Projects - Uncategorized |
Natural process restoration
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Status of Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
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Bank Swallow Surveys
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Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) Studies
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Cottonwood Recruitment Pilot Study
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Channel Cut-Off Investigation
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Sediment Mobility Study
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Water Temperature Regime Study
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Soil Vegetation Associations at Llano Seco, Chico, CA
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Influence of Riparian Vegetation on Water Temperature in the Sacramento River, CA
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Monitoring Riparian Landscape Change & Modeling Habitat Dynamics of the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo on the Sacramento River, CA
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UC Davis
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Leaf Litter Decomposition Rate
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Sediment Transport
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Bank Erosion and Meandering Studies
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Human Effects on Geomorphic Processes
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Effects of Dams & Diversion on the River
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Hyporheic Zone (ground water, river water interactions)
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Measuring Key Connections between the River and Floodplain
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Abstract: In this study, several biological and physical ecosystem processes were monitored to
investigate interactions between the Sacramento River and its bordering riparian zone/floodplain.
The purposes of this monitoring were to: (1) evaluate the extent to which riparian forest
restoration success can be measured in terms of functional ecosystem processes; (2) identify
specific measures of ecosystem function that can effectively document the ecosystem changes
that occur when a site is converted from an agricultural crop to a native forest; and (3) evaluate
practical water quality improvement benefits that coincide with restoration progress.
Currentness: 2002/05/01
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A Pilot Investigation of Cottonwood Recruitment On The Sacramento River
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Abstract: We collected dendrochronological data, hydrologic data, and topographic survey data at one pilot study site
on the Sacramento to calibrate an ecological model for cottonwood recruitment developed on other rivers.
We also conducted a field reconnaissance of recent cottonwood recruitment and reviewed an analysis of
historic stream gage data to investigate the degree and potential nature of limitations to recruitment on the
Sacramento River. Data from this pilot study suggests that the recruitment box on the Sacramento River
may need to be altered compared to other rivers. Specifically, cottonwoods may recruit at higher elevations
on the Sacramento when compared to other rivers of smaller magnitude. In addition, field reconnaissance
suggests that recruitment is limited on the Sacramento River. We found only 20 acres of stands over 37
river miles, which appeared younger than the youngest trees aged at the pilot site. IHA modeling revealed
current flow characteristics in direct conflict with relationships specified in an ecological model to facilitate
recruitment. Data from this study was used to formulate flow recommendations, which facilitate
recruitment of riparian forest.
Riparian vegetation favorably contributes to critical streamside and in-stream habitat, water quality, bank stability, and aesthetic and recreational values (Patten 1998). Riparian cottonwoods (Populus spp.) are a keystone pioneer species that is the foundation of this forest type, but land use and river regulation have caused a widespread reduction in the extent and regeneration of this genus (Braatne et al. 1996, Friedman et al. 1998, Rood and Mahoney 1990). This reduction generated an effort to understand cottonwood recruitment ecology to provide a basis for future management to retain the societal benefits of riparian vegetation.
Currentness: 2001/01/01
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Swainson's Hawk nest survey and monitoring
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Jenny Marr
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Modeling Oxbow Genesis and Function
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Agricultural Benfits of Conservation Activities
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Anadromous Fish Restoration Program
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Abstract: On October 30, 1992, President George Herbert Walker Bush signed into law the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575), including Title XXXIV, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act CVPIA. The CVPIA directed the Secretary of the Interior to amend previous authorizations of California's Central Valley Project to:
"include fish and wildlife protection, restoration, and mitigation as project purposes having equal priority with irrigation and domestic use and fish and wildlife enhancement as a project purpose equal to power generation."
Section 3406(b)(1) of the CVPIA directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to develop and implement a program that makes all reasonable efforts to at least double natural production of anadromous fish in California's Central Valley streams on a long-term, sustainable basis. The major resulting program is known as the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (AFRP). Since 1995, the AFRP has helped implement over 170 projects to restore natural production of anadromous fish.
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bank swallow
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bank swallows
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California Watershed Assessment Manual
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Abstract: The California Watershed Assessment Manual (CWAM)-now being developed by the State of California-will help watershed groups, local agencies, private landowners, and watershed specialists evaluate the condition of their watershed.
The CWAM will provide a toolbox of science-based approaches and techniques that stakeholders can use to assess natural resource issues in creek and river basins throughout the state. These assessments can then guide a variety of activities, including restoration planning, water and land management, land use planning, and regulation.
A team of researchers and watershed specialists from the University of California, the California Department of Forestry, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment is working to create the Manual.
Initially, the team and the CWAM will focus on the North Coast, the Central Coast, and the Central Valley (including the west-side Sierra Nevada), as defined by Regional Water Quality Control Board boundaries. In addition, the CWAM will deal primarily with natural and human processes in rural, forested regions. Other areas of California and topics (e.g., agriculture and urbanization) will be addressed in the next phase of the project, depending on the availability of additional funds.
A draft Manual will be available for public review by April 1, 2004.
