Level I analysis describes the physical and administrative characteristics of each State Planning watershed. The majority of the information will be captured using systematic spatial analysis applied to a consistent array of geographic information. All information will be standardized and formatted for presentation and permanent storage in specialized Watershed Decision Support (WDS) software. This information will serve to benchmark the extent of current water related resources over the entirety of a watershed. The single most important advantage, upon achieving this baseline awareness, is the ability to relate each watershed to any or all other watersheds of concern to the enterprise. Information based ranking of watersheds by variable criteria promotes better decision making, while facilitating the application of Level II analysis, timber harvest planning and the long term monitoring of stream health. At this level, the result of compiling numerous types of data (in most cases unchanging over time) is done without the benefit of onsite visitation. This phase is best conducted well in advance of any comprehensive detailed planning effort. It should incorporate as many or all of the watersheds associated with an industrial timberland ownership. In regards to specific drainage systems, we recognize that it may be advantageous to widen the scope of interest to include an entire system of state planning watersheds, known as the Watershed Assessment Area (WAA). By way of example, ALIS has completed an effort of this magnitude on the Mokelumne river system in Calaveras and Tuolomne counties.

The principle focus of Level II is onsite surveys that target two areas of interest to forest management. First, multipurpose in-stream sampling using a sampling design that is derived from Level I knowledge. This serves to benchmark the current condition of water resources in a watershed. The second is a comprehensive and systematic onsite survey of those systems presently known to impact water resources. It has been shown that culverts, along with other drainage structures and the monitoring of known slides and slope/road failures, are of particular importance regarding stream sedimentation issues. In addition, threatened and endangered species status, by watershed, will be reviewed and updated with a field visit.

The previously mentioned areas of interest currently comprise the focus of Level II analysis. It is expected that in time, it will be necessary to add road inventories and potentially a wide variety of biological inventories to keep pace with alleged impacts or problems. Level II data will be standardized and formatted for presentation and permanent storage by specialized WDS software. It will reside as subordinate records to those already stored as Level I. This provides for the programmatic investigation of inter-relational and/or cause and effect impact prediction. It is anticipated that Level II information will be collected for every watershed in a typical cumulative impacts assessment area (CIAA).

Some of these surveys have been on going as part of the landscape-wide detailed planning effort. ALIS, to date, has conducted a varying degree of instream sampling along with road drainage and culvert surveys, which has been undertaken without the benefit of Level I awareness or consideration for the long term uses of information.

This level of investigation is applied on an as needed basis. The need is typically determined as a function of forest planning in conjunction with Level I and II knowledge. The analysis will most commonly be used for further evaluation and analysis leading to the mitigation and/or restorative efforts of a sub drainage within a given watershed. Examples of Level III concerns would include, but not limited to, water quality chemical analysis, channel typing, slide or slope failure, or geological mapping.

This tri-level approach will greatly strengthen the ability to defend the client’s right to intensively manage watersheds today. The compounded (Level I, II, II) information potential will support future knowledge-based decision-making, as well as lay a foundation that will support any additional analysis needed.

Level I analysis provides a variety of information about each state planning watershed, which can be broadly divided into geophysical and administrative characteristics. All of this information will be archived with a date stamp, and stored as permanent land’s records in the Watershed Decision Support (WDS) software. This process makes the information readily available for use at any stage of the planning or management effort. The organization and interface of WDS software encourages everyone involved, at all levels of computer competence, to take advantage of the wealth of information available. Its organization is such that watersheds can easily be compared using any combination of a multitude of variables. This allows the user to categorize variables to meet their specific needs, such as a priority ranking for environmental concerns.

The following broad categories make up the information currently stored through Level I analysis.

1. Administrative and Regulatory Information:

a. State Planning watershed name and RWQCB Number

b. The over-riding CA RWQCB Basin Plan Name

c. Client Watershed System Code (Trinity, Mokelumne etc.)

d. Client management district

e. CA regulatory status (Impaired or not)

f. Geological Province Bulletin 190, CA Div. of Mines and Geology

g. Anadromous fish status

h. 303(d) issues

i. Name of client long term planning project Cumulative Impacts Assessment Area (CIAA)

j. Name of Watershed Assessment Area (WAA) if any

2. Watershed Acreage (by ownership group) - This ownership view will adhere to the standards set forth in broad ownership groups coalesced from county records.

