THE STATE OF SURFACE WATER THE STATE OF SURFACE WATER GAUGING IN THE NAVAJO NATIONGAUGING IN THE NAVAJO NATION

AregaiAregai TecleTecleProfessor of HydrologyProfessor of Hydrology

Northern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZFlagstaff, AZ

AcknowledgementAcknowledgementMany thanks to my research team mates and Many thanks to my research team mates and Elisabeth Alden for taking the photographsElisabeth Alden for taking the photographs

A MEASUREMENT OF STREAM DISCHARGE RATE A MEASUREMENT OF STREAM DISCHARGE RATE IS NEEDED FOR PRECISE ESTIMATE OF THE IS NEEDED FOR PRECISE ESTIMATE OF THE TOTALAMOUNT OF WATER LEAVING A TOTALAMOUNT OF WATER LEAVING A WATERSHED. THE WATER COMES FROM WATERSHED. THE WATER COMES FROM SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE SOURCES. SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE SOURCES. KNOWLEDGE OF THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IS KNOWLEDGE OF THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IS IMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONSIMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONS..

PURPOSES OF STREAM GAUGINGPURPOSES OF STREAM GAUGINGTo enhance the public safety by providing data for forecasting To enhance the public safety by providing data for forecasting

and managing floods and managing floods To delineate and manage flood plainsTo delineate and manage flood plainsTo characterize current waterTo characterize current water--quality conditions quality conditions To operate and design multipurpose reservoirs To operate and design multipurpose reservoirs To design highway bridges and culverts To design highway bridges and culverts To set minimum flow requirements to meet aquatic life goals To set minimum flow requirements to meet aquatic life goals To monitor compliance with minimum flow requirementsTo monitor compliance with minimum flow requirementsTo develop or operate recreation facilities To develop or operate recreation facilities To allocate water for municipal, industrial, and irrigation usesTo allocate water for municipal, industrial, and irrigation usesTo determine impacts of To determine impacts of phreatophytephreatophyte water consumptionwater consumptionTo evaluate surfaceTo evaluate surface-- and groundand ground--water interactionwater interactionFor scientific studies of longFor scientific studies of long--term changes in the hydrologic term changes in the hydrologic

cyclecycle

CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE DATA QUALITY AND RELIABILITYDATA QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

INSTRUMENT RELIABILITYINSTRUMENT RELIABILITYDATA HANDLING DATA HANDLING DATA PROCESSING DATA PROCESSING INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCEINSTRUMENT MAINTENANCEDATA ACCESSIBILITY (Location)DATA ACCESSIBILITY (Location)SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND REPRESENTATIVENESS SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND REPRESENTATIVENESS OF DATAOF DATAAVAILABILITY OF KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED AVAILABILITY OF KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED PERSONNELPERSONNEL

STREAM GAUGING ASSESSMENT IN THE STREAM GAUGING ASSESSMENT IN THE NAVAJO NATIONNAVAJO NATION

Information sourcesInformation sourcesOnOn--site examination of stream flow gauging site examination of stream flow gauging sites and instrumentssites and instrumentsRelevant literature reviewRelevant literature reviewDownloading available USGS data on Navajo Downloading available USGS data on Navajo streamsstreamsInterview of relevant personnel (NDWR and USGS)Interview of relevant personnel (NDWR and USGS)Historical data acquisition Historical data acquisition

STREAM GAUGING ASSESSMENT STREAM GAUGING ASSESSMENT IN THE NAVAJO NATION IN THE NAVAJO NATION

Data analysisData analysisEvaluation of NDWR stream flow data collection, Evaluation of NDWR stream flow data collection, reporting, communication, and integration needsreporting, communication, and integration needs

Arranging data and trend analysisArranging data and trend analysisComparing data from USGS and NDWR Comparing data from USGS and NDWR operated gaugesoperated gaugesDetermining weaknesses and strengths Determining weaknesses and strengths Providing appropriate Providing appropriate recommendingsrecommendings

