quarterly report january –march 2008 - university of arizona · 2008. 11. 6. · quarterly report...

Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Project

ADEQ Project # 8-007

Quarterly Report January –March 2008

By David J. Henson

Coronado RC&D Monitoring Specialist Eastern Arizona College Instructor of Biology/Desert Riparian Studies

Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Restoration Project During the first quarter of 2008 is a time for preparation for our spring site visits to Upper Eagle Creek. Our main focus has been to troubleshoot the two Data logger computer units for placement in Upper East Eagle Creek and Lower Eagle Creek drainage in April and May of 2008. We have been test running these two units in a perennial canal that runs through our campus at Eastern Arizona College. The units continue to provide us with inconsistent results in which 3 or 4 of the instruments will work as programmed while the other 1-2 provide bogus data. At this time we are re-calibrating all 5 instruments in the lab using prescribed procedures from the manufacturer and reprogramming each as we re-connect to the computer. We hope to re-test in the canal the third week in April before taking the units to UEC for placement in early May. Our concern is the inconsistent water depths of UEC and how to best protect the cabled instruments from water flow conditions that range from high water floods to dry, rocky streambeds. Even in the canal we lost a temperature gauge which was damaged by a tree branch floating down the canal after a storm event. This gauge was repaired by an EAC electronics student in February. It is our plan to place the units in UEC this spring and then train one of the UEC ranchers to monitor, download data, and service the Data loggers in the field. All other equipment is to be cleaned and re-calibrated for an April 24-26 trip to UEC for water quality measurements from East Eagle, Honeymoon, Smelly Crossing, Willow Crossing, Sheep Wash and Tule Creek sites. We will also do pebble counts, physical measurements and photo monitoring during this 3 day extended trip. Then we will follow up with another trip in mid-May to collect Daubenmire data and macro-invertebrate samples. Eco-Analysts of Idaho have been contacted to discuss chain of custody, preservation of samples, and packing and shipping details for the biological review of the 6 sites in UEC. ADEQ has asked clarifying questions concerning the following: Is the data being collected baseline data? We have no other data points to compare our findings to so we believe our numbers must be classified as baseline. Is macro-invertebrate data being collected currently? We had intentions of collecting macro-invertebrate sample in May 2007, however, the QAPP for this project had not yet been approved, and therefore we have waited for this May. During the May-June quarterly visit, macro-invertebrate

sampling will be conducted to assess the biological composition of these wadeable creek sites. Procedures outlined in Section 3.15 of the ADEQ Bio-criteria Program Quality Assurance Plan will be practiced. Samples will be collected, bottled, and labeled for shipment to the chosen taxonomy lab (suggested by the Clifton Ranger District, Eco-Analysts of Idaho) with all appropriate Chain of Custody and forms. When results are received from the lab, they will be entered into an excel spreadsheet, then calculations using Arizona Indexes of Biological Integrity (IBI) will be calculated for cold water communities (those above 5000 feet). An assessment category will be determined for the IBI score from table 3.15.2.1e of the ADEQ Bio-criteria Program Quality Assurance Plan. Can Dave interpret what the data means? Interesting, if you are talking about the water quality data, unless some dramatic reading is collected, I would not begin to interpret the data without having something to compare it to. We can suggest a degree of quality, however, the goal is to determine whether upland management practices will affect the water quality, and I suggest it is premature to interpret anything at this time. We can use the established ADEQ criteria to make immediate suggestions concerning the pebble count and macro-invertebrate data. Daubenmire data usually takes several years before any interpretation would be considered valid and useable. The QAPP indicates nitrate sampling will take place. Are you monitoring nitrate data? As per our conference call last fall, ADEQ had suggested that we should not concern ourselves with that measurement because it had not been a problem in waters such as this in our part of the state. However, when I go on-site to riparian areas that have had little or no data measured and recorded historically, I record other measurements not necessarily included in the QAPP. Yes we have data on nitrates / nitrites using a HACH kit that I described in the QAPP. The data was not entered into the 2007 4th Quarter Report because I thought you had suggested not worrying with it. The Data can be found in this report, however, and as you suggested we have had no recordable readings at the 6 sites. We (our unit) does not know how to interpret the Daubenmire data… how will you determine over the two years if vegetation increased or not? I was taught how to perform Daubenmires by staff at the NRCS Safford office for several long term projects in the past. The procedure allows us to sample transects and record species type and frequency, and the observed canopy cover for the sample area and for individual species within the sample. Increase in frequency of plant occurrence, increase in the biodiversity of plant species, and increased canopy cover by individual species and the transect community will indicate a positive result over time. When coupled with photo-monitoring we get a good look at the vegetative changes that

occur in an area. There is no flow data only velocity. Oversight on my part. Sorry about that. You will find flow data for each site in the data tables provided in this quarterly report. Does Dave need a spreadsheet to determine it? Thank you, I have the data in spreadsheets. I hope these comments address your initial concerns. My students and I continue to stand committed and passionate concerning the condition and restoration of Arizona’s unique and beautiful riparian corridors. It is our pleasure to be a part of this project, from both a science and educational standpoint…..

