HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 Dosewalips Watershed AnalysisIlk
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Prepared for
USDA Forest Service
Olympic National'Forest
by the Dosewallips Watershed Analysis Team
February 26, 1999
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Dosewallips
Watershed Analysis
Team Members
Module Leaders/Writers
Steve Ricketts
Quilcene Ranger District
Team Leader/Vegetation/Social
Mike Donald
Quilcene Ranger District
Fish
Ron Hausinger
Mt Baker /Snolqualmie N. F. Darrington R. D.
Hydrology /Channel Morphology
Stacy Lemieux
Quilcene Ranger District
Wildlife/T&E Plants & Animals
Leslie Lingley
Olympic N. F. Supervisors Office
Geology/Mass Wasting/Erosion
Scott Schreier
Quilcene Ranger District
GIS Maps
V.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 1
Landscape Functions 1
Aquatic Trends 2
Social Patterns 3
Recommendations
3
Restoration Recommendations
- 3
Opportunities for Commodity Production
4
Informational Needs
4
Characterization
, S
Introduction
5
Description
5
Location
5
Landforms
5
Climate
6
Geology /Geomorphology e,.
6
Ownership
8
Vegetation
8
Aquatic
8
Social/People
9
References:
9
Issues and Key Questions
10
Issues
10
Landscape Function
10
Aquatic Function
10
Social Systems:
10
Key Questions _
Landscape Function
Aquatic Function _
Social Systems _
10
.10
11
11
Landscape Functions 12
Vegetation Reference Conditions
Vegetation Patterns Key Questions
Range of Natural Variability
Landscape Pattern
Fire as a Disturbance Factor_
Vegetation Response to Fire
Wind as a Disturbance Factor
12
12
.12
13
13
16
17
Insects and Disease as Disturbance Factors --
18
Mass Wasting as a Disturbance Factor
18
Timber Harvest as a Disturbance Factor
19
Non - Native Plant Species as a Disturbance Factor
20
Vegetation Current Conditions
20
Current Vegetation Key Questions --
20
Vegetation Zones
20
Forest Vegetation Structure - -
21
Forest Development
22
Existing Vegetation
23
Quantitative Distribution of Forest Development
24
Age 0 -20 Years:
24
Age 21-80 Years:
24
Age 81 -200 Years:
24
Age 200 plus Years:
25
Disturbances
25
Plant Species of Concern
25
Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Vascular Plant Species
25
Survey and Manage Species
26
Endemic Vascular Plant Species
27
Noxious Weeds And Other lavasive Non= Native Species
27
Wildlife Conditions
27
Wildlife Key Questions
28
Threatened and Endangered Species. _
29
Northern Spotted Owl
29
General information -
29
Reference and Current Conditions
29
Forest Service Opportunities
33
Marbled Murrelet
34
General information
34
Reference and Current Conditions
34
Forest Service Opportunities
35
Bald Eagle
General information
36
Reference and Current Conditions
36
Forest Service Opportunities
37
Peregrine Falcon
37
General Information
37
Reference and Current conditions
38
Forest Service Opportunities
38
Gray Wolf
38
General Information
38
Reference and Current conditions
39
Forest Service Opportunities
39
Aquatic Functions
Stream Flow Key Questions
Water Quantity
Hydrologic Processes
Rain -on -Snow and Precipitation
Peak and Mean Discharges _
47
47
47
47
--48
50
,%�
Monthly Mean Discharge 52
Water Quality Reference
53
Key Questions
53
Mass Wasting
54 ? .
Land Use and Mass Wasting per subwatershed
54
Methods
55
Air Photo Interpretation
55
Slope Morphology
55
Purpose of Slope Morphology Model
56
Model Components
56
Model Assumptions
56
Model Limitations
57
Model Testing
57
Olympic National Forest Alterations to Slope Morphology Model
59
Riparian Reserves
58
_Water Quality Current
58 J� -0
Conductivity
59
Dissohred Oxygen
59
Oxygen Saturation Percentage
59
pH
59
Fecal Coliform
60
Suspended Solids
60
Total Persul%te Nitrogen
60
Ammonia Nitrogen
60
Total Phosphorus
60
Dissohred Soluble Phosphorus
60
Turbidity - -
60
Nitrate
60
Dosewalfips Channel Assessment
60 'Y
Drainage patterns
61
Turner and Walker Creek subwatersheds
61
Lower and Middle Dosewallips Subwatershed
61
Upper Dosewallips, West Fork, and Hidden and Twin Creek Subwatershed
61
Rocky Brook
61
Riparian and Wetlands Reference conditions.
62 N' `=
Shade
62
Coarse Woody Debris
62
Riparian and Wetlands Current Conditions
Coarse Woody Debris Recruitment Potential_
Forest Type
Shade
62
64
64
Fisheries
65
Aquatic Species Habitat Key Questions
65
Introduction
65
Methods, Data Sources, Strength of Analysis
65
Background
65
Hood Canal' Salmon Management
66
Reference Conditions
67
Fish Community
67
Species
67
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Habitat 68
Current Conditions 68
Fish Species Inhabiting the Area
68
Stock Status
70
Bull Trout
71
Coho
71
Chum, Summer and Fall
71
Steelhead, Summer and Winter
72
Cutthroat
72
Chinook
72
Pink
73
Coast Range Sculpin
73.
Prickly sculpin
73
Habitat
73
Matrix Baseline Habitat Conditions
74
Subpopulation characteristics (bull trout only)
74
Water Quality
75
Temperature
75
Sediment
75
Chemical contaminants/nutrients
75
Habitat Access -
75
Habitat Elements
Large Woody Debris (LWD)
Pool Frequency and Quality
Large Pools
Off -Channel Habitat
Refu&
76
76
76
76
76
76
Channel Condition and Dynamics
77
Width/Depth Ratio
77
Streambank Condition
77
Flood plain Connectivity
77
Flow/Hydrology
77
Change in Peak/Base Flows
77
Increase in Drainage Network
77
Watershed Conditions • -.
77
Road Density and Location
77
Disturbance History
78
Riparian Conservation Areas/Riparian Reserves
78
Disturbance Regime
78
Integration of species and Habitat Condition (bull trout)
78
Restoration
81
Establishing Refugia
81
Restoration Efforts
82
General Analysis Area Recommendations
Site - Specific Recommendations
References 83
Social Systems 86
Key Questions
86
Pre - European Settlement 86
Archaeology 86
Ethnography 87
Post - European Settlement
89
�ggg
90
Mining
90
Transportation
90
Water Use
91
Civilian Conservation Corps
91
Communities and Occupation 92
Values and Uses
92
Terrestrial
92
Timber Harvest
92
Special Forest Products
93
Agriculture
93
Transportation
93
Roads
93
Power Lines
93
Radio Relay
Rods Sources
Wildlife
Aquatic
- — - 93
93
93
94
Fish
94
Hydropower
94
Water
94
Social
94
Cultural Resources
94
Treaty Rights
94
Recreational Use
95
Desired Products
95
References:
96
Trends
_97
Landscape Patterns
97
Erosion 97
Fire 97
Wildlife — _ - 98
Vegetation 98
Aquatic Trends 98
Social Patterns
References
99
Interpretation
100
Interrelationships
100
References
102
Recommendations and Opportunities
103
Desired Conditions
Land and Resource Plan for the Olympic National Forest (1990)
103
103
Northwest Forest Plan {1994) 103
Riparian Reserves 104
I
Riparian Reserve Designation
104
Stream Class
105
Site Potential - Tree Height
105
Slope Distance - measurement
105
Unstable or Potentially Unstable Slopes
105
Riparian Reserve Map
106
MantiScation of Riparian Boundaries in the Field
106
Intermittent Streams
107
Wetlands
108
Restoration and Habitat Condition Improvement
108
General Analysis Area Recommendations
108
Specific Recommendations
109
Rocky Brook
110
Dosewallips
110
Jackson Creek and Marble Creek
111
Information Needs 111
References 111
Appendix
1. Geomorphic Map Units
—1— List of NWFP Survey and Manage plant and fungus species, known, suspected, or possible in
the Dosewallips watershed.
3. fist of other wildlife species known to occur, or with the potential to occur,iri the analysis
area.
4. Tables: Vegetative Dishubances Dosewallips Basin Subwatersheds; and Decade-
Percentages.
List of Tables
Table 1 Fire History of Dosewallips Watershed
Table 2 Summary of Fire History Statistics by Vegetation Zone, Olympic National Forest (adapted.
from Henderson, et al. 1989)
Table '3 Regeneration Harvest History
Table 4 Forested Vegetation Zones
Table 5 Percent Forest Vegetation Zone by Successional Stage Forest
Table 6 Analysis Acres by Ageclass
Table 7 Forest Service Sensitive Plants with Potential to Occur in the Dosewallips Watershed
Table 8 Endemic Vascular Plant Species with the Potential to Occur in the Analysis Area
Table 9 Wildlife Analysis Species
Table 10 Reproductive history for activity centers on National Forest land in the Dosewallips watershed
Table 11 Acres of owl habitat near known activity centers d
Table 12 Dosewallips Basin subwatersheds
Table 13 Data acquired from DNR Rain -on -snow model
Table 14 Mass Wasting be Sub - watersheds (Number of Failures),
Table 15 Number of Failures by Land Use
Table 16 Percent Susceptibility to Shallow Mass Wasting
Table 17 Estimated Total Stream Length CWD Recruitment Potential
Table 18 Estimated CWD Recruitment Potential within the National Forst Boundary
Table 19 Estimated Total Stream Length Riparian Forest Type
Table 20 Estimated National Forest Riparian Forest Type
Table 21 Fishes likely inhabiting the analysis area prior to European settlement
Table 22 Miles of utilized habitat
Table 23 Fish Distribution
Table 24 Status of Fishes in the Analysis Area summarized from published reports
Table 25 Watershed processes affecting salmonids and their stream habitats
Table 26 Road Miles per Square Mile
Table 27 Bull Trout
Table 28 Chinook, coho, steelhead, cutthroat
Table 29 Chum, Summer and Fall & Pink Salmon
Table 30 Locally significant habitat
Table 31 Criteria for defining interim Riparian Reserve widths and proposed changes.
Table 32 Height and Age Relationship to PAG
List of Figures
Figare 1 Historical Change in Forest Successional Stages, 1600 -1993 by Decades
Figure 2 Dosewallips River Subwatershed Weighted Annual Precipitation
Figure 3 DoseRallips River Weighted, 10 year - 24 hour Storm Precipitation
Figure 4 Comparison of annual peak discharge chart ofDuckabush and Doscwallips rivers.
Figure 5 Annual peak discharge chart of Dosewailips Tributary, USGS Gauging stations #12053400
Figure-6 Dosewallips & Duckabush Monthly Mean Discharge
List of Maps
Map 1 Vicinity
Map 2 Subwatersheds with Streams & Wetlands
Map 3 Geologic Units
Map 4 Administrative Boundaries /Ownership
Map 5 Historic Fire Activity
Map 6 Forested Vegetation Zones
Map 7 Age Class
Map 8 .Spotted Owl Habitat
Map 9 Marbled Murrelet Habitat
Map 10 Precipitation Zones
Map 11 Slope Failure Susceptibility
Map 12 Stream Gradient
Map 13 Upper Extent of Fish Distribution
Map 14 Riparian Reserve
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Executive Summary
The President's Forest Management Plan, called the Northwest Forest Plan (`NWFP ") mandates a
watershed analysis for the Dosewallips River Watershed. In response to this mandate, a team formed to
compile this document. The team used the 6 step federal method.
The NWFP provides direction for the Watershed Analysis. In addition, other plans provide direction for
the management of lands within the Dosewallips Watershed Analysis Area. These plans include:
The Olympic National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) of 1990, as
amended by the President's Plan of 1994 provides management direction for National Forest
System lands within the National Forest portion of the Dosewallips Watershed
Other laws winch give direction for management within the watershed include: Federal Clean
Water Act Reauthorization, National Forest Management Act, Endangered Species Act and
Growth Management Act.
The Dosewallips watershed includes the river and tributaries. It also includes the Turner watershed to the
north and Walkers watershed to the south that both flow directly into Hood Canal.
This watershed analysis uses and builds on the previous research and plans. Information was obtained
from literature review, maps, personal communications and aerial photography.
Landscape Functions
The trend in wildfires on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula has been a stand replacement fire
approximately every 200 years. The most recent wildfire on this scale, however, occurred in 1701.
The recurrent nature of fire in this watershed produced a cyclical vegetative condition. Early seral forest
stretched across the landscape every 200 years for a 15 -20 year period Then forest went through mid-
seral stages for about 150 years. Finally, late - seral conditions were prevalent during the last couple of
decades before the next fire started the cycle over again. For this reason, wildlife populations were no
doubt cyclical as well, with those species that could do well in the available habitat expanding their
populations until the forest evolved past their requirements.
Traditionally in the Dosewallips watershed, a landscape -scale disturbance (fire) has been followed by a
long recovery period. The trend in timber harvest activity is best described as a "chronic" disteubance:
small disturbances, distributed across the watershed, occur at regular intervals with very little or no
recovery time. The road building associated with harvest may Have greater impacts on aquatic systems
than the removal of vegetation.
Timber harvest has not significantly reduced or increased the number of acres of any vegetation age group
beyond what would have occurred naturally at some point in the wildfire cycle. It has altered the quality
of each habitat type relative to what would be natural in the cycle. Historically, not every fire was a 100
Percent stand replacement Sire. Many fires left stringers along riparian corridors or cooler pockets, and
small patches of timber within the fire area due to fire behavior factors, as well as leaving snags and
downed material that became habitat. The amount and duration of coarse woody debris that was deposited
into streams differed between fires and timber harvest practices. Use of block, clear -cut harvest methods
did not leave residual trees, snags and biomass on the ground as did naturally occurring fire. On the
National Forest, the trend in harvest activities has decreased significantly since 1990. On State and
private lands, harvesting is still continuing though more care may be given to providing a diversity df
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habitat types than has been in the last few decades. The focus will remain on providing a timber
commodity.
Timber harvest has resulted in a scattering of early -seal forest on National Forest land, mostly in the
Rocky Brook drainage. On private lands, most of what would naturally be mid-seral forest has been
harvested in the last 20 years, increasing the amount of early- seaal forest substantially. The quality of
early - seaal forest is thought to be lower than the historic range of natural variability. The amount of
coarse woody debris found in young plantations after timber harvest is lower than what likely remained
after a fire. More red alder is likely to occur 'in young stands now than'. in the past after the episodic fires.
Once timber harvest began, mineral soil was-exposed to ,a much larger extent. Alder moved intoweas of .
exposed soil
Mid - seaal forest, which would be dominant across the landscape under the wildfire regime, is extensive on
National Forest lands. Commercially thinned stands develop lato-seral characteristics more rapidly. This
has improved the suitability of the otherwise dense forest for many species. However, forests that
originated -from harvest or that have been commercially thinned have fewer snags.and down logs than
normal.
Late- successional forest species have suffered the greatest habitat loss due to management. Timber
harvest typically focuses on the. timber of greatest value, which usually means the oldest and largest trees.
Species dependent on snags and/or down.wood also have been impacted by the switch from fire to
management. There is less coarse woody to provide nesting, foraging, and resting sites for many species.
Without management, this lack of key habitat components will continue until the stand begins providing
coarse wood naturally.
Whatever vegetative conditions exist at a given time, there will always be wildlife species that can thrive
in the available habitat and others that will do poorly or have to move to another area. Therefore, :it is
never passible to say that a change is good" or "bad ". for wildlife -,'it always benefits some and burins
Others.
The trend of non- native<plant invasion across the entire watershed can be assumed to be increasing, and
will continue to increase in the future.
Aquatic Trends
Riparian habitat has evolved from fire dominated to management with timber harvesting. Current „
understanding has developed of the need for coarse woody debris in the streams, and the shading of
streams. Management techniques on federally managed lands now include leaving riparian buffers with
their components. This 'is a significant change in trends for riparian management.
Historically, there was a hardwood component in the riparian vegetation, but probably not as significant
as at present. With the harvesting of timber, alder and other hardwoods likely.became much more
numerous because of the open conditions and bare mineral soil. The reduction in harvest emphasis on the
National Forest creates conditions that will result in less hardwoods in the future as existing stands age
and decline:
Most of the fish distribution is likely the same as in historical times, defined by geologic barriers for
anadromous species and steep headwater reaches for resident species. Introduced fish species include
brook trout and west slope cutthroat trout in the lakes at higher elevations. The introduced species are
managed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Fish passage has not changed
significantly from historical conditions. Some utilization may be blocked by culverts, but amount to
relatively little habitat.
~ Social Patterns
The use of the watershed and demand for products is strong and has been increasing since European .
settlement A public environmental awareness trend has also developed recently. The NWFP indicates a
significant trend in change in public attitude and the objectives for managing public lands. This came
about from the public pressure on elected officials to change management objectives for ecosystem
management.
Recommendations
Direction for this iteration of the analysis for the Dosewallips River watershed is to look at the entire
watershed, but to concentrate recommendations on the National Forest.
