Aquatic surveys and assessment of the Slim Buttes region of Harding and Butte Co., SD

2006·3.2 MB·English

by  Stagliano, David M

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NllASA
2006
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Aquatic Surveys and Assessment
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s ofthe Slim Buttes Region of
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Harding and Butte Co.,
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Preparedfor:
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s TheMontanaandSouthDakotaTNCFieldOffices
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By: srat? nnruMFNTS collection
s DavidM.Stagliano f'CT 2 7 2006
s MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
s HELENA. MONTANA 59620
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MontanaNaturalHeritageProgram
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NaturalResourcehiformationSystem
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s October2006
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MONTANA
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NaturalHeritage
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Aquatic Surveys and Assessment
ofthe Slim Buttes Region of
SD
Harding and Butte Co.,
Preparedfor:
TheMontanaandSouthDakotaTNC FieldOffices
AgreementNumber:
1410258002-0000
By:
DavidM. Stagliano
AquaticEcologist
MONTANA
NaturalHeritage
Prt^ram
"i-gSn^ sgt^aMONtTAeNA IONTANA
^^Ubrary IfI4a>.NaturalResource
Libra
InformationSystem
^}KJK'
©2006 Montana Natural Heritage Program
PO. Box 201800 • 1515 East SixthAvenue • Helena, MT59620-1800 • 406-444-5354
IhisdocuinciU slu)iil(J becited as lollovvs;
Stagliano. David M. 2006. Aquatic Suncys and Assessment ofthe Slim liiittes Region ofHarding and
Butte Co.. SI). Report to the M I and SI) INC lield Ofllces. Montana Natural Heritage Program.
Helena. Montana. 5'> pp. plus appendices.
Executive Summary
Project goals ofthe Aquatic Survey and Site #3 near Hoover showed moderate
Assessment ofthe Slim Buttes Region include: 1) improvement inhabitat integrity from upstream
tosampleand assessaquatic community integrity sites, but the water quality parameters showed
based on macroinvertebrate, fish and habitat impairment. The waterquality parameters
sampling, 2)toidentifyand interpretkey conductivityandturbidityconsistently increasedat
community indicatorsfoundatthe sites, using the downstream reaches ofa stream series.
standardizedprotocolsand bioticthresholds,and
compare these against reference condition Fish Communities. Overall, 22 fish species (16
standards at the watershed-level and local-reach native/6 introducedorexotic)from6,227 individuals
scale. were reported from all visited sites. Average fish
species richness per site was 8, and the most
Riparian habitatassessments, waterquality diverse sites were the 3 reaches ofthe Little
parameter measurements, and fish and Missouri River, with 14 species(1 1 natives).
macroinvertebrate surveys were performed at 16 Fathead minnows were collected at 16 of 17 (94%)
lotic (stream) sites and 2 lentic (ponded) sites fish presence sites. The next highest frequency of
withinthe Slim Buttes Regionofthe LittleMissouri, occurrence (FO) is the introduced green sunfish at
Upper South Fork Grand and Upper Moreau 1 of 17 sites, and the sand shinerand black
watersheds. Seventeen ofthese sites had fish, and bullhead at9 of 17 sites. Using Montana's Prairie
all had macroinvertebrates. Two othervisited sites Fish IBI, 6 ofthe 17 fish sites were ranked non-
were dry. Three longitudinal sequence stream sites impaired(goodtoexcellentbiological integrity),6
were sampled inthe Little Missouri and South were slightly impaired(moderate integrity)and 5
Moreau rivers; while 2 sequential sites werevisited weremoderately impaired(poorbiotic integrity).
in theNorth Fork Moreau, South ForkGrand and No sites were ranked severely impaired by the Fish
JonesCreekbasins. Biologicalcommunity integrity IBI. The O/E scores agreed with the IBI scores in
wascalculatedat all sites using Fish Integrated most cases, except for the smaller Prairie
Biotic Indices (IBFs) and Observed/Expected Intermittent Streams; the O/E ranked Campbell,
Models (O/E), as well as macroinvertebrate multi- North Fork Moreau # and Crooked Creek as
1
metrics (MT MMI). Site summary descriptions unimpaired (0/E=83.3), while the IBI ranked them
basedontheoverallcommunity integrityand site asslightlytomoderately impaired(IBI=62, 52and
observationsare included. 49,respectively).