An EAC student monitors one of two Data Loggers set up on the Thatcher campus to ensure their proper functionality before placement in Upper Eagle Creek.

Sheep Wash Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

Date Nitrates/Nitrites

Water Temp. C

pH Conductivity mS

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

Turbi- dity (NTU)

Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

Flow Speed

Flow cfs.

9/16/ 2006

0

22.6

8.61

0.258

191

12.7

7.5

.17

1.99

5/22/ 2007

No Surface Flow

10/06/ 2007

No Surface Flow

9/16/2006 Sheep Wash Width and Depth

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

0 meters 1 meters 2 meters 3 meters 4 meters

Width (m)

Dep

th (c

m)

Smelly Crossing Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

Date Ni

ppm Temp.

pH Conductivity mS ed

(pp

Turbidity (NTU)

(ppd

mcfs.

Nitrates / trites

Water

C

Total DissolvSolids

m)

DissolvOxygen

ed

m)

FlowSpee

/s

Flow

9/30/ 2006

0 20.8

8.65 0.258 170 3.72 6.5 NR NR

5/22/ 2007

0 18.46 8.06 0.279 187 3.33 8.4 .22 10.08

10/06/ 2007

0 20.13 8.43 0.285 196 2.0 6.13

.13 5.21

Smelly Crossing Width and Depths

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 meters 1 meters 2 meters 3 meters 4 meters 5 meters 6 meters 7 meters 8 meters 9 meters

Width (m)

Dep

th (c

m)

9/16/2006

5/22/2007

10/6/2007

30

Above Willow Crossing Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

issolvedOxygen

ductivDate of

Visit Nitrites ppm

Temp. (SU) Con ity

(mS) D

(

Turbidity (NTU)

D

(cfs.

Ni / trates Water

(C)

pH Total issolvedS olidsppm)

(ppm)

Flow Speed mps)

Flow

9/30/ 2006

0 14.1

8.01 0.425 287 1.33 6.01 .04 3.16

5/22/ 2007

0 16.8 7.53 0.321 216 6.3 7.23 .05 4.34

10/07/ 2007

0 12.7 7.87 .321 214 6.6 8.06 .01

.88

Willow Creek Crossing Width and Depths

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0 meters 1 meters 2 meters 3 meters 4 meters 5 meters 6 meters 7 meters 8 meters 9 meters

Width (m)

Dep

th (c

m)

9/30/2006

5/22/2007

10/7/2007

Honeymoon Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

Dissolved xygen

Total issolvedS

Date of Visit

Nitrates / Nitrite

m s

pp

Temp. ctivity

(mS) D

(

Turbidity(NTU) O

(m )

Fcfs.

Water

(C)

pH

(SU)

Condu

olidsppm)

(ppm)

Flow Speed

ps

low

9/16/ 2006

0 20.8 8.865 0.258 170 3.72 6.52 .3 NR

9/30/ 2006

0 21.2 8.86 0.255 173 1.82 6.08 .24

13.4

5/22/ 2007

0 23.0 8.68 0.291 194.3 3.33 8.1 .19

11.1

10/6/ 2007

0 22.3 8.75 0.279 188 6.33 6.93

.29 10.6

Honeymoon Width and Depths

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 meters

1 meters

2 meters

3 meters

4 meters

5 meters

6 meters

7 meters

8 meters

9 meters

10 m

eters

11 m

eters

12 m

eters

13 m

eters

14 m

eters

Width (m)

Dep

th (c

m)

9/30/2006

5/22/2007

10/6/2007

East Eagle Creek Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

issolveden

/ Nitrppm

Temp. Cond

(mS) D Turbidity

(NTU) D Oxyg

(

Flo cfs.

Date of Visit

Nitrates ites

Water

(C)

pH

(SU)

uctivity Total issolvedSolids (ppm)

(ppm)

Flow Speed mps)

w

10/6/ 2007

0 17.16 7.12 0.283 193.3 1.0 6.02

.14 .46

East Eagle Creek Depth and Width

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

0 meters 1 meters 2 meters 3 meters 4 meters 5 meters

Dep

th in

Cen

timet

ers

(cm

)

16/06/2007

Lower Eagle Creek Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

issolveden

ites ppm

Temp. uctivity

(mS) D Turbidity

(NTU) D Oxyg

(

Flo cfs.

