DRAFT

IJATIOHAL WETLDDS II1VDTORY

HAP REPORT FOR

lUD-ARDJISAS

The 1:100,000 Map units of

El Dorado NE, Little Rock BE, Little Rock NE e Russellville BE, Russellville NW, Harrison BE TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction . . . . . 1

II. Field Reconnaissance . 1

III. Physical Description of Project Area • 3

IV. Description of Wetland Habitats 5

Table 1. Observed Wetland Vegetation • 7

Table II. NWI Wetland Classification Codes • 9

V. Water Regime Description • 12 VI. Imagery . . 12 VII. Map Preparation 13

VIII .. Special Mapping Problems. 13

IX. Map Acquisition 14

X. Literature Cited . 15

Appendix A Locator Map MID NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP REPORT

I. INTRODUCTION

The Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is producing maps showing the location and classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United states. The Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United states by Cowardin et ale is the classification system used to define and classify wetlands. Photo interpretation conventions, hydric soils lists, and wetland plant lists are also available to enhance the use and application of the classificatio~ system.

The purpose of the report to users is threefold: (1) to provide localized· information regarding the production of NWI maps, including field reconnaissance with a discussion of imagery and interpretation; (2) to provide a descriptive crosswalk from wetland codes on the map to common names of representative plant species; and (3) to explain local geography, climate, and wetland communities.

II. FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

Field reconnaissance of the work area is an integral part of ·the accurate interpretation of aerial photography. Photographic signatures are compared to the wetland's appearance in the field by observing vegetation, soil, and topography. This information is weighted for seasonality and conditions existing at the time of the photography and ground truthing. project Area

The project area is located in Mid-Arkansas. The following 1:100,000 maps were reviewed:

EI Dorado NE Russellville SE Little Rock SE Russellville NE Little Rock NE Harrison SE

EI Dorado NE, Little Rock SE, and Little Rock NE are in the southern portion. Russellville SE, Russellville NE, and Harrison SE are in the northern portion. See Appendix A for visual clarification.

1 Field Personnel curtis Carley u.s. Fish and wildlife Service Region II Charlie Storrs u.S. Fish and wildlife Service Region IV Greg Pipkin U.S. Fish and wildlife Service National Quality Control John Swords Geonex, Inc. Brian Lahe Geonex, Inc. Mary Schlemmer Geonex, Inc.

Field Trip Dates

April 24 - May 6, 1994 Aerial Photography

Type: Color Infrared Transparencies Scale: 1:58,000 NHAP (National High Altitude Aerial ~otography) Dates: 2/7/83, 2/17/83, 2/18/83, 2/25/83, 2/28/83, 2/12/83, 2/12/85, .2/28,485, 3/5/85 Percent Coverage: All 192 USGS quadrangles were covered with the NHAP photography.

Collateral Data united States Geological Survey Topographic Quadrangles: 192@ 1:24,000 4 @ 1:250,000

Soil Surveys for the following counties:

Bradley Faulkner Quachita Baxter Fulton Perry Boone Garland Pope Calhoun Hot springs Pulaski Clark Izard Saline Cleveland Jefferson Searcy Conway Lonoke Van Buren Dallas Newton White Bailey's Description of the Ecoregions of the united States. water Resources Data - Arkansas. Hydric Soils of the State of Arkansas.

2 National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands ­ Arkansas. Classifications of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the united States. Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes of the United States.

Common Marsh, underwater, and Floating-leaved Plants of the united States.

The Audubon Society Nature Guides - Wetlands.

The Audubon Society Nature Guides Eastern Forests.

Field Guide to North American Trees.

Field Guide: Trees and Shrubs.

III. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA

The area covered is between 92" to 93" W longitude and 33" 30 1 to 361• 30' N latitude. It -extends from -the Southeastern Mixed Forest Province in the south to the Oak Hickory Forest Province in the north. The is the approximate boundary that divides these two provinces.

The Southeastern-Mixed Forest Province contains El Dorado NE, Little Rock SE, and Little Rock NE (a small portion of Russellville SE is in this region).

The Oak-Hickory Forest Prqvince is in the northern part of the project area. Located in this province is Russellville SE, Russellville NE, and Harrison SEe

See Appendix A Locator Map for more details. Geography

Oak-Hickory Mixed Forest Province - The region contained within this province has the Arkansas River Valley as a southern limit and extends north to the and Ozark Highlands.

Southeastern Mixed Forest Province - The region contained within this province extends southward from the Arkansas River Valley to the Quachita River floodplain.