Habitat Evaluations. Highest site habitat scores Macroinvertebrate Communities. Overall, 118
using both the EPA RBP (200 max. score) and macroinvertebrate taxa were reported from the
BLM
(24 max. score) habitat assessment methods Slim Butte 2006 assessment sites. Average
were measured in the South Fork Grand River macroinvertebrate taxa richness per site was 29
&
basin. South Fork Grand River sites #1 2 had and the highest taxa richness reported at 2 sites
reference site conditions fora Great Plains Prairie was 50 taxa. Using the Montana DEQ
Stream with EPA RBP scores of 88 and 189, macroinvertebrate multimetric index(MMI),9of
1
respectively. Most stream sites visited in the Grand the 18 sites were ranked non-impaired (good to
River basin had higherthan average landscape excellentbiological integrity),6wereslightly
integrity measured at the local reach scale. Two of impaired and 3 were moderately impaired. South
&
the3 sites inthe Little Missouri Riverbasin ranked Fork Grand River sites #1 #2 had reference
excellent for a Medium-Large Prairie River. The condition macroinvertebrate scores fora Great
North Fork Moreau River site#2 had the highest Plains Prairie Stream with DEQ MMI scores of
integrityofsites visited in theMoreau Riverbasin. 75.7 and 69.8, respectively. Most stream sites that
Sites in the South Fork Moreau River scored contained riffle areas scored much higherwith the
lowest in habitat integrity.The SouthFork Moreau MMI than siteswith exclusively pool areas. Sites
IV
visited in the South ForkGrand Riverbasin Northern Leopard Frogs had the highest site
recei\ed higher macroin\ertebrate scores than occupanc\ rate at 72%.
those in the Moreau basin. The 3 sites in the Little
Missouri Riverbasin that ranked high for fish as a Integrative Community Assessment. Overall,
Medium-Large Prairie Ri\eralso received diverse fish and macroinvertebratecommunities
excellent macroinvertebrate integrity scores. with high biological integritx are highl\ correlated
withgood riparianconditionand high habitatquality
Dra/^on/Iies and Damsel/lies. Incidental as ranked by the EPA Habitat Qualit\ Inde.x.
dragonHn and damsclll\ observations were made Community results from the habitat, fish and
and recorded during the fish and macroinvertebrate macroinvertebrate surveys combined to rank the
surveys. Three dragonfly species were common followingsites from highest biological integrity to
across most sites (Common Green Darner. Anax lowest within theiraquaticecologicalclassification
Junius: Eight-spotted Skimmer Lihcllula forensis codes:
and the Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympelrium
corrupium) and no species ofconcern were noted Medium Prairie River (AES B005): I) Little
at any sites. The pale snaketaii. Ophioi^omphus Missouri Montana site. 2) Little Missouri U2. 3)
severus. was onl\ spotted at Medium Prairie River Little Missouri^ CampCrook.4) South Fork
sites with good flow and gravel substrates. The Moreau #3
damselflies (Familiar Bluet, Eiuillagmacivile.
Northern Bluet. EnalUiiima cyaihigerum: Eastern Northwestern Great Plains Prairie Stream
Forktail, Ischnuru veriiccilis and the Common (AES COOS): 1 ) South Fork Grand #2, 2) South
Spreadwing, testes disjunctus) were common Fork Grand #1,3) North Fork Moreau River#2, 4)
among the sites. Sites with abundant aquatic Jones Creek #2, 5) Crooked Creek. 6) South Fork
vegetation (South Fork Moreau #1, North Fork Moreau River #2, 7) Bull Creek
Moreau # Crooked Creek, Campbell Creek and
I,
Jones Creek # & 2) had abundant populations of Intermittent Prairie Stream (AES code D005):
1
larval damselfliesaswell. 1 ) North Fork Moreau #1,2) South Fork Moreau
#1:3) Campbell Creek. 4) Spur Creek. 5) Hay
Amphibian and Reptile Incidentals. Incidental Creek. 6) Jones Creek #
1
herpetotauna observations were made and
recorded in conjunction with the fish and Intermittent Fishless Prairie Stream (AES
macroinvertebrate sur\eys. hree amphibian code E005): Pine Spring Creek
I 1 )
species (Woodhouse's Toad, Bufo woodhousii.
