Watershed Analysis is a process that characterizes watershed conditions affecting aquatic habitat through multi-disciplinary scientific analyses. These analyses are used to project future trends in watershed conditions. Using these projections, in consultation with state and federal agencies and after extensive public review, the Watershed Analysis Team generates forestry management and monitoring recommendations specific to each watershed. Watershed analysis includes evaluation of several critical aquatic habitat indicators, and usually includes:
- Potential for landslides (mass wasting).
- Potential risk of soil movement from roads or exposed forest soils (surface and point erosion).
- Potential changes in stream flows (hydrology or hydrologic change).
- Shade cover and tree size near streams (riparian function).
- Large logs, spawning gravel, and deep pools in streams (stream channel condition).
- Habitat and distribution of fish (fish habitat condition or fisheries assessment).
- Habitat and distribution of amphibians and reptiles (amphibian & reptile assessment).
The evaluation process culminates in a discussion of the cumulative effects of forestry operations within the watershed, taking into consideration the land use history, geology, topography, climate, and ecology of the watershed (“Cumulative Watershed Effects” for HRC, “Synthesis” for MRC). In these documents, specific issues are identified and management recommendations are made. After management recommendations are implemented, certain watershed conditions may be monitored to determine whether the recommendations are having the desired outcome. The monitoring process may then result in a reevaluation of the watershed management recommendations specific to that area. HRC finished watershed analysis for all watersheds in 2011, and immediately began the re-evaluation process. The Elk River/Salmon Creek revisit was completed in 2014, the Freshwater Creek revisit was completed in 2018.
Watershed analysis reports for MRC and HRC are available via the links below. Please note that some of the reports are large and may take a few minutes to load.