The desired conditions on the National Forest are described in the Olympic National Forest Management
Plan (ONF Plan) .(USDA 1990) as modified by the NWFP.
Riparian reserves as described in the NWFP are continued with this analysis. No criteria were identified
to change their boundaries.. This analysis includes guides to help identify boundaries for individual
Projects-
Restoration Recommendations
Following stand removal, reforestation should occur as soon as possible. This includes species
manipulation to manage for disease conditions. The stands should have stocking control and be managed
to minimize hardwood competition with conifers, though alder should remain a component within stands,
including patches for deciduous forest users.
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Plantations should be thinned when they become overstocked to encourage growth and size development
of trees. Overstocked mid -seral stands could be thinned to promote development of the understory for
eventual release.
Areas with large diameter remnant trees and sioags should be protected to retain late-successional
attributes for dependent species.
Coarse woody debris and snags need to be mange and generally need to be increased. Cavities new to
be developed in mid - successional stands. Remnant trees should be protected to retain late- successional
attributes where available.
Forested riparian buffers that are resistant to blowdown are needed to provide sufficient shade, habitat,
and cover, and to provide for future recruitment of coarse woody debris. Wetland vegetation should be
protected and restored in complexity and for water quality /quantity.
In order to meet AMA and LSR objectives, wildfire must be minimized.
The toilets at Elkhorn campground may be impacting water quality and should be checked and possibly
upgraded to protect water quality.
The Elkhorn campground has two sites, #1 and #2, which have been impacted by the Dosewallips River.
The stability and safety of the other sites appears fair during flood prone events (Rosgen). The rest of the
campground is protected by a rip rap embankment for most of its length This upper area appears stable
during events of flood prone or less. This campground evaluation should be addressed in an
Environmental Assessment to meet the Aquatic Conservation Strategy. The bank appears stable except
for the lower portion consisting of sites 1 and 2. Camp sites at risk should be considered for moving._
further inland
Conduct a geotechnical investigation to improve the drainage at Case Creek to prevent annual damage to
the road. This Creek is the down slope extent of a large converging headwater area and the source cannot
be stabilized. A suggestion would be to reestablish the natural channel downward on the path of least
resistance, and also remove the existing altered channel. Install an engineered, stream/road intersection
that will accommodate the 100 year flood plus debris discharges from this drainage
Additional specific recommendations on the National Forest are suggested in the Recommendations
section.
Opportunities for Commodity Production
Thinning of forest stands can provide a variety of benefits, including timber harvest and special forest
products. Often these activities will improve habitat conditions, or the rate that the stand reaches
improved conditibns.
Stand management activities that develop the stands at a quicker rate and increase quality of potential
products`should be encouraged such as pruning and fertilizing.
Informational Needs
There needs to be a continuous eoosystem inventory to monitor stand and habitat conditions and know
when treatments are needed. This includes wetlands and forested wet areas, as well as fish and wildlife
species.
Continue long -term research that has been started
Monitor any modifications to channel characteristics.
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Characterization
Introduction
This watershed analysis is being done as recommended by the NWFP. The Aquatic Conservation
Strategy, within the NWFP, has several key components such as Riparian Reserve area designation, Key
Watershed designation, Watershed Analysis process and Watershed Restoration.
Watershed analysis will be used as a basis for ecosystem planning and management within the
Dosewallips watershed. The information from watershed analysis will be used to develop priorities for
funding, and implementing actions and projects, and will be used in developing monitoring strategies and
objectives (USDA and USDI 1994). All management activities by the Forest Service will be conducted to
"maintain and restore" the ecological health of the watersheds. "Complying with the Aquatic
Conservation Strategy objectives means that an agency must manage the riparian-dependent resources to
maintain the .existing condition or implement actions to restore conditions" (USDA and USDI 1994).
The purpose of watershed analysis is to develop and document a scientifically based understanding of the .
ecological structures, functions, processes and interactions occurring within a watershed From this
understanding, trends, conditions, and restoration opportunities can be identified. The analysis contained
in this document examines the interplay of %egetation, soils, water quality and quantity; wildlife and fish
in the Dosewallips Analysis Area. This document collects and compiles information from the watershed
that can aid in providing an understanding and a better base for firturt decision making. This is not a
decision document.
Watershed analysis is an ongoing, iterative process. This report is intended to be a dynamic document. As
such, the document combines and analyzes existing data; subject to revision as new information becomes
available. Additionally, gaps m information will be highlighted for future iterations. Major sources
utilized in this document include: Land and Resource Plan for the Olympic National Forest (USDA,
1990), and the Record of Decision for Amendihents to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (USDA & USDI, 1994). This fix a
iteration will consider issues,and conditions throughout the watershed, but will analyze management
options and provide recommendations for only National Forest lands.
Descdpdon
Location
The Dosewallips River is located in the southern portion of Jefferson County in Water Resource Inventory
Area (WRiA) 16. It begins in the snowfields of the Olympic mountains and flows to the east to Hood
Canal. It is a Tier 1 Key watershed The Watershed analysis Area also includes Turner Creek to the
north and Walkers Creek to the south, both of which flow directly into Hood Canal.
Landforms
The combination of geology, glaciation, and natural weathering processes, has created a topography
ranging from alluvial and glacial valley bottoms and relatively gentle slopes in the eastern part of the
watershed to the rugged and steep terrain associated with near vertical slopes and dissected incised valley
side slopes in the headwaters. The highest peaks are at 6600 feet in elevation and the mouth of the
Dosewallips is at sea level.
+ i
Most valleys north of the Dosewallips River have V- shaped profiles at low elevation and broad cirque -
shaped basins at high altitude (Lingley and others, 1997).
The western headwaters of the Dosewallips River are wide glacial valleys,
The landscape in the Dosewallips Watershed has been characterized into seven Geomorphic Map Units
based on geomorphology, drainage density, mass wasting frequency; and ,geology. Please see Appendix, l
for additional information.
Climate
The weather is primarily affected by wind direction, terrain, and location of high and low pressure centers
over the North Pacific Ocean. The overall result is a temperate, west coast marine climate that generally
yields _ wet winters and relatively dry summers. The watershed is generally in the rain shadow of the
Olympic mountains and becomes dryer as one mom the north and east. Lmal precipitation quantities
are greatly influenced .. local
ves
grey y � by topographic characteristics. Precipitation ranges; froth 60 inches per Year
along Hood Canal to aver 120 inches per year at Nit. Anderson at the headwaters.
Geology /Geomorphology
Numerous forces formed the Olympic Peninsula's landscape. Tectonic plate movement, uplifting, erosion,
and glacial activity worked over millions of years to shape the landscape seen today. However, ia.
comparison with. most of North .America, the Olympic Peninsula's development over 50 million years,
makes it quite young (Jamestown SWallam Tribe, 1994).
Oceanic Crust
The oldest rocks, approximately 50 million years old, are oceanic crustal basalts formed and transported
away from an "oceanic ridge" toward the North American continental plate, and associated seamdunts. In
the usual tectonic progression, the dense oceanic - crustal material would be ultimately subducted under the
lighter continental - crustal plate and reabsorbed into the underlying mantle. However, a piece of plate
broke o$ surfaced, and " docked" .against the pre- existing continental margin when subduction shifted
west beyond.the western margin of this plate fragment creating the Olympic Peninsula.
Rise of the Olympic Mountains
The shin of subduction to a new line west of the peninsula and Vancouver Island began filling a new
trench with sediments scraped off the subducting oceanic crust from the west and sediments carried out
from the continent to the east. Eventually these trench deposits, lighter than the overlying crustal rock of
the peninsula, pushed up and eastward to form the Olympic Mountains, or the "core rocks ". These rocks,
being west of the basalts, were not protected from the intense tectonic activity. Consequently, these
mountain rocks are severely twisted, folded, and metamorphosed from the heat and pressure of the trench
and the subsequent uplift Their contact with the peripheral rocks is marked by faults circling the north,
east; and south portions of the mountains (Jamestown Mallam. Tribe, 1994).
Bedrock Geology
Bedrock in the portion of the watershed occupied by the National Forest is essentially composed of tertiary
Crescent Formation basalt consisting of complexly folded marine basalt, breacias, terestrial basalt and
some small interbeds of siltstones, shales, and sandstone (Tabor and Cady, 1978, Dosewallips Geology;
see map 3) The Crescent Formation units are comprised of a, lower (Tcb) submarine sequence and an
upper (Tcbb) subaerial member (Clark, 1989) The lower submarine member consists ofbasalts that are
commonly;pillowed and are interbedded with submarine sedimentary rocks. The Upper Crescent
Formation consists almost entirely of subaerW columnar or randomly fractured basalt. .
Rocks in the West Fork Dosewallips and Hidden and Twin Creeks, repeat an outcrop pattern of massive
micaceous sandstone with less than 60 % siltstone and slate (Tnm) to thin bedded slate and siltstone with
s
less than 30 %sandstone (Tnt). Mappable pockets of micaceous sandstone are mapped separately by
Tabor and Cady where outcrops are abundant and or thick beds of sandstone are continuous. The bedrock
in the headwaters of the Dosewallips is again sandstone of the Grand Valley Lithic Assemblage (Tgs) but
with 40 -701/o siltstone slate and minor phyllite.
The north -south trending Gray Wolf Fault zone is the contact between the Tnt and the Tgs sandstone
units and this fault zone continues to the south to become the Southern Fault zone which separates the
basalt from the sedimentary units forming the horseshoe of volcanic sediments within the Olympic
Peninsula.
The headwaters of the Dosewallips is comprised of foliated sandstone with 10 to 50% slate and phyllite
interbeds of the Elwba Lithic Assemblage (Tess). Beds are vertical to overturned and form impressive
peaks such as Mount Anderson and Diamond Mountain.
Sediments within this watershed consist of alluvial deposits reworked by the river to both continental and
alpine glacial deposits. Thin hillslope soils in the upper watershed are derived from sedimentary rocks
and shallow volcanically derived soils occupy the lower portions of the watershed. Large debris fans (Ql
on the geologic map) up to 2500 It by 15W ft have accumulated along the north side of the West Fork
Dosewallips River, along Hidden and Twin Creeks, and in the upper reaches of Silt Creek.
There are young glacial moraine deposits (Qm) in the Headwaters Dosewallips and Silt Creek and at the
headwater area of Mount Mystery.
Glacial Geology
The past 2 million years, extending up to 10,000 Years ago, was an "ice age" that repeatedly reshaped the
region by glaciers. Four or more Coidilleran ice sheets, moving down from British Columbia,
accomplished major reshaping of the foothills and lowlands. The Puget lobe pushed down the Puget
lowland to a few miles beyond Olympia (Jamestown SWallam Tribe, 1994).
The greatest extent of coverage by continental ice was reached during the Salmon Springs Glaciation,
somewhat earlier than 35,000 years ago.
The erosive action of the ice- sheets over -riding the lowland area, rounded and smoothed the terrain. The
glaciers also deposited multiple layers of compacted and unconsolidated sediments throughout this area
A large glacier flowed down the Dosewallips valley and apparently terminated at the sound and beyond.
There has been Olympic alpine glacial deposits found as far as 4 miles away from the mouth of the
Dosewallips river which would indicate that these deposits may represent a portion of an extensive
outwash plain laid down when the valley glaciers were active.(Long 1975).
About 6 miles above the mouth of the Dosewallips River, the local glacier appears to have been about
2800 feet thick. At its maximum size the glacier overflowed though the broad 2450 - 3000 - foot -high
saddle between the river and Rocky Brook and spilled through the Rocky Brook valley. The Upper part
of Rocky Brook is a narrow and steep channel that does not head in a cirque, but there is evidence on the
east side of the channel of glaciation, (Long 1975). The valley remains wide for approximately one mile
and then constricts again to its confluence with the Dosewallips River.
Postglacial changes resulting in present terrain
The Cordilleran ice sheets weighed heavily on the earth's crust, causing depressions in the surface of
hundreds of feet. Concurrently, sea levels were lowered due to water trapped in glaciers. Evidence exists
indicating the last glacial episode to affect the region receded rapidly, with the ice sheet thinning, floating
and breaking up in the eastern Strait, as temperatures rose. The sea -level rise was accordingly rapid, and
coastal lowlands, fi-eed from glacier ice, were submerged under marine waters. The rebound of the earth's
crust was more gradual, returning to equilibrium level some 5,000 years ago. At Port Townsend, the rise
of the earth's surface has been estimated at nearly 500 fL since the Vashon ice disappeared (Jamestown
S` dallam Tn'be, 1994).
Ownership
Ownership within the Dosewallips watershed consists of the Olympic National Forest for 291/o .(22,941
acres), the Olympic National Park with 61 % (47,178 acres), and other State and private ownership of
100/a (7,700 acres). The State and private holdings consist of the Dosewallips State Park, industrial forest
lands over 150 acres, and many small private land owners with holdings up to 150 acres. Over 90% of
the watershed is in public ownership (USES, USNPS, and State parks) (wrap 4). The small owneiships
include those who manage their lands for timber or firewood production, as well as others who are
holding these lands for recreational, residential, or investment purposes.
Vegetation,
Some pasturelands and urban areas occur in the lowlands. Forest land in the watershed is approximately
68% covered with coniferous forest in various stages of development (Map 7). The most - common species'
are Douglas fir, westernthemlodc, and some western redc edar, with various amounts of red alder.
inclusions. Most of the public forest land is now in 50+ yr. age stands, but still in mid seral stages. There
has been heavy harvest impact on the private timberlands within the past 10 to 15 years, and many of
those acres are in, the early seral stages
Disturbances, both human and naturally caused, affect the vegetation cover. Fire, and timber harvesting
are major disturbances which have affected the analysis area. Large, intense, pre- histonic fires (pre -1800)
and smaller post - settlement fires of the 1800's and 1900's played a major role in shaping the vegetadonlin
the watershed. Timber harvesting has been an important disturbance factor in the watershed in this
century. Most timber harvesting has been accomplished by clearcutting followed by forest regeneration.
Aquatic
The Dosewallips river has 28.3 miles of mainstem stream miles, and 104.5 miles of tributaries. It has two
major forks within the National Park. The west fork is 6.7 miles in length The mainstem is 10.7 miles
long from the junction with the West Fork.to its headwaters. The Dosewallips originates from Eel glacier
on Mt Anderson in the Olympic National Park. It flows from the Park,through the National Forest, and.
then along the lower five miles is bordered by a number of rural homes and small farms. The stream
follows a deep, steep -walled valley throughout most of its length and only broadens above the mouth near
the community of Brinnon. Tributary streams are generally small. The only major tributaries are Silt
Creek and the West Fork of the Dosewallips within the National Park, and Rocky Brook in the National
Forest at river mile 3.6. The delta at the mouth of the river is rich in shellfish and aquatic life.
The average discharge (measured at USGS gaging station 1205300) of the Dosewallips River at its mouth
is 446 cfs, the maximum discharge is 13,200 cfs, and the minimum discharge is 67 cfs. (Geo Select
Oregon/Washingtod/USGS/NCDC)
The Dosewallips River has been classified as "AA- Extraordinary" in terms of water quality by the State of
Washington. Water quality in the upper reaches is particularly good since the streams originate in
essentially unsettled country. The river and tributaries are increasingly susceptible to pollution from
development and recreational use.
Residents obtain water for domestic use from ground water.
ti
SodaUpeop/e
The history of human habitation within the Analysis Area dates back 11,000 years. Anthropological study
of local Native American tribes reveals that native people moved among pre - established sites with the
seasons and the availability of food resources.
The community of Brinnon is at the mouth of the Dosewallips and along US Hwy. 101. A number of
Waal homes and some summer homes are scattered up the valley along the river.
There is significant recreational use of the watershed Within the National Park is the Dosewallips
Campground, Elkhorn Campground is in the National Forest, and Dosewallips State Paris is in Brinnon.
There are two private campgrounds, Cove Park and NACO's Black Point campground and RV park.
There are also numerous dispersed recreation sites along the river. The DosewaRips Campground is also
a trailhead for trails that access the National Park The Tunnel Creek trail is within the National Forest
and intersects Forest Service Road 2610 near Gramm Creek. Another popular site is Rocky Brook Falls,
which is a short walk up Rocky Brook Creek from the Dosewallips River road
References:
Jamestown SWlallam Tribe (coordinating entity). 1994. Dungeness- Quilcene water resources
management plan. Blyn, Washington.
Tabor, R.W. and Cady WM 1978. Geologic Map of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. USDI United
States Geological, Survey. Map I -994.
USDA. 1990. Land and Resource Management plan, Olympic National Forest. USDA Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Region, Olympia, WA
USDA and USDI. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and
Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late - Successional and Old - Growth Forest Related Species
within the Range of the Northern Spotted OwL 100+ pages.
Vancouver. G. 1792. Original Journal of Vancouver's Discovery of Puget Sound.
WA Department of Ecology. June 1985. Skokomish- Dosewallips Instream Resources Protection
Program. W.W.I.R.P.P Series -No. 12.
Issues and Key Questions
The main issues were determined and then key questions developed from the issues.