Great Plains Toad, Bufo co^natus and the Northwestern Great Plains Perennial Spring
Northern Leopard Frog. Raini pipiens ) and 2 (AES code S()05): I ) Picnic Spring
reptile species (Snapping Turtle. ( hclydni
serpentina and Plains Garter Snake, Thamnophis Jones Creek site #2. near the confluence with the
radix) were recorded during the surveys. SouthForkGrand River, has high ecological
potential to recover ifhydrologic restoration occurs.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thankThe Montanaand South
Dakota Field Oflfices ofThe Nature Conservancy,
especially Brian Martin (MT)and Bob Paulson
(SD). Field work was assisted by Karen Walker;
report reviewer was Linda Vance and report
formattingwasprovided byCobumCurrier
(MTNHP).
M
Table of Contents
IntnxJuction 1
Methods 4
Habitat Assessments 5
FishCommunities 5
MacroinvertebrateCommunities 6
Results 9
Habitat Assessment 9
FishCommunities 11
MacroinvertebrateCommunities 13
Site Description Summaries 15
Conclusions 57
Literature Cited 58
AppendixA. Raw fish data and IB! metric calculations collected from Slim Buttes Sites.
Appendix B. Macroinvertebrate taxa and abundance for the Medium Prairie River (B005) sites
AppendixC. Significant indicatorspeciesofthe macroinvertebratecommunity groups reported forthe
Slim Buttes Sites.
Appendix D. Macroinvertebrate community descriptions(SPA-species assemblage).
Appendix E. Fish community descriptions(SPA-speciesassemblage).
ListOF Figures
Figure i. Picnic Spring in the Cave Hills, a small Northwestern Great Plains Perennial Spring 1
Figure2. The Little Missouri River at the North Dakota border, a Large Prairie River I
Figure3. Untiiled landscapes in NorthAmerica'sGreat Plains ecoregions 2
Figure4. Study Site Locationsand Level IV Ecoregions within the NGPS Slim Buttes
Study Area. SD 3
Figures. Channel depth measurement as part ofthe habitat and geomorphic assessments 5
Figure6. Fish sampling a run by seining with a 20 ft straight seine 5
Figure 7. A western silver) minnow seined in the Little Missouri River before release 5
Figure 8. Multi-habitat macroinvertebrate sampling using LPAprotocols 6
Figure9. Dragonfly observations were made in the stream reach. This is an eight-spotted
skimmer {Lihellula forcnsis) 8
MT
figure 10. I he Little Missouri Riversite nearAlbion. 16
figure 1 1. Little Missouri River(ALS B005) Medium Prairie Riverhabitat nearAlbion. MT 16
Figure 12. Little Missouri River(AES B005)cobble/woodydebris nearAlbion, MT 16
Figure 13. Little Missouri River Site #2 (Al-S BOOS) run/pool habitat near Ladner. SD 18
Figure 14. Little Missouri River Site #2 (ALS BOOS) sauger (Samler caiuulemis) an SOC
in MT but not SD IX
Figure 15. IJttle Missouri River Site #2 (ALS BOOS) goldeyes (Hiocion alosoides) a sensitive
indicator Medium-Large Prairie Riser fish species 18
Figure 16. Little Missouri River Site U\ (ALS BOOS) run pool habitat nearCampCrook. SD 20
Figure 17 Little Missouri RiverSite#l (AES B005)run/p(X)l habitat lookingupstream 20
Figure 18. Little Missouri River Site #1 (AFIS BOOS) cottonwood stand on upper terrace 20
Figure 19. South Fork Moreau River#3 (AES BOOS) pool habitat, lookingdownstream near
Hoover. SD 22
\ii
ListofFigures(continued)
Figure20. South ForkMoreauRiver#3 (AES BOOS)run/pool habitat, lootcingupstream
near Hoover, SD 22
Figure21. South Fori< Moreau River#3 (AES 6005) exposed layerofdense fossils in right bank 22
Figure22. South Fork Moreau River#3 (AES B005) petrified tree stumps on right bank 22
Figure23. South Fork Grand River#2 (AES COOS) with reference condition landscape and
local-reach overviewfrom bridge 2S