CURRENT CONDITIONS OF STREAMS AND CURRENT CONDITIONS OF STREAMS AND ASSOCIATED DATAASSOCIATED DATA IN THE NAVAJO NATIONIN THE NAVAJO NATION

SAN JUAN RIVER STREAM SAN JUAN RIVER STREAM FLOW CHARACTERISTICS

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1979-2006 Stream flow of San Juan River in New Mexico near the border with the Navajo Nation

FLOW CHARACTERISTICSThe San Juan River is operated by the USGS. Compared to The San Juan River is operated by the USGS. Compared to those operated by the NDWR, the data can be used for many those operated by the NDWR, the data can be used for many purposes. Here we use it to show the wet season in the purposes. Here we use it to show the wet season in the lower right hand side and to show the decreasing lower right hand side and to show the decreasing streeamstreeamflow (or drying) condition in the lower left hand side. The flow (or drying) condition in the lower left hand side. The 33--D figure to the right shows the monthly average stream D figure to the right shows the monthly average stream flow for 27 years. The figure can show us years of high or flow for 27 years. The figure can show us years of high or low flows. We can also use the data for modeling water low flows. We can also use the data for modeling water yield and peak flow or flood forecastingyield and peak flow or flood forecasting

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A five year running average of stream flow rate (in cfs) at San Juan River

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Monthly average hydrograph of 1978-2005 flow rate at San Juan River (in cfs)

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEROON: ANOTHER EXAMPLE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEROON: ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A USGSOF A USGS--OPERATED STREAM GAUGEOPERATED STREAM GAUGE

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1947-2005 stream flow record in the Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

1947-2005 5-year running average of Little ColoradRiver discharge (in cfs) near Cameroon, Arizona

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Annual average stream flow (in cfs) of Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

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Monthly average stream flow (in cfs) of Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona

This is a long term data which can be manipulated to show different hydrologic conditions around the area of measurement. The graphs on the right hand side show wet and dry years for 58 year, the upper one on a monthly basis in 3-D and below it as yearly average. The graphs to the left show a 5-year running average and monthly average hydrographs to show annual and seasonal behaviors of the river.

BLACK CREEKBLACK CREEK:: GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONInstrument has been operating continuouslyInstrument has been operating continuouslyData arrangement follows a USGS formatData arrangement follows a USGS formatData recording has been interrupted a number of timesData recording has been interrupted a number of times

Sediment accumulationSediment accumulation

Problems with the Problems with the gauging stationgauging station

Channel invasion by Channel invasion by vegetation vegetation Channel bed Channel bed sediment sediment accumulationaccumulation

Stilling well & vegetationStilling well & vegetation

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BLACK CREEK STREAMFLOW CHARTBLACK CREEK STREAMFLOW CHART

ASSAYI CREEKASSAYI CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONProblems with Problems with AssayiAssayi CreekCreek

1.1. Invasion by vegetation 3. Data have not been regularlyInvasion by vegetation 3. Data have not been regularly2.2. Sediment accumulation taken and processedSediment accumulation taken and processed

ASSAYI CREEK DATA ASSAYI CREEK DATA The graph on the left shows sporadic stream flow The graph on the left shows sporadic stream flow data while the dotted graph on the right is stagedata while the dotted graph on the right is stage--discharge relationship of the recorded data. The discharge relationship of the recorded data. The chart shows little flows for high stage which can be chart shows little flows for high stage which can be due to errors in data recording or instrument due to errors in data recording or instrument reading.reading.