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A community-based epidemiologic study of acute health effects from a metam-sodium spill on California's Sacramento River
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Examining the Controls on Sacramento Oxbow Evolution
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Abstract: Little is known of the controls on the persistence of oxbows within a rapidly aggrading landscape. Although Piégay and others (1999) discuss controls of evolving oxbows in rivers of France, Morken and Kondolf (2003) document that oxbow sedimentation rates of the Sacramento River are at least an order of magnitude greater than rates found by Piégay and others (1999). It seems reasonable that patterns of and controls on oxbow evolution be distinct in rapidly aggrading floodplains, such as in the Sacramento River.
Documenting the controls on oxbow infilling will improve our ability to predict the kinds of oxbows that serve as sustainable habitat and support engineering efforts that seek to induce meander cutoffs to improve
the diversity of the riparian corridor. As such, we propose to expand on the work of Morken and Kondolf (2003), who examined the evolution of three Sacramento oxbows, and document the controls on evolution
of all oxbows within the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR).
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American River Water Quality Monitoring Network Inventory
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Abstract: Task 3 for the Phase 3 (2004-2007) of the American River Watershed Group is to Identify and foster opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders and facilitate implementation of projects for ecosystem restoration and water quality improvement. Identification of existing water quality monitoring activities in a watershed is an is an important first step in water quality monitoring network design.
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North Fork American River Watershed Plan and Stewardship Strategy
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Abstract: This document is the result of three years of collaborative work among the members of the American River Watershed Group and other interested parties to collect data on the watershed, evaluate current conditions, and suggest potential strategies for improving watershed health in the North/Middle Fork American River watershed. Chapters 1 through 3 set the stage, identifying issues of concern, data needs and a framework for evaluation of the different subwatersheds that make up the North/Middle Fork American. In Chapter 4 the project team uses that data and evaluation material to design programmatic and field-level stewardship strategies for improving watershed health. Chapter 5 outlines how those strategies can be put into practice in two pilot projects, Bunch Canyon and the Upper Middle Fork. And Chapter 6 addresses how the project team can monitor and evaluate the overall project recommendations into the future.
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Transboundary Movements of Pests and Pest-Predators at the Agriculture-Riparian Forest Interface
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Abstract: Restoration of riparian systems is a crucial goal for improving water quality, fisheries habitat, and terrestrial wildlife habitat. However, rivers are also highly contested because of their economic potential for urban, agricultural and recreational uses. Agricultural use of riparian areas is particularly contested due to the potential harmful inputs sometimes associated with conventional agriculture and the fertile land and abundant water associated with riparian areas. My research focuses on this contested interface between agricultural and riparian habitat. In particular, I am investigating at the farm-riparian forest boundary: 1) movements and spatial distribution of agricultural pests;2) the strength and extent of pest-predator relationships in general; and 3) the control of pests by avian predators in particular.
There has been limited research on how adjacent natural areas affect farmland. What little research has been conducted has focused on non-native buffer strips. Little to no research has focused on the effects of natural areas or mosaics of differing habitats on pests. Since ecosystems are rarely bounded, both predators and prey can move across habitats and affect both the donor (where the prey/predator comes from) and recipient habitat. Mosaics of native habitat within agricultural areas have also been shown to be important for conservation of ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control. My research aims to elucidate these spatial considerations and ecological links between agricultural and riparian habitats.
I am conducting this work in the upper Sacramento River landscape, where both pests and insectivorous birds are mobile ecological links between riparian forests and adjacent farms.
My research on the spatial distribution of agricultural pests focuses on several pests that have been described as concerns of farmers associated with riparian restoration. These include plant, insect, disease and mammal pests. My research on pest-predator interactions is centered on codling moth (Cydia pomonella), the most significant pest in walnut production (Ramos 1985). There is a strong likelihood that birds will be significant natural enemies on both the larval and adult stages of the codling moth. Overwintering larvae in particular are vulnerable to avian predation, due to their availability as prey as full-grown diapausing larvae under loose scales of bark. Several studies have investigated the impacts of birds on overwintering codling moth larvae in apple orchards. However, none have determined how distance to non-agricultural habitat could affect these impacts.
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Upper Cosumnes River Watershed Resources Inventory Project
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Abstract: The NRCS is working with the local USDA Service Centers and the Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), as well as the Cosumnes River Watershed community to complete a Resources Inventory of the Upper Cosumnes River Watershed.
Phase I (Fiscal Year (FY) 2001) of the project includes collecting and analyzing existing data and information regarding land use activities, runoff, erosion and sediment, and flooding. Any gaps in available information and data will be identified. A final report will describe the location, extent and condition or trend of the natural resources within the Upper Cosumnes River Watershed.
In Phase II (beginning FY 2002) missing information will be inventoried and combined with the Phase I information to analyze and determine the impacts from runoff, sediment delivery, and flooding caused by activities in the upper watershed. This analysis will, in turn, be used to identify and prioritize various areas and resources for treatment.