Figure24. South ForkGrand River#2 (AES COOS)bottom ofreach lookingupstream 25
Figure25. South ForkGrand River#2 (AES COOS) bottom ofreach lookingdownstream 25
Figure26. South ForkGrand River#1 (AES COOS) lookingdownstream towardscounty bridge 27
Figure27. South ForkGrand River#1 (AES COOS) bottom riffleofreach lookingupstream 27
Figure28. South ForkGrand River#1 (AES COOS)top 1SOm longpool 27
Figure29. South ForkGrand River#1 (AES COOS) catfish seined inthetop pool 27
Figure30. North Fork Moreau River(AES COOS) Marty Bridge site not sampled 29
Figure31. North Fork Moreau River#2 (AES COOS) upperriffle lookingdownstream 29
Figure32. North Fork Moreau River#2 (AES COOS) bottom ofreach lookingupstream 29
Figure33. Jones Creek #2 (AES COOS) pool upstream from road crossing 32
Figure34. Jones Creek#2 (AES COOS) pools below the road crossing 32
Figure35. Jones Creek #2 (AES COOS) typical green sunfish, an introduced species 32
Figure36. Jones Creek #2 (AES COOS) riffle downstream from road crossing 32
Figure37. Crooked Creek (AES COOS) looking upstream nearCoxChurch 35
Figure38. South Fork Moreau River#2 (AES COOS)pool habitat, lookingupstreamnear
Rte. 85 bridge 37
Figure39. South Fork Moreau River#2 (AES COOS) pool habitat, top ofreach 37
Figure40. South Fork Moreau River#2 (AES COOS) pool habitat, cottonwood trees top ofreach 37
Figure41. Bull Creek (AES COOS) a silt-impaired Great Plains stream near Brown Rd 39
Figure42. North Fork Moreau River# (AES DOOS)pool #3 looking upstream 42
1
Figure43. North Fork Moreau River#1 (AES DOOS)pool #2 looking upstream 42
Figure44. South Fork Moreau River#1 (AES DOOS)vegetativepool habitat, lookingfrombridge 44
Figure45. South Fork Moreau River#1 (AES DOOS) beaver dam pool habitat 44
Figure46. South Fork Moreau River# (AES DOOS)pool habitat lookingup 44
1
Figure47. Campbell Creek(AES DOOS) pool lookingdownstream towards Brown's Pond 47
Figure48. Campbell Creek(AES DOOS)pool lookingupstreamtowards inlet 47
Figure49. SpurCreek (AES DOOS) atributaryto SF Moreau River looking upstream 49
FigureSO. SpurCreek (AES DOOS) a backed up section behind a culvert 49
Figure51. Hay Creek (AES DOOS) a tributary to SF Moreau River looking upstream 51
Figure 52. Hay Creek (AES DOOS) aquatic water-plantain (Alisma triviale) 51
Figure 53. Jones Creek #1 (AES DOOS) small remainingpool in reach S3
Figure 54. Jones Creek #1 (AES DOOS) dead snappingturtle found on side ofRte. 85 bridge 53
Figure 55. Pine Spring Creek (AES EOOS) a Great Plains Fishless Intermittent Stream with
moderate landscape integrityanddegraded localconditions 55
ListofTables
Table 1. Sitedescriptions forstudy sites included in theTNC Slim Buttes surveys 4
Table2. Fish metricsand classification offish speciescaptured in the Slim Buttes Region (2006) 7
Table3. Impairment determinations from the MMI and O/E (RIVPACS) models 8
vm
ListofTables (continued)
WQ
Table4. Physical measures, parameters and habitat descriptions for the Slim Butte (SD)
studysites 9
Table 5. Aquatic Ecological System types, occurrences in the database and the biological
communitN groupsassociated \\ith thedefined aquatic ecological communities 10
Table 6. Fish Species Presence. Frequency ofOccurrence (FO) all study sites, and for particular
Aquatic Ecological Systems (AES) included in the TNC Slim Buttes surveys 11
Table 7. Fish and macroinvertebrate species, MT IBl, M f MMI and Observed/Expected (O/E)
scores for the Slim Butte (SD) study sites T
Table 8. Herpetofauna, Aquatic Plant and Dragontly/Damselfly Species Observations for sites
ofthe Slim Buttes Watershed Assessment 14
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