Note to the Reader: This web version may appear different from the office copy of this document, although the content is the same. This is a consequence of converting the document for publication to the web site. Rogue-Recreation Section Watershed Analysis Hellgate Bridge along the Rogue River REO Fifth Field Watershed #1710031001 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Medford District Grants Pass Resource Area January 1999 1/9/99 Version 1.0 Rogue - Recreation Section Watershed Analysis January 1999 Dear Reader: The purpose of this watershed analysis is to identify the various ecosystem components in the Rogue ­ Recreation Section fifth-field watershed and their interactions at a landscape scale. It looks at historical ecological components, current ecological components and trends. It makes recommendations for future management actions that could be implemented to reach recommended ecological conditions. The fifth watershed that is being analyzed in this document is designated as the Rogue - Recreation Section (Watershed #1710031001). It is sometimes referred to as the “Big Hog Watershed” reflecting its inclusion of Hog Creek. As you read this document, it is important to keep in mind that the watershed analysis process is an iterative and ongoing process. As new information becomes available it will be included and updating will occur. It is also important to keep in mind that this analysis document is not a decision document. The recommendations that are included are a point of departure for project specific planning and evaluation work. Project planning then includes the preparation of environmental assessments and formal decision records as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Project planning and land management actions would also be designed to meet the objectives and directives of our Medford District Resource Management Plan (RMP). This watershed analysis will thus be used as a tool in land management planning and project implementation within the Rogue - Recreation Watershed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered lands. Although ecological information, discussions and recommendations are presented at the landscape scale irrespective of administrative ownership, please understand that the BLM will only be implementing management actions on the lands it administers. Preparation of the watershed analysis follows the format outlined in the draft federal watershed analysis guidelines in the document entitled Ecosystem Analysis at the Watershed Scale: Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis (Version 2.2, August 1995). If you have additional resource or social information that would contribute to our better understanding the ecological and social processes within the watershed, we would appreciate hearing about them. Robert C. Korfhage Field Manager Grants Pass Resource Area Rogue - Recreation WA - 1/9/99, Version 1.0 Rogue - Recreation Section Watershed Analysis Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1 I. CHARACTERIZATION .................................................... 3 A. PURPOSE ........................................................... 3 B. INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 3 C. CLIMATE ........................................................... 3 D. OWNERSHIP ........................................................ 3 E. REGULATORYCONSIDERATIONS ..................................... 5 F. EROSION PROCESSES ................................................ 5 G. HYDROLOGY ....................................................... 6 H. WATER QUALITY .................................................... 7 I. STREAM CHANNEL .................................................. 7 J. VEGETATION ....................................................... 7 K. SPECIES AND HABITATS ............................................. 8 1. Terrestrial ..................................................... 8 a. Special Status Plants ....................................... 8 b. Wildlife ................................................. 8 2. Aquatic........................................................ 9 L. FIRE............................................................... 10 1. Background ................................................... 10 2. Fire Disturbance................................................ 10 3. Fire Risk...................................................... 11 M. HUMAN USES ...................................................... 11 II. KEY ISSUES ............................................................. 13 A. INTRODUCTION .................................................... 13 B. ROGUE WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CORRIDOR ......................... 14 C. FUELS AND FIRE ................................................... 14 D. MINING AND MINING CLAIM OCCUPANCY ........................... 14 E. ROAD DISTRIBUTION ............................................... 14 F. WATER QUALITY LIMITED STREAMS ................................ 15 G. NOXIOUS WEEDS ................................................... 15 H. DISPERSED RECREATIONAL USE .................................... 15 I. ELK MANAGEMENT AREA .......................................... 16 J. LATE-SUCCESSIONAL RESERVE/CRITICAL HABITAT .................. 16 III. CURRENT CONDITION ................................................... 17 A. PURPOSE .......................................................... 17 B. CLIMATE .......................................................... 17 C. SOILS.............................................................. 19 1. Erosion Processes............................................... 19 2. Variable Road Densities ......................................... 20 Rogue - Recreation WA - 1/9/99, Version 1.0 i Rogue - Recreation Section Watershed Analysis Table of Contents D. HYDROLOGY ...................................................... 21 E. WATER QUALITY ................................................... 22 1. Water Temperature ............................................. 24 2. StreamFlow................................................... 24 a. Peak Flow............................................... 24 b. Low Flow ............................................... 26 3. Domestic Water ................................................ 26 a. General................................................. 26 F. STREAM CHANNEL ................................................. 27 G. VEGETATION ...................................................... 29 1. Description.................................................... 29 2. Site Productivity ................................................ 31 3. Landscape Patterns.............................................. 33 H. SPECIES AND HABITATS ............................................ 33 1. Introduction ................................................... 33 2. Terrestrial..................................................... 34 a. Botanical ............................................... 34 b. Wildlife ................................................ 36 3. Aquatic Habitats and Species...................................... 50 a. Special Status Species ..................................... 50 b. General ................................................ 51 c. Class I, II, III and IV Stream Conditions ....................... 52 d. Large Woody Material ..................................... 54 e. Macroinvertebrates........................................ 55 f. Distribution and Abundance ................................ 56 g. Fish Passage Barriers ...................................... 57 I. FIRE MANAGEMENT ................................................ 58 1. Fundamental Changes to the Natural Fire Regime ..................... 58 2. Quartz Creek OHV Area ......................................... 58 3. US Forest Service Lands ......................................... 59 4. Fuel Hazard, Wildfire Ignition Risk, Values at Risk .................... 59 J. HUMANUSE ....................................................... 61 1. Socioeconomic Overview ........................................ 61 2. Recreation .................................................... 62 a. Rogue Wild and Scenic River ............................... 62 b. Trails/Campgrounds ....................................... 62 c. Day Use Sites ........................................... 62 d. Dispersed Recreation ...................................... 63 3. Roads ........................................................ 63 4. Quarries ...................................................... 64 5. Minerals and Mining ............................................ 64 a. Minerals ................................................ 64 b. Surface Uses of a Mining Claim ............................. 66 c. Mineral Potential ......................................... 66 Rogue - Recreation WA - 1/9/99, Version 1.0 ii Rogue - Recreation Section Watershed Analysis Table of Contents d. Mineral Patent Applications ................................ 66 e. Physical Condition Resulting from Past Mining Activities ......... 66 6. Cultural Resources.............................................. 67 7. Lands/Realty .................................................. 67 IV. REFERENCE CONDITION ................................................ 69 A. PURPOSE .......................................................... 69 B. CLIMATE .......................................................... 69 C. EROSION PROCESSES ..............................................