2016 NaMItuSSOURIral AreVolume 16,as Number 1 N E W S L E T T E R “…identifying, designating, managing and restoring the best remaining examples of natural communities and geological sites encompassing the full spectrum of Missouri’s natural heritage”

bust ground cover of native grasses and sedges Editor’s Note (the result of an active fire regime) blanketed Missouri’s Waters large areas of the minimally developed watershed which helped to make the waters rich with aquatic n the summer of 2003, I experienced my invertebrates and smallmouth bass. I became first canoe trip on a clear, fast moving Mis- hooked on paddling Ozark rivers after that first souri Ozark stream. The Niangua River from IBennett Spring to Prosperine, a good twelve mile experience, one that helped me make a decision to float, was breathtaking. While most of the land relocate to Missouri from Louisiana. surrounding this part of the Niangua River is Since 2003, this stretch of the Niangua River privately owned, healthy woodlands with a ro- has become home to many more canoe outfitters,

Late July on the Niangua River Photo by Allison J. Vaughn J. Allison by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 1 campground and lodging developments, NATURAL AREAS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE and grazing along the riverbanks. To add to the threats to the river’s natural qual- Dark Hollow ity, in recent years, flood events occur more Spring Creek Ranch Lincoln Hills frequently which results in heavy nutrient Paintbrush Prairie loading and sedimentation. The Niangua River LaBarque Creek I floated in 2003 is markedly different from the Brickey Hills same stretch I floated after the 10-inch rain event Golden Prairie Sunklands that occurred in December 2015. Water quality Alley Spring remains a high priority for citizens of Missouri as Big Spring evidenced by the thriving Stream Team program and the throngs of water quality volunteers who Contents assist state and federal agencies in monitoring LaBarque Creek’s Small, But Mighty Conservation our waterways. This issue of the Missouri Natu- Kevin Meneau & Andrea Schuhmann...... 3 ral Areas Newsletter focuses on Missouri’s waters, Planning for Conservation in the Meramec River Basin from the springs of the Ozark National Scenic Dr. Steven J. Herrington...... 5 Riverways to the prairie streams with endangered The Hellbender — A Journey in Saving a Declining Ozark Highland Salamander Topeka shiner populations. We also explore the Dr. Jeff Briggler...... 9 impacts of climate change and the increase in Monitoring Missouri’s Large Springs abundance of these once-historic rain events Dr. David E. Bowles & Hope R. Dodd...... 13 Recent increase in extreme rainfall amounts in the Big Barren which now occur more frequently than before. Creek Watershed, Southeast Missouri The Missouri Natural Areas Program protects Dr. Robert T. Pavlowsky, Marc R. Owen & Rachael A. Bradley.. 19 not only small remnant natural communities, but Re-introduction of Topeka Shiners into Northern Missouri Using Non-essential Experimental Populations — the Product also watershed-scale landscapes such as the St. of an Excellent Partnership Francois Mountains Natural Area which weighs Dr. Paul M. McKenzie, Jerry Wiechman & Dr. Doug Novinger...25 in at 7,028 acres. The recently expanded LaBarque Huzzah Creek — An Aquatic Resource Worthy of Conservation Mike Leahy & Jennifer Girondo...... 29 Creek Natural Area now encompasses 2,084 acres Huzzah Watershed and Landowner Projects Benefitting of high quality ecosystems spanning ownership People, Critters, and Water between the Missouri Department of Conserva- Rob Pulliam...... 30 Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Projects in tion and Missouri Department of Natural Re- Missouri sources. Read on to learn more about the highly Randy Sarver...... 32 diverse LaBarque Creek Natural Area and other Natural Area News...... 34 Calendar of Events...... 39 themes and topics that pertain to our state’s valu-

able water resources. The Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter is an annual journal published — Allison J. Vaughn, editor by the Missouri Natural Areas Committee, whose mission is identifying, designating, managing and restoring the best remaining examples of Allison Vaughn is the Ozark District Natural Resource Steward with natural communities and geological sites encompassing the full spectrum the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. of Missouri’s natural heritage. The Missouri Natural Areas Committee Contact: [email protected] consists of the Missouri Department of Nat- ural Resources, the Missouri Depart- ment of Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service To receive notification when new issues of the and the Nature Conservancy. Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter are posted, e-mail [email protected]. This list-serve is only used to notify people of the link to the current natural areas newsletter web posting.

2 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by Danny Brown Danny by Photo LaBarque Creek’s Small, But Mighty Conservation By Kevin Meneau and Andrea Schuhmann

one-inch rainfall overwhelms the hilltops of a small urban watershed. Sheets of stormwater scream off numerous imper- Avious surfaces and are collected in nearby pipes to be quickly dumped into normally dry stream channels. The raging torrents exit pipes and rap- idly fill increasingly vast canyons gouged out of stream channels which people could once easily step over. Aquatic habitats, and the animals need- ing it, are devastated across the St. Louis region. The message is as clear as the stormwater is turbid — healthy streams start in small, healthy places. Ghost Falls is just one of many gems tucked away throughout the Just a few miles away, the same rainstorm filtered LaBarque Creek Natural Area. The St. Peters Sandstone formations yield a variety of spectacular geologic features including incised through a mosaic of diverse landscapes within the box canyons, shelter caves, sandstone bridges and intermittent LaBarque Creek watershed’s natural area, slowly waterfalls as observed here. producing rivulets which trickle over ancient St. Peter’s sandstone waterfalls and gather into an terrestrial structure, energy, and nutrients into the unnamed tributary. These clear and gentle flows aquatic environment — in the form of leaves, root augment steady stream base flows to maintain wads, and downed trees. These intact, physical high-quality and diverse aquatic habitats. Small, and biological elements act in concert to support a but mighty conservation lives here. remarkable array of fish and aquatic macroinver- In 2010, an initial natural area designation of tebrates here and elsewhere in the watershed. 667 acres was made recognizing upper LaBarque MDC surveys have identified 54 species of fish Creek Watershed’s sheltered moist canyons, cliffs, that inhabit LaBarque Creek — over three times bowls, waterfalls, and ravines and the suite of greater than its downstream Meramec River tribu- state-listed plants and the natural communities tary neighbors. LaBarque Creek’s fisheries Index they host. In 2016, an additional 1,417 acres (the of Biologic Integrity consistently scores above 77, balance of Don Robinson State Park and remain- indicating high quality. Many of the fish inhabit- ing LaBarque Creek Conservation Area) was added. ing this watershed are long-lived species whose The additional acreage is the source of several presence not only indicates stream quality but Ozark headwater streams that merge to form an also long-term habitat integrity and stability. outstanding spring branch. This 2nd Order tribu- Studies have shown that once 10% or more of a tary of LaBarque Creek contains an abundance of watershed is converted to impervious surface, sig- pool and riffle habitats that form as the stream nificant losses in ecological integrity ensue. Unlike meanders over sand, gravel, cobble and sandstone the surrounding urban watersheds, less than 5% of bedrock. The surrounding forests and vegetated the LaBarque Creek Watershed consists of imper- banks provide critical organic inputs — cycling vious surfaces. Approximately 32% of the entire

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 3 LaBarque Creek Watershed is under public owner- they form creates a healthy and impressively di- ship (Don Robinson State Park, LaBarque Creek verse LaBarque Creek. And within that Creek lies Conservation Area, Young Conservation Area, and its treasure — tremendous biodiversity. Glassberg Conservation Area) to help ensure the long-term protection of this biodiversity hotspot. Kevin Meneau is a Fisheries Management Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Collectively, these rich, intact terrestrial communi- Contact: [email protected] ties generate healthy sub-watersheds drained by Andrea Schuhmann is a Natural History Biologist with the Missouri healthy, small streams. Each healthy tributary may Department of Conservation. be small, but together the mighty aquatic matrix Contact: [email protected]

The streams of Don Robinson State Park serve as prime examples of headwater streams which course water from the rugged glade and woodland communities to the forest communities in the lower reaches of the LaBarque Creek watershed. Photo by Kevin Meneau Kevin by Photo

4 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 rare aquatic and terrestrial plants, animals, and Planning for natural communities. The Meramec and its tribu- taries also provide important economic and social Conservation in the benefits to the region, including a productive fishery, significant tourism and recreational use Meramec River Basin and associated economic inputs, and drinking wa- By Steven J. Herrington, Ph.D. ter supplies to St. Louis. Although considered in relatively good health, a number of problems and lans are nothing, but planning is activities degrade aquatic habitats and fish and everything.” This famous quote by wildlife resources throughout the basin. The Mer- “P former president Dwight D. Eisen- amec River Basin has benefitted from decades of hower speaks to the need for a thorough and focus by a variety of conservation, planning, and measured understanding of all elements that go environmental organizations and agencies. These into a course of action, and that only through efforts have produced significant conservation that understanding can that course of action be benefits; however, these stakeholders determined successfully implemented and adapt to changes. the need for a comprehensive plan to best align The Nature Conservancy in Missouri has applied their work for aligning their efforts and further this principle to conservation planning in order to protecting basin resources. further long-term protection of aquatic resources In 2014, The Nature Conservancy completed in the Meramec River Basin. The Meramec River the Meramec River Conservation Action Plan, a flows over 200 miles northeast from the Ozarks collaboration among 29 conservation stakehold- in east-central Missouri to its confluence with the ers to develop a unified blueprint for ensuring the Mississippi River south of St. Louis. It is among sustainability of aquatic resources in the Meramec the most biologically significant river basins in River Basin. The plan comprehensively identifies mid-continental North America, with diverse and and prioritizes target resources for conservation,

