LESSONS LEARNED FROM EVALUATING NAVAJO NATION SURFACE WATER MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING SYSTEM AREGAI TECLE (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ), Gregg Garfin (University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ), Diana Anderson and Paul Heinrich (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ), and John Leeper and Jolene Tallsalt-Robertson (Navajo Department of Water Resources, Fort Defiance, AZ. Little Colorado River Watershed Coordinating Council, Second Annual Winter Watershed Conference Show Low, Arizona January 28-30, 2009

PRESENTATION INCLUDES: Purposes for surface water measurement and monitoring Purposes for surface water measurement and monitoring Measurement devices or approaches Measurement devices or approaches Data types Data types Methods of data retrieval or collection Methods of data retrieval or collection State of Navajo Nation stream flow State of Navajo Nation stream flow measurement measurement Conclusions Conclusions Some recommendations Some recommendations

STREAM WATER COMES FROM SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE SOURCES. STREAM WATER COMES FROM SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE SOURCES. PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF THE STREAM DISCHARGE RATE IS NEEDED TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WATER LEAVING A WATERSHED. PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF THE STREAM DISCHARGE RATE IS NEEDED TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WATER LEAVING A WATERSHED. Kinlichee Creek gauge Kinlichee Creek gauge

GENERAL DATA INADEQUACY CONCERN There are major concerns or perils due to absence, or inadequate, or reduced monitoring of the Nation’s streams and rivers (New York Times, April 11, 2006) There are many reasons for the need to know the amount and rate of stream flow. Flooding in Wisconsin on 6/9/2008

OVERARCHING REASONS FOR ACCURATE MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING SURFACE WATER IN THE NAVAJO NATION Protect & manage Navajo Nation surface water resources for economic, social, cultural and spiritual benefits of the Nation Improve the Nation’s capacity to monitor, plan and manage extreme hydrologic conditions (drought & flooding) Flooding in Wisconsin on 6/9/2008

SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENT To enhance public safety by providing data To enhance public safety by providing data for forecasting and managing flood events for forecasting and managing flood events To delineate and manage flood plains To delineate and manage flood plains To characterize current water-quality conditions To characterize current water-quality conditions To operate and design multipurpose reservoirs To operate and design multipurpose reservoirs - For domestic and agricultural water supply - For domestic and agricultural water supply - For flood control - For flood control - For energy generation - For energy generation - Recreation and wildlife habitat - Recreation and wildlife habitat To design highway bridges and culverts To design highway bridges and culverts

SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENT –Cont.  To set minimum flow requirements to meet aquatic life goals (spawning area, food source, aquatic life goals (spawning area, food source, migration paths of fish and other wildlife) migration paths of fish and other wildlife)  To monitor compliance with minimum flow requirements requirements  To develop or operate recreation facilities  To allocate water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses and agricultural uses  To determine impacts of phreatophyte water consumption consumption  To evaluate surface- and ground-water interactions  To facilitate long-term scientific studies of any changes in the hydrologic cycle changes in the hydrologic cycle

DIFFERENT WAYS OF MEASURING SURFACE WATER FLOW

STREAMFLOW MEASURING DEVICES STREAMFLOW MEASURING DEVICES Flume used for small stream flow measurements Various parts of a stilling well: left figure showing most appropriate location by a bridge to ensure channel stability; right figure shows the different parts of a stilling well. Structure of a Parshall flume Structural example of a V-notch weir

STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Continue STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Continue Pressure transducer – installed submerged in the flow channel useful for long-term measurement and operation (may also be used with no cable as battery- operated) Radar level sensor – non contact measurement of water surface, mostly used for long-term operation and measurement (sensitive to disturbance) Utrasonic water level sensor – non-contact measurement of water surface elevation used for long term operation and monitoring (sensitive to disturbances) Electromagnetic current meter – advantageous in channels where fouling mechanical sensors is problematic

STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Continue STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Continue Mechanical () current meter for infrequent flow measurement – vertical axis Mechanical (Pygmy) current meter for infrequent flow measurement – vertical axisPygmy Mechanical current meter – horizontal axis Current meter – acoustic doppler velocity meter – used for infrequent non-continuous water velocity measurement (has high accuracy) Price pigmy stream flow measuring device –done from a suspended position.

