Iron Canyon Watershed.···,· "'

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Iron Canyon Watershed.···,· Preface This Watershed Analysis is presented as ·part of the Aquatic Conservation Str:9-tegy adopted for the President's Plan (Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and.Bureau ofLand Management Planning Documents within the R'ang'e of the Northern Spotted Owl, including Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Succ~ssional ,and Old-Growth Related Species). .,'.. ·:., ·.. ·. .•.·.· . Announcements were published in local newspapers in ReddinP; and ~~.ni.them Si~,kjyou C,ounty inviting public input to this analysis. Open Houses were held ill Reddirig,' 11c.Cloud ahd,Big ·J3end,"\vhere resource specialists presented information on existing conditions and manag~ment direction for National Forestlands within the Iron Canyon Watershed.···,· "': The Iron Canyon Watershed Analysis was prepared with input and irivolvement from the following resource specialists: · ' · ..., .. o - . Charles Miller Forester/Team Leader . .i McCloud Ranger District Nancy Hutchins · Wildlife Biologist· : · · : · Shasta Lake Ranger District Bill Brock Fisheries Biologist .U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Becky May Fire Management Officer · Shasta I:.ake Ranger District Rhonda Posey · · Ecologist Shasta Lake Ranger District Chuck McDonald SilViculturist Mount Shasta Ranger District Abel Jasso Geologist Shasta take Ranger District Ken Lanspa Soil Scientist Shasta,-.. Trinity National Forests Norman Braithwaite Hydrologist ·North State Resources Joe Zustak · .. Fisheries Biologist . · Shasta Lake Ranger District JeffHuhtala Engineering Technician. · Moimt Shasta Ranger District Paula ·crumpton . .. Wildlife Biologist/Teairi Cmich . ··shasta-Tpnity National Forests Dave Simons Writer/Editor McCloud Ranger District Additional input was provided by: Elaine Sundahl Archaeologist . Shasta Lake Ranger District Mary Ellen Grigsby Recreation Specialist · ·· ·shaSta Lak~ Ranger District Jonna Cooper · · Geographic Inforrilati9n:Systems McCloud Ra~gerDistrict · . - .. ·i . ·.· ... .: .·._: . ·. .. ~ '· .· ··: .. ... : .. .:~ : ... - Table of Contents Iron Canyon Watershed Analysis Table of Contents Preface Table of Contents Chapter 1- Characterization of the Iron Canyon Watershed 1-1 + Location and land management relationships....................... 1- 1 Map 1. Vicinity Map Map 2. Dominant Features Map 3. Private Ownership Map 4. Late-Successional Reserve RC-335 . + Physical features of the watershed....................................... 1- 2 + Late-successional forests and habitat................................... 1.: 2 Map 5. Late-successional Forest + Riparian and aquatic ecosystems......................................... 1- 3 + Social characteristics and uses ..... ~....................................... 1- 4 Chapter 2- Issues and Key Questions ................... ·...... ,.............. 2-1 + Lack and loss of late-successional habitat and forests.......... 2-1 + Impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems.......................... 2-3 + Compatibility of social uses with LSR objectives................. 2-4 + Summary of Issues and Key Questions................................ 2-5 Chapter 3- Current Conditions in the Watershed .................... 3- I + Lack and loss of late-successional forests............................ 3- 1 • Composition and structure of vegetative communities 3- 1 Map 6. Forest Canopy Cover Map 7. Vegetation Types • Fragmentation of late-successional forest................... 3- 3 • Fuels and fire hazard conditions within late-successional forests ........ ~................................... 3- 3 • Terrestrial S&M species habitat.. ..... ~........................ 3- 5 Map 8. Live Fuel Hazard Map 9. Dead and Down Fuel Loading Map 10. Late-Successional Forest &·Fire Hazard : '.·· ~ -­ • TES species within the watershed .... ~ ........ ;...... :..... ~~ ... ~ , 3-7 . ··· ...: . ... - . ; ·~· Table of Contents Chapter 3- Current Conditions in the Watershed ............ (continued) + Impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems ............... :........ 3-12 • Current conditions that adversely affect aquatic habitat and riparian ecosystems................... 3-12 Map 11. Riparian Reserves • Current transportation system within the watershed.. 3-15 • Habitat for Survey and Manage and riparian associated species that occupy riparian ecosystems .. 3-15 + Compatibility of social uses with LSR objectives .............. 3-19 • Commodities being produced .................................. 3-20 • Natural trout production and present fish stocking levels.......................................................... 3-20 • Compatibility of recreation use with LSR objectives.· 3-20 Chapter 4- Reference Conditions within the Watershed...... 4- 1 + Lack and loss of late-successional forests ...... :................... 