Excessive sedimentation from streambank erosion resulting from land conversion is a major problem degrading aquatic resources in the Meramec River Basin. Photo by The Nature Conservancy Nature The by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 5 the current health and problems affecting those drainages were the healthiest targets in the basin, resources, the source of the problems, and the best being ranked “Very Good” for excellent hydrology, actions maximizing the benefit and long-term in-stream and floodplain connectivity, riparian protection, restoration, and conservation of the corridor condition, and diverse biological com- Meramec River and its resources. The group deter- munities. Freshwater mussels were ranked “Fair,” mined eight conservation targets to best capture reflecting recent patterns of biodiversity and the biodiversity and ecological processes of aquatic population declines throughout the basin. resources of the Meramec River Basin. The Lower A variety of problems — or “stresses” — stem- Meramec River Drainage, Middle Meramec River ming from multiple sources — or “threats” — im- Drainage, Upper Meramec River Drainage, Bour- pair targets in the Meramec River Basin. Twelve beuse River Drainage, Big River Drainage, Huz- stresses were identified as degrading targets in zah and Courtois Creek Drainages, and LaBarque the basin. The first three stresses are interre- Creek Drainage were aquatic ecosystem targets, for lated and widespread throughout the basin, with which actions in those watersheds will ensure the streambank erosion as a potentially significant conservation of all associated native biodiversity factor contributing excessive sedimentation in therein. Freshwater mussels were designated as a the Meramec River and its tributaries. Although separate target given their unique ecological vul- geographically narrow in scope, heavy metal nerabilities and special conservation needs. contamination was also highly ranked because of The current health of the targets, as measured its severe impacts when present and potential to by a combination of biological composition, struc- degrade multiple targets, particularly those within ture, interactions and processes, environmental or downstream of the Big River. Thirteen threats regimes, and landscape context, varied from “Poor” were identified as sources of the stresses degrading to “Very Good,” with an overall rank of “Fair” the targets. The six most critical threats were live- for the Meramec River Basin in total. The Lower stock farming & ranching, housing & urban areas, Meramec River was ranked “Poor” primarily due mine tailings & industrial effluents, in-stream to the relatively widespread effects of urbaniza- gravel mining & reaming, dams & water manage- tion on stream function throughout much of the ment, and transportation, utility, & service corri- lower river. The Middle and Upper Meramec were dors. Livestock farming & ranching was the most ranked “Good,” reflecting relatively unimpaired widespread threat across the targets, reflecting the floodplain connectivity and hydrology, though historical and current agricultural footprint with- land floodplain conversion from agricultural in the river and tributary floodplains responsible practices are a concern. The Bourbeuse River was for multiple stresses degrading targets. Housing & ranked “Fair” because of the high concentration urban areas severely altering stream function in of livestock farming and ranching throughout the St. Louis area is thus of particular concern to its tributaries and main stem floodplain, though the lower Meramec River, as well as the Big River, its hydrology is minimally impaired and it sup- and freshwater mussel targets. Mine tailings & ports a good sport fishery. Despite also having a industrial effluents from historical and current good sport fishery, a relatively unaltered hydrol- heavy metal mining in the Ozarks are the primary ogy, and floodplain connectivity, the Big River was source of the contaminated sediments that most ranked “Fair” due to the presence of several main strongly affect the Big River. In-stream gravel min- stem dams and the serious impacts to ecosystem ing & reaming and dams & water management function from heavy metal contamination. The threats degrade targets in multiple ways, though Huzzah and Courtois creeks and LaBarque Creek the extent of their impact in the basin is poorly

6 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by The Nature Conservancy Nature The by Photo

A new sculpture titled “Where Rivers Flow, Trees Grow” was installed at Edgar M. Queeny Park this fall to raise awareness about the ways native Missouri plants and trees keep our water resources healthy. The 6-foot tall stainless steel sculpture depicts a fish-filled stream that flows up and becomes part of a majestic tree with leafy branches. It was designed and built by 20 St. Louis ArtWorks apprentices in 2015, and commissioned by The Nature Conservancy as part of the “Growing a Healthy Meramec” project with support by the Boeing Company. understood. Transportation, utility, & service cor- mentation, and costs. Some of the top strategies ridors are also widespread and impact targets in included: (1) identifying sources of sedimentation multiple ways. A situation analysis helped identify throughout the basin in order to better prioritize the root causes of the critical threats, as well as future actions; (2) assessing land conversion rates conditions and stakeholders that could ameliorate to identify areas most likely to be impacted in the their effects across the Meramec River Basin. future; (3) implementing restoration projects for We extracted over 400 goals, objectives, and abating sediment and creating habitat, such as strategies, as well as research and data needs, from streambank stabilization; and (4) outreach and over 40 conservation plans, policies, and publica- education for agriculture producers and growing tions designed to conserve aquatic resources in cities for advocating for best management prac- the Meramec River Basin. These were synthesized tices, sustainable development, and other water into 87 unified objectives to serve as a template for conservation efforts. These strategies represented future conservation planning for this and other the first iteration of objective and strategy devel- river basins. The planning team further refined opment across stakeholders in the basin, though these to 12 objectives and 14 strategic actions for future planning efforts are needed to further re- addressing critical threats in the Meramec River fine objectives and strategies. In addition to refin- Basin. Strategies were prioritized by ranking sev- ing strategies, the next steps for implementing the eral factors relevant to how that action can best Meramec River Conservation Action Plan included achieve objectives for targets, including stresses defining research for better understanding target addressed, duration of outcome, ease of imple- viability and measuring results of conservation ac-

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 7 tions and developing work plans for implementing Resources entered into an agreement to develop the highest-priority strategies. a Meramec River Feasibility Study. The goals of Since 2014, the Conservancy has worked with the 3-year study are to (1) identify water resources partners to help implement several of the strate- problems impacting river resources such as exces- gies developed under the plan. The Conservancy sive sedimentation and heavy metal contamina- has teamed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, tion, (2) formulate and evaluate solutions, and (3) Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozark prepare recommendations for targeting aquatic Regional Land Trust, and other plan partners to restoration projects that will provide the greatest implement on-the-ground restoration, such as ecological lift. Under this effort, the Conservancy reforestation and streambank stabilization using is working with Saint Louis University to complete a basin-scale analysis of nonpoint source pollution bioengineering, in target areas of the Meramec, and modeling future potential impacts of land including the Huzzah, Courtois, and LaBarque conversion and climate change. The Conservancy creeks. The partners recently completed an ur- will also update the Meramec Conservation Action ban outreach project in St. Louis’ Queeny Park, Plan and revise its most effective strategies with where nearly 10,000 trees were planted to improve this new information. These are among a few of the watershed for a small tributary to the lower the collaborative actions that partners are taking Meramec, and students with St. Louis Art Works in the Meramec. Hopefully, this continued plan- created a sculpture symbolizing watershed protec- ning will help provide some of the “everything” tion at the park. Among the most important was needed to ensure we as conservationists do the to better understand sources of sedimentation, the things that matter the most for the Meramec Riv- top-ranked problem impacting aquatic resources er’s natural resources and the people who depend and highest priority need per the plan. Meramec on them for generations to come. partners agreed to pursue this need at the basin Steven J. Herrington, Ph.D. is Director of Freshwater Conservation with scale, and in 2015, the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- The Nature Conservancy in Missouri. neers and the Missouri Department of Natural Contact: [email protected]

2017 Missouri Natural Resources Conference

February 1–3, 2017 • Osage Beach, Missouri • www.MNRC.org

8 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri by Photo

Adult Eastern Hellbender observed walking on the bottom of the Big Piney River.

geology provide hellbenders with food, shelter, The Hellbender and reproduction needs. Hellbenders will typically spend their entire life within a small reach of river A Journey in Saving a Declining living beneath rocks and within bedrock crevices Ozark Highland Salamander during the day and emerging to forage on crayfish particularly at night. Breeding generally occurs By Jeff Briggler, Ph.D. between early September and late October. Males prepare nest chambers primarily beneath large, ellbenders are large ( 16 to 20 inches ~ flat rocks or within bedrock crevices and wait long), aquatic salamanders that inhabit for a female to arrive. Upon arrival of the female, cool, highly oxygenated, moderate to H she will deposit eggs within the nest chamber swift-flowing rivers in the Ozark Highlands. They that are fertilized externally, which is an ancient have a large, keeled tail, small eyes, a great sense characteristic for salamander species, one similar of smell, and a dorso-ventrally flattened body that to fish species. From this point forward the male enables movement in the fast-flowing streams it will guard the eggs and resulting larvae for six inhabits. The sides of their body have numerous to seven months until the hatchling hellbenders fleshy folds providing surface area for respira- venture out of the nesting chamber. tion. Currently, there are two described subspecies Hellbenders have dramatically declined over the of hellbenders (Ozark Hellbender and Eastern past 40 years in Missouri, with a prominent shift in Hellbender) found throughout the eastern United age structure towards large, mature individuals with States. The Ozark Hellbender is endemic to the young age classes virtually absent. Historic population southern Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas. Mis- estimates were over 45,000 animals. Today less than souri is the only state with both subspecies of 2,300 are known from the wild in Missouri. In addition, hellbenders. Rivers in the Ozarks that are heav- results of a population assessment indicated that all ily spring-fed with large, flat rocks and bedrock hellbender populations have a high risk of extinction crevices carved from the limestone and dolomite (above 96%) over the next 75 years unless populations

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 9 are bolstered. Due to the drastic population decline, makers, educators, etc.) was crucial to conserve both subspecies were listed as critically imperiled and this species. Below are some highlights of the state endangered in 2003, and in 2011 the Ozark Hell- extensive ongoing recovery actions undertaken to bender was listed as a federally endangered species. address the decline of hellbenders in Missouri. A multitude of factors have likely influenced Outreach & Education hellbender populations (e.g., disease, habitat alter- Informing individuals about the plight of ation and degradation, illegal harvest and distur- hellbenders is important not only to prevent bance, predation, and water quality degradation), persecution of animals, but also to provide oppor- and declines are likely due to the cumulative effect tunities for people to make conscious decisions to of these factors. The Ozark Hellbender Working help hellbenders. Considerable efforts have taken Group was established to slow the decline of the place to inform Missouri citizens about hellbend- species and address the multitude of potential ers. The Missouri Department of Conservation threats facing this animal. This group was initial- has developed and dispersed widely information ly comprised of dedicated researchers and agency such as brochures, stickers, exhibits, posters, fact personnel with a common interest in the conser- sheets, videos, and TV shows (local, national, and vation of hellbenders. However, it became clear international). Multiple workshops and presen- from the beginning that a coordinated effort was tations have occurred over the years to inform necessary to synthesize the knowledge to date and individuals of the importance of protecting and to provide guidance and support for hellbender enhancing the forested riparian corridor that will research, conservation, and recovery efforts. Today, improve water quality and habitat for hellbenders this collaborative, multi-agency, multi-discipline and other aquatic life. Now many Missourians are working group consists of researchers and biolo- aware of the hellbender and many willingly assist gists from several universities, public zoos, fish with helping to save this species. hatcheries, state and federal agencies, and private citizens from Arkansas and Missouri. Necessary Monitoring expertise in all disciplines (researchers, managers, In spring 2009, we implemented an occupancy herpetologists, veterinarians, pathologists, policy protocol to assess the long-term population status

Adult male Ozark Hellbender from the Current River defending a nest chamber entrance within a bedrock crevice. Photo by Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri by Photo

