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Questions Being Addressed <br />What flow and sediment transport conditions allow /remove vegetation (Q, depth, velocity, active layer depth with respect to root zone depth, etc.)? <br />Is the aging of vegetation and islands in the Platte River increasing their erodibility such that the current flow regime could develop in the near future <br />acceptably wide unobstructed widths? <br />Is the lateral erosion process or the vertical erosion process more dominant in removing vegetation? <br />What are the historic and recent trends in changes in channel width (or area), particularly unobstructed width? Affiliated questions include: <br />What are the correct, relevant definitions of active, unvegetated and unobstructed widths (or areas) that are appropriate for use in this trend <br />analyses? <br />Are the accuracy and reliability of the width definitions, data, and previous trend analyses sufficient to scientifically and comprehensively define the <br />current trend of active or unobstructed width through the Lexington to Chapman reach? <br />What data need to be reviewed, synthesized, and /or collected to establish or confirm current trends in active or unobstructed width (or area) and to <br />monitor changes in this variable over the foreseeable future? <br />Have published estimates of width been specific regarding the types and conditions of vegetation considered to be detrimental to whooping <br />cranes? <br />Have investigators come to different conclusions regarding recent trends in channel width /area of the river, are the differences significant, and what <br />can be done to resolve any differences? <br />What depth, velocity, duration, timing, frequency, and magnitude of flow are required to (a) prevent establishment of, or (b) remove vegetation? <br />What age and density of existing vegetation can be removed with pulse flows? <br />How high can a sand bar be (with respect to some reference flow level) before it is susceptible to colonization and growth of vegetation to preclude it from <br />being considered acceptable habitat or being transformed into a vegetated island? <br />Can velocities of flow sufficient to remove vegetation from the tops of bars also be sufficiently low to allow deposition of sand to build the bars higher? <br />