BLM NSTC USGS Partnership - Gunnison Gorge Float Trip

List of Participants Issues: Common issues for the science partnership’s NM and NCAs include: boundary issues; issues over balancing protection with use; and urban interface, fire, endangered species, invasive species, and off-road use issues. Specific issues for the Gunnison Gorge NCA include: flows, fisheries, river management and use, grazing, sage grouse, and archeological sites. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001 Participants in the float trip will be met by Gunnison Gorge NCA Manager Karen Tucker. The trip to the Chukar Trailhead will take approximately 1 hour. Participants will then be required to pack in (natural surface trail) their personal gear 1.1 miles to the Chukar boater put-in site.	Paddle Raft with Participants
Stop 1 - Chukar Road Overlook Topics: Orientation to Gunnison Gorge NCA/Wilderness and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NCA legislation, NCA plan process, Benefits-based Visitor Survey Zones ) What We Know: Boundary adjustments and concerns, types and amount of use, differences in BLM/NPS management Science Needs: Updated USGS Quads of NCA area	Chukar Trailhead
Stop 2 - Chukar Trail and Put-in At the Chukar put-in, the group will receive a safety orientation from the Gunnison Gorge River Rangers. All gear carried in by them on the Chukar Trail will be packed away in waterproof bags for the float trip to the Ute Park campsite. Topics: Chukar Wash flash flood/debris flow (July 2002) What We Know: Flood and debris flows from tributary streams and their effects on the Gunnison River main stem References: Elliot J.G. and L.S. Parker. 1992. Potential Climate Change Effects on Bed Material Entrainment, the Gunnison Gorge, Colorado Science Needs: Adapting scientific data and information for use by BLM, local communities, and other partners (major field tour theme). How do we incorporate past USGS/BLM scientific data into meaningful agency and public information, interpretative materials, resource management plans, and on-the ground restoration and protection projects?	Chukar Trail 1.1 miles 800 feet Vertically Chukar Raft Put-in
Stop 3 - Long Gulch Debris Fan Topics: Main stem channel changes, tamarisk invasion in Adobe soil What We Know: Changes to Buttermilk Rapid and campsite caused by tributary and main stem events References: Elliott J.G. and R. S. Parker. 1997. Altered Streamflow and Sediment Entrainment in the Gunnison Gorge Science Needs: Current aerial photos for mapping tamarisk areas and tracking changes in the Gunnison River channel	Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) Mitigation
Stop 4 - Ute Park Ranger Station and Campsite The group will stop at the BLM back country ranger station in Ute Park for the night. Participants will have time after lunch to put up their tents and change for the afternoon hike to Howell Village. Topics: NPS Federal reserve water right quantification What We Know: Some of the potential impacts of NPS water rights on BLM’s NCA management (i.e., changes in recreation use, tamarisk control) References: Elliot, Murphy, and Tucker. 1994. Resource Management Considerations in a Changing Physical Environment: The Gunnison Gorge, Colorado Science Needs: Instream flow assessment to evaluate all resource impacts of proposed NPS water rights strategy	Ute Park Ranger Station and Rafting Group
Stop 5 - Howell Village Hike Topics: Ute Park geology and trail, historic uses in the Gunnison Gorge, cultural site protection issue What We Know: Basic geology of the area, Ute Trail River Crossing, historical use of area by Tabeguache Northern Utes, early pioneers, newly discovered Ute site on east side of NCA Science Needs: In-depth geologic information and cultural research for use in interpretive displays and material, protection projects, and other uses.	Howell Village Site

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2001 Participants need to have all their tents and camping gear packed up and ready to put on the boats by 8:15 a.m. Time and weather permitting, the group will take a short hike after breakfast to view the Ute Park CNHP site while the boats are being packed.	Getting Ready for Day Two
Stop 6 - Ute Park Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) Site Topics: Perennial grass community, Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) site, Ute Park campsites, and wilderness use impacts What We Know: Use of site by wintering deer and elk herds, impacts to site from increasing visitor use Science Needs: How do we protect this community? Linking science to visitor use impacts and management actions.
Stop 7 - Boulder Garden Campsite Topics: Tree ring analysis to determine flood frequencies from side canyons; main channel riparian area changes resulting from Aspinall Unit Project What We Know: Core samples from trees in area were done in 1995 in order to document post-Aspinall changes in vegetation. Analysis of these samples was never completed. Science Needs: Re-collection and analysis of tree ring samples and sediment depositions to determine flood frequencies. Evaluation of how the altered flow regime has affected the main stem’s ability to sustain current uses.
Stop 8 - T-dyke Camp Depending on weather, time, discussions, and so on, a decision may be made to run the rapids first and then have lunch at Stop 9. Stop 9 - Smith Fork Day Use Site Topics: Water quality standards issues What We Know: Gunnison and Smith Fork are classified as "Aquatic Life Cold 1" and "Recreational 1" under State water quality standards. The Smith Fork, however, does not meet these State standards or BLM’s Landscape Health Standards. Science Needs: Additional monitoring is needed to better define the causal factors for the impaired water quality and to develop management actions in the NCA plan to meet the standards.	Oar Raft in Boulder Garden Rapids
Stop 10 - Cedar Flats Area/Brewer’s Mine Site Topics: Mine land reclamation challenges; embedded river gravels and the effects on main stem channel stability What We Know: Mining issues: BLM foreclosure on mine site; past problems with mine operator. Main stem channel issues: regulated flows have resulted in embedded river gravel/sediments and filamentous algae problems, which affect channel stability. Pre-dam aerial photos show evidence that the gravels in this area were much more mobile. Science Needs: How do we restore the mined site to meet landscape health standards? Studies to determine volume and duration of flows needed for channel maintenance.

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2001