10 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 and distribution of hellbenders in Missouri’s rivers. els, and selective heavy metal levels in hellbenders. Monitoring results showed that hellbender occu- Information indicates no serious concerns although pancy probabilities by river varied from a low of 8% some accumulation of mercury was observed. This to a high of 86% and surveyor detection probabilities information contains the most comprehensive blood ranged from 25% to 96%. Long-term monitoring chemistry database for this species and will be of will not only allow biologists to keep a handle on vital importance for future comparisons. the current population status of wild animals, but With much effort devoted to propagation and also to provide insight into the status of the captive- the lack of recruitment observed in the wild, the reared hellbenders released into the wild. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Missouri Depart- Research ment of Conservation are examining hellbender sperm profiles (e.g. motility, viability, concentra- While we have indicated factors contributing to tion). Limited data exist on the quality of sperm the decline of hellbenders which are likely cumu- produced by hellbenders. In 2010, sperm assess- lative, only through continued research of these ments were initiated in several Missouri’s rivers factors will we be able to begin to understand to obtain baseline information on sperm health their impacts on hellbender populations and thus of hellbenders. To date, sperm profiles have been begin to eliminate or address these threats. Over assessed from the majority of rivers in which the past twelve years, we have observed an alarm- hellbenders live, and results show that the qual- ing number of abnormalities such as missing ity of sperm is good and fertilization of eggs is appendages, open sores, gashes, eye disorders, tu- occurring. These results indicate that the lack of mors and cysts with higher and more severe (life- recruitment observed in wild populations is likely threatening) abnormalities in Ozark Hellbender due to some other factor. populations. It is believed that native bacteria and Investigating hellbender genetics was necessary fungus might be the cause of the open sores that to inform propagation and re-introduction efforts rarely heal due to the weakened immune response and to better understand life history traits of the of an aging population. Currently, research fo- species. Numerous genetic studies over the years cuses on the microbiota on hellbender skin and its show that populations in Missouri are comprised potential of causing such abnormalities. of at least three distinct genetic management Many diseases, especially fungus related, are units. Such information will aid in making in- impacting wildlife worldwide. The amphibian chy- formed decisions regarding the collection of brood trid fungus is known to impact amphibians world- stock and eggs from the wild, as well as releases of wide and is currently found throughout North captive propagated individuals. America, include hellbenders in Missouri. This fungus has been detected on hellbenders in six riv- Captive Propagation Programs ers and is more prevalent and widespread in Ozark Captive propagation and head-starting are es- Hellbenders compared to Eastern Hellbenders. sential to the long-term recovery of hellbenders in Learning more about the frequency, distribution, Missouri while addressing reasons for declines in infection rates, and infection load of such patho- the wild. Without such intervention, both subspe- gens is important to further determine the impact cies will likely go extinct in Missouri. The Saint to hellbenders, as well as other aquatic species. In Louis Zoo and MDC Shepherd of the Hills Fish many cases, animals will have to adapt to many Hatchery have successfully hatched eggs collected of these pathogens, but recent genetic research from the wild and reared young for future re- is showing promising results related to immune leases. In addition to the successful collection of response genes of resistant individuals that can be fertilized eggs from wild populations, in 2011 two bred into populations in captive conditions. clutches of fertilized eggs were discovered in an Considerable research to assess the general health outdoor raceway that mimics water and weather of wild hellbender populations continues. Scientists conditions of a hellbender river at the Saint Louis compare overall health conditions, hormone lev- Zoo, a milestone for the captive breeding program.

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 11 This was the world’s first captive-breeding of the rent River Conservation Areas. Increased sedimen- species. Successful captive-breeding has occurred tation and gravel loading tend to change stream annually since 2011. To date, we have released over conditions by decreasing water volume, increasing 3,600 captive-reared hellbenders from the Saint stream width, and increasing fine particles and Louis Zoo and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatch- silts that negatively impact the life history needs of ery into the wild. Recent monitoring indicates hellbenders and other aquatic life. Hellbenders also captive-breeding and subsequent releases in the depend upon the cold water provided from the many wild can be successful. springs for increased oxygen exchange. Missouri Summary natural areas such as Sunklands, Horseshoe Bend Hellbenders are the flagship species for the and Eck Memorail Natural Areas not only play a role spring-fed rivers in the Ozark Highlands. It is be- in preserving the natural communities along these lieved that the biomass of hellbenders once exceeded riverways, but also in protecting many cold-water all other individual aquatic species living in these springs like Big Spring, Blue Spring, Spring’s End rivers. Addressing threats to hellbenders entails im- Forest, and Powder Mill Cave Natural Areas, among proving water quality and the physical characteris- others. With further protection and enhancement of tics of the waterways in the Ozark Highlands, which river conditions, focused research, continued success- will also improve conditions for many other aquatic ful captive propagation, partnerships, and dedication species. Many rivers in Missouri with hellbenders are of individuals, the future of the hellbender in the surrounded by public lands with forested riparian Ozark Highlands is looking optimistic. corridors that filter rainfall and reduce soil erosion, Jeff Briggler is the State Herpetologist with the Missouri Department of areas such as the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Conservation Mark Twain National Forest, Sunklands and Cur- Contact: [email protected]

Release of Ozark Hellbenders by Missouri Department of Conservation and Saint Louis Zoo staff on the Eleven Point River. Photo by Jen Girondo, Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri Girondo, Jen by Photo

12 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network, National Park Service. Park National Network, Monitoring & Inventory Heartland by Photo

The run of Alley Spring supports a diverse community of aquatic vegetation. Monitoring Missouri’s Large Springs By Dr. David E. Bowles and Hope R. Dodd more than 425 known springs and 134 miles of the Current and Jack’s Fork rivers. Although most of he karst landscape of southern Missouri the springs within OZAR are relatively small, sev- is well marked with sinkholes, fissures, en are defined as 1st and 2nd magnitude (Meinzer T caves, and springs. Accordingly, the 1927; Vinyard et al. 1974). First magnitude springs Missouri Ozarks are home to some of the largest are those with flows greater than 100 cubic feet springs in North America, in addition to thou- per second, and second magnitude springs have sands of smaller springs. The crystal clear, ther- flows of 10 to 100 cubic feet per second. At OZAR, mally consistent, and cold waters (~60°F) issuing these include Alley, Big, Blue (Missouri Depart- from these springs have ethereal qualities that ment of Conservation ownership), Phillips, Pulltite, make them features of immense interest and fas- Round, and Welch springs. An eighth large spring, cination to the public. In addition to their strong Montauk, is located outside of the park boundary cultural heritage, these springs are sources of at Montauk State Park (Missouri Department of amazing biological diversity. Ozark National Sce- Natural Resources ownership) and serves as the nic Riverways (OZAR) was established to conserve headwaters of the Current River. and interpret unique scenic and other natural The porous and fractured karst landscape values and objects of historic interest, including that favors the formation of springs also makes

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 13 groundwater vulnerable to pollution from surface ing, and decreased leaf litter and woody debris. contaminants. Land use, particularly vegetation Recent studies of the possible effects of global cli- clearing practices with associated increases in mate change suggest that increases in annual aver- sediment and nutrient loads and other point and age water temperature and changes in discharge nonpoint stressors, pose the largest long-term may impact spring communities as well (Poff et threat to streams, springs and groundwater in the al. 2002, Cantonati et al. 2006). Invasive species, Ozark Highlands. Resulting impacts to spring especially plants, also pose very real threats to integrity from land use changes may include dis- the springs (Padget 2001; Bowles and Bowles 2013; rupted stream channel geomorphology, increased Bowles and Dodd 2015) . While a considerable sediment deposition and bank erosion, increased body of scientific literature has assessed threats light penetration and water temperature, increased to groundwater, there is little information on the periphyton biomass resulting from nutrient load- physical and biological impacts within springs or

Locations (red squares) of the seven springs monitored by the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network. 92° 91°30' 92° Map adapted from Mugel et al. (2009) al. et Mugel from adapted Map

37°30'

37°

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1995, 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 0 5 10 15 20 25 MILES Missouri Spatial Data Information Service, 2007; U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 15 0 5 10 15 20 25 KILOMETERS

14 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 within surface water fed by springs. Service. Park National Network, Monitoring & Inventory Heartland by Photos Despite the immense importance of springs to biodiversity and to the water quantity and quality of receiving streams, little inventory and monitoring of physical habitat or biota have been conducted historically for spring systems in North America, including OZAR, although a few one-time vegetation surveys have been completed for some OZAR springs (Drouet 1933; Steyermark 1941; Lipscomb 1969; Redfearn 1972, 1981; Currier Assessing the aquatic vegetation community at Pulltite Spring. 1990a, 1990b; Converse 1994, Yatskievych 1999, 2006, 2013). The absence of baseline biological data and sustained monitoring for these springs makes their management difficult because there is little information by which to assess degradation. Monitoring of aquatic vegetation, fish, and inver- tebrate communities establish necessary baseline inventories and aid in detection of ecosystem disturbances, such as water quality degradation or introduction of invasive, non-native species. Sampling aquatic invertebrates at Alley Spring. Since 2007, staff of the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network have monitored spring com- munities at OZAR (Bowles et al. 2008; Bowles et al. 2011). Monitoring includes aquatic vegetation, in- vertebrates, fish, and their respective habitats and water quality. Details on specific sampling meth- odologies are described in Bowles et al. (2008). Today, with ten years’ worth of data collected by the Heartland Network, a clearer picture of community dynamics within the springs is emerging. A broad assemblage of aquatic vegeta- Sorting fish collected from Alley Spring following an electrofishing survey. tion occurs among the springs at OZAR with 69 distinct taxa being known. They include 5 species of algae, and 19 species of mosses and liverworts. The angiosperms are the most diverse group in the springs with 20 species of monocots and 24 species of dicots. The highest richness of aquatic plants among springs based on transect data from all years combined was at Round Spring, where 20 taxa were found. Alley and Blue springs each had 19 taxa, while the other springs had fewer spe- cies. Non-native species were poorly represented Star duckweed, Lemna trisulca.

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 15 among all springs and their percent foliar cover Service. Park National Network, Monitoring & Inventory Heartland by Photo is generally less than 15%. The most commonly occurring non-native plant was watercress (Nastur- tium officinale). Although most of these non-native species are considered terrestrial or wetland plants, they grow in the spring runs at OZAR where some specimens are completely submersed. Other as- pects of plant community diversity and dynamics can be found in Bowles and Dodd (2015). Perhaps the most unusual angiosperm that occurs in the springs is Star duckweed (Lemna trisulca). This species is rare in Missouri and was found in five of seven springs monitored by the Heartland Network (not found in Pulltite and Welch springs). Star duckweed has an S2 state heritage ranking, which indicates its populations are imperiled. The environmentally sensitive red The environmentally sensitive red alga, Batrachospermum sp. alga, Batrachospermum spp., occurs in all of the springs. Monitoring has produced other unusual study in 1928. The historic Ozark forest was the findings of fully submersed terrestrial or wetland nation’s leading producer of lumber from about species. For example, Physostegia virginiana grows 1880 until about 1920, which resulted in broad- completely submersed at Blue Spring (Bowles and scale deforestation (Benac and Flader 2004). Such Dodd 2015). The present distribution of P. virgini- deforestation, coupled with destruction of ripar- ana at Blue Spring is in the same general area as ian vegetation by open range livestock, and severe that reported by Steyermark (1941). upland erosion likely altered the watersheds of The late Julian Steyermark documented aquatic these springs (Jacobson and Primm 1997). Such plant occurrence in the springs in his seminal 1941 disturbances may have resulted in increased publication (Steyermark 1941). Since that publica- siltation entering karst recharge features, and tion, the plant community structure in several reduced recharge times of precipitation into springs has changed markedly. Some species re- the source aquifer. It is likely that such impacts corded by Steyermark have disappeared and others altered vegetation communities in the springs at have been documented for the first time (Bowles the time Steyermark studied them. Regrettably, and Dodd 2015). The most notable example is of although forest cover has now largely recovered, leafy pondweed (Potamogeton foliosus), which Stey- we are unable to gauge the extent to which the ermark found in most of the springs, but it is now springs and their biological communities mir- largely absent. Bowles and Dodd (2015) contend ror their respective historic conditions. Although that “weedy” species such as P. foliosus no longer some baseline information was available to assess occur in the springs because those habitats have historic changes in the plant community, no such become more stable as the landscape has recovered information is available for the invertebrate and from historic disturbances. The present conditions fish communities and we are therefore unable to of the watersheds of these springs have changed make a judgement on the extent to which they appreciably since Steyermark began his floristic may have been altered.

