Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed analysis : version 1.1

274 Pages·2000·90.7 MB·English

U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
®
Medford District Office
Ashland Resource Area
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, Oregon 97504 January 2000
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
-Klamath-lron Gate
| Watershed Analysis
Version 1.1
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JEN\ vsEtews R. FEDERAL CEN TER
__.__P.O. BOX 25047
DENVER,¢ C OLORADO 80225
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As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and
natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the
environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation.
The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interest of all our people.
The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under
U.S. administration.
BLM/OR/WA/PT-00/014+1792
Klamath-Iron Gate
Watershed Analysis
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Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed sis - Version 1.1 Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Re CULEVe LSUAl Veen er Tt te et eles teins ene aie, Ne a nailer e's ae chins, % >)° V
Titroduction Beseee sCaeaihek e63.60 5. 2: Fs cl ee eth SARS Saert ers altea p 1
Tssucs'and Key QuestiOn sim aw mes Plotea can 60805 ns ee eS, te Se. Wate ets ae, sees 4
Weacersued (haracten7auone Sine, ears fee eer ce nate iete mee etS is eis 5,6 .2 @ , 5 ora y 17
Game eantola) |b ge tg igR w Sa a ge AI eset Lie i ne args orn Ooa e 17
PIV (ATELS Cs Mere ee ene fie RO ty ree ore so, mes. s,© 19
Cli die Rar aan Pee Re ret ee Ste ee ee eee oe ee mere. 0.e ase 2
GeologyveandsGeomorpnologyae sini: <6 24s se at eee a tee 8, 24
ETOSiONsPrOCESSES ees Aloe Ale wh Verrniewil ins Gade enter e lane ete tse e ete, «ae 26
Soil Productivity gewcunityn-io: OP Pe Ais tabynh Bete Wot Me eee ares 27
TANASCADORV EVCLANONSLATLCII sie et htt Sis Feud yieterets fee tamer rte, «areas aie. sale 28
Plantes pecies-andeHabitatsiee. + me ausious Syms Foti. EE Ee ee es s,s 30
Hire andvAir, Ouality tun ee ee came « Peet Syeda Oy vs lide oh ia veers os «> 32
Terrestrial Wildlife Species and Habitats ..........ee.e e.ee. e-ev-e e 33
Hydrologymrav Hove22.y i .24. ee anes Seams EDGAR ORE YE NONE TIS & 34
Stream Channel ........... Ja attests Let iie etalk eerie. aoa ieea er ae 37
WateteC ality mamun "preriaheme Us otenanas RT MILCR BA teh OLS Sol es ee ete os 38
RIDAnIANEA TCaSemane entre eat re eS es: StU Ets 0 ig apt ie are ween 8 eo 38
Aquatic Wildlife Species and Habitats ..... 2... . 2. eee eee eee et es 39
Biieren tC ONGIION Sirabitny 0 Orie, Bt Safa or spine ewo geee so fs ya cs ates, wiiesay eoa peiey 9 mae 40
Puiniansh SCS y peemommmras eee reenter ee cs eye cree cya t,o, they one ee ea ole 40
SSP OClAl GA TEAS memes OMEN MPRA ce oe gk ae, tra a asa ce yo ye giey ocm eg oso y4 ,e ca es, #,8 pa y* 49
ETOSIONVETOCESSES ee Ce etee, Sere manners Eas See, eI, Bee ete ee Shes 50
SOLMETOCUCIEIVC Y sem rmenn tenM edBoet ee i kye thets ihe fee satea nie vaiieria v s:w ine <4{ ec ane 53
IPlanteSpecicsianaeabitats monte eee tree sk peter ses i hein eS eR. S aes ce ee ts 54
BOTesti Density and sv1SOls ewe er. eee PESO eo ek cee eis cw se ws 8 37
ire ance ilyQ uality em eon eck rien s Eis ats crem, es Lie SS eee ee tene e ™eh sete nas 60
Terrestrial Wildlife Species and Habitats .........0.. .ee. ee. ee.ee e 62
Ry POLOG Y Ronee etree en tae Mn ngec i? Sateen tue Sistah es rere et Ss ste 68
SET ETO, NSRP I PR eR en en 72
WVALCTLOUIAUITY Maman McRae hart suet mum eben Seen NE) fee sci Sg Stat a leon oie did. CeCe ete 74
OreR t) fee LE ys Ope A hat oie oe Ars Mie is ea Mehra Sees ae eee 80
Aquatic Wildlife Species and Habitats .... 2... 2... eee eee eee ee eee 80
