Subaerially exposed river sand and reservoir shoreline modelling for Lake Powell releases and changes in Lake Powell and Lake Mead storage

These data were compiled to evaluate impacts of different reservoir management scenarios on sand exposure for aeolian landscape and cultural site resources. Objective of our study was to predict areas of dry, bare Colorado River sand as a function of different management alternative scenarios. These data represent predictions of dry, bare sand for the reach of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park. These data were created during 2023 by the U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. These data can be used to understand how the area of sand available for windblown transport might be impacted different reservoir management alternatives and scenarios considered in the Near-term Colorado River Operations Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Interim Guidelines sEIS) and the Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (LTEMP sEIS).