16 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Aquatic invertebrate assemblages among the Similarly, fish communities exhibit low diver- springs includes more than 66 genera from over sity, typically consist of only four to five species, 50 families. Diversity of aquatic invertebrate taxa but include those species intolerant of poor water within the springs is relatively low compared to quality conditions and siltation. The dominant area streams and they typically have only about species in most springs were Knobfin sculpin one-third as many taxa. What they lack in diversity, (Cottus hypselurus) and Banded sculpin (Cottus however, they make up in numbers as most of these carolinae), with the exception of Round Spring, springs have benthic densities several times higher which consisted largely of Bleeding shiner (Luxilus in comparison to streams. The data collected by the zonatus). Most of the fish species collected from Heartland Network shows that intolerant inverte- the springs require clean gravel and cobble sub- brate taxa, such as the caddisfly genus Lepidostoma, strates and high dissolved oxygen levels. Other are dominant in the springs, which indicates their fish species collected include Chain pickerel (Esox respective water quality conditions are good. Other niger) and Hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus). common taxa occurring in samples included spring Warmwater fishes such as darters (Etheostoma spp.) snail (Amnicola), water mites (“Hydracarina”), midges and sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) are relatively rare in (Chironomidae), and amphipods (Hyalella azteca, Cr- the springs during the summer, although studies angonyx, Gammarus). indicate that sunfish species utilize the springs

Banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae) are common inhabitants of Missouri’s freshwater springs. Photo by Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network, National Park Service. Park National Network, Monitoring & Inventory Heartland by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 17 during fall and winter (Peterson and Rabeni 1996; 2008. Protocol for Monitoring Spring Communities at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri. Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/ Westhoff et al. 2016). NRR—2008/029. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. http://science. The data collected during our monitoring nature.nps.gov/im/units/htln reflects the broad natural habitat diversity and Cantonati, M., R. Gerecke, and E. Bertuzzi. 2006. Springs of the Alps—sensitive ecosystems to environmental change: From biodiversity physical and chemical stability in these springs. assessments to long-term studies. Hydrobiologia 562:59–96. Habitat conditions within a spring depend on Converse, J.W. 1994. Water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and macrophyte production of a large cold-water spring. Master’s thesis. their independent watersheds and groundwater University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A. sources as well as many other factors. While our Currier, M. 1990a. Aquatic vegetation surveys of Blue, Alley and Round findings for the springs at OZAR are generally ap- springs. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri, U.S.A. Unpublished report. plicable to springs throughout the region, we have Currier, M. 1990b. Big Spring aquatic vegetation survey. Missouri found the springs exhibit a high degree of indi- Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri. Unpublished report. viduality, and typically an azonal character. It is Drouet, F. 1933. Algal vegetation of the large Ozark springs. Trans. Am. becoming increasingly clear that physical habitat Microsc. Soc. 52:83–100. factors including bank stability, flow, substrate Jacobson, R.T., and A.T. Primm. 1997. Historic land-use changes and size and diversity, and distribution and diversity potential effects on stream disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, Missouri. U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Supply Paper 2484, Denver, Colorado. of aquatic vegetation may play a primary role in Lipscomb, R.G. 1969. Flowering plants of the major springs in the Ozark structuring these communities. So far, the springs National Scenic Riverways. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Unpublished report. show that they are stable and exhibit little change Meinzer, O.E. 1927. Large springs in the United States. U.S. Geological within the range of our collected data. Survey Water-Supply Paper 557. Ozark springs are treasures that must be protect- Padgett, D.J. 2001. Noteworthy collections and spread of exotic aquatics in Missouri. Castanea 66:303–306. ed and conserved for present and future generations. Peterson, J.T. and C.F. Rabeni. 1996. Natural thermal refugia for The Heartland Network believes its monitoring data temperate warmwater stream fish communities. North American will facilitate sound management decisions that Journal of Fisheries Management 15:528–541. Poff, N.L., M.M. Brinson, and J.W. Day, Jr. 2002. Aquatic ecosystems will ensure these springs will remain in high quality & global climate change, potential impacts on inland freshwater and condition for generations to come. coastal wetland ecosystems in the United States. Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A. Dr. David E. Bowles is Aquatic Program Leader, National Park Service, Redfearn, P.L., Jr. 1972. Mosses of the Interior Highlands of North Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network America. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 59:1–104. Contact: [email protected] Redfearn, P.L., Jr. 1981. Bryophytes in springs and spring branches in Hope R. Dodd is Fisheries Biologist, National Park Service, Heartland Missouri. Trans. Missouri Acad. Sci. 15:5–19. Inventory & Monitoring Network Steyermark, J.A. 1941. Studies of the vegetation of Missouri—II. Contact: [email protected] Phanerogamic flora of the freshwater springs in the Ozarks of Missouri. References: Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 9:476–641. Benac, D., and S. Flader. 2004. History of Missouri forests in the era of Vineyard, J.D., G. Feder, L., W.L. Pflieger, and R.G. Lipscomb. 1974. exploitation and conservation. General Technical Report SRS-73. U.S. Springs of Missouri with sections on fauna and flora. Water Resources Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Report No. 29, Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources, Rolla, Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A. Pp. 36–41 Missouri, U.S.A. Bowles, D.E., and B.D. Bowles. 2013. Evidence of overwintering in water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, in southwestern Missouri, Westhoff, J.T., C. Paukert, S. Ettinger-Dietzel, H. Dodd, M. Siepker. U.S.A. Rhodora 115:112–114. 2014. Behavioural thermoregulation and bioenergetics of riverine Bowles, D.E. and H.R. Dodd. 2015. The floristics and community smallmouth bass associated with ambient cold-period thermal refuge. ecology of aquatic vegetation occurring in seven large springs at Ozark Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 25:72–85. Published Wiley Online Library, National Scenic Riverways, Missouri. Journal of the Botanical Research Oct 2014, DOI: 10.1111/eff.12192. Institute of Texas 9:235–249. Yatskievych, G. 1999. Steyermark’s flora of Missouri, Volume 1 (revised Bowles, D.E., H.R. Dodd, J.A. Hinsey, J.T. Cribbs, and J.A. Luraas. 2011. edition). Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Spring communities monitoring at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, U.S.A. Missouri: 2007-2009 status report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/OZAR/NRTR—2011/511. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Yatskievych, G. 2006. Steyermark’s flora of Missouri, Volume 2 (revised Colorado. http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/htln edition). Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Bowles, D.E., H.R. Dodd, M.H. Williams, L.M. Morrison, K. James, Yatskievych, G. 2013. Steyermark’s flora of Missouri, Volume 3. Missouri M.D. DeBacker, C.E. Ciak, J.A. Hinsey, G.A. Rowell, and J.L. Haack. Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

18 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Recent increase in extreme rainfall amounts in the Big Barren Creek Watershed, S.E. Missouri By Robert T. Pavlowsky, Ph.D., Marc R. Owen, One objective of this multi-year project is to M.S., and Rachael A. Bradley evaluate rainfall trends to see if increased rainfall may be associated with recent stream disturbanc- hannel erosion and sediment problems es. This report describes the analysis of rainfall in streams draining forest lands in the records from multiple rainfall monitoring stations C Missouri Ozarks have raised concerns by to describe variations in annual rainfall and high both managers and landowners. More frequent rainfall days over the past 60 years. High rainfall flooding, higher rates of bank erosion and ex- days are those which are relatively rare in occur- cessive gravel deposition in stream channels can rence, but provide extremely high rainfall amounts result from a combination of factors including greater than 3 in. in a single day. The rationale for climate change, land management practices, and linking wet periods or high rainfall days to stream land use development. The Mark Twain National conditions is straightforward: more frequent rains Forest Soil and Water Program of the U.S. Forest are expected to produce more and/or larger floods, Service Department of Agriculture is cooperating which exceed the strength of channel materials, with the Department of Geography, Geology, and and thus increase bank erosion and bar sediment Planning and the Ozarks Environmental and Wa- instability. The results of this study indicate that ter Resources Institute (OEWRI) at Missouri State both total annual rainfall and frequency of high University in Springfield to assess the response of rainfall events have increased in the Big Barren water quality, runoff, and stream morphology to Creek watershed over the past decade. Thus it is landscape-scale forest restoration activities pres- probable that climate factors have contributed to ently underway. The goal of the project is to deter- the recent flooding and sediment problems in the mine water, soil, and stream conditions within dif- Big Barren Creek. ferent management areas to evaluate any negative Background and positive outcomes in Big Barren Creek Water- Recent studies indicate that more extreme rain- shed (191 km2) which drains into the Current River falls may be producing larger floods in the Ozarks between Van Buren and Doniphan, Missouri. (e.g., Foreman 2014). National Climate Assessment

Table 1. Monitoring stations used for this study Station State County Period of Distance from Number of Percent Name Record Start Big Barren Creek Records Complete Date Watershed (km) Doniphan MO Ripley 4/1/1904 36.4 21,655 98.8 Clearwater MO Wayne 11/1/1946 43 21,081 96.2 Dam Mammoth AR Fulton 4/26/1904 56.9 21,110 96.3 Spring Summersville MO Shannon 4/3/1940 57.3 20,914 95.4 Poplar Bluff MO Butler 1/1/1893 61.9 21,306 97.2 West Plains MO Howell 7/1/1948 67 21,244 96.9

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 19 Missouri

Arkansas

LEGEND Weather Stations Streams Elevation (m) Big Barren Watershed 9, 998 State Boundary County Boundary Lakes Towns 0 5 10 N Kilometers 0 5 10 0 Miles

Figure 1. Locations of rainfall monitoring stations near the Big Barren Creek watershed.

2014 predicts warming temperatures, longer dry The increase in high magnitude events can have periods, and higher frequency of intense rainfall implications for flooding and widespread channel events over the next 50 years in southeastern Mis- instability. Over the past 50 years, out-of-bank flood souri (Pryor et al. 2014). Historically, high mag- frequency has generally increased in the Midwest nitude rainfall events have accounted for a large (Mallakpour and Villarini 2015) and the continen- portion of annual rainfall amounts in the region. tal United States in general (Xiodong et al. 2013). A Between 1971 and 2000, the top ten wettest days of temporal analysis of climate-channel morphology the year made up 36% to 42% of the total annual relationships over the last 10,000 years indicated rainfall in southeast Missouri (NOAA 2013). How- a strong link between flood regime and channel ever, rainfall trends in the Midwest show that the morphology in the Midwest. For example, bank-full daily frequency and average rain depths of storm floods increased in peak discharge by 30% due to events have not necessarily increased, but that the increases in mean annual temperature of 1–2 degrees number of high rainfall days has become more fre- Celsius and mean annual precipitation of 5 to 20% quent (Villarini et al. 2013). These trends seem to (Knox 2000). From the above review, it is clear that suggest southeast Missouri will experience more more frequent, high magnitude floods could cause extreme dry and wet periods where annual rainfall widespread channel instability, excess gravel trans- will be concentrated in higher magnitude events port, and higher bank erosion rates as now being separated by longer dry periods. observed in southern Missouri.