3 Climate Southeastern Mixed Forest Province - The climate throughout the region is predominantly uniform. The region experiences relatively mild winters and hot and humid summers. Annual precipitation averages approximately 50 inches with a slightly higher peak during the heavy rainstorms of the early spring and midsummer periods. The rate of evaporation is less than annual precipitation but summer droughts are possible. The growing season averages 250 days out of the year.

Oak-Hickory Forest Province The region receives sufficient precipitation throughout the year in response to the continental climatic region. Annual precipitation averages 45 inches. This region experiences cold winters and warm summers. vegetation

Southeastern Mixed Forest Province - This region's vegetation consists of loblolly and slash pine intermixed with various oaks, hickory, sweetgum, and red maple. In oxbow areas, cypress and tupelo are abundant. Rice cutgrass and smartweed were common wetland herbaceous species in this area.

Oak-Hickory Forest Province - This region can be described as a temperate deciduous forest. Broadleaf deciduous trees such as oaks, maple, hickory, and elms dominate the region with slash and loblolly pine intermixed throughout the region.

Soils

Southeastern Mixed Forest Province - The dominant soils of this region are Ultisols. Inceptisols are found along the floodplains where agriculture is predominant.

Oak-Hickory Forest Province - The soils that are characteristic of this region are Alfisols. In the deciduous forests stands where humus is abundant Mollisols are commonly found.

4 IV. DESCRIPTION OF WETLAND HABITATS IN STUDY AREA A. RIVERINE

Major rivers flowing through the project area such as the Saline River, Buffalo River, and White River will be classified as R2UBH. Some smaller perennial creeks were also classified as R2UBH. Riverine bar and flats associated with R2UBH will be classified as R2USA or R2USC.

In the. higher elevation areas, perennial rivers and streams may be classified as R3UBH. This classification was determined by the gradient observed on USGS topographic maps. The general rule is that a R3UBH classification can be used if a 100 foot drop occurs within a one mile distance.

Intermittent streams and creeks will be classified as R4SBA and R4SBC. Unconsolidated shore associated with intermittent st~eams and creeks.will be classified as R4SBA.

B. LACUSTRINE

Reservoirs will be classified as LIUBHh. Shoreline flats associated with the reservoirs will be classified as L2USAh or L2USCh.

The portion of the Arkansas River located in the project area will be classified as a series of LIUBHh's. Each L1UBHh along the Arkansas River can hold different pool levels due to a lock and dam system.

The Fourche la Fave River extends through an area of low relief as identified by USGS topographic maps. The water flow is directly influenced by the lock and dam system of the Arkansas River. Therefore, the Fourche la Fave River will be classified as L1UBHh.

C. PALUSTRINE

Palustrine wetlands are the dominant wetland classification type observed in the project area. Impounded ponds (PUBHh) with unconsolidated bottom are the most common. Impounded ponds with unconsolidated shore (PUSAh or PUSCh) were also found. Gravel pits, sewage treatment ponds, and unvegetated oxbows will be classified PUB. Fish hatchery ponds and shallow excavation and impoundments will be classified PUS.

5 Vegetated, herbaceous palustrine systems will be classified either Palustrine Aquatic Bed (PAB) or Palustrine Emergent (PEM). These will be classified according to their photographic signatures. Vegetated, woody palustrine systems will be classified either Palustrine Scrub-Shrub (PSS) or Palustrine Forested (PFO). PF02\PSS2 will be restricted to cypress stands only. The dominant classification is Palustrine Broad­ Leaved Deciduous (PFOl\PSSl). Palustrine classifications were used as linears, sUbstituting for a riverine system which had a 30% or greater canopy cover. Palustrine Needle-Leaved Evergreen (PF04) were observed in isolated areas of EI Dorado NE. Palustrine Forested Dead (PF05) were used when cypress or tupelo stands had died. The PF05 classification was usually associated with reservoirs. Field. check sites were performed and conventions, special concerns, and\or potential problems were documented. Vegetation observed in wetland habitats were grouped according to class and water regime. The following plant species were identified at check sites and represent only a fraction of all wetland pl~nt species occurring in the project area.

