installed along the middle channel of the Platte <br />River at the downstream end of the Output reach in May 2001. The real time stage <br />and discharge data for this gage can be accessed through the Internet (http://www- <br />ne.cr.usgs.gov/rt-cgi/gen_stn_pg?station=06768035). At the time of this writing 15 <br />discharge measurements have been made. These discharge measurements define the <br />rating curve for this gage. All of the measurements up to this point have been made at <br />low flow, less than 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs), so additional measurements at <br />higher flows will be needed to apply the rating over a larger range of flows. <br />E. Serial Still Photography <br />In May 2001 a conventional 35mm camera was installed to routinely (one photograph <br />per day at a set time) photograph the river within the Output reach. Interval <br />photography is a useful technique to monitor geomorphic features in river channels <br />and identify flow patterns with changes in discharge and time. Sequences of <br />photographs can be built up over a period of time to create time-lapse movies. These <br />image sequences can assist in qualifying changes in sandbar size, vegetation patterns <br />and inundation extent as a function of time and water level. Based on the level of <br />interest generated from the one camera set up, additional cameras were purchased and <br />have been recently installed by NPPD from different vantage points in the Output and <br />Managed reaches to document management activities and monitor potential <br />geomorphic responses. <br />III. Information Dissemination <br />The USGS has provided periodic updates and presentations to the Technical <br />Committee, Platte River EIS Team, Parsons Engineering, and The Whooping Crane <br />Maintenance Trust concerning the monitoring activities at the Cottonwood Ranch. <br />Preliminary data was released to Parsons Engineering and the Executive Director's <br />Office and has been available for dissemination on the USGS Platte River Program <br />web site (http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/platte/) maintained by USGS personnel in <br />Rolla, MO. These data are preliminary and are released with a disclaimer. The web <br />site allows individuals to read about the project and access cross-section survey data <br />and sediment size data. <br />IV. Annual Cost <br />Costs for FY 2002 are shown on the attached table. This is the budget summary for <br />the federal fiscal year, which started October 1, 2001 and ended September 30, 2002.