20 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Historical Rainfall Records of daily records for the six stations used for this Daily rainfall records used in this study were ob- study ranged from 20,914 (95.4%) at the Summers- tained from the Midwestern Regional Climate Cen- ville station to 21,655 (98.8%) at Doniphan (Table 1). ter’s (MRCC) cli-MATE (MRCC’s Application Tools Missing daily values were predicted using correla- Environment) database. Since there were no long-term tions to the other stations with complete data sets rainfall gauges in Big Barren Creek watershed, rainfall for those periods. Days with measurements of zero records from surrounding stations were combined to or trace rainfall depths of 0-0.05 in. ranged from create a rainfall record for the study area. Weather sta- 76.8 to 81.3% of the time for the six stations. The tions selected for analysis were located within 43.5 mi. distribution of days with rainfall depths greater of the Big Barren Creek watershed, had at least 60 years than 0.05 in. ranged in frequency among the six gauges as follows: (i) 0.05–0.5 in. from 9.9 to 14.8% of rainfall records, and contained daily rainfall records of the time; (ii) 0.5–1.0 in. from 4.7 to 5.2%; (iii) that were at least 95% complete. Six weather stations 1.0–3.0 in. from 3.3 to 3.7%; and (iv) greater than were used to model the historical rainfall record for 3.0 in. occurred ≤0.3% of the time. Big Barren Creek using the inverse distance weighted method (Table 1, Chen and Liu 2012). The distribution Rainfall Record Analysis of rain gauges used in this study generally surrounds The mean annual rainfall at Big Barren Creek Big Barren Creek with one gauge located in Arkansas at from 1956–2014 was 47.2 in. (±17.9 in. at the 95% con- Mammoth Spring and five gauges located in Missouri fidence interval) (Figure 2). Over the 60 year study at Doniphan, West Plains, Summersville, Clearwater period, annual rainfall trends show relatively pro- Dam, and Poplar Bluff (Figure 1). nounced cyclic variations in annual rainfall totals The daily precipitation record for each station which are expected given the control of regional was evaluated for a 60 year period from August weather patterns by upper atmospheric oscillations 1, 1955 to July 31, 2015 creating a maximum record like El Nino and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation length for each gauge of 21,915 days. The number (Dai 2013). Annual rainfall totals were compared to

Figure 2. Annual rainfall departure from the long-term average. The average annual rainfall amount over the entire 1956 to 2014 study period was 119.8 cm (47.2 in). Over the same period, the average annual rainfall amount was increasing at a rate of an .22 cm/year. +60

+50 Wet Periods +40

+30

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0

-10

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-30

-40 Departure from Mean Average (cm) Rainfall Dry Periods -50

-60 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 Year

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 21 5 the mean to look at yearly departure from the long-term average. Overall, rainfall trends cycle 4.5 1% from wet to dry to wet periods over periods of 10 4 years ranging from 5 to 17 years. A relatively long 3.5 dry period occurred from 1959 to 1971 (13 years) and a wet period from 2005 to 2013 (9 years). Very 3

wet years occurred in 1957, 1973, 1982, 1990, 2006, 2.5 3% 2011, and 2013 where rainfall was greater than 2 5% 25% higher than the long-term average. In con- trast, 1963, 1971, 1976, 1980, and 2012 were very 1.5

Daily Rainfall Daily (cm) Rainfall 10% dry with annual rainfall totals greater than 25% 1 below the long-term average. 0.5 Annual rainfall amounts have tended to Mean 25% 0 increase gradually over the last 60 years with 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 the highest rainfall period occurring during the 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 5-Year Interval past decade. Since 1955, average annual rainfall has Figure 3A. Daily rainfall records analyzed in 5-year intervals for increased by 5.2 in. (11.7% increase) from 44.6 in. in percent exceedance and mean. 1955 to 49.8 in. 2016 or 0.09 in. per year over the last 60 years as indicated by linear regression of (Figure 3A). The effect of increasing rainfall is most total annual rainfall over a calendar year (Figure 2). noticeable for the rarest or most extreme events. For Since 2005, there has been an extended wet period, example, the 1% exceedance daily rainfall event has even with two dry years in 2010 and 2012, and total increased by 21% over the last decade (2005–2015) annual rainfall increased by 7% over the previous compared to the previous 20 years (1985–2005). 20 years (1985-2004). These results indicate that This study draws attention to an increase in ex- over the last 10 years the Big Barren Creek water- treme high rainfall days in Big Barren Creek Wa- shed has experienced a relatively wet period com- tershed and suggests that the upland runoff and pared to the previous 50 years. This pattern is not stream flows generated could result in more down- unique to southeast Missouri. Villarini et al. (2011) stream floodplain and channel erosion. There were show the largest values of extreme rainfall events a total of 16 days with rainfall totals greater than 3 in the Midwest occur in eastern Kansas, Missouri, in. over the last 60 years (Figure 3B). However, these and Iowa. Additionally, previous studies of histori- events were not evenly distributed over time. Daily cal rainfall patterns have shown a steady increase rainfall totals only exceeded 3 in. six times from in both total annual rainfall and the number of 1955–2005 (0.12 events/year), while exceeding that days rainfall has equaled or exceeded 2 in. in the threshold ten times during the period from 2005 to Midwest since the early 1900s (Angel and Huff 1997, 2015 (1 event/year) for a 8.3-times increase in frequen- Kunkel et. al 1999). cy over the past decade. Similar trends can be seen High rainfall events occurred more frequently in the number of daily totals exceeding 1 in. over and with higher magnitude during the last de- the same time period. The number of daily rainfall cade compared to the 50 years prior. Daily totals totals greater than 1 in. varied from 8.2 to 10.6 days for the highest rain events (≤10% exceedance) have per year with an average of 9.5 days per year from increased over the last decade while the daily totals 1955–2005 (Figure 3C). However, the frequency of for more moderate rain events (25% exceedance) greater than 1 in. events increased to an average of 12 have remained fairly constant over the last 60 years days per year from 2005–2015, over a 20% increase.

22 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 7 70

6 60

5 50

4 40

3 30

2 20 Days with Rainfall 7.5cm> Days with Days with Rainfall Days > 2.5cm

1 10

0 0 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 5-Year Interval 5-Year Interval Figure 3B. Daily rainfall records analyzed in 5-year intervals for Figure 3C. Daily rainfall records analyzed in 5-year intervals for days greater than 7.5 cm (~3 in) rainfall days greater than 2.5 cm (~1 in) rainfall

Recent period of larger floods last 30 years in 11 of 12 Ozark rivers examined with in Ozark Streams gauging records greater than 90 years and that The findings of this study indicate a recent 10 significant increases in flooding has occurred over year period of increased high rainfall frequency the past ten years for several gauges. Moreover, in in southeastern Missouri, and suggest that river a recent study by OEWRI of 23 USGS gauging sta- flooding may also follow this trend. Indeed, analy- tions across the Ozarks, the 100-year peak flood sis of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge records increased by more than 10% at 70% of the gauges also indicates the frequency of larger flood events and by more than 50% at 22% of the gauges evalu- has increased in recent years in Ozarks watersheds. ated (Pavlowsky, 2016). Foreman (2014) found the 100-year peak flood dis- The annual peak flood record for the Current charge has increased by greater than 30% over the River at Doniphan, Missouri shows that periods

Figure 4. Peak annual flood series from the U.S. Geological Survey gauge on the Current River at Doniphan, MO. 140000

120000

100000

80000

60000

40000

20000

AnnualPeak Streamflow, cubicsecondinper feet 0 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 Year

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 23 of relatively large floods occurred before 1936 and of riparian areas may counter or enhance channel after 1982 (Figure 4). Of the largest ten floods disturbances in the Ozarks. on record, seven have occurred since 1982. Larger Robert T. Pavlowsky, Ph.D. is Distinguished Professor, Department floods in the earlier period were probably caused of Geography, Geology, and Planning; Director, Ozarks Environmen- by increased runoff rates from watershed surfaces tal and Water Resources Institute Missouri State University due to land clearing and soil disturbance by early Contact: [email protected] Marc R. Owen, M.S. is Assistant Director, Ozarks Environmental and settlement and the timber boom between 1880 Water Resources Institute Missouri State University and 1920 (Jacobson and Primm, 1994). These land Contact: [email protected] disturbances and resulting floods produced wide- Rachael A. Bradley is Research Assistant, Master’s Program in Geo- spatial Science, Department of Geography, Geology, and Planning spread stream channel and sediment disturbances Missouri State University in the Current River basin (Jacobson and Gran, Contact: [email protected] 1999). Improved soil management practices and References recovery of disturbed lands probably were respon- Angel, J.R. and F. A. Huff, 1997. Changes in heavy rainfall in Midwest- ern United States. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Manage- sible for the reduction in maximum annual flood ment. 123 (4): 246–249. peaks in the period between 1936 and 1982. How- Chen F.W. and C.W. Liu, 2012. Estimation of the spatial rainfall distribution using inverse distance weighting (IDW) in the middle of ever, for the larger rivers evaluated, the causes of Taiwan. Paddy and Water Environment, Vol. 10, 3, pp 209–222. flooding in the recent period after 1982 are prob- Dai, A, 2013. The Influence of the inter-decadal Pacific oscillation on ably the result of climate factors which control US precipitation during 1923–2010. Clim Dynam 41:663–646. Foreman, A. T., 2014. Climate change influence on historical flood rainfall frequency and overall soil moisture condi- variability in Ozark Highland rivers. Unpublished Masters Thesis, tions and not land use or management changes Department of Geography, Geology and Planning. Missouri State University. within the watershed. Jacobson, R.B., and K.B. Gran, 1999. Gravel sediment routing from High rainfall events with 3 in. per day tend to widespread, low-intensity landscape disturbance, Current River Ba- be associated with the largest floods of record on sin, Missouri. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 24:897–917. Jacobson, R.B., and A.T. Primm, 1994. Historical land-use changes the Current River at Doniphan. Of the 16 high and potential effects on stream disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, rainfall days since 1955, seven (44%) resulted in Missouri. Open-file Report 94-333, U.S. Geological Survey, Rolla, Missouri. the maximum annual flood for the year and two Knox, J.C., 2000. Sensitivity of modern and Holocene floods to cli- (13%) others contributed to wet antecedent condi- mate change. Quaternary Science Reviews 19:439–457. tions that contributed to the maximum annual Kunkel, K.E., K. Andsager, and D.R. Easterling, 1999. Long-term trends in extreme precipitation events over the conterminous United flood. Moreover, four (80%) of the five daily rain- States and Canada. Journal of Climate, 12, 2,515–2,527. fall events exceeding 4 in. resulted in the 2nd, 4th, Mallakpour, I., and G. Villarini, 2015. The changing nature of flooding across the central United States. Nature Climate Change 5:250–254. and 7th ranked highest floods of record, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2013. fourth producing the maximum annual flood for Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate the year. The relationship among high rainfall, Assessment: Part 3. Climate of the Midwest U.S. NOAA Technical Re- port NESDIS 142–3. U.S. Department of Commerce. Washington D.C. runoff, and flooding can be affected by several Pavlowsky, R.T., 2016. Water and climate: recent flood trends in factors such as seasonal leaf-on and vegetation Ozark rivers. Water Future Conference 2016: Building a Secure Water Future. October 20, Darr Agricultural Center, Missouri State Univer- conditions, antecedent rainfall and soil moisture, sity, Springfield, Missouri. variations in storm duration and tracking, and Pryor, S.C., D. Scavia, C. Downer, M. Gaden, L. Iverson, R. Nor- dstrom, J. Patz, and G.P. Robertson, 2014. Chapter 18: Midwest. spatial variability of individual gauge records Climate change impacts in the United States: The Third National within a region. However, this study does show Climate Assessment, J.M. Melillo, Terese (T.C.) Richmond, and G.W. Yohe, Eds., U.S. Global Change Research Program, 418-440. a recent trend in increasing rainfall and rainfall Villarini, G., J.A. Smith, M. Baeck, D. B. Stephenson, and W.F. Kra- events that can produce floods capable of causing jewski, 2011. On the frequency of heavy rainfall for the Midwest of the channel instability and sediment problems ob- United States. Journal of Hydrology, 400, 103–120. Villarini, G., J.A. Smith, and G.A. Vecchi, 2013. Changing frequency of served along Big Barren Creek. While more intense heavy rainfall over the central United States. Journal of Climate, 26, rainfall events can cause more channel distur- 351–357. bances by producing more frequent and energetic Xiaodong, J., D.M. Wolock, H.F. Lins, and S. Brady, 2013. Stream- flow of 2012—Water Year Summary. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, floods, human modifications and management Virginia.