Issues
Landscape Function
• The impact of stand structures as they relate to TES species & riparian processes:
• The availability of habitat for wildlife diversity and TES species.
• The occurrence and frequency of •mass wasting:
Aquatic Function
• The effects of stream flow as it relates to stream stability. '
• The effects of stream flow fluctuation as it relates to aquatic species and habitat.
• The effects of water quality as it relates to species and habitat.
• The quality and utilization of aquatic species habitat and populations.
• The status of fish species of concern:
Social Systems:
• Recreational use and availability of facilities.
• Potential for hydro power use.
• Potential for municipal water use and storage.
• Commodities extractiooTotemial
• Presence and impacts of transportation and other corridors within the watershed'
Key Questions
Landscape Function
Patterns
• What historic disturbance processes have occurred across the'landscape?
• What road network is present?
• What mass wasting is present and where is it located?
Vegetation
• What is the current/potential vegetation within the watershed?
• What seral stages exist in the watershed? Why? What opportunities exist to restore
forests to late -seral stages?
10
Wildlife
• what terrestrial vertebrate species and species groups currently inhabit the analysis
area?
• what species or species groups are of concern due to classification, value, and/or
trend? What are those classifications, values, and/or trends?
• What is the amount, distribution, and quality of habitat for the analysis species in
the analysis area?
• What restoration opportunities exist in the watershed that might maintain or
improve wildlife habitat and aid in the conservation or recovery of the analysis
species?
Aquatic Function
Stream Flow
• What is the magnitude, frequency and trend of flows for the period of record?
• What are the natural and human causes of change between historical and current
hydrologic conditions?
• Does the main channel have any significant or unusual characteristics?
• What are the effects on water quality?
• What are the natural and human, causes ofchange between historical and current
water quality conditions?
Aquatic Species Habitat
What is the distribution and stock status of fish in the analysis area, and what
migration barriers exist?
• What are the current conditions and trends of aquatic habitats?
What physicaLlbiological processes are affecting fish populations?
• What restoration opportunities exist to maintain or improve aquatic habitat
conditions? What role does the watershed play in providing for conservation or
recovery of the fish species of concern?
Social Systems
Uses
• What human uses have occurred, are occurring, and are planned within the
watershed?
• What recreational potential exists within the watershed?
• What is the status of the hydropower facilities and what is the potential for future
development?
• What is the potential for future municipal water storage?
• What transportation and other corridors have been used historically and currently?
11
�
1 �
Wildlife
• what terrestrial vertebrate species and species groups currently inhabit the analysis
area?
• what species or species groups are of concern due to classification, value, and/or
trend? What are those classifications, values, and/or trends?
• What is the amount, distribution, and quality of habitat for the analysis species in
the analysis area?
• What restoration opportunities exist in the watershed that might maintain or
improve wildlife habitat and aid in the conservation or recovery of the analysis
species?
Aquatic Function
Stream Flow
• What is the magnitude, frequency and trend of flows for the period of record?
• What are the natural and human causes of change between historical and current
hydrologic conditions?
• Does the main channel have any significant or unusual characteristics?
• What are the effects on water quality?
• What are the natural and human, causes ofchange between historical and current
water quality conditions?
Aquatic Species Habitat
What is the distribution and stock status of fish in the analysis area, and what
migration barriers exist?
• What are the current conditions and trends of aquatic habitats?
What physicaLlbiological processes are affecting fish populations?
• What restoration opportunities exist to maintain or improve aquatic habitat
conditions? What role does the watershed play in providing for conservation or
recovery of the fish species of concern?
Social Systems
Uses
• What human uses have occurred, are occurring, and are planned within the
watershed?
• What recreational potential exists within the watershed?
• What is the status of the hydropower facilities and what is the potential for future
development?
• What is the potential for future municipal water storage?
• What transportation and other corridors have been used historically and currently?
11
� t
Landscape Functions
Vegetation Reference Conditions
Vegetation Patterns Key Questions
What historic disturbance processes have occurred across the landscape?
What road network is present?
What mass wasting is present and where is it located?
Climatic patterns are dynamic over long periods of time and are reflected in the flora. The patterns and
types of vegetation that occur in the Dosewallips River watershed today may be quite different from that
which occurred in the past, and from that which may occur in the future.
The climate of the Olympic Peninsula cannot be reliably reconstructed for periods earlier than about
25,000 years ago. However, we do knew that the climate and vegetation during Pliocene and Miocene
times (13 to 25 million years ago) was quite different; the climate during the Miocene, was warm, wet
and temperate and supported many species of hardwoods. This time scale spans millions of years and is
significant in the evolution of plant and animal species. The modern flora of the.Olympic Peninsula
developed during this time period, after the rise of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.
The climate from approximately 4,000 to 10,000 years ago is considered to,be the warmest and driest in
the last 50,000 years. This time is known as the Hypsithermal Period. The climate in the Pacific
Northwest was more continental than it is todhy. Evidence from the Hypsithermal Period points to an
abundance of alder, lodgepole pine and Douglas -fir, and also to a scarcity of many of the tree species
associated with the Olympic Peninsula today, such as silver fir; western redcedar and mountain
hemlock
Prior to the Little Ice Age (from about 1000 to 1300 a.d.), the area experienced warm, dry conditions
known as the Medieval Optimum. The vegetation of the Olympic Peninsula, at that time, probably
included greater proportions. of Douglas -fir, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine and western white pine, and
less silver fir and mountain hemlock. There were two or three "Little Ice Age" type glaciations from
about 1000 to 4000 years ago. The climate of the Olympic Peninsula at that time was probably
comparable to the Little Ice Age.
The present climate of the Olympic Peninsula is relatively warm and wet compared to the past 50,000
years. This climate is described as cool, temperate and maritime. It supports a diverse flora and favors
growth of trees. The climate for the past 1,000 years has not been constant Prior to about 1850 and
back to about the 14th century, was a period called the Little Ice Age. It was a period of about 600 years
with cold winters and generally unfavorable climate in the northern latitudes. There was considerable
variability in both temperature and precipitation during this time: Towards the end of the Little Ice Age
(about 1750 to about 1830) the climate on the Olympic Peninsula was apparently cool and wet. This
was a period of poor growth for most tree species. However, these conditions weie apparently favorable
to Pacific silver fir, which expanded its range at that time. It is presently reducing it's range.
(Henderson 1983)
Range of Natural Variability
The range of natural variability refers to the bounds of natural ecological variability in
landscapelecosystem composition, structure and function that has occurred. The range of natural
variability of successional stages in the Dosewallips watershed has been a dynamic event due to the
cyclic nature of the primary disturbance regime. Wildfire has been the major disturbance process in the
12
Y
Dosewallips watershed in its natural condition. The fire return period for the past 700 years has been a
stand - replacing fire approximately every 200 years. Riparian and other protected areas, to some extent,
may have survived these large -scale catastrophic fires. These fires produced a pattern of large, even -
aged tracts which succeed into later successional stages more or less in unison. immediately following
a fire, a large area of the watershed would have been in an early - successional stage. After a 200 year
period, a majority of the watershed would Rely have been in the early phases of late-sucoessional stage.
Historically, there has always been an important hardwood component in the riparian vegetation. Even
when long periods existed between fires allowing late - successional coniferous stands to encroach on the
streams, flooding and the lateral movement created by the streams would allow hardwoods to survive close
to the stream. Thus, there was permanent seed source in riparian amts. Often large Douglas -fir survived
fires either scattered or in pockets in the riparian areas. Where they didn't, succession proceeded from
alder to hemlock and cedar where floods did not continually create new alder habitat Riparian areas were
very diverse. Shortly after fires, the riparian areas contained the few late - successional refugia that existed.
Also, late in succession the riparian area contained the few hardwood refu& that existed. They had the
biggest structures and greatest species diversity. It was not likely that pure Douglas -fir stands would
develop (Peter, 1996 pets. comm.). .
Although small disturbances, such as wind, small fires and diseases, caused small area of heterogeneity
across the landscape, it is likely that the majority of the watershed was typically in.ui mid- successional
stage between fires. Therefore, at most times, the largest, most contiguous element in the landscape was
likely in mid - successional stage. Smaller area of early - successional and late- successional stands also
occurred in the landscape. The historical change in successional stages across the Dosewallips
watershed is represented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 demonstrates the cyclic and dynamic nature of the pat tern of successional stages across the
landscape for the Hood Canal area which includes the analysis area. The quantity of a particular forest
successional stage changes in relation to disturbances and time. in 1710, following the large fire of
1701, a majority of the watershed was in an early- successional stage forest. After 70 years, in 1780,
most of the watershed was in a mid - successional stage forest. By 1880, a large portion of the watershed
had progressed to a single -story late - successional stage forest.
Within the range of natural variability, early - successional forests originating from fires generally
contained snags and downed wood, while recently created early - successional stage forests, originating
from harvest units typically contain few snags of significant size. The same distinction should be reflected
in the mid- successional stage areas. Although the watershed may be within the range of natural
variability in respect to quantity of early - successional stage forests, the quality, due to the lack of snags
and downed wood, may not be within the range of natural variability.
Landscape Pattern
The patterns of vegetation are the result of disturbance. Disturbances are events that result in radical
change, often in a very short time period. The primary disturbances include fire, windthrvw, insects
and disease, mass wasting and more recently timber harvesting and non - native im+asive plant species.
The vegetation reflects various environmental and climatic factors.
Fire as a Disturbance Factor
The fire history of the region suggests that the watershed may have historically contained late -
successional stage forests in an unknown portion of the riparian areas. The uplands and non -riparian
areas would have burned more frequently, and therefore contained more homogenous, even aged forests.
At different tames, these even aged forests would have been in an early - successional stage O.e. during
the first two or three decades immediately following a fire), and then in a mid - successional stage (Le7as
early - successional stage forests develop and evolve until the next fire).
13
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Wildfire is a major inherent disturbance factor. The occurrence of wildfires in the watershed is closely
tied to climatic patterns. The combination of long -range temperature cycles, jet stream patterns, east
winds and perhaps sunspot cycles, together can create conditions for intense, catastrophic forest fires in
this area. Historically, three great burning episodes occurred in the eastern Olympic peninsula from 1300
to 1750, at the end of the dry, warm, Medieval Optimum Age, and during cool, dry portions of the Little
Ice Age (Henderson et al. 1989). These older fires were large, intense fires, burning most of the northern
and eastern portions of the Olympic Peninsula. Recent fires, (in the early 1900s), though watershed scale
were much smaller and were related to logging and clearing activities (USDA 1994) (Map 5).
The watershed has experienced a long history of wildfire: Old- growth or climax stands, found
throughout much of westem Washington's National Forests, occur rarely in this area. This is because
most of the forested areas of this watershed have burned and reburned many times during the past 1000
years (Henderson and Peter 1983).
Table 1. Fire History of Dosewallios Watershed
Year of Fire(s)
# of Fires
Ames Burned
1308
1
77,425
1508
1
77,425
1701
1
75,467
1870
1
3,500
1890
2
1,800
1910
2
3,600
1916
1
3,100
1917 -20
7
5,200
1925 -30
11
1,100 �
1935
1
1,400
Wildfires in the last 1,000 years generally fall into three types: (1) large, intense, stand - replacement
fires have occurred approximately every 200 years; (2) smaller, more frequent, less intense fires
probably also occurred, but evidence of these is masked by the larger fires; and (3) frequent but much
smaller fires which occur on a regular basis. The northeastern portion of the Olympic Peninsula has
been swept by large, intense fires at least 3 times in the last 700 years. These fires have occurred in
1308, 1508 and 1701. These prehistoric fires were predominantly large, stand - replacement fires, .
resulting in a landscape of large, even -aged tracts of forest. The interval between fires was usually long
enough to allow considerable accumulation of ground and ladder fuels resulting in hot crown fires that
killed all or most trees. Older trees survived in cooler pockets and in riparian corridors. Otherwise, the
watershed was largely even aged and progressed through successional stages in unison. Smaller fires,
likely burned portions of the landscape between the larger fires. The result would have been a slightly
more heterogeneous landscape of even aged patches. Evidence for prehistoric smaller fires, if they
occurred, have been destroyed by the larger fires (Peter 1993). Wildfires peaked again in 1870s and
during the 1910's, during the modem or "settlement" period Most of the lower portion of this
watershed was burned in these fires.
Since 1935, the watershed has experienced few fires. Although fire fighting techniques have certainly
improved, the two principal reasons for low fire occurrence are l) greatly improved fire prevention
(most of the severe more recent fires were human - caused and therefore preventable); and 2) a change in
the summer precipitation pattern of the area During the decades of the 1910s and 1920s, for example,
summers with less than 2 inches of precipitation were common. Since the 1950s however there were
only two years with summer precipitation less than 2 inches. Data are from the Olympia weather
station. The precipitation pattern at Olympia will differ from that in this area. However, these data can
be used as an index to show the difference among summer precipitation patterns during the period when
there were more fires in the watershed, and summer precipitation patterns during more recent times
when relatively few acres burned (Henderson et al. 1989). Large destructive fires are a "natural
15
process.in the western hemlock zone. The large stand - replacement fires typical of this zone.are not
truly suppressible once underway, unless caught in the initial stages.
A summary of fire history statistics by vegetation zone for the Olympic National Forest demonstrates
that the pattern and occurrence of past fires: in the watershed strongly correlates with vegetation zones
(Table 2). These data can be extrapolated for the Dosewallips watershed to understand: the trends in fire
patterns in this area.. These data suggest that the largest percentage of acres burned in the last 350
years, and one of the lowest average fire return period for the last 800 years, occur in the Western
Hemlock Vegetation Zone. That this vegetation zone represents a large percentage of the watershed
emphasizes the fact,that the watershed has a high fire frequency and an intense fire regime.
Table 2. Summary gf Fire•History Statistics by Vegetation Zone, Olympic National Forest (adapted from
Henderson, et al. 1989)
Zone western Hemlock silver fir
Sitka spruce
SuWpine Fir
Mounlan Hemlock
Douglwfir
Acres 430,500 163,600
9,000
14,300
17,300
2;200
PO.W 64% 24%
3%
2%
3%
< 1%
(Ar-)
fire 234 •629
900
308
844
138
(Average rerun Period, last 800 years)
Burned 550,500 49,200
7,000
19,000
5,100
3,700
(acres burned shm 16451350 years])
Percent 128% 30%
37% w
133%
300/9
168%
(of acres burned in The last 350 years)
Vegetation Response to Fire
Recovery from the large prehistoric fires was .probably very slow. Large areas of the landscape were .
burned while remnant patches of trees survived in drainage bottoms, in awl, north- facing areas and at
higher elevations. Scattered trees may have survived elsewhere when protected by rock outcrops, moist
sites, or just by chance. Old thick barked Douglas -fir trees can often survive ground fires that are not
too hot. Many trees, damaged by the fire, probably died after each fire. Many more isolated trees, or
trees at the edge of surviving stands, may have blown down or had their tops blown out. Most surviving
stands were probably small acreages, open and often fragmented. The resulting conditions following
fire were favorable to Douglas -fir establishment. The prominence of Douglas -fir in the watershed
landscape is partially a result of the extensive fire history.
A majority of seed sources for trees were in cooler riparian areas or with scattered survivors.
Reforestation was probably slow. Because the main seed sources were likely concentrated in the
riparian areas, reforestation across the landscape would not oaur simultaneously. Toe slopes, and other
areas adjacent to surviving trees, would be reseeded first, while areas farthest from seed sources would
be reseeded last. Depending upon the vegetation zone and site conditions, differences in rates of
reforestation likely created some heterogeneity within the landscape.
The early and early mid-successional stands created by fires inherited snags and down logs from the
burned forest. Most of the snags probably fell during the first 100 years following a fire, so that
relatively few large snags occurred in the mid - successional stands.for the second 100 years. However, it
is probable that additional snags and downed logs were recruited from surviving remnant stands and
from the young incoming stand. The surviving remnant stands would have been more prone to damage
from wind and disease, resulting in a greater amount of snag recruitment.
16
Uplands were probably especially slow to regenerate. Some slopes may have failed and become chronic
contributors of sediment. In the earliest years following these fires, there likely was substantial erosion
and sedimentation into the streams. Mass wasting is one of the few disturbances capable of altering the
vegetation potential of the Land. Deep seated mass wasting events remove soil, create new surface
shapes and alter moisture relationships. Plant communiti es which return to these sites may be different
from those that grew there before the event It is difficult to know the magnitude or duration of the
erosion, but a conservative estimate of the duration would be at least 10 years which is the average
length of time for the Western Hemlock Vegetation Zone to attain 30% crown closure. Other factors,
such as reforestation and growth rates, weather patterns and storm events, would affect the magnitude
and duration of erosion. For several decades following these fires, coarse sediment and large woody
debris may have been supplied to streams in the watershed in large quantity . Eighty to 100 years after
the fires, new coarse woody debris and coarse sediment recruitment probably slowed considerably. As
this debris decomposed, it left deep decomposing duff. Recruitment of large woody debris would
gradually increase as the forest grew in size and older trees began to die. By the time the forest was 200
years old, another large fire usually occurred
In general, fire disturbance can be described as large and episodic. Fires were large, intense
disturbances followed by periods of relative non - disturbance when the watershed was able to recover.
