Elk River Watershed and Inventory Assessment Rick Horton, Fisheries Biologist. Missouri Department of Conservation, Springfield, Missouri 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Location ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Geology....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Physiographic Region............................................................................................................................. 13 Geology and Soils................................................................................................................................... 13 Watershed Area ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Stream Order........................................................................................................................................... 14 Channel Gradient.................................................................................................................................... 14 Land Use ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Historic and Recent Land Use ................................................................................................................ 17 Public Areas............................................................................................................................................ 18 Corps of Engineers 404 Jurisdiction....................................................................................................... 18 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Precipitation............................................................................................................................................ 24 Gauging Stations..................................................................................................................................... 24 Permanent/Intermittent Streams ............................................................................................................. 24 Stream Flow/7-Day Q2 and Q10 Low Flow........................................................................................... 24 Dam and Hydropower Influences........................................................................................................... 25 Water Quality and Use................................................................................................................................ 33 Beneficial Use Attainment...................................................................................................................... 33 Chemical Quality of Streams.................................................................................................................. 33 Contaminants, Fish Kills, and Health Advisories................................................................................... 34 Water Use ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Point Source Pollution ............................................................................................................................ 35 Non-Point Source Pollution.................................................................................................................... 35 Erosion.................................................................................................................................................... 37 Urbanization ........................................................................................................................................... 37 Mining..................................................................................................................................................... 37 Habitat Conditions ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Aquatic Community Classification......................................................................................................... 56 Channel Alterations ................................................................................................................................ 56 Unique Habitats ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Improvement Projects............................................................................................................................. 56 Public Lands ........................................................................................................................................... 57 Private Lands .......................................................................................................................................... 57 2 Stream Habitat Assessment .................................................................................................................... 57 Big Sugar Creek ...................................................................................................................................... 58 Buffalo Creek .......................................................................................................................................... 58 Butler Creek ............................................................................................................................................ 58 Elk River ................................................................................................................................................. 59 Indian Creek ............................................................................................................................................ 59 Little Sugar Creek ................................................................................................................................... 59 Biotic Community ....................................................................................................................................... 61 Fish Community Data ............................................................................................................................. 61 Aquatic Invertebrates .............................................................................................................................. 61 Amphibians and Reptiles ........................................................................................................................ 62 Species of Conservation Concern ........................................................................................................... 62 Fish Stocking .......................................................................................................................................... 62 Angler Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 62 Fishing Regulations ................................................................................................................................ 62 Management Problems and Opportunities .................................................................................................. 76 Goal I: Improve water quality and maintain or improve water quantity in the Elk River Watershed so all streams are capable of supporting high quality aquatic ommunities. ................................................ 76 Goal II: Improve riparian and aquatic habitat conditions in the Elk River watershed to meet the needs of aquatic species while accommodating demands for water and agricultural production. ................... 77 Goal III: Maintain diverse and abundant populations of aquatic organisms while accommodating angler demands for quality fishing. ................................................................................................................... 78 Goal IV: Improve the public’s appreciation for stream resources and increase recreational use of streams in the Elk River watershed.. ...................................................................................................... 78 Objective IV.2: Increase the general public's awareness of stream recreational opportunities, local stream resources, and good watershed and stream management practices. ........................................... 79 Angler Guide ............................................................................................................................................... 80 Elk River (Southwest Region) ................................................................................................................ 80 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 81 Literature Cited ..........................................................................................................................................