STREAM FLOW MEASURING DEVICES - Cont. Ultrasonic velocity with water level transducer – current meter. It is typically mounted in the channel bottom and measures water surface elevation and vertically-integrated velocity in small channels. Bubble manometer – the manometer shelter can be located at a distance from the water’s edge in a safe location and the orifice may be easily moved to follow changing stream channel. Gas bubbles keep the orifice from getting covered by sediment Microwave water surface velocity gage – useful for water surface velocity measurement during high stage floods.

Remote hydrologic Stations GOES Wallops, Virginia Command and Data Acquisition Center DOMSAT User Operations ( Internet ) Stage After Chris Smith, USGS (2008)

DATA TYPES  Snow water equivalent  Stream flow data - Stage height - Event stream flow rate - Event stream flow rate or discharge rate or discharge rate - Cumulative or total - Cumulative or total stream flow amount stream flow amount

SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED IN THIS PRESENTATION  On-site examination of stream flow gaging sites and instruments Relevant literature review Relevant literature review Interview of relevant personnel Interview of relevant personnel (NNDWR, USGS and NWS) Historical data acquisition Historical data acquisition Evaluation of NNDWR stream flow data collection, reporting, communication, and integration needs Evaluation of NNDWR stream flow data collection, reporting, communication, and integration needs Comparing data from USGS and NDWR operated gauges Comparing data from USGS and NDWR operated gauges

CHUSKA AGRICULTURE CASE STUDY Observed Changes: Decreased snow, soil moisture, and irrigation supply since 1999 – Cessation of farming Rachael Novak, CLIMAS and Univ. Arizona Geosciences

STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT TYPES Stage height – height of the water in a stream above a certain baseline in feet or meter. Stage height – height of the water in a stream above a certain baseline in feet or meter. Stream flow or discharge – is volume flow of water (in cubic Stream flow or discharge – is volume flow of water (in cubic Feet or meter cubic) moving past a cross-section of a stream during a specific period of time (in seconds), hence the rate of discharge is cubic feet per second. Feet or meter cubic) moving past a cross-section of a stream during a specific period of time (in seconds), hence the rate of discharge is cubic feet per second. Rating curve – A graphical representation of the relationship between the stage height and the discharge rate of a stream flow. Rating curve – A graphical representation of the relationship between the stage height and the discharge rate of a stream flow. Crane, current meter, and weight used to measure the stream flow rate from a bridge. River bed

OBSERVATIONS ON OPERATIONAL STREAM GAGES AND ASSOCIATED DATA QUALITY IN THE NAVAJO NATION Black Creek

CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE DATA QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE DATA QUALITY AND RELIABILITY INSTRUMENT RELIABILITY INSTRUMENT RELIABILITY INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE DATA HANDLING DATA HANDLING DATA PROCESSING DATA PROCESSING DATA ACCESSIBILITY (Location) DATA ACCESSIBILITY (Location) SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND REPRESENTATIVENESS OF DATA KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED PERSONNEL AVAILABILITY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED PERSONNEL AVAILABILITY MAINTENANCE OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE OF FACILITY Captain Tom wash gage

Gages are concentrated mainly on streams draining the Chuska Mountains, which is a small part of the Navajo Nation.

BLACK CREEK: GAGE CONDITION Instrument has been operating continuously, however, data recording has been interrupted a number of times Sediment accumulation Concerns with the gaging station Channel invasion by Exotic vegetation Channel invasion by Exotic vegetation Channel bed sediment accumulation Channel bed sediment accumulation Channel aggredation & degradation Channel aggredation & degradation Stilling well & vegetation

BLACK CREEK STREAMFLOW CHART

ASSAYI CREEK : GAGE CONDITION Concerns with Assayi Creek gage 1.Invasion by vegetation 3. Data have not been regularly 2.Sediment accumulation taken and processed June 2007

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

Note stream bed sediment accumulation CHINLE CREEK: GAGE CONDITION Stilling well

CHINLE CREEK : GAGE CONDITION-Cont Three major concerns are apparent in this gauging station: 1) stream braiding resulting in most of the flow taking place away from the gauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and 3) stream bottom plant and tree growth Three major concerns are apparent in this gauging station: 1) stream braiding resulting in most of the flow taking place away from the gauge, 2) lots of sediment accumulation and 3) stream bottom plant and tree growth The consequences of these conditions are both under and The consequences of these conditions are both under and over estimation of stream flow over estimation of stream flow streambed vegetation invasion Flow a way from gage