Following intense, stand replacement fires, riparian and other moist area are typically dominated by a
mosaic of late - successional conifer remnants with patches of hardwood tree species. The hardwood
species occur in the riparian openings erected by fire and floods, and remain for approximately 60 to 80
years. Hardwood species under a fire dominated disturbance regime occur in pulses, increasing for the
first 60 to 80 years following fares, and then decreasing until the next fire.
#I- ..
Fire is still one of the major inherent disturbance factors in the watershed All vegetation will eventually
l either burn or decompose. If climatic conditions are right and ignition occurs and is not caught in the
very early stages, the potential exists for major wildfires. This watershed, as in the past, is susceptible to
catastrophic fire which could generally occur in August through October with dry east winds. Young
plantations would be flashy and very fast burning, while older stands would slow the fire but intensity
would increase. It would be expected, that living remnants in riparian areas, north slopes, and in cooler
areas would occur.
Under less than catastrophic conditions, the forest could still sustain a significant fire and bum several
hundred acres in a day. This would be expected in areas of densely overstocked stands, and where
blowdown has occurred such as in leave strips between plantations. It would be expected that fire would
bum quickly through young stands with many fine fuels and possibly could be slowed and contained
outside of clearcuts or where fuel treatment had previously occurred.
Wind as .a Disturbance Factor
Large-scale windthrow does not appear to be a major disturbance. There are no large areas which appear
to have originated from windthrow. Small -scale windthrow has occurred periodically. The scale and
occurrence of individual windthrow events is small in the watershed, particularly when compared to
windthrow events on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula.
As a disturbance factor, windthrow often ads in conjunction with other disturbances. Ultimately most
trees and snags probably fall under the influence of wind. Often they fail after having been weakened by
root and butt rots. Windstorms also break out tree tops reducing growth, deforming stems and allowing
entry of wood rot organisms.
17
Insects and Disease as Disturbance Factors
There are no disease or insect infestations that are known to have achieved epidemic proportions in the
Dosewallips watersheds. A number of fungi, insects and parasites cumulatively have large impacts,
however these species usually affect trees in a scattered or diffuse manner and often pass unnoticed.
Hemlock dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium tsugensis) is a common stem and branch parasite of western
hemlock, and occasionally silver- fir (Henderson et al. 1989). It causes swelling and profuse branching
thereby diverting resour= of the tree. While this activity degrades lumber quality and slows growth of
the tree it also' creates dense "brooms" which are sometimes used by birds for roosting and nesting. Both
spotted owls and marbled murrelets have nested on such brooms. Similar brooms caused by Chrysomyxa
rust on spruce treesin interior Alaska are used by flying squirrels for nesting sites (Mowrey and Zasada
1984).
There are three common root diseases infecting forest tree species'in this area: Laminated root rot,
Armillaria root rot, and Annosus root rot. (Henderson et al. 1989). Root diseases reduce the vigor and
growth of the infected tree and often kill the tree. Root strength is reduced allowing. the tree to blow over
0.
in wind storms. Butt rot also is caused by these organisms which weaken the tree structurally and destroy
usable wood products. Laminated root rot spreads out from tree to tree through root contacts creating
expanding centers of infection. Some species are less susceptible than others.
Root rots are also responsible for a steady recruitment of green trees into snags and down logs useful to
wildlife as the forest ages. They also decrease the economical value of timber substantially: In young
stands, minor amounts of disease in individual trees can help to thin the forest unevenly creating a
diversity of stand conditions.
Heart and butt rots are normal decay organisms of dead wood. In this role they are important to nutrient;
cycling and soften the wood so other organisms can excavate cavities in which to live. Occasionally some
of them attack live trees through wounds such as might be caused by wind breakage or thinning. damage.,
In this case they degrade lumber quality and leave trees vulnerable to stem breakage and windthrow.
When heart or buttl rots infect live trees they create new habitats such as hollow centers which are used by
many species of wildlife. Important heart and butt rots include brown cubicle butt rot, Annostis root rot;
red ring rot, brown trunk rot, rusty-red stringy rot, Armillaria root rot, crumbly brown rot and long pocket
rot (Henderson et al. 1989).
There are five potential insect pests of conifers in this area, the Douglas -fir beetle, silver fir beetle,
western black headed budworm, hemlock looper and balsam wooly aphid (Henderson et al. 1989). Of
these only the Douglas -fir beetle and the balsam wooly aphid have caused observable damage in recent
years. The observed damage affected relatively few Imes In the 'early 1950s the silver fir beetle caused
significant damage to low elevation silver fir trees around the Olympic Peninsula. Much of the damage
occurred to trees established during the cool, wet period at the end of the Little Ice Age. These areas are
now marginal for silver fir due to the current warmer dryer conditions.
Mass Wasting as a Disturbance Factor
Mass wasting is found in the watershed and is one of the few disturbances capable of altering the
vegetation potential of the land. Deep seated mass wasting events remove soil, create new surface shapes
and alter moisture relationships. Plant communities which return to these sites may be different from
those that grew•there before the event. Cumulatively, over long periods of time, mass wasting is a
dominant force. In the short terra, the concern is more for impact to aquatic systems and for lost forest
productivity and habitat. Scars from mass wasting take a very long time to heal and productive forest
soils may take centuries to form.
18
.1
Mass wasting events are often related to disturbances in the landscape. Large fires may temporarily alter
hydrologic characteristics of the land. Root strength is reduced by killing soil holding trees and plants,
and may set up conditions for mass wasting. The combination of specific geologic, geomorphic and soil
conditions create areas prone to natural mass wasting events. Timber harvest and road building also
create conditions which can lead to mass wasting.
member Harvest as a Disturbance Factor
Harvesting of forests began with the first settlement activities. Commercial timber harvesting started,
in the 1850s and has continued until present. Most of the timber harvesting in the watershed has been
done by clearcutting stands of trees. In the early days movement of logs was done through use of a
splash darn, railroad logging, and an incline rail system. Many old railroad grades can be found in the
lower watershed. This includes a logging "incline" where logs were lowered down from Green
mountain to the beach on two railroad cars on steep tracks counter balanced on a cable. Typically, with
railroad logging, large areas were logged at one time. These have been described as the "glory days" of
logging. More recently, large mobile towers and logging trucks have been utilized. The present road
system follows many of the old railroad grades. On private lands, the plantations are made up of third
growth Generally the harvest openings on the National Forest are under 8o acres, however, on private
land within the watershed, there have been large clearcuts. (Map 7).
The National Park does not utilize timber harvest as a management tool, however apparently before the
Park was split from the National Forest, there was salvage harvest along the Dowwallips River road up
to the Park trailhead at Muscon Flats.
The acreages in Table 4 are estimates for regeneration harvest (clearcut) of all ownerships.
Regeneration harvest removes the existing stand and replaces it with a young stand. This table
indicates that harvest was high in the 1920's through .1940's,, dropped off and then was high in the
1980's. It has again dropped off in the 1990s. It is likely that -many of the stands that had been
harvested early in this century were coming of size to reharvest in the 1990's. Also the National Forest
management objectives changed away from regeneration harvesting in the 1990's.
Douglas -fir has been the typical species for replanting. This is the most valuable timber species and
grows well in this area. This does not mean the stands are all Douglas -fir since western hemlock,
western redcedar, and red alder, among others, naturally seed into cut over areas and may even be the
dominant species.
The management objective of the National Park and the Wilderness areas of the National Forest are for
preservation and recreation with a conSideration of allowing natural processes. There is no harvest in
these areas. The management objective in the lower portion of this watershed (off the National Forest)
has been to maximize wood production, and reforest as quickly as possible with fast growing,
economically valuable tree species. Clearcutting creates site conditions suitable for regenerating
Douglas -fir. Timber companies on their land holdings especially have this objective. The Forest
Service also managed the Rocky Brook area intensively over the past 40 years, though this objective has
changed.
19
Table 3. Regeneration Harvest History
Decade Acres
1920's 1,447
1930's 2,081
1940s 1,658
1950s 330
1960s 928
19706 844
19806 3,031
1990s .519..
10,838
Non - Native Plant Species as a Disturbance Factor
Non - native -or exotic plant species are those that arrive in new habitats as a result of human activities.
Intentional introductions occur with species of economic, scientific, medicinal or aesthetic intenmt.
Many exotics arrive inadvertently, associated with vehicles, livestock, agricultural produce or human
clothing. Once established in a new location, exotics can sometimes rapidly increase their range.
Exotic plants may disrupt natural succession, alter plant community structure, displace or eliminate
native species; .and affect .geophysical processes.
Information is not available on the extent of exotic plant disturbance in the watershed, or the potential
impact. The Olympic National Park has, however, prepared a Management Plan Of Exotic Plants In
Olympic National Park (Olsen 1991). Some 187 species and varieties of exotic plants have been
identified within or adjacent to the Olympic National Parka More than 334 species of exotic plants have
been documented on the Olympic Peninsula; representing nearly 25% of all the known vascular flora.
Exotics have become established or are suspected to occur in an habitats in the Park, including
backeountry high elevation areas, and in lowland areas adjacent to roads, developed areas and sites of
human habitation. Because the.Dosewallips . watershed has experienced greater disturbances than the
Park, it is likely that the watershed has had a similar increase in exotic plant population.
Vegetation Current Conditions
Current Vegetation Key Questions
• What is the currenypotential vegetation within the watershed?
• What sera, stages exist in the watershed? Why? What opportunities exist to restore forests to late-
seral stages?
Vegetation Zones
A vegetation zone is named for the climax stage, but includes all successional stages leading to the
climax. The vegetation zone name is derived from the dominant tree species in that climax stage, and
therefore represents the tpo ential vegetation in that zone. However, in marry areas of a particular
vegetation zone, the current dominant tree may not be the climax species. This is the case in much of the
Western Hemlock Vegetation zone, where Douglas -fir is the dominant tree species.
Five forested vegetation zones, occur or are likely to occur, in the Dosewallips watershed. Forested
vegetation zones (Henderson et al. 1989) include (Map 6):
20
Table 4. Forested Vegetation Zones
Sitka Spruce Zone
662 potential acres
337 current acres
Western Hemlock Zone
25,591 potential acres
15,446 current acres
Silver Fir Zone
12,023 potential acres
11,550 current acres
Mountain Hemlock Zone
13,608 potential acres
10,486 current acres
Douglas fir Zone
4,958 potential acres
4,742 current acres
Non - Forest Zone
20,936 tentiai acres
35,217 current acres
Table 5. Percent Forested Vegetation Zone by Successional Stage Forest
V five Zone
% Earl
%h id
%Late
Sitka Spruce
Trace
1%
990/0
Western Hemlock
16%
28%
56%
Pacific Silver Fir
1%
5%
94%
Mountain Hemlock
1%
Trace
990/0
Douglas-fir
11%
3%
86%
The Sitka Spruce Zone occurs in lowland areas in the wetter areas. The dominant tree species are Sitka
spruce, western hemlock, and western redcedar. It is found on only 337 acres in the watershed.
The Western Hemlock Zone occurs in relatively wet site conditions and is found on 15,446 acres within
the watershed. Forests in the Western Hemlock Vegetation Zone ever the largest portion of the
watershed, and occur in all elevations of the watershed Douglas -fir; as well as western hemlock, is one of
the dominant conifer species in this zone. Red alder dominated forests are also common in moist areas
where there has been disturbance which exposes the mineral soil.
Forests in the Silver Fir Vegetation Zone represents 15% of the watershed, and occur in the higher
elevations. The silver fir zone is found where tuoist and cool site conditions are common, generally above
3,000 feet on north aspects. It occupies .11,550 acres within the watershed.
The Mountain Hemlock Zone occupies upland areas above 4000 feet in elevation. It includes some of the
least productive plant associations on the Forest_ The dominant tree species are Over fir and mountain
hemlock It occupies 10,486 acres within the watershed.
The Douglas -fir Zone occupies middle elevation sites on south facing slopes in dry areas. The
productivity and stockability in this zone is Iow. The dominant tree species are Douglas -fir or lodgepole
pine. It is too dry for most conifers. It occurs on 4,742 acres within the watershed.
Forest Vegetation Structure
The USFS "TRI" database was queried for age class on the National Forest. This data was verified by
aerial photo interpretation. DNR provided age class information for DNR managed lands up to age 55.
Data from some private forest land was provided up to age 30. Ages beyond those are estimated from past
fire history.
There are eight hypothetical stages of forest ecosystem development which can be used to help describe
and understand the vegetation structure (Carey et al. 1995). The following definitions distinguish the
different developmental stages:
21
• Ecosystem initiation (EIS): Death or destruction of overstory trees by wildfire, windstorm, insects,
disease, or timber harvesting leads to the establishment of a new plant community rapidly succeeded
by other plant communities until trees dominate the ecosystem.
• Competitive exclusion {CHS): Frees fully occupy the site and compete with one another and other
plants for light, water, nutrients, and space to the point where most other vegetation and many trees
become suppressed and die.
• Understory reinitiation (URS): Achievement of dominance by some trees and death of other trees
leads to reduced competition that allows understory plants to become established.
• Developed wWcrstor — (DUS ,); Understories of foft ferns, shrubs, and trees have developed,
following death of some dominant canopy trees; there has been insufficient time for diversification of
the plant community.
• Botanically diverse .(BDS): Organization and structure of the living plant community becomes
complex with time and as the canopy opens further. Absence of coarse goody debris and other
elements precludes a developed full, complex biotic community.
Niche diversification (NDS): Organization and structure of the biotic community becomes complex
with aggradation of coarse woody debris, litter, soil organic matter, and botanical diversity, foraging
needs of all forest vertebrates are met.
• Fully functional (FFS): Additional ecosystem development provides habitat elements of the necessary
large size and the time for development of function (interactions) to provide for the life requirements
of diverse vertebrates, invertebrates, fimgi, and plants.
• 0d. (OGS): Forest ecosystems after more than 200 years of development uninfluenced by
modern civilization that have achieved elements of large stature, great diversity, and complex
function.
These are not necessarily linear development$ages. Some stands or portions of stands may return to CES
at any point in their development as they increase in density.
The age class that correlates to 0 - 600% crown closure, and therefore defines the EIS, for the vegetation
zones follows. The 60% or less crown closure was..chosen to distinguish EIS from CBS. This data from
the Sub - Regional Ecological Assessment for the Olympic National Forest (Peter 1993) determined the
crown closure and age estimate, for each of the vegetation zones.
Western Hemlock zone: less than or equal to 21 years.
Silver Fir Zone: less than or equal to 40 years for managed stands, and less than or equal to
33 years for unmanaged stands.
In the DUS, BDS, NDS, FPS, and OGS there is a continuous distribution of ages and sizes of trees in the
stand. Data from the Sub - Regional Ecological Assessment for the Olympic National Forest (Peter 1993)
provided the minimum age classlsuccwsional stage relationship for the late - successional classifications:
Western Hemlock Zone: forests greater than or equal to 175- years.
Silver Fir Zone: forests greater than or equal to 300 years.
These criteria are the minimum age for single story late - successional forests. The age criteria for multi-
story late - successional forests was determined to be much greater for each of the vegetation zones. FFS is
late-successional stands with well developed understories.
Forest Development
Forest Ecosystems do not move through the defined stages of development at precise time intervals, so a
tight correlation between age and development stage is not possible. The movement of ecosystems
through development stages is influenced by factors internal to the stand (e.g., species composition, plant
vigor) and external agents (e.g., wind, disease, silvicultural treatment). The results are varied and ' '
individual ecosystems may move through stages .rather quickly, or they may remain in one of the stages
for decades, or even revert to earlier stages. Although the age of managed forest stands is generally
22
Iti
available, an inventory of acres in each development stage has not been completed Table 6 shows the
acres by age - class, and the most likely development stages for ecosystems of these ages. There is a
division in this array worth noting. While most ecosystems in excess of 80 years old originated following
fire, most ecosystems less than 80 years old originatedfollowing clearcut harvest and planting.
Table 6 Analysis Acres by Ageclass
AMIass
Acres
Development
0-20 years
3,305
EIS, CES
21-40 years
1,260
EIS, CES
41-80 years
7,470
CES, URS
81 -100 years
2,045
CES, URS,
101 200 years
3,183
URS, DUS, BDS, NDS, FFS
200 plus years
35,760
NDS, FFS, OGS
Nonforested
24.800
Total
77,823
The young "managed stands" present a contrast to late - successional forest. Approximately 10,838 acres
within this analysis area have been clearcut since 1920. Many were broadcast burned, and were
regenerated by a combination of planted seedlings and natural seed fall. Earnest harvests were large
contiguous areas of railroad logging. With truck hauling then was a transition to large (40 to over 100
acre).block clearcuts. Clearcutting and subsequent treatments reduced the complexity and diversity of
these forest ecosystems. - To minjm the fire hazard and prepare the ground for reforestation, many units
were broadcast burned and some had unmerchantrble woody material yarded as well. These sites in
general have a lack of snags and coarse woody debris. Burning and removal of coarse woody debris also
reduced the organic material and nutrient capital, and the ability of soils to capture nutrients for the
RAM.