3. Location - The geographic location of each watershed will be determined for the lowest point or at the mouth of the lowest elevation stream. Latitude and Longitude as well as legal description will be recorded. The watersheds that are upstream and downstream from each watershed will also be recorded.

4. Morphological Features - Numerous other morphological features of the watersheds, useful for inter-watershed comparisons that will be stored are as follows:

a. Perimeter of the watershed

b. Minimum and maximum elevations

c. The amount of area, by ownership, within each forty foot elevation band

d. California Basin Morphological Type (CBMT) - All state planning watersheds are categorized into eight different morphological types based on spatial properties and hydrological characteristics.

 

o CBMT 1 and 2 are both headwater catchments, but differ in their shapes. Type 2 is less narrow, and typically has more than one main class one stream.

o CBMT 3 to 7 have streams flowing into them from upstream watersheds. They differ due to the number of streams flowing into them, and the presence or absence of additional significant class one watercourses originating from within the watershed.

o CBMT 8 is reserved for those watersheds not easily categorized. They are typically adjacent to reservoirs.

*See schematics below for clarification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e. Length of the basin - Evaluated as the distance from the mouth of the watershed to the most distal point.

f. Valley length - Evaluated as the sum of straight line distances between major nodes in the major stream.

g. Channel length - Evaluated as the sum length of all major channels in the watershed.

h. Acreage of slopes (10% slope classes) by ownership.

i. Acreage of slopes by aspect and ownership at the eight main compass points (0-45^O, 45-90^O etc.).

 

5. Human Interaction for each watershed will be stored using three qualifiers. They are as follows:

a. Habitations

None - No known or obvious habitations

Sparse - 1 or more up to 10 known habitations default to sparse

High - greater than 10 known seasonal or permanent habitations

b. Recreation Potential

None - No known recreation (default to none)

Minor - likely but not obvious

High - Extremely likely and obvious due to presence of lakes, trails, open transportation, etc.

c. Visual Potential

None - very little terrain and largely obscure (default to none)

Minor - remote or obstructed view over less than 20 percent of area

High - greater than 20% of the watershed has access to the public or is viewable from a public road

6. Precipitation information - Average annual rainfall as calculated from Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) generated average annual precipitation maps. The area weighted mean of the precipitation categories for each watershed are stored.

 

7. Watercourse information

a. Watercourses are stratified based on their gradients into categories that describe their sediment movement potential (SMP). This stratification is the base unit for sampling distribution, and intensity. This will be explained in greater detail in the following Level II section, but for this definition, the sampling is focused on three general categories of streams, stratified at Level I. These stream segments are considered to be:

· Sources of sediment

· Sediment transport streams

· Streams where sediment is deposited

b. The velocity of water in a stream is the primary factor in determining whether it has the capacity to scour and erode banks (source), transport sediment or deposit sediment. The primary information being used for stratifying stream segments is the slope of the streambed, as derived from the digital terrain model (DTM), which also determines the velocity of the water in a stream. Current slope categories for each SMP strata are:

· Source >20%

· Transport 3 - 20%

· Depositional <3%

c. The goal for this sampling design is to consistently sample two percent of the length of each SMP strata on Class I and II stream segments. This gives us the ability to expand the data to the entire watershed. Level I will provide a color-coded map demonstrating the SMP stratification of the entire stream network for each watershed. WDS will also provide a summary by ownership group regarding the total length of each category of SMP strata within a watershed.

The channel orientation (N, NE, S, SE, E, W etc.) is derived from the average aspect of the channel described in conjunction with 4.d above.

8. Roads - Total length of road by ownership (Highway, Permanent, and Seasonal) will be stored:

9. Past Silviculture - The type, date and spatial extent of past silviculture by ownership will be categorized and stored by owner. A minimum of 10 years harvest history will be stored for watersheds falling within CIAA.

 

 

LEVEL II: PROCESS

 

This level of evaluation provides detailed systematic surveys of individual state planning watersheds regarding a variety of management related interests and concerns. All results will be stored as subordinate records to those already in WDS as Level I data. It can be expected that the amount of data stored in Level II will fluctuate based on client needs or requirements. At present, ALIS expects to collect, store (in WDS) and make available for future analysis and presentations the following information:

1. In-Stream Analysis

· Channel Inventories

· CDF Channel Condition Evaluation

· Jones and Stokes Analysis

· CSBP Macroinvertebrates

2. Watercourse Crossing Inventory

 

 

