UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 31, Page 2
May 9, 1996
Geology prof. participates in Grand Canyon flooding

     James E. Pizzuto, geology, was in Arizona last month for the
historic, planned flooding of the Grand Canyon, as a key member of the
experiment's 200-person scientific team. For the first time ever,
massive volumes of water were used for environmental restoration
instead of irrigation or power generation purposes.
     "In the river business, there has never been anything done like
this," Pizzuto said of the U.S. government-funded experiment, which
was 15 years and $60 million research dollars in the making. "This
will have a major impact on our most famous national park."
     The experiment's primary purpose was to protect cultural and
environmental resources and revitalize backwater habitats of the
Colorado River.
     Additional objectives were the redeposition of sand bars at
higher elevations, the preservation and restoration of camping
beaches, the reduction of near-shore vegetation and improved safety.
     "The flooding was an attempt to allow the Grand Canyon's
ecosystem to more closely resemble its natural state," Pizzuto said.
     Pizzuto's specific area of work, on the experiment's "boulder
transport team," included measuring, mapping and surveying 60 large
boulders that were to be transported along the canyon by the flood
waters.
     These boulders, considered dangerous to rafters on the Colorado
River, were supposed to be deposited in safer locations via the force
of 117 billion gallons of water. Pizzuto described the flooding, which
he witnessed from nearby Glen Canyon Dam, as "awesome."
     Unfortunately, he said, the boulders were not moved by the
flooding, and the next flood will need to be larger to accomplish that
goal. Once the boulders are moved into pools downstream, Pizzuto said,
the river will be safer for rafting enthusiasts.
     The seven-day flooding, from late March until early April, was
followed closely and covered by the PBS television network.
     The Tucson PBS affiliate, which sent crews to the Grand Canyon to
cover the experiment's proceedings, will feature the events in an
upcoming broadcast.
     Courses Pizzuto teaches at the University also are benefiting
from his Grand Canyon experience.
     "The experiment has generated a lot of ideas for me to work with
my students," he said, specifically pointing to a discussion of
environmental restoration of rivers.
     The experiment's success may lead to other engineered floods in
the future, Pizzuto said. "This has produced unprecedented data. Other
experiments may happen as a result of the Grand Canyon flooding."
                                                          -Jaret Lyons