Following broadcast burning of clearcuts, tree planting and subsequent natural regeneration, plantations
occurred containing over 1000 conifer trees per acre, consisting of mostly western hemlock and Douglas -
fir. These stands reach competitive exclusion stage (CES) around age 20. Preeommercial thinning of
young stands since the 1960s has attempted to reduce conifer stocking to about 300 trees per acre. Most
of these thinnmgs favored Douglas -fir as the crop species and selected against other species. Most of the
forest ecosystems over 20 and under 80 years old that have not been commercially thinned remain in CES.
This stage is ecologically the most simple and least diverse. When the stands are opened up they enter the
understory reinitiation stage (URS) as light stimulates an understory. However, these stands may reenter
CES as the overstory redominates the site.
After an understory has been established, stands may spend several decades developing the structural
diversity that defines fully functional forests. Over these years, stands evolve through the DUS, BDS, and
NDS.
The existing fully functional forest (FFS) ecosystem within the analysis area has developed over many
years following catastrophic fire and other disturbances. Under these disturbance regimes, post -
disturbance environments retained complexity and patchiness. Live trees, dead standing trees, down trees,
and areas of live vegetation remained intact on small scales. The soils within these disturbed areas
retained reservoirs of live shrubs, seed banks of many species, and mychorrizal fungi. Given many years
of development, these ecosystems are complex and diverse. In general, these forest ecosystems contain
elements considered important as habitat for many species.
Existing Vegetation
Just under 70% of the watershed is forest land with coniferous forest in various ages and stages of -
structural development (Map 7). The most common species are Douglas -fir, western hemlock, and some
23
r.
w
western redcedar, with various amounts of red alder inclusions. Except for the Rocky Brook
subwatershed, most of the public forest land is now in 50 +yr. age stands, and in CES and URS. The
Rocky. Brook subwatershed has been heavily harvested, but most of these stands are over 20 years and are
in CES. There has been heavy harvest impact on the private timberlands within the past 10 to 15 years,
and many of those acres are in the EIS and CES.
Quantitative Dh*ibution of Forest Development
Age 0 -20 Years:
There are 3,304 acres of stands under•20 years of age in the analysis area {map 7). This age group
approximates the' EIS, and 6 found throughout the watershed. Many of these stands will soon be
entering the CBS. This category on the main Dosewallips is all on private holdings in the lower and
middle main channel.
Subwatershed acres % of Forested Subwatershed
Main Dosewallips and upper tnbs 2,712 6%
Rocky Brook ` 487 9 %
Turner'& Walker 105 70/a
Age 21-80 Years:
There are 8,731 acres of stands between 20 and 80 years o. f age. This group contains stands that have
been planted as well as natural stands that have come in following fire. Most of these that have not been
thinned can be considered to be in the CBS. W managed stands, considered to be URS, typically lack .
snags and coarse woody debris, which were removed during harvest.
Subwatershed Acres % of Forested Subwatershed , .
Main Dosewallips and upper tn'bs 4,159 10%
Rocky Brook 3,268 59%
Turner & Walker 1,303 88 %
Age 81 -200 Years:
There are 5,228 acres between ages of 80 and 200 years that have come.in naturally following large
fires. Much of this, unless thinned, is overstocked, stagnated and still in the CPS. The thinned stands
are considered to be URS. Some stands have reached DUS through NDS by the time they have reached
200 years. The unmanaged stands typically contain more snags and decomposing woody debris left
from the past fires than managed forests.
Subwatershed Acres % of Forested Subwatershed
Main Dosewallips and upper tribs 4,9$6 12%
Rocky Brook 86 2%
Turner & Walker 56 4%
24
1
Age 200 plus Years:
There are 35,760 acres of stands over 200 years of age. These stands came in naturally following large
fires, have not been logged, and have escaped the smaller historic fires. These stands have not had any
timber management and are developing at a slow rate. These older stands may be considered to be in
the URS, DUS, BDS, NDS, and the FFS. They are mostly located in the Olympic National Park,
though approximately 7,000 acres are in the National Forest
Subwatershed Acres % of Forested Subwatershed
Main Dosewallips and upper tubs 30,008 72%
Rocky Brook 1,735 31%
Turner & Walker 13 1%
Disturbances
Disturbances to the existing vegetation in the Dosewallips watershed continue. The most extensive is
timber harvest, which within the last 5 years has been concentrated on private timber holdings. Insects
and pathogens continue their impacts to the forests, though in a dispersed manner that is not obvious to
the casual observer. Fire has had a minor impact in recent years with little activity. The National Park
manages fire within a `fie use zone" for resource benefits. Naturally occurring fires are monitored but
not artificially extinguished. This policy is not followed within the National Forest, as the fire
management plan says to extinguish all fires as soon as possible. Wind occasionally blows down small
stands of trees, though it primarily occurs in or around stands that have had recent harvest activity and
have not had a chance become wind resistant Invasion of non -native plant species is most obvious in
colorful populations of bull thistle and tansy ragwort along the road sides. Additional information on
non- native plant invasion is not available.
One potential pest that is not now within the analysis area is the Asian Gypsy Moth. This species has
been found on visiting ships from Asia and hasn't yet managed to become established on this continent
The European Gypsy Moth is a serious forest pest on the east coast. It can travel throughout the Country
on motor vehicles. Monitoring with pheromone traps for the Gypsy Moth is conducted annually by the
State of Washington and immediate action has been taken on any Gypsy Moth infestations. There have
been regular infestations in the Puget Sound region which have been exterminated. If either species
becomes established it could mean devastation to forest vegetation in the Northwest.
Plant Species of Concern.
Plant species of concern include: 1) endangered, threatened, and sensitive plants; 2) survey and manage
plants from the Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late - successional and Old -
growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl; 3) endemic plants (those
plants with a small, local distribution on the Olympic Peninsula or on Vancouver Island and the Olympic
Peninsula); and 4) noxious weeds and other invasive non - native species.
Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Vascular Plant Species
There are no federally threatened or endangered vascular plant species known or suspected within the
watershed. Fifteen plant species with the potential to occur in the Dosewallips watershed are on the
current USDA Forest Service Regional Forester's Sensitive Species List (March 199 1) (Table 7). One of
these species (Cimicifuga elata) is identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Species of
Concern. One species is listed by the state as threatened; thirteen species are identified by the state as
sensitive; one plant is on the state's Monitor list. These species occur in a range of habitats, from -
subalpine rocky slopes to open forests and bogs. This watershed contains alpine and subalpine habitat,
25
with lakes and open forests so potential habitat does exist. Most of the high elevation habitats occur in the
National Park or National Forest Wilderness areas.
Table 7 - Forest Service Sensitive Plants with Potential 'to Occur in the Dosewallips Watershed
SdentMc Naive
Astraga6rs microcyws
Botryddudr lanceolatum
BohWhium hmaria
Botrychtum minganense
Botrychlum pinnatt-
Carexp—&-
Chrysolepts chrysophylhr
Cimicifuga elara
Clayrorria lanceolara var.l
Dryas drummondii
Month diffusa
Owbancha ptnorum
Pkuricospora fimbdohrra
Nola renifona
Woodwardlaflmbriata
Common Name
least bladday Mille vetch
lance4caved grapefern
Moomvart
Mingen, womwort
sip John's moonwort
few - flowered sedge
golden chinquapin
tall bugbana
me #Ica Pacific lancelcaf sprargbeauty
yellow mountakravens
branching montia
PiDO
eingod PAP
kidorpleaved violet
chain -fan
state'statas
habitat
Sensitive
subalpiac meadow or scree
sensitive
moist open areas
sensitive
open areas, including woods
Monitor
forest and meadow
Sensitive
open areas, including woods
sensitive
sedge meadow or bog
sensitive
opar forest
T rentaned
moist forest
sensitive
cliffs and rocks
cli i, rocks, and river gravel
sensitive
open forest
Sensitive
forest
sensitive
forest
moist forest
Sensitive
moist forest, riparian
There are no documented occurrences of any of these plants on Forest'Service, State, or private lands in
the Dosewallips Watershed according to the State Natural Heritage Program's database. None of the
analysis area has been purposely inventoried for rare plants, however, so the lack of documented sightings
must be evaluated in this context..
Survey and Manage Species
The NWFP survey and manage provisions within the Standard's and Guidelines of the NWFP are geared
toward conserving a variety of fungi, lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, and animals associated with "
late - successional. forests. Each species on the list is covered by one or more of four provisions. manage .
known sites, survey prior to giound- disturbing activities and manage known sites, conduct extensive
surveys, and conduct general regional surveys.
A list of the plant and fungus species on this list that are known, suspected, or possible in the Dosewallips
watershed is available in Appendix 2. For additional information on these species or management
provisions, see pages C-4 to C-6 and C-49 to C-61 in the NWFP (USDA and USDI 1994) or Appendix J2
to the NWFP.
Two vascular plants on the survey and manage species list are known or suspected in the analysis area:
Alloptropa virgata (candystick) is known to occur, and Bottychlwn minganense (Mingan moonwort) has
the potential to occur.
Fungi are very important to nutrient cycling. They can be categorized as decomposers, symbionts or
parasites. All provide essential-ecosystem functions. Decomposers reduce animal and plant remains to
simpler components so they can be incorporated into soil. This is an especially important function in old
forests. Symbiouts include the mycorrhizal fungi on which most conifers and flowering plants rely.
These species supply the host plant with water and nutrients and protect it from root disease. The
parasites eventually kill the vegetation they parasitize, which creates canopy holes. Fruiting bodies of
fungi are an essential food source for many insects and small mammals, including flying. squirrels.
Lichens are a symbiotic association between fungi and algae. In some cases the algae symbiont is capable
of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into organic form, which becomes available to other plants. Flying
squirrels, deer and elk all consume lichens and birds often use them for nesting material. Some lichens
are sensitive air pollution indicators.
26
Bryophytes include hornworts, liverworts and mosses. Bryophytes can constitute a substantial portion of
the understory biomass. They provide food and habitat for many invertebrates. Birds and small mammals
often use moss for nesting material. Marbled murrelets frequently select limbs with moss as nest sites.
Unfortunately very little is known about most fungi, lichens, and mosses. Survey protocol and
management direction for all survey and manage plant species are being developed by interagency
working groups at the Regional level. Surveys for category 2 species need to be done before habitat
altering projects can proceed. This starts in FY99 for some species and FY00 for others.
Endemic Vascular Plant Species
There are 15 endemic vascular plant species found on the Olympic Peninsula, six of which also occur on
Vancouver island (Buddrigharn et al 1995). Based on habitat and existing documented ranges of these
species, six have the potential to occur in the Dosewallips watershed Table 8).
Table 8. Endemic.Vascular Plant Species with the Potential to Occur in the Analysis Area
Scientsc Name
Habitat
Occurrence
Campanula piperi
montane, subalpine, alpine; rocky
possible
Claytonia lanceolata var. pacifica.subalpine; rocky
possible
Erigeron flettit
subalpine to alpine, open
possible
Petrophytum hendersonil
montane, subalpine, alpine; rocky
possible
Saxifraga tischii
subalpine, alpine; rocky
possible
V101a Jletii
subalpine, alpine; rocky
possible
Noxious Weeds And Other
Invasive:Non- Native Species
Several noxious weeds, as defined by the State Noxious Weed List and Schedule of Monetary Penalties
(Chapter 16 -750 WAC), are known or believed to occur in the analysis areas. Spotted knapweed
(Centaurea maculosa) is a Class B noxious weed. Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), bull
thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) are
Class C noxious weeds. All of these species, and noxious weeds in general, are most likely to occur in
highly dishubed situations such as roadsides, agricultural or urban lands, or new clearcats. No. Class A
noxious weeds are known in the area. There may be other species present that have not been reported.
Invasive non - native species that are not considered noxious weeds are numerous. These species were
discussed briefly as a disturbance factor earlier in this analysis. As with noxious weeds, other invasive
non - native species are most common in disturbed situations where they displace native species.
M /d/ife Conditions
The condition of vegetation in a watershed is a primary factor influencing wildlife diversity. As geology,
climate, fire, timber harvest, and other factors have shaped the vegetation in the Dosewallips watershed
analysis area, they have also dictated what wildlife species are present and their population trends. Nearly
one -third of the analysis area is in non - forested habitat, and much of that area is alpine meadows, rock
outcrops, and glaciers. Only a portion of the wildlife species. typically found in a watershed on the
Olympic Peninsula use alpine habitat for all or part of the life - cycle. The remaining two-thirds of the
watershed is forested. The range in ages of forest vegetation, from newly harvested to old growth,
provides a diversity of habitats that supports populations of many wildlife species. The Dosewallips
watershed, with its combination of agricultural/urban, forest, and alpine habitats offers an enormous
diversity of habitats and, as a result, is home to a wide variety of wildlife species.
27
Other factors and processes also affect what wildlife species can successfWly inhabit a watershed The
hydrology of the area impacts nearly all species, since they all require water in some form for survival.
Most impacted are riparian dependent species, such as many molluscs and amphibians, on whom changes
in stream flow, sedimentation, and temperature can have a substantial impact. Climate affects wildlife
diversity directly, as well as through its impacts on vegetation. Cold, snowy winters are hard for many
species, as are hot, dry summers. Roads can affect wildlife species in several ways. They provide an easy
travel corridor for some species; for; others they are barriers to migration. Every year individual animals
are killed by vehicles, and: roads increase the opportunities for human wildlife interactions, both positive
and negative.
Human use of a watershed can have a substantial impact on the wildlife of the area. We alter habitat
across the landscape, building communities, creating roads, logging forests, and altering the natural
hydrology. Some changes, have a positive affect on certain species. Logging can create early seral habitat
that is important for species such as bluebirds and deer. Other species are negatively affected by the loss
of habitat to developments and agriculture. In addition to altering habitat, humans impact wildlife by
hunting, feeding, and even viewing I: Again, these impacts may be positive or negative depending on the
situation and species. Always we should be aware of our affect on wildlife and consider the consequences
of our actions.
It is not possible to list or discuss all the species that can be found in this watershed. Instead this module
will focus on those species whose population status is of concern and those with particular sociological
values. Appendix 3 contains a list of other wildlife species known to occur or with the potential to occur
in the analysis area.
Table 9. Wildlife Analysis
Species
Species/Group
Classification
Status/Trend
Northern Spotted Owl
Federal threatened; State endangered
Declining in near -term; possibly
stable in long-term-
Marbled Murrelet
Federal threatened State threatened Declining
Bald Eagle
Federal threatened' State threatened
Stable in most places, including on
the Olympic Peninsula
Peregriued:alcon
Federal endangered State endangered
Increasing across much of U.S.;
Stable in Pacific Northwest
California Wolverine
Sensitive species
Unknown, likely declining
Northern Goshawk,
Federal species of concern;
Declining in some areas
of-range;
State candidate; neotropical migrant unknown on Olympic Peninsula.
la;
Bat Species Species of Concern; Unknown
NWFP Survey and manage species
Pacific Western Big -eared Bat Species of Concern
Survey and Molluscs scs NWFP survey and mar
Harlequin Duck.:' Game species
Roosevelt Elk Management indicator species;
Game species
Declining in some areas of PNW;
unknown on Olympic Peninsula
rage species Unknown
Declining in some areas;
unknown on Olympic. Peninsula
Stable to declining; east -side
Olympic Peninsula populations low
Wildlife. Key Questions
Four key questions were identified that relate to wildlife in the analysis area. All four will be answered in
this module. Answers to the first two questions are part of this introduction. The remaining two
28
questions will be addressed for each species in the text related to that species or species group. The key
wildlife questions are:
• What terrestrial vertebrate species and species groups currently inhabit the analysis area?
• What species or species groups are of concern due to classification, value, and/or trend? What
are those classifications, values, and/or trends?
• What is the amount, distribution, and quality of habitat for the analysis species in the analysis
area?
• What restoration opportunities exist in the watershed that might maintain or improve wildlife
habitat and aid in the oonservation or recovery of the analysis species?
Threatened and Endangered Species
Five species will be considered in this analysis that are currently listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service under the Endangered Species Act as either endangered or threatened: the northern spotted owl,
marbled murreiet, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and gray wolf. The first three are known to occur in the
Dosewallips watershed. Peregrines are a potential species and wolves have been extirpated
Population status, habitat conditions, and potential management for the four species that may occur in the
watersheds is especially important because all are at risk of extinction if not managed properly.
Information on the location of individuals for these species is classified as sensitive and is only available
to partner agencies, upon request.
Northern Spofted Owl
General information
The northern spotted owl was federally listed as threatened in June, I990, under the Endangered Species
Act, and state listed as threatened due to declining populations and habitat loss. The primary
requirements to ensure spotted owl population viability are maintenance of suitable nesting habitat and
retention of adequate dispersal habitat for use by non- breeding birds. There is a well- documented history
of issues relating to management of the northern spotted owl that are not reviewed in this report-
Although spotted owls have been found using a wide variety of habitat types, studies over the last couple
decades have shown their strong association with and preference for late - successional forest habitat.