Pe eTeCNCCHCONCILIONS mane weire Sot fos ee mun eres rot ag rer gs sk SS 58k Sue SPs gg ee 86
PAINE SCS ME ee Po col Sonata dues veel spel wehe s)< ee yes 42 86
SpcciaWAfeas@ ts ret ss Hew re te heat teaches heer se 97
ety ROMEL OECS G CS ert ttt PA RE eas Selig ole snp ece: eas tate eidl aoe eee 98
SEH EUTE R WI 35 2 EER y rays “Py Gut arp Seon Gene a ea 98
Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis - Version 1.1 Table of Contents
Landscape Vegetation Pattern. |. 2 sci 4S eae scenes ce ie ee Cees 99
Plant. Species and Habitats? fae © tage ie 6 Fee ae eos ere is ete te os tees 100
Forest Density and Vigor) So: . ieee hiss sens eee Rane ahs mee eas 101
Fire and Air Quality °.e<5. 0.005) S708 Se lo aie feh et ec ols fo ann 101
Terrestrial Wildlife Species'and) Habitats 9.5..0-ucn,0 e0e --)- a oped Lr
Ls h{tiuel (0-4 So ee es URAC rere ary Meni geen otek oS 104
Stream ‘Channel. 79. beh ooie ha teehee eine ct Cec eden. cen tne ee ee 104
Water Quality)... 2 Ga ns oak nt ole eo dee 105
Riparian Areas. 205 rics) ota kco e ee ee uo Penns fee ek et ee 106
Aquatic Wildlife Species and Habitats .°.2..52.. .0 gauer.sboet:eeeee.e t ame 107
Synthesis and Interpretation ’.....) [559.28 ake oe nee etn ele le oie. cea ae 109
Human Uses 6c as fact aceuee yee cern ce, ute ec ae ie, cec ence rr 109
Special Areas 20... 260. Sk. Geis a hens e+e foe ae Neier ist caec iecne ee re 111
Erosion Processes 03.5% 65s e)0 2 Fee es aces ole sells vo/a 4 2 eee man ees 111
Soil Productivity). 1/0005 bee cae da wen 9 oie a sete phates vef ener 112
Landscape ‘Vegetation Pattern .... 0/5; .. . . . -aee eens cee 113
Plant Species and Habitats. ....4..o.u «. » su.netea.neds. ben'e a.ne: .ee e 114
Forest Density and Vigor... 5)... .:......sie.ge)2 S.N .e.ee 115
Fire. and Air. Quality 9. .).0.s oc. 24% s pepe eet thing eg wee Secu eee 117
Terrestrial Wildlife Species and Habitats .....:........ .p.ea.n.. 118
Hydrology.2)0 0. iso Shas titticcah o's ate ola lae cle) biele a tekg sg. tebe Ane eae ee 121
Stream: Channel” ).0.57 32 Giro areas atet eve n:o Wi gotten © oet ea): on od ee 122
Water: Quality: (oo. tec eee oe atlas 0 bb Wate eee ecu 2 tos gue Ae 123
Riparian Areas i550) hb wio e oes oo 0d oph eebie RE trae cates eee Daten. 124
Aquatic Wildlife Species and Habitats ........c.ec.e .cs.cc.ce.cc s 124
Management Objectives and Recommendations for BLM-Administered Lands ....... 126
Landscape Planning Objectives and Recommendations for BLM-Administered Lands ... 149
Data Gaps... ee eee terete tts tsetse: : ees eee ines 154
Monitoring Recommendations ..°. . 2)... 5... sss ss ee cele ee eee eh anes ae ee 157
Research Recommendations, <0.) go. 2-55 5 c/s ons Coa tpn lees ee eh) 160
Maps 3. igre ae le eta hve ow ays when bvepe a Cees! oC isle ebena e cele nN oe 162
Listiof Preparers: 0.5 20.0 se os ec nis nts 6 os cactus ere Pe 185
RELCTENCES 6 oe oe ea oie a lathe neh Et vv tatav'e tg)s cold Uden sau edle cues ea ae ee rr 186
ADPOENAICES (5 ose a ele aig eee ite ta ea een ects ae et ne 194
Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed sis - Version 1.1 Table of Contents
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. BEANO COWNETSNIQ ge tie fis hatte oon ueG ee ne csoa hd s SER Ser eiQAT - J -
Table 2. Pederaimand Use Allocauonshy. si. ok Fin 1 oes See) peut «2
Table 3. Precipitations Zone Distributions: <) ey.c cc tih on Repeal Peonels Bares baddies
Table 4. Structural Classification of Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Vegetation
Table 5. iVe getationrZones Dy Elevation’ >:t o. WlovscchaveOcwiena.n n1geM oiya Fiacne -
Table 6. Ownership and Stream Information by Subwatershed
Table 7. Stream Miles by Stream Category for BLM-Administered Lands
Table 8. Wetlands
Table 9. USGS Gaging Stations
Table 10. Stream Channel Types
Table 11. Most. Recent.Bi.Mi Fimber:Salest fap rhastctowe ore.s bbiaeer l,.f .
