Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. East Originator: Helen C. Fairley Originator: Madeline M. Kelley Publication_Date: 20250410 Title: Aeolian sediment-trap data from the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-delimited text Series_Information: Series_Name: Data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/P14YGKJW Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Other_Citation_Details: Suggested Citation: East, A.E., Fairley, H.C., and Kelley, M.M., 2025, Aeolian sediment-trap data from the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P14YGKJW. Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P14YGKJW Description: Abstract: 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. Purpose: Measurements of aeolian (wind-transported) sediment in the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, collected between 2003 and 2010. Supplemental_Information: Data were collected under National Park Service Research and Collection Permits GRCA-2003-SCI-0101, GRCA-2007-SCI-2004, GRCA-2008-SCI-0002, GRCA-2009-SCI-0018, and GRCA-2010-SCI-0034. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 2003 Ending_Date: 2010 Currentness_Reference: ground condition at time data were collected Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.34298 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.78636 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.58120 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.78787 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation Theme_Keyword: environment Theme_Keyword: inlandWaters Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Data Categories for Marine Planning Theme_Keyword: Data Content Subjects Theme_Keyword: Nonliving Resources Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: earth sciences Theme_Keyword: datasets Theme_Keyword: field inventory and monitoring Theme_Keyword: sediment transport Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: USGS Theme_Keyword: Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center Theme_Keyword: GCMRC Theme_Keyword: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Theme_Keyword: PCMSC Theme_Keyword: sand deposits Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier Theme_Keyword: USGS:67cf3defd34ecfe34cc868cf Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Place_Keyword: State of Arizona Place_Keyword: Colorado River Place_Keyword: Grand Canyon Access_Constraints: No access constraints Use_Constraints: USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Browse_Graphic: Browse_Graphic_File_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/67cf3defd34ecfe34cc868cf?name=Sandtraps_223mile.jpg&allowOpen=true Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Sediment samplers (BSNE traps) deployed in Grand Canyon National Park Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG Data_Set_Credit: USGS gratefully acknowledges sampling permission granted by Grand Canyon National Park. Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Excel Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Fryrear, D.W. Publication_Date: 1986 Title: A field dust sampler Other_Citation_Details: Fryrear, D.W., 1986, A field dust sampler: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, v. 41, no. 2, p. 117120 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Goossens, D. Originator: Offer, Z.Y. Originator: London, G. Publication_Date: 2000 Title: Wind tunnel and field calibration of five aeolian dust samplers Other_Citation_Details: Goossens, D., Offer, Z.Y., and London, G., 2000, Wind tunnel and field calibration of five aeolian dust samplers: Geomorphology, v. 35, p. 232252. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Gushue, T.M. Publication_Date: 2019 Title: Colorado River Mile System, Grand Canyon, Arizona Other_Citation_Details: Gushue, T.M., 2019, Colorado River Mile System, Grand Canyon, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9IRL3GV Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Nickling, W.G. Originator: McKenna Neuman, C. Publication_Date: 1997 Title: Wind tunnel evaluation of a wedge-shaped aeolian sediment trap Other_Citation_Details: Nickling, W.G., and McKenna Neuman, C., 1997, Wind tunnel evaluation of a wedge-shaped aeolian sediment trap: Geomorphology, v. 18, p. 333345 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Stout, J.E. Originator: Fryrear, D.W. Publication_Date: 1989 Title: Performance of a windblown-particle sampler Other_Citation_Details: Stout, J.E., and Fryrear, D.W., 1989, Performance of a windblown-particle sampler: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Transactions, v. 32, p. 20412045. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Zobeck, T.M. Originator: Sterk, G. Originator: Funk, R. Originator: Rajot, J.L. Originator: Stout, J.E. Originator: Van Pelt, R.S. Publication_Date: 2003 Title: Measurement and data analysis methods for field-scale wind erosion studies and model validation Other_Citation_Details: Zobeck, T.M., Sterk, G., Funk, R., Rajot, J.L., Stout, J.E., and Van Pelt, R.S., 2003, Measurement and data analysis methods for field-scale wind erosion studies and model validation: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 28, p. 11631188. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Publication_Date: 2012 Title: Effects of river regulation on aeolian landscapes, Colorado River, southwestern USA Other_Citation_Details: Draut, A. E. (2012), Effects of river regulation on aeolian landscapes, Colorado River, southwestern USA, Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, F02022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002329. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Originator: David M. Rubin Publication_Date: 2005 Title: Measurements of Wind, Aeolian Sand Transport, and Precipitation in the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona November 2003 to December 2004 Other_Citation_Details: Draut, Amy E., and Rubin, David M., 2005, Measurements of Wind, Aeolian Sand Transport, and Precipitation in the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona November 2003 to December 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1309. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Originator: David M. Rubin Publication_Date: 2006 Title: Measurements of Wind, Aeolian Sand Transport, and Precipitation in the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona; January 2005 to January 2006 Other_Citation_Details: Draut, Amy E., and Rubin, David M., 2006, Measurements of wind, aeolian sand transport, and precipitation in the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona; January 2005 to January 2006: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1188 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Originator: Timothy Andrews Originator: Helen C. Fairley Originator: Christopher R. Brown Publication_Date: 2009 Title: 2007 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona Other_Citation_Details: Draut, A.E., Andrews, T., Fairley, H.C., and Brown, C.R., 2009, 2007 Weather and aeolian sand-transport data from the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1098, 110 p. [https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1098/]. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Originator: Hoda A. Sondossi Originator: Joseph E. Hazel, Jr. Originator: Timothy Andrews Originator: Helen C. Fairley Originator: Christopher R. Brown Originator: Karen M. Vanaman Publication_Date: 2009 Title: 2008 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona Other_Citation_Details: Draut, A.E., Sondossi, H.A., Hazel, J.E., Jr., Andrews, Timothy, Fairley, H.C., Brown, C.R., and Vanaman, K.M., 2009, 2008 Weather and aeolian sand-transport data from the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1190, 98 p. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Amy E. Draut Originator: Hoda A. Sondossi Originator: Timothy P. Dealy Originator: Joseph E. Hazel, Jr. Originator: Helen C. Fairley Originator: Christopher R. Brown Publication_Date: 2010 Title: 2009 Weather and Aeolian Sand-Transport Data from the Colorado River Corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona Other_Citation_Details: Draut, A.E., Sondossi, H.A., Dealy, T.P., Hazel, J.E. Jr., Fairley, H.C., and Brown, C.R., 2010, 2009 weather and aeolian sand-transport data from the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010-1166, 98 p. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Timothy P. Dealy Originator: Amy E. East Originator: Helen C. Fairley Publication_Date: 2014 Title: 2010 weather and aeolian sand-transport data from the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona Other_Citation_Details: Dealy, T.P., East, A.E., and Fairley, H.C., 2014, 2010 weather and aeolian sand-transport data from the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1135, 90 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141135/. Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: For analysis of sample mass, the expected accuracy and precision is that of the laboratory scales used to weigh the samples, within 0.0001 grams. Logical_Consistency_Report: Data values are within the expected value range. Completeness_Report: Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: A formal accuracy assessment of the horizontal positional information in the data set has not been conducted. Exact site locations are not disclosed owing to their association with geoarchaeological studies. Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: SAMPLE COLLECTION: The data file contains sediment-mass data from 16 sites identified by their location with respect to river miles along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. In that location-naming convention, river miles refer to the distance downstream of Lees Ferry, Arizona (Gushue, 2019), and the designation Left or Right refers to the side of the river when viewed facing downstream. Exact site coordinates are confidential owing to their association with geoarchaeological studies. Samples at each study location were collected using passive Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) samplers (wedge-shaped, metal traps; Fryrear, 1986) deployed in a vertical array in which four samplers were mounted on a single pole. Trap orifices were set at heights specified in the data files (within 1 meter of the ground surface), for most sites using a set of four samplers situated at 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 meters above the sand surface at the time of installation. Trap heights were adjusted during site visits if they differed substantially from the intended heights due to aeolian inflation or deflation of the ground surface. Each trap is equipped with a vane that turns the trap into the wind. The BSNE design is used widely in agricultural and geologic studies of windblown sediment, in part because its shape allows it to perform nearly isokinetically, causing minimal distortion of air flow at the sampling orifice (Stout and Fryrear, 1989; Nickling and Neuman, 