Project Level Watershed Analysis McBride Springs Campground ...

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Project Level Watershed Analysis Description A project level watershed analysis (PLWA) is deemed necessary for the Project because in order to remove hazard trees it will be necessary to enter the McBride Springs intermittent riparian reserves in the absence of a comprehensive basin-scale (5 th field ) watershed analysis. This PLWA will focus on how the proposed activity could affect attaining Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives as required by the forest plan. The format for this PLWA follows the same organization as that used to analyze a basinscale watershed, while excluding analysis on anything not directly related to the project 8 th field HUC. Chapters 1. Characterization 2. ID issues and Key questions. 3. Description of current condition. 4. Description of reference conditions. 5. Synthesis and Interpretation of Information. 6. Recommendations. The information in Chapters 1, 3, 4 and 5 is needed to assess the issue within the context of the physical and biological features, biological processes and human uses in the watershed. Information in Chapters 2 and 6 is mostly limited to issue recommendations. Chapter 1: Project and Watershed Characterization Chapter 1 briefly characterizes the Project area and its relationship to the PLWA area. Public lands within the McBride Springs 7 th field watershed are managed under the Mount Shasta Management Area direction. 2 The management area is 69,282 acres, much larger than the McBride Springs watershed (7,803 acres), and is composed of Matrix Prescription III Roaded Recreation (91%), with the remaining managed for Riparian Reserves and Heritage Resource Protection as follows: Desired Future Condition: The Mount Shasta Management Area is managed predominantly for Cultural and historic values, visual quality and recreational values. The forest plan notes that “With the exception of developed campgrounds, Forest Service facilities are meeting visitor demand. This need is balanced by campground facilities in the private sector.” Vegetation management activities are consistent with the above mentioned values in this Management Area. 2 USDA-FS, LRMP (Shasta-Trinity National Forests, 1995) Ch. 4-83. Project Level Watershed Analysis McBride Springs Campground Diseased Trees Removal Project
Riparian Reserves are applied along both sides of rivers, stream, lakes and wetlands. Riparian Reserves appear as natural corridors throughout the Matrix. 3 Management activities are evident but subordinate to the viewer within this area. Supplemental Management Direction includes: “Manage for a high level of water quality of important domestic water sources at …McBride Springs…” 4 Water samples are taken at all developed recreation sites on the forest and sent to a water quality laboratory for analysis and approval for culinary use prior to opening the campground for the public. 5 The upper two-thirds of the watershed is public land while the lower third includes the city of Mount Shasta and private land ownership. General characteristics for the project and watershed area are shown in the following table: Characteristics Project Area Watershed Analysis Area Area (square miles) 10 acres 7,803 acres Elevation Range (feet) The elevation of the project area ranges between 4800 to 5000 feet. Elevations range from 7623 feet on Mount Shasta to approximately 4800. Relief (Slope Gradients) Slopes in the project area are Upper slopes in the watershed are generally 5% becoming greater than very steep, greater than 100%; mid- 10% upslope and downslope from the project area. slopes, 100%; alluvial fan, greater than 10%. Aspect South – facing South - facing Geology Basalt and andesite boulders lie Andesitic strato-volcano with basalt above the campground, forming a colluvial fan with finer material downslope of the campground. ridges. Geomorphology At base of basalt lava flow adjacent Slopes are formed by lava flow to large drainage with evidence of features forming ridges on a more frequent avalanche and debris flow uniform flank as well as frequent activity. rock falls. Hydrology Snowmelt during the warmer summer months activates several small Intermittent streams and springs occur within the analysis area intermittent springs and streams in includes a portion of a narrow, the project area. During very wet avalanche dominated drainage, periods, closure of some campsites is required. Cascade Gulch, lying east of the project area. Infiltration rates into the coarse boulder dominated substrate is high. Intermittent flow from infrequent rapid snowmelt events bypasses the project area. Vegetation White fir, ponderosa pine, incense Mixed conifer forest with dense (Forested Areas) cedar with occasional Douglas fir. Ponderosa pine and incense cedar understory and brushfields of Arctostaphylos and Ceanothus contains dwarf mistletoe. Annosus occur in the watershed. 3 LRMP Ch. 4-84 to 85. 4 LRMP Ch. 4-86. 5 Results for the McBride Campground water tests are available on file at the Mount Shasta Ranger District. Project Level Watershed Analysis McBride Springs Campground Diseased Trees Removal Project
Page 1: Project Level Watershed Analysis Mc
Page 5 and 6: The project area is located in the
Page 7 and 8: 7 th Field Hydrologic unit code 180
Page 9 and 10: Light campground recreational activ
Page 11: Examples of management activities t

Project Level Watershed Analysis McBride Springs Campground ...

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