BIRCH, WILLOW, and LOST CREEK
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United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service BIRCH CREEK Beaverhead- Deerlodge WILLOW CREEK National Forest LOST CREEK Dillon Ranger District WATERSHED ASSESSMENT May 2008 Birch, Willow, Lost Creek Watershed Assessment The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Cover Photo: Baldy Mountain, Dillon District Files 2 Birch, Willow, Lost Creek Watershed Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 5 A. Background and Document Overview.................................................................. 5 1. Purpose ............................................................................................................. 5 2. Watershed Analysis as a Planning Tool ........................................................... 6 3. Methods ............................................................................................................ 7 B. Landscape Setting ................................................................................................ 7 II. RESOURCE AREAS............................................................................................... 9 A. Soils and Geology................................................................................................. 9 1. Characterization................................................................................................ 9 2. Current Condition........................................................................................... 10 3. Reference Conditions ..................................................................................... 11 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ........................................................................... 11 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 12 B. Watersheds, Streams and Aquatic Habitat......................................................... 13 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 13 2. Current Conditions ......................................................................................... 17 3. Reference Conditions ..................................................................................... 26 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ........................................................................... 26 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 27 C. Vegetation........................................................................................................... 30 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 30 2. Current Condition........................................................................................... 35 3. Reference Condition....................................................................................... 41 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ........................................................................... 46 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 49 D. Fire and Fuels .................................................................................................... 52 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 52 2. Current Condition........................................................................................... 54 3. Reference Condition....................................................................................... 60 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ........................................................................... 62 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 65 E. Wildlife ............................................................................................................... 67 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 67 2. Current Condition........................................................................................... 69 3. Reference Condition....................................................................................... 74 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ........................................................................... 75 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 75 3 Birch, Willow, Lost Creek Watershed Assessment F. Recreation Resources......................................................................................... 76 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 76 2. Current Condition........................................................................................... 79 3. Reference Conditions ..................................................................................... 86 4. Syntheses And Interpretation.......................................................................... 87 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 88 G. Heritage Resources ............................................................................................ 91 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 91 2. Current Conditions ......................................................................................... 93 3. Reference Conditions ..................................................................................... 94 4. Synthesis And Interpretation .......................................................................... 94 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 94 H. Livestock Grazing............................................................................................... 97 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 97 2. Current Conditions ......................................................................................... 97 3. Reference Conditions ..................................................................................... 98 4. Synthesis And Interpretation .......................................................................... 99 5. Recommendations .......................................................................................... 99 I. Timber Management .......................................................................................... 99 1. Characterization.............................................................................................. 99 2. Current Condition......................................................................................... 100 3. Reference Condition..................................................................................... 100 4. Synthesis and Interpretation ......................................................................... 100 5. Recommendations ........................................................................................ 101 III. INTEGRATED RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................... 103 IV. MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................ 107 V. PARTICIPANTS .............................................................................................. 111 VI. REFERENCES................................................................................................. 112 VII. MAPS............................................................................................................... 119 .APPENDIX A – ROAD AND TRAIL ANALYSIS........................................................... 121 .APPENDIX B .-INDIAN QUEEN MINE REPORT ........................................................ 129 . 4 . BIRCH, WILLOW, and LOST CREEK . WATERSHED ASSESSMENT Dillon Ranger District Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 2008 I. INTRODUCTION This watershed assessment consists of four sub-watersheds situated on the east side of the Pioneer Mountains on the Dillon Ranger District. See Map 1, Vicinity. These sub- watersheds are referred to as 6th code Hydrologic Code Units (HUCs). See Map 2 for a perspective of sub-watersheds compared to watersheds or sub-basins. The sub- watersheds are BIRCH, WILLOWUP, WILLOWLOW, and LOST-PIONEER. The LOST- PIONEER is part of the Big Hole at Melrose watershed while BIRCH, WILLOWUP, and WILLOWLOW are part of the Lower Big Hole watershed. All are part