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State of the River Report: Lower American River
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Leo Winternitz
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Abstract: Each of the river management elements described in this report was assessed for an overall view of "how are we doing?" as of 2004. It is important to point out that the ratings provide a broad sense for the elements; there are many projects and activities at various stages of development underway or planned to benefit the lower American River (LAR) and its resources. The element ratings used are: Some: Starting or some progress on achieving this element; Moderate: Clear progress on achieving this element, although there is still work to do; Full: Major progress on achieving this element: full implementation completed or on the horizon (i.e. within the next year).
The elements and their ratings:
Managing the Lower American River to protect fish and river habitat: Moderate.
Maintaining and/or improving habitats adjacent to the lower American River: Some.
Meeting water quality goals and achieving regulatory standards for the lower American River: Moderate.
Implementing lower American River levee stabilization work and erosion control measures: Moderate.
Communication and collaboration among lower American River stakeholders to inform and improve current and future management: Moderate.
Currentness: None
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American River Watershed Conference April 21-23, 2005
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PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at California State University, Sacramento and the Center for Regional Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) are pleased to announce the next American River Watershed Conference. The goals of this conference are to review existing studies on the American River Watershed, facilitate the exchange of information between groups and agencies, and foster coordination of future projects.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Agency and industry scientists and managers, special interest groups and members of the general public are all invited to register for technical sessions on Thursday and Friday, April 21st and 22nd. Members of the general public will be especially interested in the Science Forum on watershed issues and water quality, held Saturday, April 23rd. This free forum will coincide with Earth Day events on the California State University, Sacramento campus.
The Program guide that was printed for this conference contains 74 abstracts for conference presentations and 8 more abstracts for the California Extreme Precipitation Symposium that was held concurrently.
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Deep Water Fault Survey in Lake Tahoe
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Abstract: There are five faults that criss cross the floor of Lake Tahoe which have remained unexplored due to the depth of the lake. Utilizing the DOER X2 Remotely Operated Vehicle, for the first time a meaningful survey can be accomplished, following the faults from shallow water to full lake depths. The X2 ROV is equipped with HMI lighting, fiber optic video systems,laser measurement tools and five function arm for sampling. The goal of this project is to more fully understand these faults and to look for evidence of a past "Lake Tsunami" so that future potential for such an event can be evaluated.
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Sutter Buttes Preservation Campaign
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Abstract: Since 2000, Sutter County government approved the creation of thirty-one subdivided lots of between twenty and one hundred-acres in size within the Sutter Buttes. If houses are not prevented from going up onto these parcels, the outstanding visual qualities of the Middle Mountain will be severely damaged with an average of seven trophy homes for every mile of roadway, alongside nearly four miles of county road within the Sutter Buttes. A majority of these houses are slated to be built upon hills in the Buttes. Today, four homes stand disturbingly out of place against a dramatic backdrop of jagged peaks along Pass Road, a scenic roadway that cuts through the Buttes. If action is not taken, many more houses will gradually be constructed, forever destroying this special place.
The Yuba Historical Society is in the beginning stages of a long-term campaign to reverse this drift towards development by launching a preservation drive that halts further subdivision, buys back lots not yet developed, legislates strong protective zoning and boosts property owner’s revenue by means other than development—all the while increasing low-cost public entry into the Sutter Buttes.
The Yuba Historical Society’s goal is to provide support for local Indian tribes to nominate the Sutter Buttes as one of the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” for 2007. This classification is a project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the nation’s premiere historical organization with nearly 300,000 members. 11 Most Endangered listing is the most effective first step to begin the process of reversing the destructive development trend gripping the Buttes. The “endangered” listing will propel the Sutter Buttes into the national spotlight giving widespread awareness and the political and economic muscle to reverse today’s accepted standards of draping the Buttes with “dream homes”. In 2001 the Yuba Historical Society played a pivotal role in making Marysville’s Chinese Temple a 11 Most Endangered Historic Place listing for that year. The selection of the Sutter Buttes as one of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places begins the process of reversing the slide toward defacement of the Middle Mountain and jump-starts the dormant yet potent forces of preservation.
This is a critical era in the history of the Sutter Buttes especially with the recent passage of Proposition 84, which has the potential of funneling millions of dollars towards preservation of the Buttes.
You can help make history by being actively involved with the campaign to preserve the Buttes for future generations. The first step is to become an YHS member and attend one of our exciting Sutter Buttes tours on December 16, 2006 & January 20, 2007. Phone Daniel at 530-846-3024.
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Stony Creek Watershed Assessment
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Abstract: The Stony Creek Watershed Assessment compiled all existing environmental and social information on the watershed as well as examined the source problems to the physical and biological degradation of the lower watershed from Black Butte Dam to the Sacramento River.
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SRWP Water Quality Monitoring
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Abstract: The purpose of the SRWP Water Monitoring Program is to develop a cost-efficient and well-coordinated long term monitoring program to assess conditions within the watershed to identify the causes, effects and extent of constituents of concern that affect the overall heath of the watershed and to measure progress as control strategies are implemented.
Currentness: None
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