CHINLE CREEK DATA The graph on the left hand side shows the sporadic nature of the data collected form the gage at Chinle, and there is little one can do with such data. The dotted graph of stage-discharge relationship on the right shows low correlation between the two forms of stream flow measurement, which reflects the channel problem. The graph on the left hand side shows the sporadic nature of the data collected form the gage at Chinle, and there is little one can do with such data. The dotted graph of stage-discharge relationship on the right shows low correlation between the two forms of stream flow measurement, which reflects the channel problem.

WHEATFIELDS CREEK : GAGE CONDITION The higher correlation between stage and discharge at low flows comopared to at higher flows is reflective of the stream cross-section. It is stable near the bottom of the stilling well but have vegetation at higher level. The The 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 gages, we do not have a continuous record to make much sense of the data.

LUKACHUKAI CREEK : GAGE CONDITION Observe the tremendous amount of sediment accumulation along the stream bed. There is also plenty of vegetation growth along the stream bed. The order less scatter of the stage-discharge relationship points on the right hand side graph shows the poor gaging station condition. Large sediment accumulation and in-channel vegetation growth give a false high stage height. As with the data from the other gauging stations those from Lukachukai Creek have not followed proper protocol to provide any important information on the stream flow nor can they be used in any modeling or decision-making process.

CAPTAIN TOM Wash : GAUGE CONDITION There are lots of boulders in the stream cross-section where the stilling well is located. We could also see the sediment accumulation inside the stilling well. These along with the vegetation in the stream can affect the reliability of the flow data significantly. They need to be cleaned.

WHISKEY CREEK: GAUGE CONDITION The flume in this station has some vegetation growth problems, but it is relatively in good condition. The stage- discharge data on the right shows this relatively good condition.

This is one of Navajo Nation’s Safety of Dams automated stations that provide real-time data to protect lives and property. Where gaged stream channels are stable and well maintained, long- term data can be generated to forecast extreme hydrological events such as drought and flood periods. TSAILE CREEK

Detail of the state-of-the-art automated streamgage and weather Station instrumentation at Tsaile Creek. TSAILE CREEK

TSAILE CREEK DATA The measured stream flow record for the gage at Tsaile is sporadic like those in most of the other NNDWR- operated gages. However the condition of the stream makes the stage-discharge points on the right look good. In this situation as in others, there is a need for continuous data collection and processing.

KINLICHEE CREEK : GAUGE CONDITION The gauge at kinlichee Creek is located under a bridge which is stable with no vegetation growth and little sediment accumulation. The effect can be see in the near-perfect stage-discharge relationship curve below

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER NEAR CAMEROON: ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A USGS-OPERATED STREAM GAUGE stream flow record in the Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona year running average of LCR discharge (in cfs) near Cameroon, Arizona Annual average stream flow (in cfs) of Little Colorado River near Cameron, Arizona 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 periods for 58 years, the upper one on a monthly basis in 3-D and below it is the bimodal monthly averages. The graphs to the left show the annual average (upper) and a 5-year running average (lower) showing a generally decreasing trend with time.

SAN JUAN RIVER STREAM FLOW CHARACTERISTICS A five year running average of stream flow rate (in cfs) at San Juan River Monthly average hydrograph of flow rate at San Juan River (in cfs) Stream flow of San Juan River in New Mexico near the border with the Navajo Nation The San Juan River gage is operated by the USGS. Compared to those operated by the NNDWR, the data can be used for many purposes. Here we use it to show the wet season in the lower right hand side and to show the decreasing stream flow (or drying) condition with time in the lower left hand side. The 3-D figure to the right shows the monthly average stream flow for 27 years. The figure also shows periods of high and low flows as well as its persistent unimodal nature. We can also use the data for modeling water yield and peak flow or flood forecasting The San Juan River gage is operated by the USGS. Compared to those operated by the NNDWR, the data can be used for many purposes. Here we use it to show the wet season in the lower right hand side and to show the decreasing stream flow (or drying) condition with time in the lower left hand side. The 3-D figure to the right shows the monthly average stream flow for 27 years. The figure also shows periods of high and low flows as well as its persistent unimodal nature. We can also use the data for modeling water yield and peak flow or flood forecasting