24 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by Konrad Schmidt Konrad by Photo

Male and female Topeka shiners require good water quality and cool temperatures. Re-introduction of Topeka Shiners into Northern Missouri Using Non-essential Experimental Populations The Product of an Excellent Partnership By Dr. Paul M. McKenzie, Jerry Wiechman and cies by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in Dr. Doug Novinger 1998 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. he Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka) is a small In Missouri, the species has declined precipitous- [up to 2.5” (6.35cm)] (Fig. 1), slim-bodied ly such that only two populations remain including T minnow that is restricted to portions of one in the Sugar Creek watershed in northcentral Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri and the other in Moniteau Creek water- South Dakota. The species is characteristic of small, shed in central Missouri. To assist in recovery efforts, low order (headwater), prairie streams with good the Missouri Topeka Shiner State Working Group water quality and cool temperatures. It is primar- was established in 1995 and consisted of staff from ily found in streams that exhibit perennial flow the Service and the Missouri Department of Con- although it can persist in areas where there is inter- servation (MDC). This group developed an initial mittent flow during the summer months. Due to “action plan” to regularly monitor the two remain- the loss of habitat and populations across its range, ing populations and identify strategies to reduce the Topeka shiner was listed as an endangered spe- threats to the species. A key element to the plan was

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 25 the development of cooperative partnerships among land owner incentive programs that can contribute agencies at federal, state, and local levels to work to conservation of the Topeka shiner while ben- collaboratively with willing private land owners in efiting private land owners. These same programs the implementation of conservation actions that have the potential to enhance natural communities would benefit the species and its stream habitat. beyond the stream corridor throughout northcen- Due to the lack of a federally approved recovery tral Missouri. Designated Natural Areas that occur plan for the species, MDC expanded on the initial in the region which could benefit from these efforts plan and developed a ten-year strategic plan to include the Pawnee Prairie Natural Area in Harrison outline conservation efforts for the species (Mis- County, the Dark Hollow Natural Area in Sullivan souri Department of Conservation 2010). A key County, and the Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area recommendation of that plan is the establishment in Adair and Sullivan counties. of Topeka shiners in five additional watersheds to Integral in the NEP partnership was the close achieve the goal of seven extant populations. cooperation between the MDC and the Nature On January 23, 2013, the Service proposed a rule in Conservancy’s (TNC) Dunn Ranch in the Little the Federal Register to facilitate reintroduction efforts Creek watershed. An MOU established between through the establishment of a non-essential experi- MDC and TNC helped facilitate initial propagation mental population (NEP) under Section 10(j) of the efforts. Under the agreement, TNC provided ponds Act (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2013a). The pro- to propagate Topeka shiners, removed predator fish, posal identified three watersheds in northern Missouri added spawning gravel, and excluded bison from within the historic range of the species and outlined nursery areas with adequate fencing. Additionally, propagation, stocking, and monitoring procedures. TNC assisted in fish releases, annual monitoring, The NEP designation allows all normal, legal and implemented stream habitat improvements to activities on private land to occur without the threat improve pool habitat on the ranch. of prosecution under Section 9 of the Act. Thus, in- Additional partnerships were developed to as- cidental take of Topeka shiner in the NEP associated sist in recovery efforts. In 2014, a Memorandum of with such activities as agriculture, forestry and wild- Agreement was established between the Service’s life management, land development, recreation and Ecological Services Field Office, MDC and the Ser- other activities would not be prohibited provided the vice’s Neosho National Fish Hatchery to enable the activity was not in violation of any applicable State hatchery to complement MDC’s Lost Valley Hatch- fish and wildlife laws or regulations. The Service’s ery (LVH) in propagating Topeka shiners necessary proposal was open to public comment and approved for recovery efforts. In 2015, Topeka Shiners pro- July 17, 2013 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2013b). duced at the two hatcheries facilitated supplemental Outreach efforts included contacts with local govern- stocking to occur in all three NEP watersheds in ments, agricultural agencies, and the congressional north Missouri. Prior to the agreement, limited pro- representative as well as news releases to various duction at LVH required prioritized stocking in only standard and social media outlets. There was little one or two of the streams each year. The additional opposition expressed on the proposed rule, and no hatchery increased potential production and pro- dissension after further clarifications were provided. vides further protection of invaluable brood stock. In fact, on Aug. 20, 2013, an editorial in the St. Joseph, Monitoring of Topeka shiners released in the Missouri News-Press titled “Fish Tale Good for All” NEP watersheds 2013–2015 has provided strong evi- stressed that introducing this species as a NEP would dence that the partnerships have paid off. In Little assist in the recovery of the species while removing Creek, survey results revealed that Topeka shiners any regulatory burden on cooperating landowners. had survived and expanded their distribution from Watershed programs designed to improve stream the release site in 2013 to five headwater sites in 2014 health, enhance riparian corridors, and restore and 10 sites in 2015 (Wiechman 2015). In East Fork sensitive prairie communities were outlined in the Big Muddy Creek, Topeka shiners were found near NEP rule and included in MDC’s recovery plan for release sites as well as on adjacent private land up- the Topeka shiner. The plan also included various stream and downstream of the 2013 introductions

26 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 (Wiechman 2015). In the Spring Creek watershed, Dr. Paul M. McKenzie is the Endangered Species Coordinator for the one individual was located one mile upstream of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Columbia. Contact: [email protected] the release site and juveniles were captured at other Jerry Wiechman is Fisheries Management Biologist, Missouri locations indicating that the species was dispersing Department of Conservation and reproducing (Thornhill 2015). Contact: [email protected] The success of NEP introductions to date Doug Novinger is Aquatic Systems Unit Supervisor, Missouri strongly suggests that such releases will continue to Department of Conservation contribute to the ultimate goal of recovering Topeka Contact: [email protected] shiners in Missouri. Due to initial success of intro- References Missouri Department of Conservation. 2010. A ten year strategic plan ductions in northern Missouri, plans are currently for the recovery of the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) in Missouri. underway to expand the program in central Mis- Jefferson City, Missouri. 62pp. souri adjacent to Moniteau Creek populations. The Thornhill, D.R. 2015. Monitoring of non-essential experimental Service will draft an amended proposed 10(j) rule population Topeka shiners in the Spring Creek watershed. Missouri Department of Conservation Unpubl. Report, Kirksville, Missouri. 3pp. in the Federal Register with an opportunity for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Endangered and threatened wildlife public to comment on the proposal. This require- and plants; final rule to list the Topeka Shiner as endangered. Federal ment will facilitate and accommodate introductions Register 63(240): 69008–69021. in central Missouri. As with the initial rule making, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; establishment of a nonessential experimental the proposal will include identical exemptions and population of Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) in northern Missouri. outline land owner incentive programs to benefit Proposed rule. Federal Register 78(15): 4813–4827 the species, associated headwater stream habitats, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013b. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; establishment of a nonessential experimental and adjacent natural communities. Thanks to an population of Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) in northern Missouri. excellent partnership including state and federal Final rule. Federal Register 78(137): 42702–42718. agencies, non-government organizations, and pri- Wiechman, J. 2015. Monitoring experimental populations of Topeka shiners in the Little Creek and East Fork Big Muddy Creek basins, vate land owners, the Topeka Shiner is a step closer Harrison County, Missouri. Fall 2015. Missouri Department of to recovery in Missouri. Conservation Unpubl. Report, Osborn, Missouri. 16pp.

Ponds on Dunn Ranch Prairie are release sites for Topeka shiners. Photo by Rick Hansen Rick by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 27 Huzzah Conservation Area

Huzzah Watershed Dillard Mill State Historic Site Mark Twain National Forest 1:250,000

The Huzzah Creek watershed area

28 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri of courtesy Photo

Spothanded Crayfish (Orconectes punctimanus), a characteristic crayfish of the Huzzah fauna.

global range of these species depends on us. Colorful Huzzah Creek fishes including the bleeding shiner (Luxilus zonatus), rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum), and orange- An Aquatic Resource Worthy of throat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) ply the waters. Conservation Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), largemouth By Mike Leahy and Jennifer Girondo bass (Micropterus salmoides) and goggle-eye (Ambloplites rupestris) are abundant and provide for great small uzzah Creek is a tributary of the Mer- river fishing opportunities. Stream condition indices amec River that drains a watershed of for sites sampled by the Missouri Department of 170,000 acres, or roughly an area of 16 Conservation aquatic biologists here were all in the H “fully biologically supporting” category. The riparian square miles by 16 square miles. The lower six miles of the Huzzah, from the Highway 8 bridge forests of the Huzzah are also important habitat for to its mouth on the Meramec, has been designated Cerulean warblers (Setophaga cerulea), a species of con- an Outstanding State Resource Waters by the servation concern. The combination of this native Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The aquatic diversity, coupled with an equally interesting Huzzah is a classic Ozark stream with a sand and array of native terrestrial communities on the Huz- gravel bottom bordered by a series of dolomite zah Conservation Area, are generating discussions bluffs. The watershed is an Ozark landscape of on the possibility of a natural area nomination for a woodlands and forests (85%), grasslands (13%) and portion of this conservation area. clear running streams (over 700 miles). Conservation of Huzzah Creek depends on the The Huzzah supports a diverse fish and crayfish land use activities of the private landowners who community with a number of Missouri endemic own around 2/3 of the watershed. The creek cannot species. For example, the freckled crayfish (Cambarus be conserved on the state and federal lands alone. In maculatus), a species of conservation concern, the the following companion article, Rob Pulliam, Fish- saddlebacked crayfish (Orconectes medius), the wood- eries Management Biologist for MDC outlines an land crayfish (Orconectes hylas) and the Meramec exciting effort to continue to build positive working Saddled Darter (Etheostoma erythrozonum) are all relationships with private landowners and communi- species found only in Missouri. Conservation of the ties in the Huzzah Creek Watershed.

