NWI Map Report for Mid-Arkansas: El Dorado NE; Little Rock SE, NE
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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 ARKANSAS NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP REPORT I. INTRODUCTION The United states 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 Arkansas River 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 Boston Mountains 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