Continuous and High-Resolution Profiles of the Water Surface and Riverbed Elevation for 282 miles of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, AZ, 2021 - Data

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Authors: Shannon L. Sartain, Matt Kaplinski, Keith A. Kohl, Katie Chapman, Nathaniel D. Bransky, Joel B. Sankey, Paul E. Grams
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Abstract

During steady releases from Glen Canyon Dam in 2021, geomorphic data were collected for the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry. A boat based survey collected position data using Global Navigation Satellite Systems and bathymetry data using a multibeam sonar system. Individual water's edge locations were measured using total stations referenced to a canyon-wide geodetic control network. A concurrent overflight collected imagery and topography of the river corridor. From these data, we created a complete water surface and riverbed elevation profile from river miles 0 to 281.81, presented here. This is the parent metadata item. This dataset includes 1) a completed water surface profile created from multiple height sources, 2) two rasters of bathymetry of the approximate river centerline, one represented as elevations and one as depths, and 3) individual water's edge locations measured by total station referenced to a canyon-wide geodetic control network. Users are encouraged to view the child data and metadata items to learn more about their individual uses.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes Coastal and Marine Dynamics Geological formations and processes

Publication details

Journal / source
USGS DOI Tool Production Environment
Publication date
16 January 2026
Document type
Dataset