Date of Visit

Nitrat/ Nitr

es

Water

(C)

pH

(SU)

Cond Total issolvedSolids (ppm)

(ppm)

Flow Speed mps)

w

12006

0/01/

0 18.9 8.52 0.441 295 3.16 5.51 .04 .98

Lower Eagle Creek Width and Depths 10/01/2006

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

0 meters 1 meters 2 meters 3 meters 4 meters 5 meters 6 meters

Width (m)

Dep

th (c

m)

Tule Creek Data (Upper Eagle Creek Project)

Total issolvedS

Date of Visit

Nitrates / Nitrite

m s

pp

Temp. ctivity

(mS) D

(

Turbidity(NTU) O

(m )

Fcfs.

Water

(C)

pH

(SU)

Condu

olidsppm)

Dissolved xygen

(ppm)

Flow Speed

ps

low

92

/16/ 006

0 8.6 7.86 0.672 453 .37 11.47 .3 .16

Tule Creek Depth and Width

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 cm 10 cm 20 cm 30 cm 40 cm 50 cm 60 cm 70 cm

Width in Centimeters (cm)

Dep

th in

Cen

timet

ers

(cm

)

2/11/2007

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring points

North of Willow Creek Crossing

est House

Elevatio

Creek Daubenmire Monit

UEC Transect 1

Horsespring/Baseline North Study Number: 1 Date: 10-7-2007 Examiner: Dave Henson Allotment Name & Number: Horsespring/Baseline North Pasture: NearStudy Location: 33* 19.880 N 109* 29.663 W / N. of Willow Crossing

n: 4813ft. Number of Quadrants: 20 @ 5ft. Intervals


North of Willow Crossing


UEC Transect 1

Needle Grama

Six Weeks Grama

CottonwoodBermuda

RagweedHorseweed

Eriogonium

Fiddleneck Clover

Buffalo Grass

Globemallow

Brome Grass

Velvet Weed

Mullien

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Number of

Samples

Samples

Needle Grama

Six Weeks Grama

Cottonwood

Bermuda

Ragweed

Horseweed

Eriogonium

Fiddleneck

Clover Buffalo Grass

GlobemallowBrome Grass

Velvet WeedMullien

020406080

100120140160180

Point Totals

of Class Cover

Total Canopy

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring points Creek Daubenmire Monit

Needle Grama

Six Weeks Grama

Cottonwood

Bermuda

Ragweed

Horseweed

Eriogonium

Fiddleneck Clover

Buffalo Grass

Globemallow

Brome Grass

Velvet Weed

Mullien

01

234

567

89

Percent

% canopy cover

Needle Grama

Six Weeks Grama

Cottonwood

Bermuda

Ragweed

Horseweed

Eriogonium

FiddleneckClover

Buffalo Grass

GlobemallowBrome GrassVelvet Weed

Mullien

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Percent

Species composition

Needle Grama

Six Weeks Grama

Cottonwood Bermuda

RagweedHorseweed

Eriogonium

Fiddleneck Clover

Buffalo Grass

Globemallow

Brome Grass

Velvet WeedMullien

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percent

Frequency


South of Willow Creek Crossing

ing/Baseline South

House

Elevatio


UEC Transect 2

Horsespr Study Number: 1 Date: 10-7-2007 Examiner: Dave Henson Allotment Name & Number: Horsespring/Baseline South Pasture: Nearest Study Location: 33* 19.880 N 109* 29.651 W / South of Willow Crossing

n: 4802ft. Number of Quadrants: 20 @ 5ft. Intervals


South of Willow Creek Crossing


UEC Transect 2

Sand Burr Grass

Horseweed

Russian Thistle

Fiddle Neck

Side Oats Grama

Brome Grass

Eriogonium

Ragweed

Buffalo GrassDaisy

Globemallow

Rabbit Bush

Mullien

Threeawn Grass

0123456789

10

Number of

Samples

Samples

Sand Burr Grass

Horseweed

Russian Thistle

Fiddle Neck

Side Oats Grama

Brome GrassEriogonium

Ragweed Buffalo Grass

DaisyGlobemallow

Rabbit Bush

Mullien

Threeawn Grass

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Point Totals

of Class Cover

Total Canopy

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring points Creek Daubenmire Monit