Prior to the Level II in-stream analysis, the streams within a watershed will have been stratified using the sediment movement potential (SMP) protocol. This process is described in the section titled Level I: Process, item 7b. The goal is to choose a consistent sample of class I and II streams stratified by SMP and weighted by the relative amount of client ownership in the watershed such as to provide adequate sampling intensity. A maximum of 4% sample will be applied to watersheds where client ownership is 100%. 2% will be applied to a watershed that represents the median client ownership. The median ownership for all watersheds will vary by block or project and is calculated accordingly. A minimum of two points where client ownership is over 40 acres up to the median percent for ownership for all watersheds within a block or project. This in general leads to half the watersheds getting 2% to 4% and half getting from approximately 0.5% to 2%. It is expected that overall intensity of the sample while varying by watershed, will average area wide approximately 2%. That is to say that 2% of the total class I and II stream length ascertained through Level I analysis will be sampled. The sampling length for depositional and transport segments is 1000 feet, and 500 feet for the source streams. Approximately 50% of the sample segments determined using this process will be applied to the depositional segments present in each watershed. The transport stream strata will receive 30% and the source streams 20% . If it is determined that not enough depositional stream strata exists in the watershed to support the sample designated then the remaining number of sample points are added to the transport group and so on. A minimum of two stream segments for each watershed will be evaluated. Stream analysis will be limited to those watercourses classified as a I or II under the California Forest Practice Rules (CFPR).

Once all the possible stream segments are delineated, sample points representing the lowest or starting point for each segment will manually be entered into the GIS. The color-coded actual stream net for each watershed is used as the guide. Each segment is then assigned a number sequentially increasing from one. A random number generator is used to sequentially choose the points required to meet the sampling intensity objectives. Once primary sample locations are chosen, replacement points are chosen, two for every primary point. Field personnel will use the designated point list to guide the survey of each watershed. The sequential replacement points will be at their disposal, to be used in place of a designated sequential sample point on logistically unworkable sample segments. There is an additional stipulation that a replacement point will be used if the designated point is found to be of the CFPR class III variety. No CFPR Class III streams will be sampled. Also, for those watersheds with a small amount of ownership, replacement points will be used (if necessary) to ensure analysis is performed downstream of ownership.

At the starting point of each stream reach and transect, a flag labeled with the stream segment code, distance point, date and surveyor’s initials will be hung. Quantitative and qualitative measurements will be taken at the starting point and every two hundred feet for transport and deposition, or one hundred feet for source until the full length of the segment is completed. Photographs will be taken at these points and at particular areas of interest (slides, large woody debris jams, confluences, bank cutting, depositing, etc.).

Standard measurements and observations for all transects will be used to examine possible alterations to channel geometry (channel widening, channel down cutting), aggradation/degradation, woody debris loading, sediment budget and riparian vegetation. These measurements are utilized in two analyses (CDF Channel Inventory and Jones and Stokes), which determine existing and potential peak flow effects and result in a rating of current channel condition. The quantitative and qualitative measurements are explained in detail below.

 

Procedure 1: Data collected along each reach

1. Distance – The distance column found on each field data form is the specific point at which quantitative and qualitative measurements will begin. Distance starts at zero feet and increases in 100 or 200-foot increments to the termination of the stream segment. Qualitative measurements will also be taken along the length of the segment, in between specific reach measurements.

2. Valley Form – The valley form is a qualitative measurement broken into two categories, Narrow Valley and Broad Valley form.

· The Narrow Valley is defined as a valley that is less than 2 ½ times the active channel width of the stream. This category is broken up into three sub-categories defined by slope percent from the stream to the ridge.

o Steep Valley (SV) - >60%

o Moderate Valley (MV) - 30 to 60%

o Open Valley (OV) - <30%

 

· The Broad Valley floor is defined as being greater than 2½ times the active channel width and is divided into three sub-categories:

o Constraining Terraces (CT) - Terraces that constrain the watercourse to a definite path

o Multiple Terraces (MT) - More than one terrace, each successively higher than the next and further back from the channel

o Wide Active Floodplain (WF) - Little potential to contain the stream within a definite path

3. Upper Bank Slope (%)– Is the average of the slope of both upper banks taken at the transect point.

4. Upper Bank Material – Can be categorized into the following:

· Rock (RO)

· Unconsolidated materials (UM)

· Gravels and Fines (GF)

5. Channel Type – Channel Type is categorized into the following distinct groups:

· Pool (PO)

· Pool-Riffle (PR)

· Pool-Step (PS)