1997; Zobeck and others, 2003). The sampling orifice measures 5 cm tall by 2 cm wide; air flow enters the trap through the orifice and exits through a 60-mesh screen in the upper surface of the trap. Sediment is retained in the lower half of the trap after falling through a wider (18-mesh) screen. Wind-tunnel studies (Goossens and others, 2000) indicate an efficiency range of 70 to 130 percent for BSNE sand traps for the wind velocities and sediment grain sizes encountered in Grand Canyon (typically fine to medium sand). Efficiency less than 100 percent indicates that air flow is directed away from the orifice, such that the trap undersamples windblown sediment, whereas efficiency greater than 100 percent indicates that air flow is directed into the trap, oversampling windblown sediment. An efficiency range of 70 to 130 percent was used in previous reports to estimate sand-transport values from these study sites (refer to reports linked to under Related External Resources tab in this data release page). The same previous reports (under Related External Resources) presented weather data collected from sites adjacent to the sand-trap locations with which this data release is concerned. Process_Date: 2010 Process_Step: Process_Description: SEDIMENT MASS ANALYSIS: Sand traps were emptied and the sediment from each trap collected during maintenance visits days to months apart. Sediment was brought to the laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, to be weighed. Organic material was removed from the sediment by treating the samples with hydrogen peroxide. Samples were dried overnight in an oven at 80 degrees C, allowed to cool in a desiccant chamber, and weighed on a scale with precision to 0.0001 g. Process_Date: 2025 Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 1826 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: Grand_Canyon_sand_trap_data.csv Entity_Type_Definition: Table of data Entity_Type_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute: Attribute_Label: Site_name Attribute_Definition: Name of site in Colorado River corridor. Notes about the geomorphic context of the sites during each sand trap deployment are included on the data release landing page. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: name of study site Attribute: Attribute_Label: Site_abbreviation Attribute_Definition: Abbreviation of study-site names Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: site names abbreviated as described in previous reports (see the Related External Resources section of the data release landing page) Attribute: Attribute_Label: River_mile Attribute_Definition: Location of study site Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: site location described with respect to Colorado River miles downstream of Lees Ferry, Arizona (Gushue, 2019), with Left or Right indicating the side of the river when viewed facing downstream Attribute: Attribute_Label: Duration_days Attribute_Definition: Number of days over which sand had accumulated since traps were last emptied Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.6 Range_Domain_Maximum: 182 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: days Attribute: Attribute_Label: Date_collected Attribute_Definition: Date of sample collection Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 12/16/2003 Range_Domain_Maximum: 10/1/2010 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: mm/dd/yyyy Attribute: Attribute_Label: Sand_trap_height_meters Attribute_Definition: Height of the base of the sand-trap orifice above the ground surface at the time the sample collection began Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.1 Range_Domain_Maximum: 1.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: Sand_mass_grams Attribute_Definition: Mass of sample collected (laboratory result). n.d. means no data were collected from that trap on the date specified Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2426.6 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: grams Attribute: Attribute_Label: Notes Attribute_Definition: Notes (if any) about sample collection at the specified site on the specified date Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: notes (text) if any are applicable Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: The first line of the .csv file is a header line. Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-888-275-8747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sciencebase@usgs.gov Resource_Description: These data are available in csv format (Grand_Canyon_sand_trap_data.csv), which also includes CSDGM FGDCcompliant metadata. Distribution_Liability: Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: comma-delimited text Format_Version_Number: Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2302) Format_Information_Content: Grand_Canyon_sand_trap_data.csv File_Decompression_Technique: No compression applied. Transfer_Size: 0.0889 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/67cf3defd34ecfe34cc868cf Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P14YGKJW Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded using the Network_Resource_Name links. The first link is a direct link to download a zipped file of data and metadata. The second link points to the landing page for the entire data release. Fees: None. Technical_Prerequisites: These data can be viewed with any text-reading or spreadsheet software. Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20250410 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998