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 29 Huzzah Watershed and Landowner ƒƒ Seven livestock watering tanks Projects Benefitting People, ƒƒ Seven livestock watering pads Critters, and Water ƒƒ Two trenching and piping projects total- By Rob Pulliam ing nearly 8,000’ „„ Wooded corridors – Planting trees and shrubs ne such effort to work with private landown- along streams ers on watershed conservation is the Shoal O  Six landowners completed tree and shrub Creek Woodlands for Wildlife (SCWW) Partner- planting projects to create wooded corri- ship that encompasses portions of the Huzzah dors along their Huzzah stream frontage and Courtois watersheds. In this locally led private landowner/natural resources staff partnership we ƒƒ Planted nearly 7 acres of trees and are working together to implement Best Manage- shrubs ment Practices (BMPs) that balance the needs ƒƒ Planted 1,450 potted trees and shrubs of people and nature. In short, we are working „„ Fencing along wooded corridors together to improve the quality of life.  One landowner installed fence along his Last year, our team met on-site with 28 land- newly planted wooded corridor and exist- owners, wrote 29 project plans, and installed 49 ing trees. fish, forest, and wildlife BMPs. Six Huzzah Creek ƒƒ Almost 5,000’ of fence installed landowners installed 23 BMPs that directly ben- ƒƒ Approximately 15 acres of wooded cor- efitted streams as follows: ridor was protected from cattle along „„ Alternative Watering Systems (AWS) – In ex- Huzzah Creek change for landowners removing cattle from Finding the win/win solution(s) that balance the wooded corridors along streams, the SCWW needs of landowners and natural resources is pos- Partnership can develop watering sources and sible if you take the time to listen. All the practices distribute water to tanks across the farm for described above do just that. From a landowner’s cattle. perspective, AWS provides a clean and dependable  Two landowners completed AWS that in- water source for cattle. Clean drinking water for cluded the following practices: cattle has been shown to improve cattle weaning

Laying out an Alternative Watering System (AWS). Photo by Rob Pulliam, Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri Pulliam, Rob by Photo

30 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri of courtesy Photo

Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile) weights by as much as 50 pounds. In addition, the improves water quality. Adding large woody debris distribution of livestock watering tanks allows cat- to the stream channels creates habitat for fish and tle producers to subdivide a few big pastures into wildlife. Trees keep water temperatures cooler in smaller pastures; doing so improves cattle grass the summer and warmer in the winter. Trees that utilization across the pasture system. In addition, provide cooling shade to streams during the sum- cattle manure and urine (free fertilizer for pastures) mer heat are very important to aquatic life. Cooler is better distributed across the farm to grow grass water holds more dissolved oxygen than warmer instead of being concentrated near a single water water. Generally speaking, the diversity of aquatic source such as a stream channel to grow algae. life a stream can support is greater when dissolved Wooded corridors along streams can reduce a land- oxygen levels are higher. owner’s stream bank erosion, field scour, and the Worthy goals for the Huzzah Creek Watershed amount of sand, gravel, and flood debris depos- include implementing natural resource management ited in their pastures. Fencing cattle from wooded actions that sustains its people, habitats, and species corridors allows landowners to easily check on the diversity. If we are to reach these goals, management herd in a pasture as compared to a stream channel. actions must occur on both public and private lands. Another benefit is animal health. Keeping cattle When working with private landowners, it is impera- out of the wooded corridors reduces the chances of tive that we find solutions that meet their land-use cattle getting sick by eating poisonous plants. goals and values that balance the needs of nature. From a natural resource perspective, AWS al- lows cattle producers to rotate their herd more of- These six landowners and their projects prove to be ten from pasture to pasture. As more pastures are examples that reach this balance.

“rested” from grazing, grasses grow back which Mike Leahy is the Natural Areas Coordinator with the Missouri can help intercept rain and encourage percolation Department of Conservation of water into the soil. Overgrazed pastures can Contact: [email protected] produce erosive run-off and nutrient rich water to Jennifer Girondo is a Fisheries Management Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation receiving streams. Trees and shrubs along streams Contact: [email protected] provide many benefits including reducing stream Rob Pulliam is a Fisheries Management Biologist with the Missouri bank erosion. Other benefits include trapping sed- Department of Conservation iment and fertilizers coming off the land which Contact: [email protected]

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 31 The volunteer program is flexible, offering progres- Citizen Science sive levels of training that build on each other. There are currently five levels of training available to Water Quality volunteers: Introductory, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Cooperative Stream Investigations. Monitoring Projects Cooperative Stream Investigation (commonly called CSI) projects for volunteers were added to in Missouri the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program By Randy Sarver in March, 2005. The original goal was to facilitate additional collection of Escherichia coli (commonly or over twenty-five years, the Missouri called E. coli) bacterial data from state waters; this Stream Team Program has promoted citi- program has since expanded to include other pa- F zen awareness and involvement in river and rameters of interest. Volunteers who have success- stream conservation through a partnership be- fully completed Volunteer Water Quality Monitor- tween the Department of Conservation, Missouri ing Program training through Level 2 are eligible Department of Natural Resources, Conservation to participate in a CSI project, and additional Federation of Missouri, and citizens of Missouri. training is provided to volunteers who make a The Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program one year commitment to a project. All CSI data has developed into one of the most popular activi- is collected under quality controlled conditions ties of the Stream Team Program. using Missouri Department Natural Resources The goals of the Volunteer Water Quality Moni- standard operating procedures and approved/ toring Program include informing and educating accepted EPA standard methods for analyses of citizens about the conditions of our streams, es- surface water. Therefore, volunteer data collected tablishing a monitoring network, generating water during CSI projects are high quality, documented, quality data, enabling citizens to develop new skills, and comparable to agency data. CSI collected data and finally halting degradation of Missouri streams. are capable of playing an important role in the

Table 1. Successfully completed Cooperative Stream Investigation projects Stream Project Period Parameters 1. Brush Creek — Franklin County 2005 – 2007 E. coli 2. Watkins Creek — St Louis County 2009 – 2012 E. coli & chloride 3. Shoal Creek — Barry & Newton Counties 2010 – 2012 E. coli 4. Gravois Creek — St. Louis County 2012 – 2013 E. coli & chloride 5. Cole and Spencer Creeks — St. Charles County 2012 – 2014 chloride 6. Turkey Creek — Boone County 2013 E. coli 7. Mattese Creek — St. Louis County 2013 – 2014 E. coli & chloride 8. Truitt Creek — Lawrence County 2014 E. coli 9. Fenton Creek — St. Louis County 2014 – 2015 E. coli & chloride 10. Williams Creek — Lawrence County 2015 E. coli 11. Dry Branch — St. Charles County 2015 – 2016 Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride & total suspended solids 12. Warm Fork Spring River — Oregon County 2016 E. coli 13. Dardenne Creek — St. Charles County 2016 E. coli

32 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 10000.0

1000.0

100.0

10.0 E. E. coli MPN/100 ml (LOG Base 10 Scale)

1.0 Site 1 (n=7) Site 2 (n=7) Site 3 (n=7) Site 4 (n=7) Site 5 (n=7) Site 6 (n=7) Site 7 (n=7)

Maximum 1071.5 733.5 1454.5 2737.5 1007.0 1240.5 1179.5 Minimum 20.5 72.0 20.5 37.5 210.0 36.0 80.5 Geomean 236.8 222.2 155.2 338.5 419.4 157.8 504.0

Graph 1. Gravois Creek CSI Project — St. Louis County. E. Coli (Log10 Scale). April 4, 2013 – October 3, 2013.

MDNR’s decision making process relating to Total ment of streams for the impaired waters list (Sec- Maximum Daily Load studies, water quality as- tion 303[d] of the Clean Water Act). Until 2016, sessments, and long-term resource use studies. the data were used as ancillary assessment data Since CSI data are treated as equivalent to to that collected by the Missouri Department of professionally collected data, it fits one definition Natural Resources. However, for the 2016 reporting of Citizen Science, as defined by McKinley, et al. cycle, a revision to Missouri’s Water Quality Stan- (2015): “citizen science is indistinguishable from dards expanded the classified rivers and streams conventional science, apart from the participation network from approximately 24,400 miles to of volunteers — both can use a variety of methods approximately 115,700 miles. Many of these newly and can achieve a variety of goals, including basic classified streams are categorized as headwater research, management, and education. Citizen stream size; many are unnamed and unmonitored. Science is science (with the addition of volunteers) With fewer resources to cover more monitoring and should be treated as such in its design, imple- needs, CSI data have now been used as primary mentation, and evaluation.” data for 303(d) assessment purposes in smaller Since the initial project in 2005, there have been streams where no agency data exist. a total of 13 CSI projects that have been successful- One example of data use from a CSI project is ly completed (see Table 1). E. coli bacteria continue Gravois Creek in St. Louis County. As the result to dominate the focus of most projects. However, of the one year CSI project, an unnamed tributary chloride and nutrients are also becoming impor- was included on the 2016 303(d) impaired waters tant monitoring parameters. list for impairment due to E. coli. Not only was The most prevalent use of CSI data is assess- the unnamed tributary included on the 303(d) list

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 33 because of citizen science data, it had the highest to assess TMDLs that have been established for geometric mean of any project sampling location impaired streams, and for modeling purposes for and indicated a significant bacterial source (see non-point source pollution control projects (Sec- the geomean for Site 7 in Graph 1). tion 319 of the Clean Water Act). E. coli data are often summarized as a “geo- Future use of CSI project data will support metric mean” (a type of average) of all the test development of more rigorous TMDLs for impaired results obtained during a reporting period. A streams, especially streams in need of chloride geometric mean, unlike an arithmetic mean, tends TMDLs. Additionally, stream nutrient data will be to dampen the effect of very high or low values, useful in identification of sources of contamination, which might bias the mean if a straight average and, in the long-term, development of nutrient crite- (arithmetic mean) were calculated. This is helpful ria for the Missouri Water Quality Standards. when analyzing bacteria concentrations, because Randy Sarver is Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator, levels may vary anywhere from 10 to 10,000 fold Stream Team Program over a given period. The geometric mean is really a Contact: [email protected] References log-transformation of data to enable meaningful McKinley, D.C., A.J. Miller-Rushing, H.L. Ballard, R. Bonney, H. statistical evaluations. Brown, D.M. Evans, R.A. French, J.K. Parrish, T.B. Phillips, S.F. Ryan, L.A. Shanley, J.L. Shirk, K.F. Stepenuck, J.F. Weltzin, A. Wiggins, O.D. In addition to using CSI data for 303(d) purpos- Boyle, R.D. Briggs, S.F. Chapin III, D.A. Hewitt, P.W. Preuss, and M.A. es it has also been used to calculate Total Maxi- Soukup. 2015. Investing in citizen science can improve natural resource management and environmental protection. The Ecological Society of mum Daily Loads (commonly called TMDLs), America, Issues in Ecology, Report Number 19. 27 pp.

