Aquatic Ecosystems and Watersheds Supplemental Report
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United States Department of Agriculture Aquatic Ecosystems & Watersheds Assessment Supplemental Report Wayne National Forest Forest Wayne National Forest Plan Service Forest Revision July 2020 Prepared By: Kelly S. Johnson, Danielle D’Amore, Jonas Epstein Nora M. Sullivan, and Natalie A. Kruse Ohio University Wayne National Forest 1 Ohio University 13700 US Highway 33 Athens, OH 45701 Nelsonville, OH 45764 Revised for Final Release By: Lisa Kluesner Wayne National Forest 13700 US Highway 33 Nelsonville, OH 45764 Responsible Official: Forest Supervisor Carrie Gilbert Cover Photo: A small waterfall that is part of a larger 40-foot cascade in Fly Gorge Special Area, Marietta Unit. USDA photo by Kyle Brooks The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. 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Aquatic Ecosystems & Watersheds Supplemental Report Table of Contents Notable Changes between Draft & Final of this Supplemental Report ............................................. 1 Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Overview of Wayne National Forest & Study Area .............................................................................. 4 Descriptions of Aquatic Ecosystem Types ............................................................................................. 5 Primary Headwater Streams ................................................................................................................ 5 STRUCTURE: Headwater Streams ............................................................................................................................... 5 COMPOSITION: Headwater Streams ........................................................................................................................... 6 CONNECTIVITY: Headwater Streams ........................................................................................................................ 7 MEASURES OF ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: Headwater Streams .......................................................................... 7 Larger Streams & Rivers ...................................................................................................................... 7 STRUCTURE: Larger Streams & Rivers ...................................................................................................................... 7 FUNCTION: Larger Streams & Rivers ....................................................................................................................... 10 COMPOSITION: Larger Streams & Rivers ................................................................................................................ 10 CONNECTIVITY: Larger Streams & Rivers ............................................................................................................. 11 MEASURES OF ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: Larger Streams & Rivers ............................................................... 11 Wetlands .............................................................................................................................................. 11 STRUCTURE: Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................. 11 FUNCTION: Wetlands ................................................................................................................................................ 12 COMPOSITION: Wetlands ......................................................................................................................................... 13 CONNECTIVITY: Wetlands ...................................................................................................................................... 13 MEASURES OF ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: Wetlands ........................................................................................ 14 Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ............................................................................................................ 14 STRUCTURE: Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ............................................................................................................. 14 FUNCTION: Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ................................................................................................................ 15 COMPOSITION: Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ......................................................................................................... 15 CONNECTIVITY: Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ...................................................................................................... 15 MEASURES OF ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs ........................................................ 16 Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems ................................................................................................ 16 STRUCTURE: Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems ................................................................................................ 16 FUNCTION: Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems ................................................................................................... 17 COMPOSITION: Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems ............................................................................................ 17 CONNECTIVITY: Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems .......................................................................................... 17 MEASURES OF ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems ............................................ 17 Current Assessments of Ecological Integrity & Trends in Aquatic Ecosystems & Watersheds .... 18 Land Cover Change ........................................................................................................................... 19 Ohio EPA Total Maximum Daily Load Assessments of Stream Quality ............................................. 23 Chemical & Biological (Fish & Macroinvertebrate) Assessments .............................................................................. 23 MAIS Sites within the Wayne National Forest Units .................................................................................................. 30 Assessments of Wetland & Riparian Zone Quality ..................................................................................................... 31 Assessments of Lake, Pond, and Reservoir Quality .................................................................................................... 34 Hydrological Integrity ........................................................................................................................ 35 Precipitation ....................................................................................................................................... 38 i | Page Aquatic Ecosystems & Watersheds Supplemental Report Temperature, Air, and Water Records................................................................................................. 38 Characterization of Existing Watershed Condition ........................................................................... 42 Watershed Condition Classification ............................................................................................................................ 42 Alteration of National Forest Sub-Watersheds ............................................................................................................ 44 Drinking Water Protection .........................................................................................................................................