Hydrological and Biological Monitoring of Bendway Weirs in the Middle Rio Grande

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The purpose of the project is to understand how bendway weir installations impact the ecology and hydrology of the MRG. To date, there has been limited evidence that restoration projects in the form of operational changes from dams or placement of structures provide benefits to aquatic habitat; many restoration projects fail to collect data that can be used as a metric for success upon implementation. Extensive monitoring of a field installation, especially if monitoring also occurs pre-construction, can help evaluate the usefulness of bendway weirs on the MRG as a mechanism for improving biological habitat for aquatic organisms; including organisms important as food resources for the federally endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus amarus; RGSM).

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