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• 111. [Article] Deer Creek Watershed assessment and action plan

  The Deer Creek Watershed Assessment process has been followed by a group of local landowners. The organization of this document was constructed as a combination of the informational needs of the Deer Creek ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Deer Creek Watershed assessment and action plan Author: Kincaid, Heidi The Deer Creek Watershed Assessment process has been followed by a group of local landowners. The organization of this document was constructed as a combination of the informational needs of the Deer Creek landowners and the framework of the Oregon Watershed Assessment Manual. The group has met twelve times to review the data going into the document, followed by three meetings to review the assessment and develop the action plan. Members of the Deer Creek landowner group represented sheep ranches, cattle ranches, industry within Deer Creek, the City of Roseburg, private industrial timber companies, city residents, rural residents, the UBWC, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD), and the Douglas Small Woodlands Association. Title: Deer Creek Watershed assessment and action plan Author: Kincaid, Heidi The Deer Creek Watershed Assessment process has been followed by a group of local landowners. The organization of this document was constructed as a combination of the informational needs of the Deer Creek landowners and the framework of the Oregon Watershed Assessment Manual. The group has met twelve times to review the data going into the document, followed by three meetings to review the assessment and develop the action plan. Members of the Deer Creek landowner group represented sheep ranches, cattle ranches, industry within Deer Creek, the City of Roseburg, private industrial timber companies, city residents, rural residents, the UBWC, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD), and the Douglas Small Woodlands Association. Close

• 112. [Article] Fish passage project photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed

  Photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Fish passage project photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed Author: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed Title: Fish passage project photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed Author: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Photo from the Middle Cow Creek Watershed Close

• 113. [Article] Effects of wildfire on growth and demographics of coastal cutthroat trout in headwater streams

  Wildfire is a largely terrestrial perturbation broadly recognized as an agent of disturbance and ecological change in forested biomes. Effects of post-fire conditions on biotic components of aquatic systems ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of wildfire on growth and demographics of coastal cutthroat trout in headwater streams Author: Heck, Michael P. Wildfire is a largely terrestrial perturbation broadly recognized as an agent of disturbance and ecological change in forested biomes. Effects of post-fire conditions on biotic components of aquatic systems have been less well-documented, although hypothetically, the two are strongly connected. In fact, the influence of wildfire may be most profound in headwater streams because of the tight linkage between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We sought to understand the influence of post-fire conditions on fish in headwater streams by observing growth and demographics of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) following wildfire. During the summer of 2002, wildfire burned portions of three headwater watersheds in the North Umpqua basin of western Oregon. Burn severities ranged from moderate to severe. A reference stream was selected from a nearby fourth watershed. All fish-bearing portions of the stream network in the four watersheds were surveyed for 3 years following the wildfire, and 1,295 scale samples were collected from coastal cutthroat trout for age and growth analysis. Stream temperatures in the burned watersheds changed significantly following the wildfire (p < 0.016), with increases of up to 23% in the most severely burned watershed. During summer electrofishing surveys in the burned watersheds, both young-of-the-year and fish ≥ age 1 were captured; in the unburned watershed, the vast majority of fish captured were ≥ age 1. Age-frequency analyses revealed that fish in older age classes (age ≥ 3) were more prevalent in the unburned watershed than in the burned watersheds. Relative growth rates and length at last annulus formation of coastal cutthroat trout were positively related to the number of degree days during the growing season, and Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.60 (p < 0.07) to 0.90 (p < 0.01). Growth rates and size of fish were not significantly correlated with relative density of fish (p ≥ 0.14). Contrary to the commonly held assumption that wildfire is detrimental to biota in aquatic systems, these results suggest that in the short term (≤ 3 years), fish in the study streams adjusted to environmental change caused by wildfire. Title: Effects of wildfire on growth and demographics of coastal cutthroat trout in headwater streams Author: Heck, Michael P. Wildfire is a largely terrestrial perturbation broadly recognized as an agent of disturbance and ecological change in forested biomes. Effects of post-fire conditions on biotic components of aquatic systems have been less well-documented, although hypothetically, the two are strongly connected. In fact, the influence of wildfire may be most profound in headwater streams because of the tight linkage between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We sought to understand the influence of post-fire conditions on fish in headwater streams by observing growth and demographics of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) following wildfire. During the summer of 2002, wildfire burned portions of three headwater watersheds in the North Umpqua basin of western Oregon. Burn severities ranged from moderate to severe. A reference stream was selected from a nearby fourth watershed. All fish-bearing portions of the stream network in the four watersheds were surveyed for 3 years following the wildfire, and 1,295 scale samples were collected from coastal cutthroat trout for age and growth analysis. Stream temperatures in the burned watersheds changed significantly following the wildfire (p < 0.016), with increases of up to 23% in the most severely burned watershed. During summer electrofishing surveys in the burned watersheds, both young-of-the-year and fish ≥ age 1 were captured; in the unburned watershed, the vast majority of fish captured were ≥ age 1. Age-frequency analyses revealed that fish in older age classes (age ≥ 3) were more prevalent in the unburned watershed than in the burned watersheds. Relative growth rates and length at last annulus formation of coastal cutthroat trout were positively related to the number of degree days during the growing season, and Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.60 (p < 0.07) to 0.90 (p < 0.01). Growth rates and size of fish were not significantly correlated with relative density of fish (p ≥ 0.14). Contrary to the commonly held assumption that wildfire is detrimental to biota in aquatic systems, these results suggest that in the short term (≤ 3 years), fish in the study streams adjusted to environmental change caused by wildfire. Close

