22 Aug 2025

Evaluating High Water Indicators Along Lake Powell’s Shoreline, Utah-Arizona

Purpose: This document is a technical note (TN) that outlines how to evaluate physical, chemical, biological, and statistical indicators of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) for reservoirs of the Arid West, with identification of high water indicators around Lake Powell serving as a case study (Figure 1). The focus of this TN is to describe observed indicators, the processes that shape them, and how to put the information in context based on past and present water levels. It can be particularly complicated to evaluate evidence of OHWM in arid west lakes, because of the years of drought that has occurred in this region, leaving indicators high and dry over years. Therefore, this TN also provides information on how to apply the same weight-of-evidence (WoE) approach that was introduced for OHWM delineation in rivers and streams by David et al. (2025) to arid west lakes and reservoirs. Lake Powell is used as a case study to show how to interpret the indicators along the lake and evaluate the relevance, strength, and reliability of these indicators in relation to high water stage in the lake.

2 Aug 2023

Sustainable bank and channel stabilization techniques in arid southwest streams

Abstract: Channel stabilization and enhancement approaches take many different forms and are implemented using varying construction methods, materials, and techniques. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of sustainable streambank stabilization measures that are typically applied in arid southwest (SW) streams. This study was conducted at the request of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Albuquerque District (SPA), and USACE Headquarters. The document also provides rationale for evaluating bank and bed stabilization measures.