Centennial celebration kicks off in 150,000 acres. In 2015, 19.2 million visitors were state parks and historic sites recorded at state parks and historic sites. On multiple occasions, Missouri’s state park system issouri State Parks is gearing up for a has been ranked as one of the top four in the M celebration of centennial proportions as country. the park system approaches its 100th birthday. To mark the centennial, Missouri State The park system kicked off 18 months of cel- Parks launched the Centennial Passport, a ebrations on April 9, 2016 with the opening of program challenging guests to visit all 88 state a new exhibition at the Missouri State Museum parks and historic sites between April 9, 2016 and the launch of a new statewide passport and Oct. 31, 2017. A printed passport is avail- program. able for purchase at park and historic site gift elated News A rea- R elated Natural The park system was officially established shops and online. The first 1,000 individuals on April 9, 1917 with the creation of the state who complete the printed passport will receive park fund. The first property, the historic Ar- a centennial backpack, made possible thanks row Rock Tavern, was acquired in 1923. The to a sponsorship by Bass Pro Shops. A digital first park tracts were added to the system in passport is also available and can be completed 1924 and by the end of 1925, the state park sys- free of charge. For more information, visit mo- tem had grown to eight areas with more than stateparks.com/passport. 23,000 acres. Park guests can share their experiences and Throughout its history, the park system has memories of the park system on Twitter and continued to grow. Today, thanks in large part Facebook using #ShowMeYourStatePark. to citizen support, the park system includes 88 For more information on state parks and state parks and historic sites and more than historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

34 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Forty Years of Missouri Natural Areas The Missouri Natural Areas System turns 40 this spring hen people think of Missouri, perhaps tected or managed for the purpose of preserving they conjure up images of the Arch their natural qualities.” This partnership laid the W in St. Louis, Union Station in Kansas ground work for what today has become the Mis- City or championship-winning baseball teams. souri Natural Areas System of 185 special places These cultural icons make up part of what makes totaling 85,767 acres of lands and waters that are Missouri unique as a state. But of course a deeper key pieces of Missouri’s natural heritage. Places elated News A rea- R elated Natural heritage occurs here in the show-me state founded like Stegall Mountain, Blue Spring, the Jack’s Fork in the very geology, soils, plants, animals and River and Regal Tallgrass Prairie Natural Areas streams that still remain in some semblance to the exemplify Missouri’s unique natural heritage. patterns that have occurred on this spot on earth The Missouri natural area program’s roots began for thousands of years, long before Missouri state- in 1971 with MDC when then Wildlife Research hood in 1821 and the frenetic pace of our current Superintendent Bill Crawford (also co-founder of society. In 1977, a group of prescient conservation- the Missouri Prairie Foundation) worked with John ists working for the Missouri Department of Con- Wylie, assistant state forester, assistant director Allen servation (MDC) and the Missouri Department of Brohn and other staff to charter a new MDC pro- Natural Resources (MoDNR) decided to formally gram, the natural areas system. Famed wildlife artist work together in a partnership to identify and Charlie Schwartz designed the jack-in-the-pulpit preserve biological communities or geological sites logo for the new program. In June 1977, the Missouri as state natural areas to be “permanently pro- Natural Areas Committee (MoNAC) met for the first

Missouri Prairie Foundation BioBlitz at Golden Prairie Natural Area Photo by Noppadol Paothong, Missouri Department of Conservation of Department Missouri Paothong, Noppadol by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 35 time with MoDNR representatives Fred Lafser, John the Lincoln Hills Natural Area; Karel, Jerry Vineyard and Glen Gessley and MDC „„ LaBarque Creek Natural Area supports over representatives Allen Brohn, Bill Crawford, and Bill 580 native vascular plant species and 135 bryo- Pflieger. In 1978, Rick Thom (MDC) and Paul Nelson phyte species; and (MoDNR) began their career-long associations with the natural area program. Today the interagency „„ Paintbrush Prairie Natural Area supports 47 MoNAC consists of representatives from MDC and species of planthoppers. MoDNR along with the Mark Twain National For- Missouri Natural Areas are important reser- est, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ozark National voirs of native pollinator species such as the blue Scenic Riverways and The Nature Conservancy. sage bee (Tetraloniella cressoniana) found at Golden Over the past four decades, members of MoNAC Prairie Natural Area. These sites are valuable as have provided the leadership and technical exper- reference sites for scientific studies, as templates tise that have made the conservation of natural and sources of propagules for natural community communities a mainstream goal within natural restoration and reconstruction efforts, as outdoor resource agencies in Missouri today. Back in 1977, classrooms and as places for unique outdoor recre- the recognition of natural communities and man- ation opportunities. The concept of natural areas agement techniques such as prescribed fire were in resonates with the public as well; a 2013 opinion their infancy in Missouri. MoNAC members have survey conducted by the University of Missouri- been instrumental in guiding the development of natural community classification systems, a state- Columbia for MDC found that 82% of Missouri’s wide natural features inventory, the development of general public agreed that MDC should designate the Missouri Natural Heritage Program, and natural ‘natural areas’ to protect Missouri’s best examples community restoration techniques. Some of the first of forests, prairies, marshes, and glades. uses of prescribed fire for ecological restoration oc- However, despite the fact that our technical curred on prairie, glade and woodland communities abilities at resource management have increased of Missouri Natural Areas. greatly over these past 40 years, the challenges and Missouri Natural Areas account for just 0.2% of threats to natural heritage resources have kept Missouri’s land mass, yet they account for a dis- apace too. Back in 1977, we didn’t have stilt grass proportionate share of the state’s natural heritage (Microstegium vimineum), garlic mustard (Alliaria resources. Today, populations of 433 Missouri spe- petiolata), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) cies of conservation concern occur on designated or white-nose syndrome to contend with. There Missouri Natural Areas (38% of all species of con- are approximately 3.2 billion more people on the servation concern in the Missouri Natural Heri- planet now than 40 years ago and we all impact tage Database). Populations of 19 federally listed the environment. Increasingly the effects of rapid species and 34 state endangered species are found climate change are becoming apparent. In short, on Missouri Natural Areas (48% of the federally listed species in Missouri and 53% of the Missouri the stresses on our natural systems will continue state endangered species, respectively). Eighty-four to force us to adapt our concept of natural ar- different types of terrestrial and aquatic natural eas and how we manage them. Maintaining the communities from chert glades to swamps are relevancy of the Missouri Natural Areas System to conserved on Missouri Natural Areas. These natu- the public, especially younger generations and the ral communities support a myriad of native plant Pokéman GO crowd, is a challenge. If Missouri and animal species. Here are a few examples: Natural Areas are to be around in forty more „„ Rogers Creek on Stegall Mountain Natural years (2057!), we must rise to the challenges and be Area supports 25 native fish species; ready to adapt. We owe it to Missourians of today „„ Over 60 native bird species have been docu- and future generations to conserve those irreplace- mented as likely or definitely nesting within able places of our state.

36 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 Photo by J. Karel J. by Photo elated News A rea- R elated Natural

Western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula)

2016 Missouri Natural Area System hiking opportunities to see these wooded valleys Updates which are particularly nice to visit in the spring n May 2016, the interagency Missouri Natu- and fall. I ral Areas Committee (MoNAC) approved two LaBarque Creek Natural Area — just 35 air expansions to existing natural areas. The com- miles from the St. Louis Arch, the newly expanded mittee has received final approval from the acting LaBarque Creek Natural Area contains a rugged director of the Conservation Department and is remoteness that belies its proximity to the urban- awaiting final approval from the director of the ity of St. Louis. This natural area contains por- Department of Natural Resources. Soon these tions of LaBarque Creek Conservation Area (Mis- newly expanded natural areas will be posted on souri Department of Conservation) and the soon the natural areas directory on the Conservation to be opened Don Robinson State Park (Missouri Department website. Department of Natural Resources). This natu- Brickey Hills Natural Area — nestled in the ral area contains over 2,000 acres of exemplary steep river hills north of the historic town of Ste. sandstone geologic features, forests, woodlands Genevieve at Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area, and glades and miles of high-quality headwater this newly expanded natural area contains 349 streams feeding into LaBarque Creek. Over 15 dif- acres of mature forests and woodlands punctu- ferent natural community types occur here, giving ated with limestone outcrops and scattered small rise to an extremely diverse landscape with more springs. The deep valleys here support an abun- than 580 vascular plant species, 135 bryophyte spe- dance of plethonotid salamanders and 35 tree cies, 49 breeding bird species and a dozen species species. A network of area access trails provide for of conservation concern.

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 37 National Park Service Centennial n 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) cel- Iebrates 100 years of preserving, protecting and interpreting the nation’s most treasured land- scapes, historic places, cultural sites, and natural wonders. During this centennial anniversary, 413 national park sites across the nation are celebrat- ing the legacy of the first national park system in

elated News A rea- R elated Natural the world and embarking on a second century of continued stewardship of our national heritage. At Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the cel- ebration of the NPS Centennial has taken many forms in order to engage the public in a wide variety of activities that encompass the signifi- communities that were important for local resi- cance of the first federally-protected river system. dents. Akers, Round Spring and Alley Spring hosted Events and activities ranged from recreational ac- community reunions to remember and reminisce tivities to stewardship opportunities to cultural about the not-so-distant past when those areas were and historical programs. thriving centers of the neighborhood. In addition, The Centennial kicked off in April with the a number of cultural demonstrations, historical first of two park stewardship events. For two programs and special events illustrated the Ozark days in April, park staff, volunteers and partner lifeways and history of the Ozark region. organizations joined together for the 2016 Riv- Visitors were encouraged to return to expe- erways Clean-up, scouring the rivers and lands rience a variety of programs during the year for litter and debris. In September, the second through the use of a passport program. Stamps stewardship event engaged college students and could be collected at each centennial program, volunteers in a day of trail maintenance on Na- with the possibility of earning several different tional Public Lands Day. centennial souvenirs. The “100 Mile Challenge” Outdoor recreational workshops and clinics were program, in partnership with the Ozark Trail held throughout the year. These included outdoor Association, provided incentive for visitors to log photography, birdwatching, fishing, gigging, pad- their miles hiking or padding within Ozark Na- dling and night sky viewing. Several guided hikes tional Scenic Riverways and on the Ozark Trail allow visitors to experience the outdoors, with park in order to earn a special commemorative sticker rangers leading the exploration of Mill Mountain upon logging 100 miles. Natural Area, Prairie Hollow Gorge Natural Area, Events and programs celebrating the NPS Cen- and several segments of the Ozark Trail. tennial will continue through the end of 2016 at The rich cultural history of the Ozark High- Ozark National Scenic Riverways. For more infor- lands was featured in many of the Centennial mation about the schedule of upcoming activities, programs. The rivers gave life to several historic visit www.nps.gov/ozar.

38 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter • Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 2017 Calendar Of Events February 5–8, 2017 June 10, 2017 77th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Conference 8th Annual Prairie Bio-Blitz Lincoln, Nebraska at Stillwell Prairie “Private Landscapes, Public Responsibilities” Vernon County, Missouri www.midwestfw.org www.moprairie.org March 10–12, 2017 August 18–19, 2017 Conservation Federation Missouri Bird Conservation of Missouri Convention Initiative Annual Conference Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, Missouri Peachtree Catering and Events, www.confedmo.org/annual-convention Columbia, Missouri June 2–4, 2017 www.mobci.net Missouri Native Plant Society Oct 10–12, 2017 Spring Meeting and Field Trips 44th Natural Areas Conference West Plains, Missouri Ft. Collins, Colorado monativeplants.org/events www.naturalareas.org/conference

The crystal clear blue waters of Ha Ha Tonka Spring in the Ha Ha Tonka Oak Woodland Natural Area. Photo by Allison J. Vaughn J. Allison by Photo

Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016 • Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter 39