Forest areas used by spotted owls for nesting, roosting, and foraging (suitable habitat) typically have large
diameter ( >30 ") trees and snags. with broken tops and cavities, moderate to high levels of snags and down
wood, sufficient understory to support prey, and at least 400/a canopy closure. Owls also require areas
through which they can travel and where non - breeding birds can roost and forage. Requirements for this
dispersal habitat are less well known The best available information indicates stands must have an
average diameter of at least 11 inches and a minimum of 40% canopy closure. A higher canopy cover
may be desirable to increase foraging capability and reduce competition from and predation by larger
raptors. As with suitable habitat, there must be sufficient structural diversity to provide habitat for prey
species, such as flying squirrels, Douglas squirrels and other small mammals.
Reference and Current Conditions
Information on the status of spotted owl populations within the Dosewallips watershed was nearly non -
existent prior to the early 1980's. Most survey work in this area has been done since 1987, so historic
populations levels are not documented. The most intensive efforts to locate new territories extended from
1987 -1990. Since then, the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Forestry Sciences Laboratory (PNW lab)
has monitored known territories intensively and located new owl sites opportunistically. Olympic
National Forest survey efforts have been limited to proposed project areas. The Olympic National Paris
P41
has monitored known territories and made more concerted efforts to locate new pairs in some areas, but
much of the Park is still unsurveyed. A complete, o -the- ground, inventory of suitable and dispersal
spotted owl habitat does not exist for any land ownership in the analysis area.
As discussed in the. Vegetation Module of this analysis, wildfires were the primary-cause of disturbance
for 400 years, starting in 1308. Every two hundred years, the. watershed was altered by a landscape -scale
wildfire, resulting in nearly uniform early - successional forests throughout the watershed. The most recent
of these fires was in 1701. As a result of this fine history, Habitat in the watershed was relatively uniform.
Species dependent on young forest had an abundance of habitat for about two decades. Then forests
entered mid -seral stages, which can support numerous species, but are not desirable to many. Eventually
forests developed late - successional characteristics upon which many species are dependent, such as large
diameter trees, snags, and down logs. A few decades later, the forest would burn again. There were times
in the last 500 years when suitable nesting habitat for spotted owls was abundant and other times when it
was almost non- existent. Dispersal habitat was abundant through much of the successional evolution.
Although =final wildfire has not substantially affected the analysis area in nearly 300 years, timber
harvest, human- settlement, and human- caused wildfires have impacted forest conditions. Asa result,
suitable nesting habitat for spotted owls is extensive in the maiinstem Dosewallips and upper tributaries,
where management has been minimal, and limited in ]cocky Brook and the lower watershed, where
settlement; logging, and human - caused foes have been concentrated
Currently, the Dosewalhps watershed supports eight known activity center's. An additional 12 activity
centers are known to occur within 2.7 miles of the watershed analysis area. A substantial portion of the.
estimated home range for these activity centers falls within the watershed. All 20 activity centers are
mapped in GIS. The map includes a 2.7 mile buffer around each activity center in the watershed This
buffer area approximates the home range size tor spotted owls on the Olympic Peninsula. A second, 0.7
mile buffer estimates the core area around an activity center that an owl will defend (territory)- Site
locations of spotted owls are sensitive information and are only available to cooperating state, and federal
agencies
Known owl pairs and individuals on Forest Service land are monitored annually by the PNW lab. IJew
pairs are not actively sought on Forest Service or Park Service land unless management is proposed that
might impact an area of unsurveyed suitable habitat. Therefore, the total population in the analysis area is
not known. An estimate of owl populations based on known distribution and suitable habitat was not
calculated for this analysis..; Reproductive trends are examined in Table 10. This table displays the known
reproductive history for all documented spotted owl territories within the Dosewallips watershed. The
table also provides information on the type of occupation in the territory (reproduction, confirmed pair,
territorial single, or single). Years with no existing data are noted on the table by a blank space; either
because the owl territory had not yet been monitored or established, or because no owl presence was
observed that year. Territories are surveyed for 3 years after the last sighting. If no birds are found,
surveys cease, though the territory may be reestablished if surveys detect birds in the same location in later
years.
Map 8 displays the current distribution of northern spotted owl suitable and dispersal habitat in the
Dosewallips watershed. This map was,genemted in Arc Info Geographic Information System based on
the plant associations and fire and management history in the watershed. An estimated age for
development of dispersal and suitable habitat in each plant association was developed by the forest
wildlife biologists and ecologist The fire and management history layers gave an approximate year of
origin for all stands: The year of origin provided an age, which was compared to the estimated age for
habitat development for the appropriate plant association, and in this way it was determined which
forested stands are likely providing suitable or dispersal habitat for owls. Because age is not a guarantee
of stand structure, and even within a plant association stand development may vary, some areas identified
as habitat may not be suitable for nesting yet. It is also possible that some younger stands that contain
remnant trees from previous stands are suitable habitat, but were not identified on the map.
30
Table 10 - Reproductive history for activity centers on National Forest land in the Dosewallips watershed
Owl# 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
24 T S P P S
112 S S P T P R
155 'P P S -P P T R.
295 S T T R
P T P T S
409 R R R R P R P P
444 S
698 P S
Owl # = Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife spotted owl site number
R = Reproduction confirmed
P = Pair, no reproduction confirmed
T = Territorial Single
S = Single
Of the 77,823 acres in the Dosewallips watershed, 22,586 acres are identified as suitable spotted owl
habitat, which constitutes 29 percent of the watershed of the 22,586 acres of suitable nesting habitat, 51
acres (<%) are on private lands, 12,790 acres (570/9) are managed by Olympic National Park, and 9,745
acres (43%) are managed by the ONE Of those 9,745 acres on the National Forest, 4,958 acres are in
designated Wilderness areas, 4,781 acres are designated. as LSR, and six acres are in AMA.
Much of the Dosewallips watershed is essentially unmanaged by humans with only a few roads, trails,
and campgrounds impacting the Landscape. As a result, and since the last landscape fire was in 1701, one
might opra more of the watershed to provide suitable habitat for spotted owls. However, 24,800 acres of
the watershed (321/6) is not forested. In the lowlands this is agricultlirliYurbau I" Most of this acreage
is in the upper elevations where alpine and rock habitats are abundant.
From the lower end of the Upper Dosewallips River subwatershed west, suitable habitat availability is
largely the result of elevation. The plant associations that dominate above 3800'-4400, elevation are very
slow growing. if they ever develop sufficient size and structure to provide suitable nesting habitat, it will
take over 350 years. These areas have never provided suitable habitat in at least the last seven centuries,
due to wildfires. Currently the forested areas provide dispersal, roosting, and foraging habitat for owl
pans using the area
Below these elevations, suitable habitat is abundant in the upper watershed, and is available in large,
contiguous tracts- Given the am history of the eastern Olympic Peninsula, there is more suitable habitat
available now in the upper Dosewallips watershed than has been available in at least 700 years.'
From the Lower Dosewallips River subwatershed north and west to the Middle Dosewallips River, suitable
owl habitat has been fragmented by human activity. The suitable habitat that exists. is older than has been
allowed to develop through the historic fires, but the uniformity of habitat across the landscape that
occurred as a result of fires has been lost. This trend toward increased fragmentation has a negative effect
on habitat for spotted owls, which rely almost entirely on a single habitat type. In the Nfiddle Dosewallips
River and Rocky Brook subwatersheds, the fragmentation is highest and is due to logging that has
occurred since the 1920's. In the Lower Dosewallips River and Turner and Walkers Creeks
subwatersheds, there is almost no suitable habitat due to the effects of logging, agriculture, and
urbanization.
The quantity of suitable nesting habitat within 2.7 and 0.7 miles of the activity center is important in
determining the potential impacts of future management within those buffers. Under the Endangered
31
Species Act' management Will result in "taking" a spotted owl if that management reduces suitable habitat
quantities below the level needed to support an owl or pair of owls. To be above t,*e esh hab ta
more thiin 4614. *(5,'768 acres] of thr old"-
of the area within 2.7 miles and 500 acres of the area within 0.7 miles ' the e
activity center must be suitable habitat. Habitat alteration within the home range of activity centers not
meeting this threshold would harm the owl(s).
Five of the eight spotted Owl activity centers in the analysis area are Wow the take threshold ('able 11).
For four Of these sites, this lack of habitat is because they are at high elevations and forests above 4,000'
rarely Provide suitable *nesting habitat, though they can provide foraging and roosting habitat. Most likely
sites 112, 155, and 444. are not at d* due to the lack of suitable habitat acres, since there is suitable
foraging habitat available adjacent to the large core area of suitable habitat. Site 698 is located in high
elevation dispersal habitat and does not have the core area of suitable habitat. Maintaining an -activity
center at this site in the long-term is unlikely and there is little that could be done to improve the
situation. Site 409 is the only site that does not meet the take threshold due to management instead of
elevation. However, this site is'Only 15 acres shy of the tQold and probably has sufficient habitat
available to support a reproductive pair into the
site should be evaluated carefully to ensure future Any future management within 2.7 miles of this
availability. it Will improve habitat conditions, not further reduce habitat
Table 11 Acres of owl habitat near known activity centers
owl site
Acres w/W 2.7
Acres w/-.10.7
24
060:
578
112
3,161
696
155
4,350
$38
295
6,592
729
7,'854
619
409
51693
577
444
2,287
496
698
2,022
26
Dispersal habitat, like suitable habitat, was identified using
Plant associations and fire and management
history information. Some identified stands on private and ONF land have been commercially a thinned,
which would 'increase tree growth and understory development and reduce snags and,down logs.. Despite
the. loss of snags and large down wood, these areas probably provide good dispersal h . abitat for owls
Stands On the Forest and Park that have not been thinned may be developing rapidly ol'I'tute slow .
Without a ground survey of ' it ly.
eachgan4' is impossible to kn -own bow each stand is developiu&
Therefore, as with the suitable habitat delineation, some stands that are identified as dispersal habitat may
not be functioning as such yet and other stands not identified may provide acceptable habitat..
Within the lJosewallips watershed, 47,595 acres are identified as spotted owl dispersal babitat, 'which
constitutes 62 Percent of the -watershed. Of this area, 2,194 (5%) are on private lands, 26,702 ac
(56%)are on National Park .land, and 18,609 acres
acres (39949) are mana ged by the ONF. Of the 18,609 acres
on the National Forest, 7,015 acres are in designated Wilderness areas, ,
areas, 10,369 acres are designated as
LSR; and l 22,5 acres are in AMA Because any habitat suitable for nesting also will provide for owl
dispersal, needs, the 47,595 acres of dispersal habitat includes the 22,586.a'
nesting. ac that are suitable for
As stated earlier, the distribution of habitat across the landscape has 'a substantial impact o
Owls to use available habitaL Not 6 n the ability of
1, �
nlY.. must suitable nesting, roosting; and foraging habitat be available
in sufficiefitiy large t4ocks to support a nesting pair, but these'areas of suitable habitat need o be
connected by dispersal habitat. Young owls need arm that ed
Will support them during their subadult
period. It is more likely that the juveniles will find such areas if they are near their original nest. If they
have to travel outside dispersal habitat for substantial distances looking for habitat, the chances of
32
predation and starvation increase dramatically. Poor distribution of dispersal habitat in relation to
suitable habitat might also force juveniles to disperse to poor quality habitat, which decreases their
chances of survival to breeding age. Dispersal areas also should connect to additional areas of suitable
habitat. That way, when owls begin to search for a nesting territory, they do not have to travel across
extensive areas of non - habitat where the risks of mortality are high. Spotted owl dispersal distances from
1991 and 1992 PNW radio - telemetry studies for the Olympic Peninsula. ranged from 8.67 to 58.24 km-
(5.39 to 36.19 mi.). These distances indicate that dispersal habitat needs to well- distributed across the
landscape.
In the Upper Dosewallips River subwatershed and subwatersheds in the Park, all of the forested area
provides dispersal habitat. As discussed previously, the forests below about 4000' elevation provide
suitable nesting habitat as well. Above 3800 - 4400', forests provide only dispersal habitat. This dispersal
habitat extends nearly to the watershed boundary and provides good migration corridors for juvenile owls
to use in traveling from their nests in the suitable habitat to more suitable habitat elsewhere in the
Dosewallips and in adjacent watersheds.
Lower in the watershed, where logging and resulting fires occurred in the 1920's and 1930's, dispersal
habitat that is not suitable for nesting is prevalent at all elevations. However, similar to suitable habitat,
dispersal habitat is also fragmented by young plantations, logged in the 1960 -80's. Especially in Rodry
Brook, this fragmentation prevents dispersal habitat from adequately connecting areas of suitable habitat
In Turner and Walkers Creeks and the Lower Dosewallips, there is almost no suitable habitat, but there is
dispersal habitat. In these subwatersheds, dispersal habitat might provide areas for juvenile owls to
survive their subadults years, but the fragmentation increases the potential for predation and competition
from other raptors. Some of these areas of dispersal habitat contain large remnant trees and, if managed
properly, might be encouraged to develop into; suitable habitat more rapidly than they would naturally.
It should be noted that management of current, recruitment, and dispersal owl habitat will be different on
private, National Park, and Forest Service lands. It is likely that much of the private forest land will be
harvested over the next several years, while on Forest Service lands, harvest will be infrequent and on
Park lands it will not occur. Therefore, the Olympic National Paris and Forest Service are most likely to
provide habitat to support the existing activity .centers and provide for the continuance of the species.
Forest Service Opportunities
Retaining existing habitat into the future should always be the top priority. In addition, current
silvicultural techniques supply us with numerous opportunities to improve forest conditions for the
northern spotted owl. Areas that are dispersal habitat now can be managed to develop large diameter
trees and snags more rapidly than. might be natural, especially if they already contain remnant trees.
Standing trees can be felled to provide down wood for prey species. Cavities can be created to provide
habitat for prey species and owls. Priority among these opportunities should be given to managing those
stands closest to existing activity centers, especially those below or near the take threshold, to improve the
chances that those birds will survive and reproduce successfully. Next consideration should go to those
stands lacking only one or two elements to become habitat, such as second growth forest lacking snags or
down wood.. Attention also should be given to developing young stands into dispersal and suitable habitat
as quickly as possible in the LSR. Within this category, emphasis should be placed on developing stands
within the nesting territory of known owls and stands adjacent to currently suitable habitat and/or between
areas of suitable and dispersal habitat to expand the size of suitable habitat patches and provide connective
dispersal habitat in the meantime.
33
Marbled Murrelet
General information
Marbled murrelets were federally listed as. threatened in September, 1992, under the Endangered Species
Act, acid state listed as threatened due to declining populations' and loss of habitat. Marbled murrelets .
feed and spend most of their lives on salt water, but they nest in forest habitats. The nesting season in
Washington is from April to mid-September--Murrelets Vnerally nest in low - elevation old -growth or
late successional forest habitats with multiple canopies and moderate (-500/9) canopy closure (Hamer and
Nelson .1995). Murrelets tend to nest in the oldest.trees in the'stand ( USFWS 1992), since these are most
lrikely.to provide natural and/or mistletoe infected limbs with a diameter of five inches or greater. These
branches, which are often coveted in moss and duff, are used as nesting platforms. Small forest fragments
are not typically used for nesting due to risks' from wind and increased predation at stand. edges. Nests in
fragmented stands and those near human activity may be at the greatest task of predation from corvid .
species.
The marbled murrelet population has been estimated at 5,000 in the state of Washington (Ralph et at:
1995). Historical numbers are. thought to have been higher. Removal of nesting habitat by timber harvest
is cbnsidered.to be a primary factor in population decline (USFWS.1992). Other factors that. may
eomn`bute,.now or in the future, to population decline include: predation, reduced prey populations, oil
pollution, entanglement in gill nets, and proposed offshore .oil development along the Washington coast:
(Ralph et al 1995, USFWS 1992).
Since marbled murrelet reproductive rates are low, with one egg laid per year and high rates of predation,
recovery is slow from population declines (Nelson and Hamer 1995). It is suspected that marbled
murrelets have a variable reproductive rate where all adults may not nest every year
Reference and Current Conditions
Intensive murrelet nesting surreys have been eonducted.on the Quilcene Ranger. District since 1990..
Little was known about murrelet activity on. the District prior to this time. Survey work has been
conducted using recommended protocols and will continue as budgets permit. Objectives for these surveys
are to determine which stands murrelets are using for nesting, so protection can be provided for those
stands and the birds using them, and which stands are not used for nesting, go that management need not
be restricted for murrelets in these areas. Information gathered through these surveys has beers shared
with researchers and the WDFW for use in analyses of survey protocols and habitat use. In 1995 -98,
habitat data was gathered in several surveyed stands to aid in analysis of murrelet habitat selection.
