Large Woody Debris in Valley Creek By: Conan McCarty

Observation/Prior Knowledge The reach lacked sufficient riparian vegetation and was chronically low in large woody debris being historically cleared out. Himalayan blackberries dominated the area suffocating most native plant species. As a result suitable sized spawning gravel was a scarce find in the river valley. A real issue in the reach was the absence of functioning large woody debris that was recruited from the existing riparian forest. The average amount of wood in the stream was what would be considered ten percent of the wood found in a similar sized old growth forest stream. The composition of the riparian forest then mainly consisted of red alder which decomposes quickly upon entering the water providing very little habitat for juvenile salmon. The ideal population of trees that we would like to find in the riparian forest is a mixture of both coniferous trees ( large diameter ) and deciduous trees. What further hinders the riparian cover is the clearing of trees to maintain power lines that parallel the creak. The reach lacked sufficient riparian vegetation and was chronically low in large woody debris being historically cleared out. Himalayan blackberries dominated the area suffocating most native plant species. As a result suitable sized spawning gravel was a scarce find in the river valley. A real issue in the reach was the absence of functioning large woody debris that was recruited from the existing riparian forest. The average amount of wood in the stream was what would be considered ten percent of the wood found in a similar sized old growth forest stream. The composition of the riparian forest then mainly consisted of red alder which decomposes quickly upon entering the water providing very little habitat for juvenile salmon. The ideal population of trees that we would like to find in the riparian forest is a mixture of both coniferous trees ( large diameter ) and deciduous trees. What further hinders the riparian cover is the clearing of trees to maintain power lines that parallel the creak.

Question How effective was the valley creek restoration in restoring the LWD composition in Valley creeks semi- natural reach? How effective was the valley creek restoration in restoring the LWD composition in Valley creeks semi- natural reach?

Hypothesis If I collect data on the current LWD composition in valley creeks semi natural reach then I expect to find that the LWD composition in the semi natural reach to be similar if not the same as the composition in I expect this result because the time that has past from then to now is no were near long enough for any coniferous trees to grow up to minimal functioning size. Also the trees in that area are annually cut down or trimmed up to maintain power lines that parallel the creek. If I collect data on the current LWD composition in valley creeks semi natural reach then I expect to find that the LWD composition in the semi natural reach to be similar if not the same as the composition in I expect this result because the time that has past from then to now is no were near long enough for any coniferous trees to grow up to minimal functioning size. Also the trees in that area are annually cut down or trimmed up to maintain power lines that parallel the creek.

Hypothesis Continued However, the Elwha tribe installed logs in the reach so other than the logs I don’t expect to find any natural progress in the LWD composition. However, the Elwha tribe installed logs in the reach so other than the logs I don’t expect to find any natural progress in the LWD composition.

Materials Measurement tape meters in length Measurement tape meters in length Measuring rod 5-7 meters long Measuring rod 5-7 meters long Rail road chalk Rail road chalk Log calipers, Biltmore stick, or loggers tape Log calipers, Biltmore stick, or loggers tape Standard field and vehicle gear (appendix D) Standard field and vehicle gear (appendix D)

Procedures 1) Gather materials 2) Follow the LWD level 1 survey procedure 3) Use the timber fish and wild life (TFW) procedures 4) Compare data collected to data from 1998