6 Table 1

OBSERVED WETLAND VEGETATION

Palustrine Temporary Emerqents: PEX scirpus bulrush Leersia oryzoides rice cutgrass Juncus sp. rush Polygonum sp. smartweed Carix sp. sedge Alternanthera Dhiloxeroides alligator weed Woodwardia aerolata netted chain fern Commelina communis day flower crinum americanum swamp lily Myriophyllum brasiliense parrot feather Arundinaria gigantea giant cane Rumex sp. dock Saururus cernuus lizard's tail Arisaema triphyllum Jack in the Pulpit Hydrocaudal sp. pennywort Typha sp. cattail Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy Lonicera sp. honeysuckle Andropogon virginicus broom sedge Clematis sp. clematix Eleocharis sp. spike rush Ranunculus sp. buttercup Xanthium strumarium cocklebur

Palustrine Aquactic Bed: PAB

Nymphaea odorata white waterlily Lemna minor duckweed

Palustrine Scrub-Shrub: PBS

Salix sp. willow Baccharis sp. false-willow Alnus serrulata alder Salix nigra black willow Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush Styrax americana american snowbell Aesculus pavia red buckeye Rubus sp. blackberry

7 Table 1

OBSERVED WETLAND VEGETATION

Palustrine Forested: PFO

Ulmus rubra slippery elm Fraxinus' pennsylvanica green ash Carya sp. hickory Gleditsia aguatica water locust Acer rubrum red maple Acer saccharum silver maple Nyssa sylvatica black gum Quercus phellos willow oak Quercus lyrata overcup oak Ouercus nigra water oak Quercus falcata red oak Quercus palustrus pin oak Quercus bicolor bicolor oak Celtis occidentalis hackberry Celtis laevigata sugarberry Ulmus sp. elm Betula nigra river birch Plantanus occidentalis sycamore Salix sp. willow Magnolia virginica sweet bay Taxodium distichum cypress Nyssa aguatica tupelo Tilia americana American basswood Liguidambar styraciflua sweetgum

Upland:

Pinus palustris slash pine Quercus virginiana live oak Juniperus virginiana red cedar Castanea ozarkensis Ozark chikapian Prunus serotina black cherry Rhus sp. sumac

8 Table II. NWI WETLAND CLASSIFICATION CODES, COWARDIN DESCRIPTION AND COMMON TERMINOLOGY

NWI CODE COWARDIN WATER REGIME DESCRIPTION COMMON DESCRIPTION VEGETATION

R3UB Riverine, Perennial mountain Unvegetated sand (H) upper perennial, streams and rivers or gravel bottom unconsolidated bottom

9 Table II. NWI WETLAND CLASSIFICATION CODES, COWARDIN DESCRIPTION AND COMMQN TERMINOWGY

NWI CODE COWARDIN WATER REGIME DESCRIPTION COMMON DESCRIPTION VEGETATION

PUB Palustrine,. Ponds, impoundments and Unvegetated mud, sand, (F,H,K) unconsolidated bottom sewage treatment ponds gravel or artificial bottom

PUS Palustrine, Ponds and impoundments, Unvegetated mud, sand (A,C,K) unconsolidated shore or gravel shores

PEM Palustrine, Marshes, depressions, Poly~onum sp. (smartweed) (A,C,F) emergent drainage areas or springs Typha spp.(cattail) l..eersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass) Saururus cemuus (lizard's tail) Arundinaria gi~antea (giant cane) Altemanthera philoxerades (alligator weed) Juncus sp.(rush) Scir.pus (bulrush)

PSS Palustrine, Thickets, river banks, ~ sp. (willow) (A,C,F) scrub-shrub drainage areas or springs Salix nigm (black willow) Styrax americana (American snowbell) CtWhalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)

10 Table II. NWI WETLAND CLASSIFICATION CODES, COWARDIN DESCRIPTION AND COMMON TERMINOLOGY

NWI CODE COWARDIN WATER REGIME DESCRIPTION COMMON DESCRIPTION VEGETATION

PFOl Palustrine, Forested depression ~ aQ.Uatica (tupelo) (A,C,F) forested or impoundments, or drainages Liqyidambar styraciflua floodplains pr drainage areas (sweetgum) Salix sp. (willow) Ulmus sp. (elm) Acer rubrum (red maple) ~ sp. (hickory) Plantanus occidentalis (sycamore) Quercus phellos (willow oak) Ouercus nigra (water oak)

PF02 Palustrine, Forested depression Taxodium distichum (cypress) (C,F,H) forested or impoundments, or drainages floodplains or drainage areas

PAB Palustrine, aquatic bed Ponds or deep marshes Nymphaea odorata (A,C) (white waterlily) Lemna minor (duckweed)

11 V. WATER REGIME DESCRIPTION

Non-Tidal

(A) Temporarily Flooded - Surface water present for brief periods during growing season, but water table usually lies well below soil surface. Plants that grow both in uplands and wetlands are characteristic of this water regime.

(C) Seasonally Flooded - Surface water is present for extended periods especially early in the growing season, but is absent by the end of the growing season in most years. The water table after flooding ceases is extremely variable, extending from saturated to a water table well below the ground surface.

(F) Semipermanently Flooded - Surface wa~er persists throughout the growing season in most years. When surface water is absent, the water table is usually at or very near the land's surface.

(H) Permanently Flooded - Water covers land surface throughout the year in all years.

(K) Artificially Flooded - Amount and duration of flooding is controlled by means of pumps or siphons in combination with dikes or dams.

VI. IMAGERY

Imagery for this mapping area overall was of good quality and resolution. The photography was flown in late winter of 1983 and 1985. The photography was color infrared and flown by NHAP.

The 1985 NHAP photography in the project area had a dark blue tint. This created some difficulty delineating areas with subtle changes in their photo signature.

In the field, ground truthing revealed that the photography was slightly drier that what was observed. The major river levels seemed higher than normal pool levels on the photography but coincided with what was observed in the field. The higher water levels were due to excess winter water.

12 VII. MAP PREPARATION

Wetland delineation and classification is in accordance with Cowardin et al (1979). Further wetland mapping guidance is provided by National Wetlands Inventory photographic and cartographic conventions in concert with National consistency. Delineations were produced through stereoscopic interpretation of 1:58,000 scale color infrared photography. The NHAP photography was taken during 1983 and 1985.

Field checks of areas found within the Mid-Arkansas project area were made prior to the actual delineation of the wetlands. Field check sites were selected to clarify varying signatures found on the photography. These photographic signatures were identified in the field using vegetation types soil types, and additional input from field personnel.

Collateral data included USGS topographic maps, SCS soil surveys, climate, vegetation, and ecoregional information.

The user of the map is cautioned that, due to the limitation of mapping primarily through aerial photointerpretation, a small percentage of wetlands may have gone unidentified. Since the photography was taken during a particular time and season, there may be discrepancies between the maps and current field conditions. Changes in landscape which occurred after the photography was taken would result in such discrepancies.

Aerial photointerpretation and drafting were completed by Geonex, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida with quality control conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

VIII. SPECIAL MAPPING PROBLEMS

Field conditions were generally drier than what is portrayed on the photography. Several strips of photography had a dark blue emulsion. Comparison of photo overlap was performed to determine similarities in photo signature.

Standing water was present in agricultural fields and in oxbows along drainages. The standing water was a result of normal winter flooding. Delineation of these areas were performed using insight from field observations, presence or absence of agricultural activity, and photo signatures.

Several drainage areas appear to have great width as portrayed by the photography. These areas are a complex of braided channels with both wetland and upland species intermixed. Field observations determined that only the main channels of these systems would be delineated as Palustrine Forested (PFO).

13 IX. MAP ACOUISITION

To discuss any questions concerning these maps, please contact:

Regional Wetland Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Region IV

To order maps calI1-800-USA-MAPS.

Maps are identified by the name of the couesponding USGS 1;24,000 scale topographic quadrangle name. Topographic map indices are available from the United States Geological Survey.

ar-mid.rpt JS/drs.nwi

14 X. LITERATURE CITED

Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of The United States. L.M Cowardin et al., V. Carter, F.e. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1977.

Description of The Ecoregions of The United States. R.G. Bailey, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 1978.

Hydric Soils of ihe State Arkansas. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.

National List of Plant Species That Occur In Wetlands - Arkansas. P.B. Reed. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Inland Freshwater Ecology Section, 1988.

Water Resources Data - Arkansas. Water Year 1984. T.E. Lamb, J.E. Porter, B.F. Lambert, and J.Edds. USGS Water Data Report AR-84-1.

Trees and Shrubs. Peterson Field Guides. G.A Petrides, 1986. .

Wetlands. The Audubon Society Nature Guides. William A Niering, 1985.

Eastern Forests. The Audubon Society Nature Guides. Ann Sutton, and Myron Sutton, 1985.

Common Marsh. Underwater and Floating-leaved Plants of the United States and Canada. Neil Hotckiss, 1972.

Field Guide to the Grasses. Sedges. and Rushes of the United States. Edward Knobel, 1980.

Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. The Audubon Society, E.L. Little, 1992.

15 APPENDIX A WCATORMAP

MID-ARKANSAS PROJECT AREA