Table 12. Acres Harvested and Volume Removed on BLM-Managed Lands
Table 13. Grazing Information for BLM-Administered Lands
Table 14. Special Status Plants
Table 15. Survey and Manage Plant Species and Habitats fait indorsed guetta.
Table 16. Values at Risk Due to Fire Exclusion, High Intensity Wildfire, or Wildfire
Suppression Activities
Table 17. Hire; Hazard. Ratings. ii sie wimias: is agen pete, os ate age eM ee anec ot trekte) ¢
Table 18. Representative Wildlife Species
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Table 19. Special Status Terrestrial Vertebrate Wildlife Species
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Table 20. Road Information by Subwatershed
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Table 21. Estimated Percent of Hydrologic Recovery by Subwatershed
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Table 22. Surface Water Rights
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Table 23. Water Quality Limited Streams
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Table 24. Stream Temperature Monitoring Data
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Table 25. Fish of Iron Gate Reservoir
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Precipitation at Copco Dam and Howard Prairie Dam NOAA Stations
Figure 2. Air Temperature at Howard Prairie Dam NOAA Station...............
Figure 3. Air Temperature at Yreka NOAA Station
Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis - Version 1.1 ; Table of Contents
LIST OF MAPS
Map-1.- "Watershed Location 20/4. cm 0-0 SA 2 ee 163
Map 2. «Land Ownership 2000s. 5.= 8 aoe oe alte Mae ee ne 164
Map 3. Federal Land Use Allocations: ...). . 43. . Rae 2 ae 165
Map 4.: Transportation Systeme"? 3227 OR. ee, 1 a eee ee 166
Map 5. Average Annual Precipitation..................... BE Sda 167
Map 6." Precipitation ‘Zones =. (2806 PHAN S Ne PUG a ee Re eee |e 168
Map 7. General Soil’Types ers ca. Soe Lane ett ee) ets, 169
Map 8. Vegetation Condition Classes... 1.84.Ge 1le. ee)e ae 170
Map 9. .S ubwatersheds "3.06 ee Se PE eee ore ae 171
Map 10. Stream Categories +)..004.20.... 4[eum5 S.RA 4e.e ¢e.e8 ee 172
Map. 11. Wetlands: >. 3:0). 4s oN Sl od SR, RE Si Rn 173
Map 12. Channel Morphology Classification... .......00..0 .cc .ece. ee.ce es 174
Map 13. Riparian Reserves +. Poa Oe ee NORRITSD } Pa: 175
Map 14. Fish Distribution’. 25. i eo) See a 176
Map 15.'Grazing ‘Allotments ¥x7. . << 7k, 8 Pee, SEs Se ee ee 177
Map 16, Fire Hazard: °° 0 ee ES Be, RR Be Te RUS SS 178
Map 17. Spotted Owl Critical Habitat Unit ...2. O<RR .a .Se.e.: 179
Map: 18. Deer Winter Range*o. 008. VN. ne ee eee, 180
Map 19, High Road Density Sections’ .+ +4...) S55 Saye) Pee pee: 181
Map.20. Water Right DiversionSs2/a% S402 0). Seer oe, Ree, ns ee Gee 182
Map 21. 15% Late-Successional Retention Areas ...................-0200c0- 183
Map-22. Landscape Planning 02% 40).9 827020 eee at a eden a, 184
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A. Public Comment Summary ....... 2... .20..0.4)415. 050 s A-1
Appendix,B.. ‘Noxious Weeds i005 0 Ss a ee es B-1
Appendix C. Channel Morphology Classification................-.2eeeceee C-1
Appendix D. Grazing Use on BLM-Administered Lands .................... D-1
Appendix E. Introduced Plant:Species #0...) eee eee E-1
Appendix F.., “Road ‘Densities’>4.0'mi/mi?, 22 Ut SOge WeP eers ae F-1
Appendix G. Stream Habitat Survey Data .....................00ceceee G-1
Appendix H. Schoheim Road Issues and Options ....................-000. H-1
Appendix I. 15% Late-Successional Retention Areas .................-0000e- I-i
Appendix J. Instruction Memorandum No. OR-95-028 .................00-. J-1
Appendix K. Information Bulletin No. OR-97-064 .............0ce0ce0 0ue e K-1
Appendix L. Guidelines for Site Restoration (Native/Non-native Grass) .......... L-1
Appendix M. Roads of Concem 27 1. p24. aie so es ee M-1
iv
Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis - Version 1.1 Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
Watershed analysis is the primary tool for generating information to implement ecosystem
management as directed in the Northwest Forest Plan and the Medford District Resource
Management Plan. The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis describes conditions and
interrelationships of ecosystem components for the Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed. The analysis
focuses on issues and key questions that are most relevant to the management questions, human
values, and resource conditions within the watershed. Management objectives and
recommendations for BLM-administered lands are prioritized based on conclusions reached
through the analysis. The watershed analysis formulates an overall landscape plan and recognizes
the inventory, monitoring, and research needs for the watershed.