• 114. [Article] Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003

  Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Close

• 115. [Article] Land cover change along the Willamette River, Oregon

  The Willamette River and its floodplain in northwest Oregon have changed dramatically since European settlement. At one time, the river was a vast complex system of braided channels with a broad floodplain ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Land cover change along the Willamette River, Oregon Author: Oetter, Doug Rudolph, 1962- The Willamette River and its floodplain in northwest Oregon have changed dramatically since European settlement. At one time, the river was a vast complex system of braided channels with a broad floodplain forest; it has now been simplified by channelization and dams, and the forest has been removed to support agricultural and urban expansion. This thesis presents three research manuscripts, each of which uses remote sensing and Geographical Information System methods to capture the dynamic nature of land along the Willamette River. In the first article, the river and its floodplain were mapped at four time periods, ranging from pre-settlement to modern day. The paper reports that the river system has been greatly simplified, and the floodplain has lost much of its original forest. An overlay technique was used to identify potential floodplain restoration sites. The second paper details the creation of a landcover map for the Willamette Valley, which shows that the largest portion of the floodplain is now in agriculture, with a significant amount in a built condition. The third manuscript outlines a methodology for detecting land cover change along the river during a twenty-year period that coincides with the implementation of the Willamette River Greenway, a land use designation designed to restrict riparian land conversion. It shows that regressive change is still occuring along the river, although not at the same rate as outside the greenway. The three papers lay the foundation for a future study to analyze the socioeconomic conditions which promote change. Title: Land cover change along the Willamette River, Oregon Author: Oetter, Doug Rudolph, 1962- The Willamette River and its floodplain in northwest Oregon have changed dramatically since European settlement. At one time, the river was a vast complex system of braided channels with a broad floodplain forest; it has now been simplified by channelization and dams, and the forest has been removed to support agricultural and urban expansion. This thesis presents three research manuscripts, each of which uses remote sensing and Geographical Information System methods to capture the dynamic nature of land along the Willamette River. In the first article, the river and its floodplain were mapped at four time periods, ranging from pre-settlement to modern day. The paper reports that the river system has been greatly simplified, and the floodplain has lost much of its original forest. An overlay technique was used to identify potential floodplain restoration sites. The second paper details the creation of a landcover map for the Willamette Valley, which shows that the largest portion of the floodplain is now in agriculture, with a significant amount in a built condition. The third manuscript outlines a methodology for detecting land cover change along the river during a twenty-year period that coincides with the implementation of the Willamette River Greenway, a land use designation designed to restrict riparian land conversion. It shows that regressive change is still occuring along the river, although not at the same rate as outside the greenway. The three papers lay the foundation for a future study to analyze the socioeconomic conditions which promote change. Close

• 116. [Article] Managed artificial aquifer recharge and hydrological studies in the Walla Walla Basin to improve river and aquifer conditions

