An effort to restore the Grand Canyon after years of erosion began today as two pipes in the Glen Canyon Dam were opened wide, the beginning of a 60-hour flood. Authorities are hoping that sediment stuck at the bottom of the Colorado River spreads to depleted sandbars, which are used by endangered species and campers alike.
But the fanfare — Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne headlined the opening as NBC’s “Today” show filmed it — was somewhat dampened by criticism from park officials and a watchdog group. From The Los Angeles Times:
Far from restoring crucial sand banks and other areas, the flows could destroy habitat, [Grand Canyon National Park Supt. Steve Martin] said.
One flood was not enough, Martin said Monday. Holding off follow-up flows for months would leave endangered humpback chub fish, sandbars used by river rafting trips, and archaeological treasures at river’s edge diminished “almost to the point of no return,” he said.
The conflict pits long-term environmental concerns against short-term ones about power. As the Colorado is flushed with 41,500 cubic feet per second — enough to fill up the Empire State Building in 20 minutes, Mr. Kempthorne said — the hydroelectric plant at the dam loses some ability to generate electricity.
The federal plan calls for annual floods in September or October, when demand is relatively low. More frequent flushes, as Mr. Martin urges, might strain the power grid, especially during the summer.
Jeff Ruch of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an environmental group, saw it as another example of the Bush administration ignoring scientific research in favor of big business. From a news release:
“This so-called experiment ignores the results of a decade worth of research obtained with more than $80 million tax dollars,” Ruch added. “This week’s high-flow stunt is nothing but a green wash to mask another betrayal of the Grand Canyon by its political custodians.”
Another park official was simply opposed to indecision during an interview with The Arizona Republic:
“At some point we’re going to have to draw a line in the sand and say this is the best way to manage the dam and manage resources in the Grand Canyon,” said Martha Hahn, science center director at Grand Canyon National Park. “We can’t continue to go on and on just researching. We have to make a decision. We really are losing valuable resources.”