Sand Burr Grass

Horseweed

Russian Thistle

Fiddle Neck

Side Oats Grama

Brome Grass

Eriogonium RagweedBuffalo Grass

DaisyGlobemallow

Rabbit Bush

Mullien

Threeawn Grass

0

2

4

68

10

12

1416

18

Percent

% canopy cover

Sand Burr Grass

Horseweed

Russian Thistle

Fiddle Neck

Side Oats Grama

Brome GrassEriogonium

Ragweed Buffalo GrassDaisy

Globemallow

Rabbit Bush

Mullien Threeawn Grass

05

101520253035404550

Percent

Species composition

Sand Burr Grass

Horseweed

Russian Thistle

Fiddle Neck

Side Oats Grama

Brome Grass

Eriogonium

Ragweed

Buffalo Grass Daisy

Globemallow

Rabbit Bush

Mullien

Threeawn Grass

05

101520253035404550

Percent

Frequency

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring Points

East of School House Crossing

Study 7 ssing. Elevation: 4884ft. Number of Quadrants: 20 @ 5 ft Intervals


UEC Transect 3

Anchor Ranch Stud Exa son

Allotment Name & Number: Anchor Ranch Pasture: Holder Location: 33* 21.50 N 109* 29.429 T-3 Near School House Cro

y Number: DT - #1 Date: 10-7-2007 miner: Dave Hen

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring Points

East of School House Crossing


UEC Transect 3

Rabbit Bush

Sycamore

Cottonw ood

Burrow eed

Horsew eed

Buffalo Grass

Spangletop

Daisy

Brome Grass

Desert Willow

Side Oats GranaRagw eed

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Number of

Samples

Samples

Rabbit Bush

Sycamore

Cottonwood

BurroweedHorseweed

Buffalo GrassSpangletop

Daisy

Brome Grass

Desert Willow

Side Oats Grana

Ragweed

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Point Totals

of Cover Class

Total Canopy

Upper Eagle oring Points Photo Monitoring Points Creek Daubenmire Monit

Rabbit Bush

SycamoreCottonwood

Burroweed

Horseweed

Buffalo Grass

SpangletopDaisy Brome Grass

Desert Willow

Side Oats Grana

Ragweed

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Percent

% canopy cover

Rabbit Bush

SycamoreCottonwood

Burroweed

Horseweed

Buffalo Grass

Spangletop

DaisyBrome Grass

Desert Willow

Side Oats GranaRagweed

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Percent

Species composition

Rabbit Bush

Sycamore

Cottonwood

Burroweed

Horseweed

Buffalo Grass

Spangletop

Daisy

Brome Grass

Desert Willow

Side Oats GranaRagweed

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percent

Frequency

Upper Eagle Creek Pebble Count Data

p Wa ou (9/

ss ounts = 32

counts = 32

counts = 32

ative %

SheeSize

sh Habitat 1 / total c

Pebble CHabitat 2 / total

nt Data Habitat 3 / total

30/2006)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

2 0 2 4.2%

Gravel Range 7 11 9 28% Cobble Range 11 8 14 34.4% Boulder Range

12 10 10 33.3%

Bedrock 0 0 0 0%

WilloSize

w Cr ss l ta

ss ounts = 34

counts = 33

counts = 34

ative %

eek CroHabitat 1 / total c

ing PebbHabitat 2 / total

e Count DaHabitat 3 / total

(5/22/2007)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

19 2 2 22.7%

Gravel Range 12 21 21 53.5% Cobble Range 22.7% 3 9 11 Boulder Range

0 1 0 1%

Bedrock 0 0 0%

SmelSize

ly Cr C (

ss ounts = 33

counts = 33

counts = 31

ative %

ossing Habitat 1 / total c

PebbleHabitat 2 / total

ount DataHabitat 3 / total

5/22/2007)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

0 0 0 0%

Gravel Range 15 12 19 47% Cobble Range 18 21 9 49% Boulder Range

0 0 3 3%

Bedrock 0 0 0 0%

Upper Eagle Creek Pebble Count Data

ymo C (

ss ounts = 34

counts = 33

counts = 23

ative %

HoneSize

on Habitat 1 / total c


ount Data Habitat 3 / total

5/22/2007)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

0 0 0 0%


0 0 0 0%

Bedrock 0 0 0 0%

EastSize

Eagl C (

ss ounts = 32

counts = 31

counts = 29

ative %

e Creek Habitat 1 / total c


ount DataHabitat 3 / total

10/06/2007)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

4 3 1 8.7%


8 5 2 16%

Bedrock 0 0 0 0%

TuleSize

Cree e a

ss ounts = 33

counts = 33

counts = 33

ative %

k Habitat 1 / total c

PebblHabitat 2 / total

Count DatHabitat 3 / total

(2/11/2007)

ClaCummul

Fine Sediments

0 0 0 0%


0 1 4 5%

Bedrock 0 0 0 0%

quarterly report january –march 2008 - university of arizona · 2008. 11. 6. · quarterly report...

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