Only a few small portions of the Dosewallips watershed has been surveyed for marbled murrelets. In
1993 -95, surveys were conducted in the Green Hill area. Very few detections were noted and there was no
occupied behavior. In 1995 -96, surveys were conducted on the east side of Mt. Turner. Murrelets were
occasionally detected, but were always flying rapidly inland, by- passing the surveyed habitat. There was
no indication of occupancy. This area, especially Turner Creek, is likely a fly -way into the watershed.
Finally, surveys were conducted.: at six additional sites in the Turner creek and Rocky Brook subwatershed
in 1996 -97. In 1996, three of these sites (23B004, 5, and 6) had presence detections. All but one of these
detections was heard only due, to distance, topography, and/or fog. The one visual detection was of a
single bird flying over the habitat at 1.2 canopies. In 1996, Rocky Brook timber sale vyas being harvesting
during survey season. These activities were audible at three of the sites (the three at which birds were
detected). They were quite loud at Site 23B006, and affected the ability of the surveyor to hear at times.
The logging activity, which began prior to nesting season directly across the drainage from Site 6, may
have impacted murrelet use of the area. In 1997, murrelet presence was again detected at sites 23B004
and 23B006. All detections except one were auditory only. The one visual observation, at site 4, was of
34
two birds circling over an adjacent early -mid seral stand at 2.2 canopies. Based on these surveys, it is safe
to say murrelets probably do not currently nest in the habitat surveyed by sites 23B001 -3. Given the
potential disturbance of a timber sale during one year of surveys at sites 23B004 -6, it is not possible to say
that murrelets do not use these areas of habitat, despite conducting two years of surveys with 10 visits per
site each year. The presence of birds at these sites indicates additional surveys may be wan-anted to
determine murrelet use of the area.
In addition to these survey areas, two occupied sites are located within 0.5 miles of the analysis area. The
Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)(USDA and USDI 1994) requires that all contiguous suitable (nesting) and
recruitment habitat within 0.5 miles of an occupied murrelet site be protected. No timber harvest is
allowed in these areas. Any silvicultural treatments in forest habitats in the 0.5 mile circle must protect or
enhance suitable and recruitment habitat. Therefore, these two occupied sites will have an impact on how
a small area in the Dosewallips watershed can be managed under the NWFP.
Map 9 shows suitable nesting habitat for marbled murrelets in the analysis area. Because information on
the availability of suitable platforms in individual stands is not available for most of the analysis area, the
suitable spotted owl habitat layer was used for murrelets as well. There are probably areas that are shown
as habitat that do not contain suitable platforms yet and there are areas shown as dispersal owl habitat that
contain a limited number of platforms that may provide suitable murrelet habitat. Extensive field
verification is necessary to improve this map for murrelets.
Of the 77,823 acres in the Dosewallips watershed, 22,586 acres are identified as suitable marbled murrelet
habitat, which constitutes 29 percent of the watershed. Of the 22,586 acres of suitable nesting habitat, 51
acres ( <1 %) are on private lands, 12,790 acres (57 %) are managed by Olympic National Park, and 9,745
acres (43 %) are managed by the ONF. Of thole- 9,745 acres on the National Forest, 4,958 acres are in
designated Wilderness areas, 4,781 acres are designated as LSR, and six acres are in AMA.
As with spotted owls, suitable habitat availability in the upper subwatersheds is largely the result of
elevation. The plant associations that dominate above 3800' -4400' elevation are very slow growing. If
they ever develop sufficient size and structure to provide suita .ble nesting habitat, it will take over 350
years. These areas have never provided suitable habitat, due to wildfires. Below these elevations, suitable
habitat is abundant in the upper watershed, and is available in large, contiguous tracts. Given the fire
history of the eastern Olympic Peninsula, there is more suitable habitat available now in the upper
Dosewallips watershed than has been available in at least 700 years.
From the Lower Dosewallips River subwatershed north and west to the Middle Dosewallips River, suitable
murrelet habitat has been fragmented by human activity. The suitable habitat that exists is older than has
been allowed to develop through the historic fires, but the uniformity of habitat across the landscape that
occurred as a result of fires has been lost. This trend toward increased fragmentation has a negative effect
on habitat for marbled murrelets, which rely almost entirely on a single habitat type, are semi - colonial
nesters, and do not use the same nest each year. In the Middle Dosewallips River and Rocky Brook
subwatersheds, the fragmentation is highest and is due to logging that has occurred.since the 1920's. In
the Lower Dosewallips River and Turner and Walkers Creeks subwatersheds, there is almost no suitable
habitat as a result of logging, agriculture, and urbanization.
Forest Service Opportunities
As with spotted owls, the greatest opportunities for management are in protecting and developing suitable
nesting habitat. Particularly in those areas identified as Late - Successional Reserve by the NWFP and
those areas encompassed by occupied site buffers, it is important to manage the forest to provide suitable
habitat as quickly as possible. Additional areas may be identified across the landscape where it is
desirable to develop late - successional forest. Priority should be given to those areas that are contiguous to
existing habitat so they will eventually provide large blocks of habitat If occupied stands are identified in
35
the watershed in the future, emphasis should be placed on increasing the amount of habitat within the 0.5.
mile occupied site buffer:
The other opportunity available to positively impact murrelet populations is the •conservation of fish
populations.. in Hood Canal. Throughout the year, murrelets are known to spend time foraging in the
canal, and declines in prey populations would impact murrelet population levels.
Bald Eagle •
General information
Bald eagles have been the nation's symbol since 1872. In 1973, they were federally listed as threatened
under the Endangered Species Act and they are listed as threatened by the State. Bald eagles are also
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), Eagle Protection Act (1940), and Lacey Act
(19010: Recent surveys'indicate an increase in bald eagle populations throughout much of the country
since they were listed, and they can still be found through most of their historic range in the Pacific
northwest.
For several decades,bald eagle.populations declined throughout most of their range. Factors in this
decline included: habitat alteration, shooting, nest disturbance, poisoning by chemical use in the drainage
{air and water pollution), contamination and elimination of prey, electrocution on powerlines, noise
disturbance associated with logging, recreation and other human use (USFWS 1986).
Bald eagles typically nest in one of the largest, tallest trees in a forest stand; trees that can provide support
for a heavy nest; an open flight path, and a view of potential prey. The nests are almost always within._
sight of water (USFWS 1986).. Bald eagles show extremely strong fidelity to a nest site. Some pairs.,build
two or more nests within their territory and alternate between them from year to year. Along with one or
more nests, bald eagle tefritories typically contain several snags, trees with exposed branches, and/or trees
with dead tops. These structures, provide perches, vantage points for foraging and territory.defense, and:
access to and from the nest.
Winter perch and roost sites are typically in mature or old-growth habitat, usually associated with water,
and may be communal. Availability of prey resources is a determining factor of wintering patterns.
Reference and Current Conditions
Past population estimates for the Dosewallips watershed are not available. Based on historical factors
such as habitat distribution and prey base, bald eagle populations may have been higher in.the past than at
present. The availability of large trees for nesting and roosting was cyclical in the past, evolving after
landscape -scale fires. When habitat was available, it was abundant throughout the lower watershed. It is
even possible that a few scattered trees in the wetlands of the estuary, survived fires. Currently the
lowlands. near the mouth of the Dosewallips River, where eagle activity is usually concentrated, have only
scattered large conifers trees in the State Park and adjacent lands. These trees survived the fires earlier
this century, as well as the logging and urbanization in Brinnon. Because of this actMty, very little
habitat will develop in this area, even if another fire does not burn through for another two hundred years,
resulting in less suitable habitat than was available cyclically in the past.
On the Olympic Peninsula, .a primary prey is salmon. Throughout the year, salmon runs return to streams
to spawn and die. Eagles are frequently seen at the mouths of rivers and concentration points along
streams, hunting the returning salmon and, feeding on the carcasses that wash down from spawning
grounds. In recent years; numbers of returning salmon have declined and four of six runs in the
Dosewallips are identified as depressed or critical status; two are currently proposed for federal listing as
threatened (Page 83). The relatively low population levels of salmon in the watershed could affect the
36
ability of eagles in the area to reproduce and decrease the number of eagles wintering near the
Dosewallips estuary.
Midwinter aerial and ground surveys for bald eagles were conducted annually by the WDFW and
Quilcene Ranger District from 1991-1995. Surveys in the Dosewallips watershed focused on Seal Rock
Campground and non - federal lands, where eagles are more prevalent, and resulted in sightings of
numerous adult eagles. near the Dosewallips estuary and at Seal Rock Campground each year. These
surveys have stopped in recent years due to funding.
There is one historic bald eagle territory in the analysis area. It is one of the two most productive nest
sites known on Hood CanaL This pair has produced one or two young every year since 1985, except 1992
(Ament, pers comm.). In addition to this territory, three other eagle territories are known within a couple
miles of the watersheds. Birds from these territories probably use the Dosewallips estuary for foraging.
WDFW currently monitors the status and productivity of all four territories. Unfortunately, funding often
has limited these surveys to one per season in recent years. Young seen on the nest and counted may not
always successfully fledge. WDFW has done aerial surveys up the Dosewallips River in past years
looking for additional eagle nests. Despite excellent coniferous habitat in patches up the rivet, no nests
have been found, possibly due to limited foraging opportunities relative to along Hood Canal.
Forest Service Opportunities
Management to maintain or improve the salmon mars in the Dosewallips River will benefit bald eagles
(Page 121). Care should be taken to protect water quality in the estuary and all bodies of open mater.
Eagles can be dramatically impacted by contamination of prey, as well as decreasing prey populations,
that may result from poor water quality.
Any management to provide even small stands of large trees near the estuary, river, and wetlands may
increase nesting, roosting, and foraging opportunities for eagles. Management to provide late-
successional forest habitat will provide suitable habitat that may be used if eagles are forced out of areas,
nearer their foraging grounds in the lowlands. ;•
Peregrine Falcon
General Information ..
The peregrine falcon was federally listed as endangered in 1970 under the Endangered Species
Conservation Act, and is state listed as endangered. The primary cause of peregrine population declines is
the use of organochlorine pesticides, particularly DDT. Concentrations of these chemicals resulted in
eggshell thinning that reduced peregrine reproduction substantially. DDT and dieldrin were banned in
the United States in 1972. Through their continued use in Central and South American countries, where
migratory prey and some peregrines winter, and latent concentrations of similar chemicals in U.S. soils,
DDT and dieldrin continue to affect peregrine populations that breed in the United States (Pagel and
Jarman 1991).
Peregrines nest on ledges and potholes in vertical cliffs. They require cliffs with several small ledges that
are inaccessible to mammalian predators. Snow must be gone from these ledges in time for peregrines to
nest, fledge their young, and have those young be self - sufficient before cold weather sets in again. The
upper elevation at which this is possible varies with latitude, aspect, and climate. Access to an avian prey
base nearby is essential, since birds are the primary food of peregrines. Riparian or wetland habitat
usually meets this need.
37
Reference and Current conditions
Within the Dosewallips watershed, there are extensive cliffs that may be suitable for peregrine falcon
nesting. Mt. Crag and a cliff near Constance Creek have both been identified as high quality habitat.
Both have been surveyed for peregrines in the past decade, but no peregrines have been detected at either
site. If management activities were proposed near either cK additional surveys would be warranted.
Roger Hoffman and Bruce Moorhead of Olympic National Park both.sighted peregrine falcons at or near
Mt. LaCrosse, which is at the headwaters of the West Vork Dosewallips subwatershed; between 1980 -88.
Some. of these sightings were in the Dosewallips drainage. Mt. LaCrosse has cliff habitat, but it is high in
elevation and the-northeast slopes that are in the Dosewallips probably do not provide suitable habitat dire
to snow that remains well into the breeding season.
Forest Service Opportunities
To determine moie certaiiily whether peregrine falcons use the Dosewallips watershed for nesting or if
they are simply transient visitors, additional surveys are needed. There is much cliff habitat irk-the
Olympic National Park. As more information on what makes cuffs suitable for nesting ii "able, this
habitat should be reevaluate to determine, which cliffs are potentially suitable.` Those cliffs determined to
be suitable should be surveyed at least 4 times during the nesting season for a period of at least four hours
each survey, preferably early in the day when activity is likely to be highest.
If peregrines are ever found 'nesting in the watershed, a management plan for the nest territoty would need
to be developed. All management, including recreational uses, within at least two miles of the site would
need to be evaluated to determine if it had the potential to impact the nesting success of the falcons.
If surveys are conducted and no nesting peregrines are located in the watershed, there is the potential to
introduce falcons to the Dosewallips. Such introductions are covered in tine Peregrine Falc6n Recovery "
Plan for the Pacific Northwest as a possible management tools to increase falcon populations: Any
proposal for introduction would require extensive research and analysis to determine that the Wcons
would be able to survive and successfully reproduce in the proposed location.
Gray Wolf
General information
The gray wolf was federally listed as endangered in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation Act
and is state listed as endangered ` Wolves are native to the Olympic Peninsula, but were extirpated in the
late 1920s or early 1930's as a result of shooting, poisoning, and reduction in their prey base. A '-
discussion of the history of the gray wolf in the Olympic mountains, as well as a list of historical 'wolf
sightings or suspected wolf presence may be found in "A Case Study for Species Reintroduction: The Wolf
M— Olympic National Park, Washington" (Dratch et al. 1975). Wolves are known to occur in the
Cascades. The Olympic' Peninsula is, practically, an inaccessible island for most mammals: three "sides
are salt water and the fourth is blocked by large tracts of urban and agricultural lands. Wolves are not'
likely to ever naturally return to the Olympics.
Wolves are capable of adapting to nearly any climate. Before being hunted to near extinction: in the lower
48 states, they were known to occur from coast to coast, desert to high alpine. The primary requirement
for wolf survival is a prey base of ungulates and small mammals. Prey may include deer, elk, squirrels,
and hares, among other species. large areas with little human disturbance are beneficial to wolves;
particularly since prey populations are likely to be higher and there is less potential for negative
encounters with humans.
38
Reference and Current conditions
Before the mid- 1800's, the analysis area had very little human influence. Bunting and fishing occurred,
but numbers of people and access into the watershed were limited.. At that time, most of the area was mid
to late-successional forest, which probably provided habitat to high concentrations of small mammals,
deer, and elk. In other words, it was excellent wolf habitat.
Since timber harvest began in earnest in the 1920's, access to the watersheds has increased substantially.
Since that time, the road system has accessed more and more of the area. Now only the Wilderness and
Park land lacks a matrix of roads, and parts of both of these areas are accessed by trails. The large
proportion of the watershed that currently provides multi- storied, late- successional forest habitat probably
supports a moderate ungulate population and good complexes of small mammals.
.Forest Service Opportunities
An evaluation of the biological, sociological, and economic resources of the Olympic Peninsula is
currently being conducted to determine if it is feasible to reintroduce wolves to the area Until a
determination is made, there is no reason to focus energies on improving conditions for wolves, since they
do not occur on the Peninsula If they are reintroduced, the management plan for the population will
address opportunities for improving habitat.
Proposed and Sensitive Species
In addition to those species that are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, three species with
the potential to occur in the Dosewallips watershed (bull trout, Chinook salmon, and eoho salmon) are
proposed for federal listing. A detailed analysis concerning these species is in the Aquatic'Section.
A,..
California Wolverine (Gino gulo lateus) - Known on the Olympic from historic sightings on the Hood
Canal District, this sensitive species is solitary, secretive, and usually found away from human activity.
Little is known about its habitat requirements, except that large ungulate carrion is an important food.,
particularly in winter months. Most known populations spend a portion of the year in subalpine and
alpine habitat (Ruggiero et al 1994). Based on this limited information, the potential for wolverines in the
analysis area is moderate. Montane habitat is fairly extensive in the analysis area and much of it is m
Wilderness or the National Park so it has no roads and human activity is limited to summer hiking. In
winter, deer and elk move to the lowlands buteven some of these areas are accessible with limited chance
of human interaction. There are no recent confirmed sightings of wolverines on the Peninsula The
likelihood of wolverines occurring in the Dosewallips is most limited by the rareness of the species.
Pacific Western Big - eared Bat (Plecotus tmmsena towmmdiu) - This species is on the Regional
Forester's sensitive species list for Washington and is known to occur on the Quilcene Ranger District, in
the Dungeness, Jimmy Come Lately, and Little Quilcene watersheds (Hedwall 1993). Based on
information compiled for the Habitat Conservation Assessment for Townsend's Big -Eared Bat (ISLE
1995), roosting habitat of this species includes caves, mines, and human -made structures such as old
buildings, bridges, and culverts. In areas where such roosting sites are limited, these bats may use cavities
in large trees for roosts. Prior to white settlement, only caves and large new were available for roosting.
Cave habitat is limited, if it exists at all, in the analysis area There were many large diameter trees
available throughout the watershed.
Currently, all types of human-made structures used for roosting occur in the lowlands of the Dosewallips
watershed and bridges, outhouses, and a few larger buildings occur in the upper watershed. The only
mine known in the watershed is a small adit that probably does not provide the appropriate habitat. The
number of large trees are fewer than at times in the past, but they are still numerous and human -made
structures are typically selected over trees as roosts. Therefore, suitable habitat for these big -eared bats
has not declined and may have increased since white settlement. Of course, these bats prefer to be
relatively undisturbed by humans. So, although a great deal of roosting habitat has been created in the
39
t
last century, much of it maybe undesirable given the increases in human activity near buildings, bridges,
and culverts.