· Riffle (RI)

· Glide (GL)

· Rapid (RA)

· Cascade (CA)

· Meadow Trench (MT)

· Braided (BR)

· Colluvial Debris (CD)

6. Impact Type – Averaged over the length of each stream reach and assigned to one of the following three categories:

· Low Impact

o No Impact (NO)

o High Water (HW)

o Minor Scour and Deposition (MS)

· Moderate Impact

o Channel Modified (CM)

· High Impact

o Severe Scour (SS)

o Severe Deposit (SD)

o Severe Jam (SJ)

7. Impact Width (nearest ½ ft) – Created by debris torrents and high floods, this width will expand across terraces and floodplains.

8. Impact Height (nearest ½ ft) – The Impact Height is the height from the edge of the active channel to the highest point in which impacts are seen.

9. Depth (ft/in)– The Thalweg depth (maximum depth) at the transect location.

10. Valley Bottom Width (nearest ½ ft) –This is the width at the transect point before the lower bank starts sloping.

11. Wetted Width (nearest ½ ft) – The width of the wetted stream at the transect point, this will include the sum of braided channels, or split channels.

12. Active Width (nearest ½ ft) – This is the width of the flood channel at the transect point.

13. Azimuth (0° to 359°) – This measurement is taken in the downstream direction at the end of each reach.

14. Channel Gradient (percent slope) – This measurement is taken at several points in the downstream direction with a clinometer and averaged for the reach.

15. Dominant Substrate – This is a qualitative measurement generalizing the dominant substrate observed over the length of each reach, and will be grouped into the following categories:

· Large Boulders (LB) >24"

· Small Boulders (SB) 12-24"

· Large and Small Boulders (LS)

· Bedrock (BD)

· Boulder/Cobble (BC)

· Cobble (CO) 3-12"

· Cobble/Gravel (CG)

· Gravel (GR) 0.2-3"

· Gravel/Fines (GF)

· Fines (FI) <0.2"

16. Shade – The amount of shade is visually estimated and averaged for each reach, as follows:

· None (0 - 10%)

· Slight (10 - 40%)

· Moderate (40 - 60%)

· Heavy (> 60%)

 

17. Riparian Vegetation – This is the predominant vegetation within the riparian zone. Combinations of codes are used to best describe the condition observed. This is evaluated along the length of each reach, with the average being recorded in the appropriate space. The codes are:

· Grass (GS)

· Shrubs (SH)

· Immature Hardwoods <20’ tall (IH)

· Mature Hardwoods (MH)

· Immature Conifers <20’ tall (IC)

· Mature Conifers (MC)

 

18. Key Large Woody Debris (LWD) –Along the length of each reach, the pieces of coarse woody debris, entirely or partially within the bank full widths are tallied. The debris tallied must be at least 1.5X the bank full width in length and a diameter equal to or greater than the depth of the stream at the bank full width. At the end of each reach, the LWD is given a code that categorizes the primary state or condition. If it is a root wad it can be tallied, but the stump must meet the diameter requirements. A jam of the same volume as a significant root wad will also be tallied.

· Single chunk in channel (SI)

· Single chunk out of Channel (SO)

· Multiple Chunks in channel (MI)

· Multiple chunks out of channel (MO)

· Jam in channel (JI)

· Jam out of channel (JO).

19. Non-Key Large Woody Debris - Some LWD will not meet the criteria, but is still significant and should be tallied. If a small piece of woody debris is for any reason creating a change in the morphology of the stream, then tally it as non key LWD and give it the same code as key LWD above, at the end of the reach.

20. Pool Evaluation - All stream segments that meet CFPR standards for class I and II, will have fish habitat surveys by way of pool evaluation and inventory. Pools will be identified and evaluated by the individual doing the survey. Upon observation, a pool must meet the following stream characteristics:

· Deeper than the average depth immediately upstream and downstream

· Slower average surface velocity than the stream above and below it

· A surface gradient less than 1%

 

All pools encountered along each 200-foot reach will have the following data recorded: distance along the segment at which the pool occurs, maximum diameter (nearest ½ foot), maximum depth (nearest ½ foot), and the percentage of the perimeter displaying cover for fish. Each pool is given a code that identifies the pool-forming feature, which is entered in the pool type box.