4- 1 • Composition and structure of vegetative communities .4- 1 • Late-successional and old~growth forest habitat....... 4- 4 • Fuels/fire conditions within the watershed................ 4- 6 • Impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems........................ 4- 7 • Riparian and aquatic ecosystems.............................. 4- 7 • Hydrologic reference conditions................................ 4- 9 • Soil stability and geologic processes........................ 4-11 + Transportation system within the watershed............. 4-11 + Compatibility of social uses with LSR objectives............... 4-13 • Commodities being produced ......... .-......................... 4-13 • Natural trout production and present fish stocking levels................................................... 4-14 • Compatibility of recreational use with LSR objectives 4-14 Chapter 5- Interpretations ................................. ~················· 5- 1 + Lack and loss of late-successional forests.......................... 5- 1 . • Heavy dead and down fuel loading ............ ~ .. ;.......... 5-2 • ·Dense understory conditions ........... ;... ~ .............. ~..... 5- 3 • Potential for fire occurrence ............... ·.. :......... ~......... 5- 4 • · Lack of old-growth and late-successional :forests .. .' .... , .5- .5 . • Species composition of mixed conifer stands .. ~......... 5-6 -·-~ ·-.··· Table of Contents Chapter 5- Interpretations .................................................... (continued) + Lack and loss of late-successional forests ..................... (continued) • Limited presence of large diameter ponderosa pines 5- 7 • Fragmentation of late-successional stands................ 5- 8 + Impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems........................ 5-9 • Degradation and loss of aquatic habitat.................... 5- 9 • Current road density ....... ~........................................ 5-11 • S&M and riparian obligate habitat........................... 5-12 + Compatibility of social u·ses with LSR objectives.............. 5-13 • Firewood cutting .................................... :............... ; 5-13 • Off-road vehicle use................................................ 5-14. • Fishing activities...................................................... 5--15 Chapter 6- Recommendations................................................. 6- 1 + Emphasis Areas Map 12. Emphasis Areas • Emphasis Area 1 - Lower Basin............................ .. 6-2 • Emphasis Area 2 - Ridgetop ................................. .. 6-3 • Emphasis Area 3- Midslopes ............ ~·~ ................. .. 6-3 • Emphasis Area 4 - Deferred Areas ....................... .. 6-4 + Recommendations • Protection ofLSR from Loss to Wildfire .............. .. 6-5 • Condition of Late-successional Forests: ................. 6-6 • Bald Eagle Habitat.. ............................................. .. 6-7 • Road Management. ................................................. 6-8 • Riparian Management. ......................................... ;. 6-10 • Woodcutting Management.. .................................. 6-11 • Fishing Access to Iron Canyon Reservoir ............. .. 6-12 • Recreational Fishing.............................................. 6-12 + Surveying and Monitoring Needs .................................... .. 6-13 + Prioritization of Recommendations ......................... :........ 6-14 .. \ .•··· ·-: . 3/26/96 Draft Iron Canyon ·watershed Analysis page 3 · ..:.:-,-_-·:.-- Table of Contents Appendix A- Possible Management Practices Appendix B- Hydrology Input Appendix C- List of Wildlife Species Appendix D- Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Analysis Abbreviations and Glossary 5/8/96 Iron Canyon Watershed Analysis page 4 Chapter 1: Characterization of the Watershed Chapter 1 Characterization of the Iron Canyon Watershed Area The purpose of this chapter is to place the watershed in context within the river basin, provinces, and the broad geographic area. This chapter will briefly analyze the dominant physical, biological, and human dimension features, characteristics, and uses of the watershed. The Iron Canyon Watershed is located near the small town of Big Bend, within Shasta County, ·California. The watershed lies about 26 ;miles north and east of the larger regional center Redding, and is a component of the Pit River Drainage (see "Vicinity map, (Map 1)). The watershed is about 17,000 acres in size, of which 12,300 acres are National Forest (see ''Private Ownership" map, (Map 3)). The Iron Canyon Watershed is entirely within the boundary of the Shasta-Trinity National Forests. The watershed is a component of Management Area 11 in the Forest Land Management Plan (LMP), and also compri~es the eastern l/6th of Late Successional
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