Bold Experiment to restore sandbars and banks in the Grand Canyon

[pmbryant]

From the NY Times:

In Bold Experiment at Canyon, a River Rips Through It
By SANDRA BLAKESLEE

A bold experiment is under way to restore the sandbars and banks of the Colorado River where it runs through the Grand Canyon.

At dawn yesterday five scientists, an engineer and two river guides clambered into a 24-foot rubber raft to ride the leading edge of a man-made flood designed to fling tons of sediment out of the river and onto its eroded banks.

Another 50 scientists were stationed at various points downstream, waiting to witness the transformation.

A previous flood experiment in 1996 turned out to be based on faulty assumptions.

The current $3.5 million venture, supported by more than a dozen government agencies and interest groups, is planned differently and will take advantage of some new instruments.

It ends Thursday, but how well it works will not be known for months.

(snip)