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<br />01783 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />collation, analysis, and interpretation of the data which must result in a written report to <br />AMWG and development of management guidelines. <br /> <br />SPECIFYING GCD AMP CRITICAL SCIENCE QUESTIONS <br /> <br />GCMRC, AMWG and TWG have over the past seven years brought focus to the <br />most critical science issues facing the GCD AMP. Further, the AMWG has maintained a <br />continued effort at articulating specific information needs that can be used in formulating <br />more comprehensive science questions. Because of these efforts, the following science <br />questions, identified and posed by GCMRC, will also address the critical information <br />needs of the stakeholders. <br /> <br />GCMRC proposes the following more holistic science questions be engaged over <br />this strategic plan period. Greater specificity on each is provided in this section. <br /> <br />Question: How does the CRE and Lake Powell respond to drought and climate <br />stressors? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />NeedlRationale: Historically Lake Powell has acted to minimize the seasonal and <br />longer-term climatic variability that occurs in the physical and chemical characteristics of <br />the Colorado River. As a result of water being released from well below the surface of <br />the reservoir, the water leaving Lake Powell has been relatively stable with respect to <br />temperature and nutrient concentrations. However, as the current drought continues and <br />the water level in Lake Powell drops, these relatively stable conditions have and will <br />continue to change. As the water levcl drops and the thermocline in the lake approaches <br />the depth of withdrawal, water temperatures leaving the dam are increasing and water <br />quality parameters are changing. <br /> <br />Increased water temperatures and the possible associated decrease in nutrient <br />concentrations could impact the CRE food base, the movement of warm water fish <br />upstream, and the magnitude of disease and parasites. Changes associated with the <br />current drought can be used to help predict the changes that may be expected with a <br />temperature control device and other future long-term droughts. There is a need to be <br />able to understand the downstream effects of the recent drought, possible long-term <br />climatic change, and cliniaiic variability, <br /> <br />Science Approach: Direct effects of the drought and climatic variability on the <br />hydrology upstream of Lake Powell are currently monitored by agencies outside of the <br />GCMRC. The Bureau of Reclamation monitors the climatic conditions throughout the <br />Colorado River Basin, and the USGS monitors the streamt10w of the major tributaries <br />near to where they enter Lake Powell. GCMRC will encourage these agencies to conduct <br />water-quality sampling (at least water temperature, conductivity, and nutrient <br />concentrations) at the streamflow monitoring sites on these tributaries. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />USGS SBSC GCMRC Strategic Science Plan - FY 2005-2009 <br />Draft, October 22, 2004 <br /> <br />15 <br />