The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis was prepared by an interdisciplinary team of resource
professionals and specialists from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ashland Resource Area
and Medford District Staff. Some information regarding the California portion of the watershed
was provided by the BLM Redding Field Office. The watershed analysis team followed the six-
step process outlined in the Ecosystem Analysis at the Watershed Scale, Federal Guide for
Watershed Analysis, version 2.2. The six steps or sections included in the Klamath-Iron Gate
Watershed Analysis are: 1) characterization, 2) issues and key questions, 3) current conditions,
4) reference conditions, 5) syntheses and interpretation of information, and 6) recommendations.
The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis addresses the entire analysis area and is based on
existing information and recent data collection. Where resource information is missing, a data
gap is identified. The watershed analysis process is iterative and new information will be used
to supplement future versions of the analysis.
Public participation for the Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis included two public meetings
in April 1999 and the opportunity to submit written and/or verbal comments. Approximately
1,200 notices regarding the open houses were sent to residents within the analysis area, people
who had previously submitted comments regarding the Cascade/Siskiyou Ecological Emphasis
Area Plan, local agencies, local groups, and the Klamath Tribe, the Quartz Valley Indian
Reservation, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz and
Grand Ronde. The notice provided a map of the area, explained watershed analysis, and included
a comment form for people to mail if they couldn’t attend the open house. The first open house
was held at Bogus Elementary School in Montague, California and the second was at the U.S.
Forest Service’s Ashland Ranger District Office in Ashland, Oregon. The Ashland open house
was for both the Klamath-Iron Gate and Upper Bear Creek Watershed Analyses. The purpose of
the open houses was to give the public the opportunity to share with the watershed analysis team
their ideas, concerns, information regarding the historic or current conditions, and
recommendations on how the watershed should be managed.
Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed Analysis - Version 1.1 Executive Summary
Watershed Characterization
The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed covers approximately 66-square miles (42,360 acres) within
the Upper Klamath River Subbasin. The watershed is located at the intersection of the Klamath
Mountains and the southern Cascade range and extends from the ridge between Soda Mountain
and Pilot Rock in the north to the Iron Gate Reservoir in the south. It includes Scotch Creek to
the west and Fall Creek to the east, but does not include Jenny Creek. The watershed includes
land in both Oregon and California.
Land ownership within the Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed includes: Bureau of Land Management
(18,075 acres), State of California (4,063 acres), and private lands (20,222 acres). Federal land
use allocations include: Matrix, Riparian Reserves, District Defined Reserves, Special Areas (Pilot
Rock Area of Environmental Concern, Scotch Creek Research Natural Area, Bean Cabin
Recreation Site, Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area, Pokegama Wild Horse Management Area and
Cascade/Siskiyou Ecological Emphasis Area), a Special Recreation Management Area (Pacific
Crest National Scenic Trail), and a Wilderness Study Area (Soda Mountain).
Regional public issues reflect the dominant uses of the watershed and include: concerns with off-
highway vehicle use; grazing and timber harvest on public lands; concerns over general
degradation of the natural environment; concerns about fish and water quality; and concerns
regarding Siskiyou/Cascade ecological linkages. Public concerns more specific to this watershed
include: land acquisition for Horseshoe Ranch and management of the Ranch for deer winter
range; Schoheim road; the spread of noxious weeds; the Soda Mt. land exchange; access concerns
(both by those wanting limited access and those wanting unlimited access); closing roads to
prevent wildlife harassment and keeping roads open to provide access for fire suppression; and
concerns over private property rights.
The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
The lower elevations of the watershed are classified as having a low severity fire regime with
frequent, low intensity fires, while the mid-elevations and drier portions of higher elevations have
a moderate fire regime with less frequent fires and varying intensity.
The Klamath-Iron Gate Watershed lies mainly within the Western Cascade Subprovince of the
Cascade Mountain Geologic Province. The terrain within the watershed consists of steep hillsides
and flat valley bottoms. The steeper slopes are subject to mass soil movement during rain-on-
snow or intense storm events.
The northern portion of the watershed is dominated by forest lands intermixed with large patches
of shrublands and woodlands and some grasslands. Tree species in the northwest portion of the
watershed are predominantly Douglas-fir and white fir or incense cedar with sugar pine and
ponderosa pine scattered throughout. Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine dominate the northeastern
portion with some incense cedar and white fir. The southern portion of the watershed is composed
of juniper, shrubs, and grasses. There are 13 populations (three species) of special status vascular
plants known to exist within the watershed and four sites (three species) of Survey and Manage
plants. Noxious weed species known to occur within the watershed include St. Johnswort
(Klamath weed), yellow starthistle, and medusahead wildrye. Other non-native species that have
Vi