  This research project focuses on the Walla Walla River Basin located on the east side of the states of Oregon and Washington, USA. With the support and collaboration of the Walla Walla Basin Watershed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Managed artificial aquifer recharge and hydrological studies in the Walla Walla Basin to improve river and aquifer conditions Author: Petrides Jimenez, Aristides Crisostomos This research project focuses on the Walla Walla River Basin located on the east side of the states of Oregon and Washington, USA. With the support and collaboration of the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council, this work embraces four research topics. The first topic includes the feasibility study of artificial aquifer recharge in the Walla Walla Basin. Through development and application of a regional hydrological model, a methodology for evaluating locations of artificial aquifer recharge is presented with a test case. The second research topic evaluates the recharge rates observed from pilot test studies of artificial aquifer recharge. Scale dependence of recharge rates should be considered when excessive induced groundwater mounding forms beneath the infiltrating basins. The third topic utilizes groundwater tracers and simulation models to evaluate the hydraulic connection of springs to infiltrating basins of artificial aquifer recharge. Finally, the fourth topic as a proof of a technique, utilizes distributed temperature sensing technology with a pair of black and white coated fiber optic cables to estimate the effective exposure to solar radiation over the Walla Walla River. Title: Managed artificial aquifer recharge and hydrological studies in the Walla Walla Basin to improve river and aquifer conditions Author: Petrides Jimenez, Aristides Crisostomos This research project focuses on the Walla Walla River Basin located on the east side of the states of Oregon and Washington, USA. With the support and collaboration of the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council, this work embraces four research topics. The first topic includes the feasibility study of artificial aquifer recharge in the Walla Walla Basin. Through development and application of a regional hydrological model, a methodology for evaluating locations of artificial aquifer recharge is presented with a test case. The second research topic evaluates the recharge rates observed from pilot test studies of artificial aquifer recharge. Scale dependence of recharge rates should be considered when excessive induced groundwater mounding forms beneath the infiltrating basins. The third topic utilizes groundwater tracers and simulation models to evaluate the hydraulic connection of springs to infiltrating basins of artificial aquifer recharge. Finally, the fourth topic as a proof of a technique, utilizes distributed temperature sensing technology with a pair of black and white coated fiber optic cables to estimate the effective exposure to solar radiation over the Walla Walla River. Close

• 117. [Article] Watershed-level patterns among stream amphibians in the Blue River watershed, West-Central Cascades of Oregon

  Most recent research on stream amphibians in the Pacific Northwest has focused on associations with reach-level or stand-level environmental features. Little is known about landscape-level distributions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Watershed-level patterns among stream amphibians in the Blue River watershed, West-Central Cascades of Oregon Author: Hunter, Matthew G. Most recent research on stream amphibians in the Pacific Northwest has focused on associations with reach-level or stand-level environmental features. Little is known about landscape-level distributions of these species or landscape-level aspects of their life-histories. I used a watershed-wide sample and logistic regression to develop models and maps of probability of occurrence throughout the Blue River watershed stream network using widely-available and/or easily-derivable explanatory variables in pixelized GIS format. I also developed an innovative multi-scale model-building process to discern the strength of association of site-level variables in the presence of larger-scale, context variables. Finally, I investigated size distributions of stream amphibians within the stream network. Cascade torrent salamander larvae occurred only in a narrow range of stream sizes in the stream network. Tailed frog life stages differed in their occurrence within the stream network. Average sizes of Pacific giant salamander larvae were larger in larger streams. The strength of association of abstract, large-scale variables in the presence of detailed instream variables in multi-scale models indicated that some aspects of the environment which more directly affect the distribution of stream amphibians were not measured. Title: Watershed-level patterns among stream amphibians in the Blue River watershed, West-Central Cascades of Oregon Author: Hunter, Matthew G. Most recent research on stream amphibians in the Pacific Northwest has focused on associations with reach-level or stand-level environmental features. Little is known about landscape-level distributions of these species or landscape-level aspects of their life-histories. I used a watershed-wide sample and logistic regression to develop models and maps of probability of occurrence throughout the Blue River watershed stream network using widely-available and/or easily-derivable explanatory variables in pixelized GIS format. I also developed an innovative multi-scale model-building process to discern the strength of association of site-level variables in the presence of larger-scale, context variables. Finally, I investigated size distributions of stream amphibians within the stream network. Cascade torrent salamander larvae occurred only in a narrow range of stream sizes in the stream network. Tailed frog life stages differed in their occurrence within the stream network. Average sizes of Pacific giant salamander larvae were larger in larger streams. The strength of association of abstract, large-scale variables in the presence of detailed instream variables in multi-scale models indicated that some aspects of the environment which more directly affect the distribution of stream amphibians were not measured. Close

• 118. [Article] Scenic photo of the Middle South Umpqua River

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Scenic photo of the Middle South Umpqua River Author: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Title: Scenic photo of the Middle South Umpqua River Author: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Close

• 119. [Article] Tidal wetland prioritization for the Smith River Watershed: Umpqua River Estuary of Oregon

  Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon Coastal Program - Newport Field Office.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tidal wetland prioritization for the Smith River Watershed: Umpqua River Estuary of Oregon Author: Brophy, Laura, So, Khemarith Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon Coastal Program - Newport Field Office. Title: Tidal wetland prioritization for the Smith River Watershed: Umpqua River Estuary of Oregon Author: Brophy, Laura, So, Khemarith Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon Coastal Program - Newport Field Office. Close