· Log, tree, root, stump, brush, or debris (1)

· Channel meander (2)

· Rubble or gravel (3)

· Boulder or bedrock (4)

· Stream channel (5)

· Fine sediment (6)

· Stream bank (7)

· Culvert, bridge, or other manmade object (8)

· Beaver dam or tunnel (9)

Procedure 2: Data collected along entire segment

The following measurements and observations are applicable to the Jones and Stokes Analysis:

1. Flow – Is flow of water low, moderate, or high when compared to a stream segment of similar class and strata.

2. Sinuosity – A measure of the degree to which a stream meanders (e.g., straight, slightly sinuous, sinuous, meandering).

3. Bed Material Mobility – During peak flows, is the stream capable of moving the majority of bed material sizes.

4. Bank Erosion – During peak flows, will the stream erode portions of the stream bank.

5. Upper Bank Undercutting – Is the stream capable of undercutting upper banks.

6. Bank Mass Wasting – If the stream has the potential to undercut upper banks, will this result in bank mass wasting.

7. Stairstepped Profile – Does the stream exhibit a stairstepped profile.

8. Step-forming Feature – What is the step-forming feature (e.g., bedrock, large or small boulders, woody debris).

9. Step Stability – Are the steps stable.

10. Channel Capacity (floodplain and non-floodplain valley floor) – A characterization of the active stream channel.

11. Bank Cutting – Percentage of stream segment exhibiting bank cutting.

12. Bank Cutting Locations – Are these locations in typical or atypical places throughout the stream segment.

13. Bank Angle – Are the stream banks vertical, angled back, or undercut.

14. Bank Vegetation – A measure of how well stream banks are protected by the root network of streamside vegetation.

15. Lower Bank Material – The percentage of rock content in the lower bank.

16. Bank Cohesion – A measure of stream bank cohesion (e.g., resistant bedrock, erodible bedrock, cohesive silt/clay, noncohesive assortment).

17. Flow Deflection – A tally of how many areas where water flow is directed into stream banks by logs, boulders, or the channel pattern.

18. Deposition – Percentage and locations of fresh deposits in stream channel.

19. Dominant Deposit Material – Are deposited materials composed of mostly fines, gravel, cobble, or boulders.

20. Streambed Mobility – Mobility of bed materials and the extent of materials supporting aquatic vegetation.

21. Channel Armor – Are surface particles larger than subsurface particles in the wetted channel and on bars.

22. Substrate Particle Size – Does the stream contain typical substrate sizes and have their distribution been reduced.

23. Substrate Angularity – Does the substrate consist of flat, subangular or rounded rocks.

24. Substrate Particle Packing – How well packed is the stream channel and are particles generally movable.

 

The following observations are applicable to the CDF Channel Inventory Form:

1. Gravel Embeddedness – The degree to which spaces between stream gravels are filled with sand or finer sediments.

2. Pool Filling – The degree to which pools or former pool areas are filling or filled with sediments.

3. Aggrading – The degree to which stream channels are filling or filled with sediment that raises the channel bottom elevation.

4. Bank Cutting – The degree to which stream banks are occupied by areas of freshly exposed, unvegetated soil, usually above the low-flow channel.

5. Bank Mass Wasting – The degree to which debris from active and recent landslides is entering directly into the stream channel.

6. Downcutting – The degree to which channel bed elevation has been lowered by recent erosion or stream bed materials.

7. Scouring – The degree to which a stream channel has been stripped of gravels and finer bed material by large flow events or debris torrents.

8. Debris Clearing – The degree to which the development of stream structure is inhibited, or has been reduced, by the absence of large organic debris.

9. Debris Jamming – The degree to which channels contain large quantities of LWD that block fish passage or could be released as a debris flow.

10. Canopy Reduction – The degree to which streamside and near-stream vegetation providing shade or cover to the stream has been removed and has not recovered to provide shade and cover equivalent to pre-removal conditions.

11. Recent Flooding – The degree to which current channel condition reflects the effects of a recent high flow event that would be considered unusual in the project area.

 

 

Macroinvertebrates - California Stream Bioassessment Procedure (CSBP)

Macroinvertebrates are well accepted as indicators of water quality (Sivaramakrishnan et al 1996; Hannaford et al 1997; Hannaford and Resh 1995; Resh et al 1996), and have a number of inherent characteristics that make them particularly practical and fundamental in water quality determination. Since the organisms typically have very limited mobility, and thus cannot move to more favorable habitat, they are effective for assessing water quality in very specific sites. More importantly, they have life spans that can be up to a few years, making their diversity and numbers reflective of water quality during the recent past and present, and not just a snapshot of water quality at the time of sampling (Platts et al. 1983). Bioassessment at a given point in time is thus more valuable than a single sample of water chemistry taken at the same time, and eliminates the difficult task of choosing the appropriate sampling times. According to an Ohio study, 36% of streams identified as impaired using the bioassessment procedure, were not identified as such through an analysis of chemical parameters (Ohio EPA 1988).

