Slide 1

Step 4: Complete PFC assessment 17 questions about attributes and processes Reminder PFC based on: l Water (hydrology), l Vegetation, and l Soil & landform (erosion/deposition) Checklist answers: Yes, No, or N/A (sometimes) Not Liner Notes for Nos, Many (all?) Yess, e g. species list Slide 2 STANDARD CHECKLIST -- Hydrology YESNONA1) Floodplain above bankfull is inundated in relatively frequent events 2) Where beaver dams are present, they are active and stable X 3) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) 4) Riparian-wetland area is widening or has achieved potential extent X 5) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian-wetland degradation Slide 3 Item #1: Floodplain inundation Floodplain l Level area near a stream channel l Constructed by the stream l In the present climate l Flooded during moderate & high flow events l Should not be confused with terraces (abandoned floodplains) (adapted from Leopold 1994) Abandoned floodplain or terrace Floodplain Channel Hill slope Valley flat Slide 4 Floodplain Geologic feature being formed by the river in its present condition and climate Slide 5 Bankfull Concept Information Forest Service Stream Systems Technology Center (Stream Team) website for on-line training videos, can order CDs and DVDs: www.stream.fs.fed.us 1.Western U.S. 2.Northeastern U.S. (4 CDs) 3.Forested Streams Eastern U.S. http://www.stream.fs.fed.us/publications/bankfull_west.html Slide 6 Bankfull Indicators (Moody et al. 2003, Odem and Moody 1999) Build a case based on physical evidence Series of depositional features at consistent elevations with similar substrate and veg components Point bars at inside of meander bends, Point bars often not well developed with low sinuosity, Discontinuous alternating longitudinal bars parallel to the channel often most dependable indicator Broad valley floors are almost always above bankfull Field Observations Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Floods Terrace Bankfull Slide 11 One year flow Slide 12 1.) Floodplain above bankfull is inundated in relatively frequent events Slide 13 2.) Where beaver dams are present they are active and stable Slide 14 2) Where beaver dams are present, they are active and stable Examples of visual indicators l Dam construction material l Dams keyed into streambanks l Breaches YesNoNA Slide 15 3.) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) Slide 16 3) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) Examples of visual indicators l Aerial photos help with sinuosity Slide 17 3.) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) Slide 18 4.) Riparian zone is widening or has achieved potential extent. Slide 19 Examples of visual indicators l Riparian-wetland community types expanded to valley edge l Stream narrowed l Upland plants dying or dead l Depositions being captured 4) Riparian-wetland area is widening or has achieved potential extent YesNoNA Slide 20 5.) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian-wetland degradation Slide 21 5) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian degradation Trapping Cr BC 1996 Belgo Cr BC 1996 YesNoNA YesNoNA Slide 22