Assayi Creek Sporadic Stream Flow Measurement

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Stage height versus Stream flow rate for Assayi Creek

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CHINLE CREEKCHINLE CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONThree major problems are apparent in this gauging station: 1Three major problems are apparent in this gauging station: 1) stream ) stream braiding resulting in most of the flow taking place away from thbraiding resulting in most of the flow taking place away from the e gauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and 3) stream bottom plagauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and 3) stream bottom plant nt and tree growthand tree growth

The consequences ofThe consequences of these these conditions are both under and conditions are both under and over estimation of stream flowover estimation of stream flow

Stilling wellStilling well

CHINLE CREEK DATACHINLE CREEK DATA

Chinle Creek stage height versus stream flow rate

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Chart of sporadic flow rate data for Chinle Creek

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The graph on the left hand side shows the sporadic nature of The graph on the left hand side shows the sporadic nature of the data collected form the gauge at the data collected form the gauge at ChinleChinle, and there is , and there is nothing one can do with such data. The dotted graph of nothing one can do with such data. The dotted graph of stagestage--discharge relationship on the right shows low discharge relationship on the right shows low correlation between the two forms of stream flow correlation between the two forms of stream flow measurement, which reflects the channel problem.measurement, which reflects the channel problem.

TSAILE CREEKTSAILE CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITION

This stream gauge is located in a very stable and clean This stream gauge is located in a very stable and clean reach and there are no problems associated with channel reach and there are no problems associated with channel aggradationaggradation or degradation nor with sediment or degradation nor with sediment accumulation. The only problem is that the instrument is accumulation. The only problem is that the instrument is not calibrated for flows that rise well above not calibrated for flows that rise well above bankfulbankful stage.stage.

TSAILETSAILE CREEK DATACREEK DATA

The measured stream flow record for the gauge at The measured stream flow record for the gauge at TsaileTsaile is sporadic like those in most of the other NDWRis sporadic like those in most of the other NDWR--operated gauges. However the condition of the stream operated gauges. However the condition of the stream makes the stagemakes the stage--discharge points on the right look discharge points on the right look good.good.

Stage-discharge relationship at Tsaile stream gauging station

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Stream flow rate chart at Tsaile

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WHEATFIELDS CREEKWHEATFIELDS CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONStream flow record at Wheatfieklds gauging station

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Stage-discharge relationship of stream flow at Wheatfield gauging station

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The higher correlation between stage and The higher correlation between stage and discharge at low flows discharge at low flows comoparedcomopared to at higher to at higher flows is reflective of the stream crossflows is reflective of the stream cross--section. It section. It is stable near the bottom of the stilling well but is stable near the bottom of the stilling well but have vegetation at higher level.have vegetation at higher level.

TheThe gauge is in a stable cross-section. However there is a great deal of vegetation invasion above the bankful stage to affect the accuracy of a stream flow measurement. As in the other gauges, we do not have a continuous record to make much sense of the data.

LUKACHUKAI CREEKLUKACHUKAI CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONAs the data from the other gauging stations those from As the data from the other gauging stations those from LukachukaiLukachukai Creek have not Creek have not folowedfolowedproper protocol to provide any important information on the streproper protocol to provide any important information on the stream flow nor can they be used am flow nor can they be used in any modeling or decisionin any modeling or decision--making scheme. making scheme.

Stage-discharge relationship at Lukachukai Creek

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Observe the Observe the tremendous amount tremendous amount of sediment of sediment accumulation along accumulation along the stream bed. the stream bed. There is also plenty There is also plenty of vegetation growth of vegetation growth along the stream along the stream bed.bed.

Stream flow record at Wheatfieklds gauging station

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The order less spread of The order less spread of the stagethe stage--discharge discharge relationship points on the relationship points on the right hand side graph right hand side graph shows the poor gauging shows the poor gauging station condition. Large station condition. Large sediment accumulation sediment accumulation and inand in--channel channel vegetation growth give a vegetation growth give a false high stage height.false high stage height.

CAPTAIN TOM CREEKCAPTAIN TOM CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITION

Stream flow rate record chart at Captain Tom Creek

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Stage-discharge relationship at Captain Tom gauging station

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The are lots of boulders in the stream crossThe are lots of boulders in the stream cross--section where section where the stilling well is located. We could also see the sediment the stilling well is located. We could also see the sediment accumulation inside the stilling well. These along with the accumulation inside the stilling well. These along with the vegetation in the stream can vegetation in the stream can affect the reliability of theaffect the reliability of theflow data significantly.flow data significantly.