STATION INSTALLATION AND RETENTION CRITERIA There are many criteria to consider when installing or retaining a gauging station: These include: Presence of population centers around or downstream of the station sites Present or future presence of reservoirs downstream of the potential or existing station sites Value in the data for recreation and tourism enterprises Present or potential presence of large irrigated areas nearby the station Multiple versus single use of stations Potential for additional uses of the station Easy access to station location Proximity of station location to telecommunications Location of station in a unique or important ecosystem Station data reliability (are many data missing from the station)

STATION INSTALLATION AND RETENTION CRITERIA-Cont. Presence of high density stations in close proximity High potential for land ownership or where the station becomes prone to vandalism Usefulness of station to wildlife monitoring efforts High potential (or a history) of site for high wildlife habitat disturbance Capability of station location, or the length of station record to facilitate climate change monitoring Excessive cost of operating and maintaining station Educational and research values of station Possibility for area economic development support of station

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS Working with NAU AND UofA on hydroclimate data acquisition capacity building Working with NAU AND UofA on hydroclimate data acquisition capacity building Collaborating with the USGS on stream gaging and data collection Collaborating with the USGS on stream gaging and data collection Collaborating with NWS to acquire and locate Collaborating with NWS to acquire and locate NOAA Weather Radio stations and other facilities Continuous BIA funding and assistance to continue develop weather, water, and climate data acquisition and processing capacity Continuous BIA funding and assistance to continue develop weather, water, and climate data acquisition and processing capacity Collaborating with Corps of Engineers on watershed modeling Collaborating with Corps of Engineers on watershed modeling Collaboration with private companies and individuals as well as other federal and state agencies Collaboration with private companies and individuals as well as other federal and state agencies

CONCLUDING REMARKS CONCLUDING REMARKS The condition of the different streams and the gauging facilities in the Navajo Nation and the data gathered from those streams tell us many things. The condition of the different streams and the gauging facilities in the Navajo Nation and the data gathered from those streams tell us many things. 1.The stream gauges operated by the Navajo Nation are all functioning, however, 2.The stream reaches where the gauges are located are not well maintained to provide reliable data - data are not gathered in a consistent and continuous manner and even if they were - data are not gathered in a consistent and continuous manner and even if they were - the data from most of the gages need proper processing for any use in decision making 3.The available gauges are concentrated in a very small portion of the Nation to represent the hydrologic conditions in the Navajo Nation 4.The main reasons for the problems are inadequate funding and shortage of manpower to properly operate existing gages, install new ones, process and make data available for various uses. 5.Poor sampling leads to poor understanding of weather, water, and climate issues.

CONCLUDING REMARKS – Cont. 6. Limits ability to help save lives and property. 7. Present gages are restricted to small areas; data would be needed to represent varying climatic, topographic and land use areas 8.Some gaging stations are not in good shape 9.Shortage of NWS retrievable climate data for hydrologic forecasting purposes 10. Data needed for various development needs as indicated next.

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS Since availability of accurate and reliable stream flow data are important for the various reasons stated previously, we recommend : Since availability of accurate and reliable stream flow data are important for the various reasons stated previously, we recommend : 1.That having adequate hydrological information be a priority since many important situations such as accurate flood forecasting, proper reservoir operation, reliable estimation of agricultural and domestic water supplies, drought management as well as satisfactory wildlife and ecosystem maintenance and management depend on it; 2.Obtain adequate funding for existing instrument maintenance, personnel training and hiring new employees; 3.Ensure that data gathered from existing gages are properly processed and analyzed following properly protocol and make it available for others to use; 4.In the long-term, obtain funds for installing gauges in streams that are not gauged at present.

RECOMMENDATIONS – Cont. 5.Enhance data communication – telemeter data in near real-time – this will enhance usability and quality control; 6.Incorporate Navajo Nation data with USGS data to provide reliable forecasting system; 7.Develop a collaborative effort among local (Navajo) and relevant state and federal agencies to work together to ensure availability of needed hydrological information for various uses; 8.Develop ecosystem-based and multiobjective water resources management.

THANK YOU