Large Woody Debris in Large Woody Debris in Valley CreekValley Creek

By: Conan McCartyBy: Conan McCarty

Observation/Prior Observation/Prior KnowledgeKnowledge• The reach lacked sufficient riparian vegetation and was The reach lacked sufficient riparian vegetation and was

chronically low in large woody debris being historically chronically low in large woody debris being historically cleared out. Himalayan blackberries dominated the area cleared out. Himalayan blackberries dominated the area suffocating most native plant species. As a result suitable suffocating most native plant species. As a result suitable sized spawning gravel was a scarce find in the river valley. A sized spawning gravel was a scarce find in the river valley. A real issue in the reach was the absence of functioning large real issue in the reach was the absence of functioning large woody debris that was recruited from the existing riparian woody debris that was recruited from the existing riparian forest. The average amount of wood in the stream was what forest. The average amount of wood in the stream was what would be considered ten percent of the wood found in a would be considered ten percent of the wood found in a similar sized old growth forest stream. The composition of the similar sized old growth forest stream. The composition of the riparian forest then mainly consisted of red alder which riparian forest then mainly consisted of red alder which decomposes quickly upon entering the water providing very decomposes quickly upon entering the water providing very little habitat for juvenile salmon. The ideal population of trees little habitat for juvenile salmon. The ideal population of trees that we would like to find in the riparian forest is a mixture of that we would like to find in the riparian forest is a mixture of both coniferous trees ( large diameter ) and deciduous trees. both coniferous trees ( large diameter ) and deciduous trees. What further hinders the riparian cover is the clearing of What further hinders the riparian cover is the clearing of trees to maintain power lines that parallel the creak. trees to maintain power lines that parallel the creak.

QuestionQuestion

• How effective was the valley creek restoration in How effective was the valley creek restoration in restoring the LWD composition in Valley creeks restoring the LWD composition in Valley creeks

semi-natural reach?semi-natural reach?

Hypothesis Hypothesis

• If I collect data on the current LWD If I collect data on the current LWD composition in valley creeks semi natural composition in valley creeks semi natural reach then I expect to find that the LWD reach then I expect to find that the LWD composition in the semi natural reach to be composition in the semi natural reach to be similar if not the same as the composition similar if not the same as the composition in 1998. I expect this result because the in 1998. I expect this result because the time that has past from then to now is no time that has past from then to now is no were near long enough for any coniferous were near long enough for any coniferous trees to grow up to minimal functioning trees to grow up to minimal functioning size. Also the trees in that area are annually size. Also the trees in that area are annually cut down or trimmed up to maintain power cut down or trimmed up to maintain power lines that parallel the creek.lines that parallel the creek.

Hypothesis ContinuedHypothesis Continued

• However, the Elwha tribe installed However, the Elwha tribe installed logs in the reach so other than the logs in the reach so other than the logs I don’t expect to find any natural logs I don’t expect to find any natural progress in the LWD composition.progress in the LWD composition.

MaterialsMaterials

• Measurement tape 30-50 meters in Measurement tape 30-50 meters in lengthlength

• Measuring rod 5-7 meters longMeasuring rod 5-7 meters long

• Rail road chalkRail road chalk

• Log calipers, Biltmore stick, or loggers Log calipers, Biltmore stick, or loggers tapetape

• Standard field and vehicle gear Standard field and vehicle gear (appendix D) (appendix D)

ProceduresProcedures

1)1) Gather materialsGather materials

2)2) Follow the LWD level 1 survey Follow the LWD level 1 survey procedureprocedure

3) Use the timber fish and wild life 3) Use the timber fish and wild life (TFW) procedures(TFW) procedures

4) Compare data collected to data 4) Compare data collected to data from 1998 from 1998