• 120. [Article] Nutrient budgets in the lakes of the Cedar River Watershed

  Aquatic mineral measurements and sediment characterization of the Cedar River basin lakes and streams reveals two largely distinct physical and chemical environments. Near the headwaters of the Cedar River ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Nutrient budgets in the lakes of the Cedar River Watershed Author: Spyridakis, Dimitri E., U.S. International Biological Program. Coniferous Forest Biome, Welch, E. B. (Eugene B.), University of Washington Aquatic mineral measurements and sediment characterization of the Cedar River basin lakes and streams reveals two largely distinct physical and chemical environments. Near the headwaters of the Cedar River Watershed the composition of lakes and streams reflect adjacent rocks but the effects of forest and agricultural practices and of processes occurring downstream very quickly alter the composition to a type largely responsive to the urbanization in the lower reaches of the watershed. The relative ionic composition in the watershed is: Ca > Mg ≥ Na > K and HCO₃ > Cl ≥ S0₄. A 2- to 10-fold increase in concentration is measured with most chemical parameters when comparing upper watershed to lower watershed. The lowest increase is observed with total phosphorus reflecting perhaps identical phosphorus solubility control mechanisms. Annual nutrient budgets for Lake Sammamish suggest a reduction in sedimented phosphorus since diversion, but little change in the quantity of phosphorus released from anaerobic sediment. Although the sediment phosphorus supply during the summer and fall months is nearly three times higher than the external phosphorus supply its relative contribution to the trophogenic layer phosphorus is a function of lake mixing. An iron precipitation mechanism appears to control the mean winter phosphorus contents of Lake Sammamish. The prevailing anoxic conditions in the lake during late summer and fall bring about large increases in hypolimnetic iron concentrations which upon destratification precipitate phosphorus as an iron (111) hydroxy complex. Lake sediment characterization indicate differences between lakes with respect to carbon/nitrogen, nitrogen/phosphorus and particle size distribution reflecting drastic variations in the depositional environments and trophic status of the upper and lower watersheds. Higher carbon/nitrogen and nitrogen/phosphorus ratios and coarser sediments are measured in oligotrophic Findley Lake. With the exception of Findley Lake, all sediments appear to have the same composition with respect to Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, and K contents. Simulation of sediment phosphorus release at the sediment-water interface In enclosed in situ Lake Sammamish sediment-water columns appears to parallel the phosphorus release measured in the lake hypolimnion at the peak of the lake stagnation period. Preliminary studies indicate that it will be possible to relate the nutrient release results from the in situ columns to those of laboratory studies, arriving thus at a faster more economically obtained elucidation of the nutrient exchange mechanisms and potentials at lake sediment-water interface. Title: Nutrient budgets in the lakes of the Cedar River Watershed Author: Spyridakis, Dimitri E., U.S. International Biological Program. Coniferous Forest Biome, Welch, E. B. (Eugene B.), University of Washington Aquatic mineral measurements and sediment characterization of the Cedar River basin lakes and streams reveals two largely distinct physical and chemical environments. Near the headwaters of the Cedar River Watershed the composition of lakes and streams reflect adjacent rocks but the effects of forest and agricultural practices and of processes occurring downstream very quickly alter the composition to a type largely responsive to the urbanization in the lower reaches of the watershed. The relative ionic composition in the watershed is: Ca > Mg ≥ Na > K and HCO₃ > Cl ≥ S0₄. A 2- to 10-fold increase in concentration is measured with most chemical parameters when comparing upper watershed to lower watershed. The lowest increase is observed with total phosphorus reflecting perhaps identical phosphorus solubility control mechanisms. Annual nutrient budgets for Lake Sammamish suggest a reduction in sedimented phosphorus since diversion, but little change in the quantity of phosphorus released from anaerobic sediment. Although the sediment phosphorus supply during the summer and fall months is nearly three times higher than the external phosphorus supply its relative contribution to the trophogenic layer phosphorus is a function of lake mixing. An iron precipitation mechanism appears to control the mean winter phosphorus contents of Lake Sammamish. The prevailing anoxic conditions in the lake during late summer and fall bring about large increases in hypolimnetic iron concentrations which upon destratification precipitate phosphorus as an iron (111) hydroxy complex. Lake sediment characterization indicate differences between lakes with respect to carbon/nitrogen, nitrogen/phosphorus and particle size distribution reflecting drastic variations in the depositional environments and trophic status of the upper and lower watersheds. Higher carbon/nitrogen and nitrogen/phosphorus ratios and coarser sediments are measured in oligotrophic Findley Lake. With the exception of Findley Lake, all sediments appear to have the same composition with respect to Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, and K contents. Simulation of sediment phosphorus release at the sediment-water interface In enclosed in situ Lake Sammamish sediment-water columns appears to parallel the phosphorus release measured in the lake hypolimnion at the peak of the lake stagnation period. Preliminary studies indicate that it will be possible to relate the nutrient release results from the in situ columns to those of laboratory studies, arriving thus at a faster more economically obtained elucidation of the nutrient exchange mechanisms and potentials at lake sediment-water interface. Close