L|f| Agate Lake Resource Management Plan Environmental Assessment I IContents Photos Page 3-1 The oak woodland/grass savannah is characteristic of much of the Lake Area Boundary. The dominant tree is the Oregon white oak ......... 3-13 3-2 The grassland/shrub/oak community is found in the southwest section of the Lake Area Boundary. Narrow leaved ceanothus and poison oak are the dominant shrub .................... ....................... 3-13 3-3 More extensive areas of grassland occur on the south half of the Lake Area Boundary .. 3-14 3-4 Moist areas within the grasslands have been invaded with the exotic teasel 3-14 3-5 Dry Creek downstream of the dam supports a well developed riparian forest ... 3-15 3-6 Dry CreekCreek immediately immediately beloDry below the d am .. 3-15 3-7 Grasslands in the northwest section of the Lake Area Boundary contain vernal pools ................................................... 3-16 3-8 A vernal pool in summer looks like little more than a small depression in the grassland. Winter snow and rain fill the depression, allowing a uniquely adapted community of plants and animals to thrive for a brief time until once again drying up .............. .................. 3-16 3-9 Dry Creek upstream of Agate Lake supports a riparian community dominated by willows, cottonwoods, and alders .......... ............. 3-17 3-10 A small riparian forest has developed around Hopkins Canal as it empties into Agate Lake .. 3-17 3-11 Heavily impacted area on west side of Agate Lake . .3-19 3-12 An extensive network of roads and an expansive parking area is found near the dam on the west side of Agate Lake. Disturbed areas are colonized by star thistle and cheat grass ........... .. ................ 3-19 3-13 Illegal trails branch off designated OHV trails, causing erosion and destroying vegetation ............................................ 3-20 3-14 Illegal OHV use such as this occurs throughout the Lake Area Boundary ... 3-20 3-15 Wetlands along the northwest edge of the Lake Area Boundary, resulting from golf course irrigation .................. ...................... 3-21 3-16 Wetlands along the northwest edge of the Lake Area Boundary, resulting from golf course irrigation .................. ...................... 3-21 3-17 Medford Canal traverses the southwest boundary of the Lake Area Boundary, providing a thin strip of riparian vegetation ....... ........... 3-22 3-18 Leakage from the canal appears down the hillside from the canal. Usually, these areas are too ephemeral to support vegetation; but in shadier areas, some riparian vegetation has developed ....... ........... 3-22.