Macroinvertebrate sampling will be performed according to California Stream Bioassessment Procedure (CSBP) for citizen monitors (CDFG 1999) utilizing the Non-point Source Sampling Design. Sampling intensity is weighted by the relative amount of client ownership in the watershed which includes the following:

· Watersheds with more than 40% ownership will have 6 composite samples taken from 2 stream reaches;

· Watersheds with 20-40% ownership will have 3 composite samples taken from 1 stream reach, and;

· Watersheds with less than 20% ownership will not have macroinvertebrate samples taken.

Location of stream reaches will not be placed randomly, but rather, in a targeted effort downstream of client ownership to ensure impacts on client land will be accounted for when determining stream health. Determination of the actual reach is based on optimal macroinvertebrate habitat which includes the following characteristics:

· Channel bottom substrate comprised primarily of gravels, cobbles, and boulders.

· Complexity of habitat (logs, boulders, aquatic vegetation, undercut banks, etc.).

· Pool – riffle channel type.

· Stable banks with low potential for mass wasting.

· Banks well protected by vegetation, boulders, bedrock, or other stable material.

· Vegetative canopy that provides a mix of shade and filtered light to the water surface (Resh, et. al 1996).

Reaches will be a minimum of 200 feet in length, have depositional characteristics, and have at least 5 separate riffles (each riffle at least 30 feet long and 3 feet wide).

At the sampling point of each riffle a flag labeled with the Sample ID#, date, time, and surveyor’s initials will be hung. Physical/habitat characteristics will be taken for each riffle which include the following measurements:

1. Riffle Length (nearest foot) – Measurement taken for each riffle being sampled.

2. Transect Location (nearest foot) – Record the distance from the start of the riffle (at the downstream end) where the sample transect is located.

3. Average Riffle Width (nearest foot) – Average at least 3 width measurements for each riffle being sampled.

4. Average Riffle Depth (nearest inch) - Average at least 3 depth measurements for each riffle being sampled.

5. Riffle Velocity – Measure the riffle velocity in front of the three locations along the transect where the samples were collected. Average the readings.

6. Canopy Cover (%) – Visually estimate the percent of the riffle surface that is covered by shade from streamside vegetation at several locations and average the values.

7. Substrate Complexity (%) – Using the entire riffle, determine the percentage of favorable substrate (including submerged logs, undercut banks, cobbles, etc.)

8. Embeddedness (%) – Using the entire riffle, determine the percentage of larger substrate (i.e. boulder, cobble, gravel) surrounded by fines.

9. Substrate Composition (%) – Visually estimate the percent of riffle in each substrate category (fines, gravel, cobble, boulder, and bedrock).

10. Substrate Consolidation – Estimate consolidation by kicking the substrate to note whether loosely, moderately, or tightly cemented.

11. Percent Gradient (%) – This measurement is taken along the length of the riffle.

12. Water Temperature – This measurement will be taken at each transect point and averaged for the reach.

13. Elevation – This measurement will be taken at each transect point and averaged for the reach.

In addition to these measurements, the length of the reach will be recorded and a Physical Habitat Quality Rating will be determined using the CSBP recommended form (CDFG 1999). Photographs will be taken at each transect and at particular areas of interest along the reach (large woody debris jams, bank cutting, depositing, etc.).

Macroinvertebrates, when collected in accordance with the CSBP for citizen monitors, are identified down to family, counted, and then evaluated using the metrics described below. A metric "is a characteristic of the biota that changes in some predictable way" (Barbour et al 1999) with increased human or natural influence. A biotic metric is a mathematical interpretation of biological data (numbers of individuals per family in our case) designed to numerically discriminate between impaired and unimpaired watercourses, based on known habitat preferences for the different benthic organisms (aquatic organisms whose habitat, in this case, is a river or stream bed). The following five metrics were identified as being appropriate for evaluating water quality in California (Hannaford and Resh 1995).

· Biological Index of Water Quality (BIWQ) - A single number representing the average tolerance of organisms within the sample to degraded water quality. The number is weighted to give greater importance to the most dominant taxonomic group of organisms, or taxa, in the sample.