KINLICHEE CREEKKINLICHEE CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITION

Stream flow stage-discharge relationship at kinlichee Creek

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Streamflow rate chart at Kinlichee Creek gauging station

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The gauge at The gauge at kinlicheekinlichee Creek is located under a bridge which is stable with no vegetatCreek is located under a bridge which is stable with no vegetation growth and little ion growth and little sediment accumulation. The effect can be see in the nearsediment accumulation. The effect can be see in the near--perfect stageperfect stage--discharge relationship curve belowdischarge relationship curve below

WHISKEY CREEKWHISKEY CREEK: : GAUGE CONDITIONGAUGE CONDITIONStream flow record chart from Whiskey Creek gauging station

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Stage-discharge relationship at Whiskey Creek gauging station

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The flume in this station The flume in this station has some vegetation has some vegetation growth problems, but it is growth problems, but it is relatively in good relatively in good condition. The stagecondition. The stage--discharge data on the right discharge data on the right shows this relatively in shows this relatively in good conditiongood condition

SOME CONCLUDING REMARKSSOME CONCLUDING REMARKSThe condition of the different streams in the Navajo Nation and The condition of the different streams in the Navajo Nation and the data the data gathered from those streams tell us many things.gathered from those streams tell us many things.1.1. The NDWR The NDWR –– operated gauges do not provide useable data because:operated gauges do not provide useable data because:

-- the gauges are not wellthe gauges are not well--maintained to provide reliable datamaintained to provide reliable data-- data are not gathered following USGS protocols and if they aredata are not gathered following USGS protocols and if they are-- the data are not properly processed for any use from most of thethe data are not properly processed for any use from most of the gaugesgauges

2.2. The available gauges are concentrated in a small portion of the The available gauges are concentrated in a small portion of the Nation Nation to represent hydrologic conditions in the Navajo Nationto represent hydrologic conditions in the Navajo Nation

3.3. The main reasons we found out are The main reasons we found out are lack of manpowerlack of manpower and and lack of lack of fundingfunding to properly operate existing gauges, put new ones, process to properly operate existing gauges, put new ones, process and make data available for various uses, and to train and hire and make data available for various uses, and to train and hire technical personal to make all these possible.technical personal to make all these possible.

4.4. The currently available work force (generally consisting of two The currently available work force (generally consisting of two hard hard working technicians) is too small to handle all weather, snow coworking technicians) is too small to handle all weather, snow courses urses and stream flow instrumentation in the Nation.and stream flow instrumentation in the Nation.

SOME RECOMMENDATIONSSOME RECOMMENDATIONSSince availability of accurate and reliable stream flow data areSince availability of accurate and reliable stream flow data areimportant for the various reasons stated above, we recommend important for the various reasons stated above, we recommend that:that:1. 1. The Navajo nation consider having adequate hydrological The Navajo nation consider having adequate hydrological

information a priority as many conditions such as flood information a priority as many conditions such as flood forecasting, reservoir operation, agricultural and domestic forecasting, reservoir operation, agricultural and domestic water supply and drought management as well as wildlife water supply and drought management as well as wildlife and ecosystem maintenance depend on it;and ecosystem maintenance depend on it;

1.1. The federal government through the USGS and other outlets The federal government through the USGS and other outlets support the Navajo Nation to have proper hydrological datsupport the Navajo Nation to have proper hydrological data a collection, maintenance and processing capabilities to meet collection, maintenance and processing capabilities to meet its needs;its needs;

1.1. Develop a collaborative effort among local (Navajo) and Develop a collaborative effort among local (Navajo) and relevant state and federal agencies to work together to relevant state and federal agencies to work together to ensure availability of needed hydrological information.ensure availability of needed hydrological information.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU