Cumulative Report
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HFQLG MONITORING STREAM CONDITION INVENTORY (SCI) CUMULATIVE REPORT JANUARY 31, 2013 Chris Mayes Fisheries Biologist, Lassen National Forest Ken Roby Fisheries Biologist, Lassen National Forest (retired) Executive Summary Thirty-one streams in the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group (HFQLG) program area were monitored to assess effects of ground-disturbing HFQLG project activities. Both physical and biological attributes of stream conditions were monitored from 1997 through 2012. Physical and biological attributes of stream conditions were monitored before and after implementation of sixteen vegetation management projects, five aspen enhancement projects, four road decommissioning watershed improvement projects, and four meadow improvement projects. The sampling strategy also included monitoring of reference streams from largely unmanaged watersheds. Monitoring started in 1997 and was conducted through 2012. Wildfires in two previously sampled watersheds provided an opportunity to assess changes following the fires. Vegetation Management Sixteen streams were selected to monitor the effects of vegetation management activities upon physical and biological stream attributes. Activities which would fall under this category include DFPZ treatments, area thinning, and mastication treatments, among others. Since these actions typically take place beyond 100 feet from stream channels, the primary concern regarding the aforementioned activities is sediment delivery to nearby streams. In general, the vegetation management activities had little to no effect upon stream sedimentation, stream shade or macroinvertebrate communities. This finding is consistent with HFQLG BMP monitoring, which found BMPs implemented to prevent erosion were effective in meeting their on-site objectives (Mitchell-Bruker, 2011). Aspen Enhancement Five streams were selected to monitor the effects of aspen enhancement activities. Attributes measured included channel substrate sediment, stream channel shading, water temperature, and macroinvertebrate assemblages. Since most aspen enhancement activities take place very close to stream channels, reductions in stream channel shade immediately following project implementation are usually expected. Reductions in shade were observed on three of the five streams selected for monitoring, with Lower Pine Creek exhibiting the greatest reduction in shade. Water temperature monitoring on Lower Pine Creek showed an increase of approximately six degrees F in mean water temperature following project activities. However, further analysis of Lower Pine Creek water and air temperatures did not find evidence that the reduction in stream channel shade was the sole cause for increased water temperatures. Sediment metrics did not increase following implementation of aspen enhancement activities, and macroinvertebrate assemblages did not exhibit significant changes from pre-project conditions. Near-Stream Road/Culvert Decommissioning Four streams were monitored to assess effects of near-stream road decommissioning and/or culvert removal upon physical and biological stream attributes. Two of the three streams monitored (Scotts John Creek and Jones Creek) showed significant increases in pool tail sediment following project implementation. Both of these streams had roads decommissioned adjacent to the monitoring reach. Although the significant increase in pool tail sediment ii appeared to adversely affect macroinvertebrate communities immediately following project implementation, these communities appeared to recover two years after project implementation. Stream/Meadow Enhancement Four streams were selected to monitor the effects of in-channel restoration activities. Two of the streams (South Fork Rock Creek and Little Last Chance Creek) were the site of improvement activities that included ground-disturbing activities within the stream channel and along its banks. The other two streams (Red Clover Creek and the Little Truckee River) were selected to monitor the effects of pond-and-plug improvement activities, which involve use of mechanical equipment within riparian areas and manipulation of historic stream channels. South Fork Rock Creek, Little Last Chance Creek, and Red Clover Creek did not exhibit any adverse effects pertaining to sedimentation or stream channel shading. The Little Truckee River saw a significant increase in pool tail sedimentation (from 3 percent pre-project to 38 percent post- project) as a result of failed earthen plugs. Wildfires Two streams (Cub Creek and Moonlight Creek) were used to monitor the effects of large wildfires which burned within their respective watersheds. Significant declines in stream channel shading and increases in pool tail sedimentation were observed immediately following wildfire activity, particularly on Moonlight Creek. Channel shade is recovering on both streams, as deciduous plant species return to riparian areas originally occupied by conifers. Stream temperatures increased by approximately 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit following the Cub Fire. This increase in temperature was statistically significant. No significant changes in stream temperatures were observed in Moonlight Creek following the Moonlight Fire. Sediment levels in Cub Creek remain above pre-fire conditions since the Cub Fire burned in the watershed in 2008. Sediment levels in Moonlight Creek appear to have returned to pre-fire levels two years after the Moonlight Fire burned 99 percent of the watershed. Fire effects in Cub Creek resulted in a significant decline in macroinvertebrate metrics, likely a result of sediment filling in interstitial spaces in the stream bed and altering the habitat in favor of sediment-preferring macroinvertebrate groups. Macroinvertebrate communities in Moonlight Creek were not as affected by sedimentation, likely due to levels of substrate sediment returning to pre-fire conditions two years after the Moonlight Fire. iii Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Methods........................................................................................................................................... 3 Physical Stream Attributes .......................................................................................................... 3 Macroinvertebrates ..................................................................................................................... 5 Stream Temperature .................................................................................................................... 6 Results of Pre- and Post-Project Monitoring .................................................................................. 7 Vegetation Management ............................................................................................................. 7 Louse Creek ............................................................................................................................ 9 Roxie Peconom Creek............................................................................................................. 9 Hat Creek .............................................................................................................................. 10 Domingo Creek ..................................................................................................................... 11 Upper Butte Creek ................................................................................................................ 12 Summit Creek ....................................................................................................................... 12 Willow Creek ........................................................................................................................ 14 Beaver Creek ......................................................................................................................... 15 North Carmen Creek ............................................................................................................. 16 Third Water Creek ................................................................................................................ 17 Pineleaf Creek ....................................................................................................................... 17 Fourth Water Creek............................................................................................................... 20 Bonta Creek .......................................................................................................................... 22 Dark Canyon ......................................................................................................................... 22 Independence Creek .............................................................................................................. 23 Smithneck Creek ................................................................................................................... 25 Aspen Enhancement.................................................................................................................. 25 Lower Pine Creek ................................................................................................................. 27 South Fork Bailey Creek ....................................................................................................... 31 Trosi Creek...........................................................................................................................