· Family Biotic Index (FBI) – A single number, ranging from 0 (excellent) to 10 (poor), indicating water quality.

· Taxa Richness - The number of distinct taxa identified within the sample, most useful when compared to other sites in the same region. In general, the greater the taxa richness, the higher the water quality.

· % EPT - The percent of all organisms that are within the Families Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Tricoptera. These organisms are intolerant of pollution, and the greater their numbers, the higher the water quality.

· EPT/[Chironomidae¹ + EPT] - The results of this equation (range 0-1) are used to rate water quality. Numbers approaching zero indicate impaired water. ¹The Chironomidae family of aquatic insects is very tolerant of poor water quality.

These indices are most valuable when compared to streams from a regional reference watershed. Reference watersheds should be "pristine" or "minimally impacted" from land management practices and/or natural influences. Reference watersheds will allow setting the upper limit for water quality variables. It is essential that the reference watersheds have similar characteristics (topographic features, elevation range, vegetation composition, precipitation levels, and stream characteristics), and be in close proximity to the watershed assessment area in question.

All watercourse crossings on client ground, no matter how small or insignificant, will receive full evaluation as described below. Criteria for evaluating crossings off ownership vary with the logistical, administrative and political issues unique to each project area. Typically, threshold values for percentage of client ownership within a watershed are used to decide whether all crossings in a watershed will be evaluated, or just those on ownership. This is subject to agreement.

Every watercourse crossing, or spring evaluated subject to agreement will be recorded on a hard copy map, AND marked with a point on a laptop computer if available. The form, described below, will be filled out for all watercourse crossings, and springs. Also evaluated will be those crossings that drain inboard ditches initiated as a diverted Class III watercourse. They still have potential for failure, which would contribute sediment and therefore, they must be evaluated as a watercourse crossing.

Any watercourse or spring identified during field work that is not in the current GIS data base, will be CLEARLY marked on a paper map and placed in a common location for entry into GIS. Any existing watercourse or spring that must have the current GIS location updated will be marked in a similar fashion.

The form is designed to accommodate all types of crossings. As a result, entries may differ slightly depending on the crossing type. Each form contains basic administrative information at the top of the page, as follows:

· Surveyor’s initials

· Date

· Day number

· Project name

· State planning watershed name

· Township, Range and Section (TRS)

· A number starting at zero, sequentially increasing until the end of that day. Start again at 0 the next day.

Each crossing will be evaluated according to the following categories:

1. Facility - This is where the individual type of structure is defined. The most common types, and their appropriate codes are as follows:

o CMP - Corrugated metal pipe

o CMPa - D-shaped corrugated metal pipe

o PIPE - Straight pipe

o BOX - A wooden rectangular structure with the same purpose as a CMP or PIPE

o BRDG (Bridge) - This code is reserved for bridges constructed of metal, or lumber, verses a humboldt

o HBLT (Humboldt) - An older style crossing, consisting of trees felled across, or laid across the watercourse, possibly surfaced with dirt.

o FORD - This is where vehicles are driven across the stream bottom. The stream bottom must have been made more stable by adding large coarse gravel where vehicles drive. This can easily be confused with situations where the stream simply crosses the road, with no dedicated structure…see U-FORD.

o U-FORD (Unimproved Ford) – A stream that simply crosses the road with no dedicated structure or rock ford.

o ARCH - Usually reserved for larger streams, essentially a large culvert with the bottom cut out to maintain a natural stream bottom.

o NONE - This is reserved for situations where there is no man made crossing present.

o OTHER - Unique situations that do not fit any of the above categories (should be infrequent). Any crossing in this category must have detailed comments.

Note: In situations where there are two structures at one crossing, for example, large crossings, may have two large CMPs, or bridge/CMP combinations, forms are to be filled out for each individual structure. They are numbered the same, with a different letter subscript identifying the unique structure (i.e. 001a, 001b, 001c).

All this data will be used in the future for calculating potential fill contributions to a watercourse, should structures fail. Blown out structures are identified with special suffixes (bln), and detailed sketches are made of the hole where the structure used to be. If a structure has been decommissioned, it receives a "dec" suffix.

2. Inlet Diameter (inches) - For CMPs, PIPEs and BOXs, this is the diameter of the structure at the inlet. For CMPa's and ARCHs this is the measurement from the top of the pipe straight down. Leave blank for other structures.

