Testing laser-based sensors for continuous in situ monitoring of suspended sediment in the Colorado River, Arizona

IAHS Red Book
By: , and 
Edited by: J. BogenT. Fergus, and D. Walling

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Abstract

High-resolution monitoring of sand mass balance in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, USA, is needed for environmental management. In the Grand Canyon, frequent collection of suspended-sediment samples from cableways is logistically complicated, costly and provides limited spatial and temporal resolution. In situ laser sensors were tested in the Colorado River as an alternative method for monitoring the river's suspended transport. LISST data were collected at a fixed-depth, near-shore site while isokinetic measurements were simultaneously made from a nearby cableway. Diurnal variations in LISST grain size and concentration data compared well with depth-integrated, cross-section data. Tbe LISST was also successfully used to electronically trigger an ISCO 6712 pump sampler to provide continuous monitoring during periods when suspended concentrations exceeded the LISST's measurement range. Initial results indicate that the LISST can provide useful high-resolution suspended-sediment data within the Colorado River, when optics are maintained on a weekly basis.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Testing laser-based sensors for continuous in situ monitoring of suspended sediment in the Colorado River, Arizona
Series title IAHS Red Book
Issue 283
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher International Association of Hydrological Sciences
Contributing office(s) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
Description 7 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Erosion and sediment transport measurement in rivers: Technological and methodological advances
First page 21
Last page 27
Conference Title Erosion Sediment Transport Measurement in Rivers: Techlogical and Methodological Advances
Conference Location Oslo, Norway
Conference Date 19-21 June, 2002
Country United States
State Arizona
Other Geospatial Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam, Grand Canyon
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