Completion Form

2024

Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon lack adequate woody riparian vegetation and the stream channels consist primarily of a narrow ditch-like system that lacks complex habitat including riffles, pools and backwaters. The lack of sufficient riparian habitat threatens the persistence of fish and sage grouse (Bear Creek) and overall riparian vegetation (Ranch Canyon).

Vertical channel incision has lowered the water table and floodplain connectivity, which has further adversely affected the condition of the riparian areas which is critical habitat for a variety of aquatic and riparian obligate species, (Donnely et al., 2015) particularly sage grouse. Sage grouse rely on the mesic areas directly adjacent to the riparian zone for brood survival. Incision has also likely caused a reduction in physical habitat diversity and reductions in late season base flows resulting in warmer stream temperatures causing declines in populations of fish and other aquatic organisms (Pollock et al., 2007).

In Ranch Canyon the focus of the project was to improve the riparian vegetation extent improve existing headcuts and channel incision.

If funding is available in the future WRI agreement the goal within Bear Creek is to improve in-stream habitat for fish and riparian vegetation sage grouse.

Restoring riparian condition also benefits the longer-term project goal of providing sufficient riparian resources to expand riparian habitat within the areas.  As such, the project will consist of targeted native riparian vegetation plantings (Bear Creek/Ranch Canyon) in conjunction with installation of in-stream structures (Ranch Canyon) to immediately increase the complexity of in-stream habitat, gain access to the floodplain in the long term, allowing for riparian vegetation expansion laterally.

Livestock grazing management systems have been identified for the Bear Creek Allotment (Bear Creek) and Mineral Range Allotment (Ranch Canyon).  However, it may be necessary to install riparian exclosures within the Ranch Canyon area to further minimize impacts to the riparian system by livestock in the future.

Dan Fletcher

09/24/2024 06:49:20