Note: All measurements will be made using a combination of direct measurements and optical estimates. It is expected (as a result of ALIS testing) that 60% of all measurements will be made directly.

3. Armor (Y or N) - Structures often have rocks or cement armor as reinforcement against high flow events. If it is obvious that numerous large boulders were placed at the inlet for this purpose during the installation process, or cement has been used, it is recorded as a Yes or (Y).

4. Inlet Condition (Plus or minus percent):

o Fill - The diagram at the bottom of the next page is designed to evaluate the condition of the inlet. The horizontal lines are the amount the facility (CMP, PIPE or BOX) is either buried, or undercut as a percentage of the diameter of the facility, leave blank for other structures.

o Crushed - Similar to "Fill" but evaluates how much the CMP, PIPE or BOX has had its inlet capacity reduced due to crushing, as a percentage of the cross sectional area of the facility.

 

5. Inlet Shape - Culverts will have inlets with different shapes. The most common is the standard vertical round culvert with no taper, while other large culverts will be mitered (designed to allow coarse woody debris to ramp up and land on the road, instead of blocking the culvert). Some will be flared, with a scoop like structure at the inlet.

o Flared (F)

o Mitered (M)

o Vertical (V)

6. Rustline (percent) - For CMPs or PIPEs, use same diagram as in inlet condition evaluation except that all measurements will be positive. (0 = no recognizable rustline) Leave blank for other structures

7. Damage - In this section, damage or potential failure indicators that may be identified with a check mark are as follows:

o Significant damage to the structure that impedes its performance. If this is checked there must be comments and pictures to clarify

o Indication that the facility has already been overtopped

o The stream has been diverted

o There is potential for diverting the stream in the event of crossing failure

o The culvert is being undercut

o There is up stream debris nearby that can block the culvert

8. Stream Class - Evaluated above and below based on the state classification. The first designator either I, II or III is above and the second designator is below road. If only one designator is present it will be presumed that above and below road are the same. For springs, the class is Spring.

9. Vegetation - The amount of surface area cover (%) and type of vegetation reinforcing the fill associated with the structure is evaluated.

o Bushes (B)

o Trees (T)

o Grass (G)

10. Channel Width (nearest ½ ft) - The average of the bank full width of the channel up stream and downstream from the facility. Leave blank for springs.

11. Slope (percent) - The slope of the CMP, PIPE or BOX, or the slope of the streambed under the structure for the rest.

12. Uphill Slope (percent) - The slope of the streambed uphill from the structure. The idea is to characterize how much power storm water may have at the crossing. This is measured from the point of entry into the structure, up stream to the nearest change in either direction, or slope, provided the length is >50’, otherwise the slope to the next point of change is measured. For a diverted stream, this is the slope of the new channel. Leave blank for springs.

 

13. Inlet Depth (nearest ½ ft) - For CMPs, PIPEs, BOXs, and ARCHs, this is the depth of fill above the structure at the inlet, leave blank for other structures.

 

14. Road Width (ft) - Width of the road surface at the crossing.

15. Facility Length (ft) - The length of the whole structure, perpendicular to the road for CMPs, PIPEs and BOX, and parallel to the road for a HBLT, BRDG, FORD.

16. Outlet Diameter (inches) - For CMPs, PIPEs and BOXs, this is the diameter of the structure at the outlet. For CMPa's and ARCHs this is the measurement from the top of the pipe straight down. Leave blank for other structures.

17. Drop (ft/in) - This is the total drop from the bottom of the outlet of the CMP, PIPE or BOX, to where the water hits the channel bottom, leave blank for other structures.

18. Scour (ft/in) - The measure of how deep the out flowing water from the CMP, PIPE or BOX has cut into the original stream bank, measured from the bottom of the scour pool to the normal streambed. In situations where the stream has been diverted, and there was no original streambed, the measurement is the amount the water has scoured into the ground. Leave blank for other structures.

19. Downhill Slope (percent) - The slope of the streambed downhill from the structure.

20. Outlet Depth (nearest ½ ft) - For CMPs, PIPEs, BOXs, and ARCHs, this is the depth of fill above the structure at the outlet, leave blank for other structures.

Photographs - Pictures primarily focus on the inlet, outlet and any significant features at each crossing. (i.e. debris pile-ups etc.) Pictures of blowouts are taken from different angles to supplement the sketches.

Note: Detailed diagrams are drawn of unique situations that the form does not accurately represent, in a space provided on each sheet.