Aeolian sediment-trap data from the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Samples of aeolian (wind-transported) sediment were collected between 2003 and 2010 at multiple locations along the Colorado River corridor within Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. At each site, sediment being actively transported by wind were collected using a set of four vertically stacked passive samplers (Big Spring Number Eight [BSNE] sand traps). Sediment samples were collected from the traps during site visits separated by days to months. Sediment sample weights were analyzed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center laboratory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Sediment-sample weights may be used to calculate rates of aeolian sediment transport at each location. The USGS gratefully acknowledges sampling permission granted by Grand Canyon National Park.

Table of site notes for each sand trap deployment period

Site_name
Time Period of Sand Trap Deployment
Notes

24half_lower
11/14/2003 to 01/12/2006
In aeolian dune field just above maximum controlled-flood stage of 1271 m3/s

24half_lower
02/22/2007 to 09/16/2010
In aeolian dune field just above maximum controlled-flood stage of 1271 m3/s

24half_upper
11/14/2003 to 01/12/2006
In upper part of aeolian dune field

24half_upper
02/22/2007 to 09/16/2010
In upper part of aeolian dune field

Malgosa_lower
11/17/2003 to 01/14/2006
At landward side of fluvial sand deposit, approximately at maximum controlled-flood stage of 1271 m3/s

Malgosa_lower
02/09/2008 to 09/17/2010
At landward side of fluvial sand deposit, approximately at maximum controlled-flood stage of 1271 m3/s. By this second deployment, riparian vegetation rapidly encroached on the site

Malgosa_upper
11/17/2003 to 01/14/2006
In upper part of aeolian dune field, just downstream of dune crest

Malgosa_upper
02/09/2008 to 09/17/2010
In upper part of aeolian dune field, just downstream of dune crest

60mile
02/25/2007 to 09/18/2010
In Colorado River-derived sediment surface covered with biological soil crust; gravel/cobble and some vegetation separates site from any recent fluvial sand deposition

Palisades_lower
11/18/2003 to 01/14/2006
On cobble bar along river margin, several meters above maximum controlled-flood stage of 1271 m3/s. Due to cobble/boulder size at location used from 2003 to 2006, lowest trap had to be 0.25 m above the ground rather than 0.1 m as at other stations

Palisades_lower
02/09/2008 to 09/19/2010
Just inland of cobble bar along river margin

Palisades_upper
11/18/2003 to 01/14/2006
In relict aeolian dune field; in aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

Palisades_upper
02/26/2007 to 09/19/2010
In relict aeolian dune field; in aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

Comanche
04/20/2004 to 01/16/2006
In relict aeolian dune field; in aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

Basalt
02/10/2008 to 09/22/2010
In aeolian sand approximately at boundary between fluvial sandbar and wind-reworked aeolian deposit

70mile_lower
02/27/2007 to 09/22/2010
In aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

70mile_upper
02/27/2007 to 09/22/2010
In relict aeolian dune field; in aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

Forster
04/23/2004 to 01/27/2006
In active aeolian sand deposit immediately landward of fluvial sand deposit

OwlEyes
03/03/2007 to 09/28/2010
In aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover

202p9mile
03/07/2007 to 09/29/2010
In aeolian sand deposit (reworked fluvial sediment) surrounded by rapidly growing vegetation. Earlier deployment of a weather station at this location (April 2004 to January 2006) did not include sand traps

223mile_lower
03/08/2007 to 10/01/2010
Near boundary of fluvial and wind-reworked (aeolian) sediment deposit, surrounded by biological soil crust cover and with dense vegetation nearby

223mile_upper
03/08/2007 to 10/01/2010
In aeolian sand with some vegetation and biological soil crust cover