Townsend's big -eared bats eat almost nothing but Lepidoptera (moths). Foraging habitats, which include
a variety of forest types, vegetated stream corridors, and wetlands, have been impacted in recent decades.
Timber harvest and road development have reduced vegetation adjacent to streams and wetlands,
impacting prey availability. When pesticides were used on young stands, moth populations suffered
substantial declines, which likely resulted in big -eared bat declines.
The greatest threats to this species are loss of roost sites, either directly to closumtremoval or through
human intrusion, and reduction in prey base through pesticides, vegetation conversion, and alteration of
wetlands. If roost sites are found, they should be protected from excessive human intrusion and
destruction, especially from spring to fall when bats are most likely to be present. Conservation of
wetlands, as required by the NWFP, will protect at least a portion of the species' foraging habitat+
Survey and Manage-and Species of-Concern
"Survey and manage" are'provisions withiathe Standards and-Guidelines of the NWFP geared'toward
conserving a variety of.plant, fungus, and animal species associated with late - successional forests. Each
species on the list is covered by one or more of four provisions: manage known sites, survey prior to
ground- disturbing activities and manage known sites, conduct extensive surveys, and conduct general
regional surveys.
Ten mollusc species on the survey and manage list are known or have the potential to occur on the
Olympic National Forest. An additional 335 plant and fungus species on the list are known or may occur
on the Forest. A list of these plant and fungus species is available in the Species of Concern Guide for the
Olympic National Forest (Ziegluum, 1996). For additional information on these species or management
provisions, see pages C-4 to C-6 and C-49 to C-61 in the NWFP.
Molhises
Of the ten nwlluse species that may be found on the Olympic Peninsula, three are land snails: hoko
vertigo (Vertigo n sp.), Oregon megomph& (A4egomphix hemphilli), and Puget oregonian (Gryptomastix
devia). The remaining seven ate slugs: blue -gray tail- dropper (Prophysaon coeruleum), Burrington
jumping -slug (Hemphillia burringtoni), evening fieldslug (Deroceras hesperium), papillose. tail- dropper
(Prophysoon dubium), warty jumping -slug (Hemphillia glondulosa), Malone jumping -slug (Hemphillia
malonei) and panther jumping -slug (Hemphillia pantherina). The first five slugs are likely to occur on
the Olympic. The Malone and panther jumping -slugs are less likely but still have the potential to occur.
Little is known about the population status, range, or habitat requirements of these species. The hoko
vertigo and Bunington jumping -slug are thought to be endemic to the Olympic Peninsula.' The Puget
oregonian and evening field slug have been documented on the Olympic Peninsula. All ten species are
closely associated with old; undisturbed forest and/or riparian habitats. Therefore, suitable habitat exists
for these species in the Dosewallips watershed, though no sites are.known to occur.
Guidelines in the NWFP require that all known sites be managed for conservation of the species and
suitable habitat be surveyed prior to ground - disturbing activities. Appendix J2 of the NWFP identifies.
mitigation measures to ensure viability of each species. For these ten species, protection buffers around
known sites, surveys, and application of riparian reserves are recommended to ensure management
activities do not impact species viability. These measures should be followed if sites are locatek since
some activities could impact these molluscs if they are using the available habitat:
Management to improve conditions for these species should focus on encouraging development of late-
successional forest characteristics adjacent to currently suitable habitat. This will increase the abilityyof
these species to recolonize areas naturally as they become suitable.
40
Protection measures are also provided in the NWFP for five bat species, three of which are likely to occur
in the Dosewallips watershed: long -eared myotis ( Myotis evolis), long - legged myotis ( Myotis volans), and
silver- haired bat (Lasfon)cteris nocttvagans). All three bat species are known to occur on the Quilcene
Ranger District (White 1994, Hedwall 1993). All three species use crevices in large snags and trees,
caves, mines, and buildings as day and/or maternity roost sites (USDA and USDla 1994). Suitable trees
may be in old growth forest or younger forests that have remnant large trees or snags. Even large snags
within recently harvested stands can provide suitable habitat. Rock crevices, caves, mines, and buildings
are used as night and winter roosts (USDA and USDIa 1994). Bats seem to select roosts based primarily
on temperature regime. All three species forage over mature forests, streams, and wetlands and use
stream. corridors as travel ways. For this reason, suitable roost sites near open water are of particular
importance.
Large trees and snags are more prevalent in the upper watershed now than they were after wildfires. In
Rocky Brook and the lover watershed, they were more abundant historically than they are after the timber
harvest practices of the last few decades. As described for the Pacific western big -cared bat, conversion of
vegetation along streams and near wetlands has negatively impacted these areas for foraging. The same is
true for use of these areas as navel ways. The abundance of caves is unknown in the watershed, and the
only mining claims have only small edits that do not provide good bat habitat. Rock crevices are present
in the many rock outcroppings found throughout the upper watershed, though how many of these provide
suitable habitat for bats is unknown. Buildings have become more prevalent in recent dew, but many
are now. designed to limit access and desirability to species such as bats. If management actions are
proposed that would impact potentially suitable caves, crevices, bridges, or buildings, these features must
be surveyed for bats and protected if any of the three identified species are located.
Retaining snags and large remnant trees, creating snags where none or few exist, and promoting growth
of large trees will provide suitable day and maternity roosting habitat Limiting use of clid% rock
outcroppings, and caves in and adjacent to the watersheds will conserve existing night and winter roosts.
If roosts are located, special consideration should be given to management in the area. Meeting aquatic
conservation objectives in riparian areas and wetlands should provide for sufficient foraging habitat and
movement corridors.
Management Indicator Species
Roosevelt Elk
General information:
Roosevelt elk are species valued for their cultural and recreational uses, such as hunting and wildlife
viewing. In addition, elk may substantially impact the forest they live in through their browsing of young
stands and understory vegetation in mature stands (Moorhead 1994). Given that ecosystems on the
Olympic Peninsula have developed with the presence of elk, changes in their foraging patterns and/or
population levels may substantially affect other species that rely on the forests that are impacted by elk
foraging.
Elk rely primarily on three habitat components: forage, cover, and water. On most of the Olympic
Peninsula, water is not a limiting factor. The ratio of forage'to cover and the distribution of each across
the landscape are important. Of particular importance is the availability of forage and cover habitats
within the elk's winter range (below 1500' elevation). A final factor that influences elk use of habitat is
the proximity of that habitat to human disturbance.. Roads, developments, logging operations, and
industry all may reduce the use of otherwise desirable habitat
Elk forage in open areas, whether natural or created by timber harvest, urbanization, or agriculture, and in
the understory of mature forests. Three of the main factors influencing the development of forage are
canopy removal, ground disturbance and growth of forage species (shrubs in winter and early spring; forts
and grasses the rest of the year). Timber harvest, either clearcutting or thinning, typically result in both
41
canopy removal and ground disturbance. Seeding of forage species may be .accomplished naturally or
th=ough humans: In mature, unmanaged stands, canopy removal may result from windthrow, disease, or
natural mortality of trees: Fre rrentl some forage species already occur in the understory and are released
by overstory removal_ Otherwise, ground disturbance and seeding of forage species occur naturally after .
disturbances, although humans may move things along in large areas.
Vegetative cover offers protection from weather conditions, .predation, and human disturbance. For elk
there are three types of cover habitat: hiding cover, thermal cover, and optimal cover. • Hiding cover. , .. .
consists of vegetation thick enough to hide 90% of an elk from 200' away. Young, dense stands and brush .
thickets can both meeting hiding-cover needs. Thermal cover provides: protection from extremes in
temperature and .precipitation. Trees must be at least 40' in height and have more than 70% canopy
closure. Optimal cover offers hiding and thermal protection, plus areas of forage. This essential habitat
type is provided by multi=layered conifer forests with-small, scattered openings. Optimal cover is .
particularly important during periods of deep snow when travel and forage in open areas are limited.
The exact ratio of forage and cover habitats needed to supportan elk herd varies. Traditional wisdom ,
indicates that at least 40% of an elk range should provide cover, while up to 60% may provide forage
('Thomas et al 1979). In areas. witli severe winter weather, thermal and optimal cover will be needed. in, .
greater abundance than in areas with mild winters. If optimal cover is available, particularly in the winter
range of a herd, itf dfills both needs:
Even more important than the ratio, of forage to cover is the distribution of these habitat requirements on
the landscape (Thomas et al 1979; . World Forestry Center 1992).. A single, enormous block of forage,
habitat, even if it is equivalent to 600/9 of their range, will not benefit elk. They tend to forage within 200-
600' of forest edges, close to cover. Therefore; foraging areas must be small and interspersed with cover. ,,
habitat. Similarly, cover habitats need to be iA`moderate to large blocks to adequately protect elk from
harassment and climate extremes. Areas of hiding cover should be at least 600' in width. Patches of `
thermal cover should be at least 1200' wide, and 30-60 acres in total size.
Elk regularly use riparian areas for water, forage, cover, and as travel corridors, especially during winter,.,
calving season, and dry summer months. Natural openings, such as meadows and bogs, typically provide
excellent forage and gathering spots for elk during the rut.
Disturbance from forest road use, developments, and industry influences Roosevelt elk use patterns of
adjacent forage and cover habitat, possibly causing some areas of suitable habitat to be less utilized.; The
fact that elk on the eastside of the Olympic Peninsula seem able to adapt to high human disturbance does
not mean these high levels of disturbance are not having a negative impact on the animate. Hansen .
(1993) noted that although Roosevelt elk on the Olympic National Forest were willing to use habitat along
even primary roads if it was of high quality, they preferred to use habitat near secondary and closed roads.
Good habitat away from roads altogether, such as is available in the Park, is even more desirable: WDFW
states that elk use reduces when road`densities are greater than 1.5 miles per square miles of habitat
(Rodrick and Milner 1991).
The substantial increase in urbanization and human disturbance in elk winter range over the last few
decades has reduced the amount of habitat available to elk herds. It is thought that this loss of already
limited winter habitat is a primary factor in the low population levels on the eastside of the Peninsula
(Taber and Raedeke 1980)'.
Reference and Current conditions:
Prior to European settlement, reports indicate large herds of Roosevelt elk across the Olympic Peninsula.
Settlement resulted in a substantial increase in elk hunting over that of the Native Americans. Elk
populations dropped significantly during the fate 1800's.
42
' 1 1
Roosevelt elk were present in the Dosewallips drainage prior to the coming of white settlers, and were
hunted by the Twana people living in villages near the Dosewallips river. No historical data exists on
-;- _ population numbers in this drainage. Long -term residents of the valley state that the herd has not been .
above about 80 animals in the past 60 years. In the 1980's approximately 50 elk were documented in this
herd, all of which appeared to be migratory, moving up into Olympic National Park during the summer.
By 1991, the herd had been reduced to 24 animals through a combination of state, tribal and damage
.'hunts. It remained at this level until spring of 1995, despite a Point No Point tribal hunting closure
starting in 1990 and a state hunting closure starting in 1993. Recruitment is unable to match or exceed
natural mortality when herds in the cast Olympics reach this low a level. In an attempt to supplement this
herd and to reduce damage from the Dungeness herd, 17 elk from the Dungeness drainage were relocated
into the Dosewallips in 1995. All of the cows moved were pregnant and successfully calved in the
Dosewallips area. The population has since increased to 50 is the fall of 1997. Limited permit -only
hunting was resumed by both the state and the Point No —Point Treaty Tubes in 1997.
- Since the relocation, a portion of the herd has remained in the lower watershed for the entire year, while a
- portion has continued to migrate into the Park during the summer. During the winter, the entire herd.
ranges from the mouth of the river up the drainage approximately six miles. It uses both sides of the river
- and occasionally ranges into the Dauckabush watershed. During the summer, the resident portion of the
_
herd continues to utilize about the same home range, though at times it mom farther up river onto the
National Forest. The migratory portion of the herd will move up river through the National Forest to the
headwaters of the Dosewallips River in the Olympic National Park (Nickelson 1998).
More than 30 percent of the DosepvaWps watershed is non - forested. This acreage includes estuary,
residential areas, farmland, rock cliffs, glaciers, . and alpine meadows. Elk use all of these habitats except
the rock cliffs. The estuary,.farmland, and alpine meadows all provide excellent foraging habitat. The
estuary and farmlands are within elk winter range, the alpine meadows are quality summer habitat. The
mid and late -seral forests adjacent to these areas provide hiding and thermal cover to the elk, rounding out
their habitat needs. Most of the forest land of the watershed lies between the farmlands and alpine areas.
As stated above, elk need small foraging areas adjacent to larger blocks of hiding and thermal cover, or
they need large expanses of optimal cover habitat. Forests in the lowlands and Rocky Brook and Turner
subwatersheds include almost all of the young forest that is suitable for foraging. However these early ,
seral stands comprise less than 105/6 of each watershed. Most of the lower Dosewallips drainage is
between 21-80 years old. Most of the area in this age class provides only hiding cover, though the older
stands will provide good thermal cover. None of it is likely to provide good forage. As a result, the best
elk habitat in their winter range is the estuary, farmlands, and residential areas new the river. National
Forest in the lower watershed offers only hiding and thermal cover. Only the riparian area along the
Dosewallips River provides quality winter habitat.
Most of the middle and upper Dosewallips drainage is over 200 years old or non - forested alpine and rock
habitat The type of habitat provided by the forests over 200 years old varies. Some stands are still quite
dense with limited understory, and therefore provide only thermal habitat Most areas, however, have a
developed understory that provides forage of varying quality. Some of these forests provide good optimal
habitat, with both forage and cater components. For this reason, much of the upper watershed provides
good summer habitat, despite the uniformity in age. This is especially true given the large amount of
alpine and subalpine meadow habitat available for forage.
As a result of this habitat distribution, elk spend much of the year in the lowlands of the watershed
During the summer months, a portion of the herd migrates through the poorer quality habitat offered on
National Forest lands to the quality summer range available in the National Park.
Road densities also play a part in determining the quality of habitat for ells In the Dosewallips watershed,
roads are only an issue on National Forest, State, and private lands, since the whole of the National Park
43
area has only a couple miles of road. Three subwatersheds in the analysis area exceed the 1:5 miles per
square mile threshold used by the. State in evaluating elk habitat: Lower Dosewallips River (2.4 mitnlh); .
Rocky Brook (3.7 mi/mi2), and'Tumer and Walk r Creeks -(4:6 mi/mi2). In:each of these watersheds, elk
habitat use patterns' are likely being affected by -road densities, This is especially true in elk winter range;
which is below 1,500' elevation.
if elk and human populations in the analysis area continue to increase and a portion of the elk herd
remains in the lowlands year- round, a conflict may develop between land owners and the elk. If elk are a
desired species for dim , lowlands, and human expansion is planned; thought should be given to managing
certain areas for the elk to provide enough high quality habitat that they will not roam as much where they
are not wanted.
Forest. Service OpporOmWes
Elk use on the National .Forest in the analysis area is currently very limited. Individuals may roam into
the eastern edges from the lowlands throughout the year and some ells migrate through the Forest on their
way to the Park, but anything more than. transitory use has not been documented in recent years. .
Increasing elk use on the National Forests would require creation. of quality forage habitat in their home
range. Based on the limited use National Forest lands receive, it is currently not appropriate to Put, much
effort toward this. In the future, the suitability of private lands for elk may decrease if they are.developed,
if even more roads are put in, and/or if the remaining thermal cover is.remaw d This may force elk
populations in the watershed to look to Forest Service lands for habitat. If elk use of the National Forest
becomes more consistent, management consideration should be given to providing for their short and
long-term needs. This would include providing additional forage and reducing road densities in key
arras. It is also possible that conflict will arise between the elk herd and landowners in the lowlands. If
these concerns develop, it may be desirable to develop quality elk habitat on National Forest lands to lure
the elk out of the lowlands for more of the year.
Harlequin Ducks
General information
Harlequins are stocky, short- necked diving ducks that are locally common along rocky coasts and swift .
streams. They prefer cold, shallow, rapidly flowing mountain . streams in forested regions: They am
proficient divers, and seem to prefer to feed in surf or rough water broken by rocks. They nest on the
ground, in rem in stream banks, under bushes or trees, or occasionally in a hollow. tree or a cavity
among rocks.
Reference and C Trent ConMens
Neither historic nor current population estimates for harlequin ducks are available for the Dosewallips .
watershed. Although they do not have an official status of concern, their use of high quality, forested
stream habitat makes them potential indicators of habitat quality . The Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife recently surveyed their populations on key rivers on the Olympic Peninsula to assess habitat
use and monitor population trends. All accessible portions of the Dosewallips River have been surveyed.
Most of the river below the Dosewallips Forks has documented breeding pairs and,is considered to be
suitable nesting habitat
Forest Service Opportunities
Management that meets the Aquatic Conservation Strategy should be sufficient to protect harlequin duck
habitat. Emphasis along the Dosewallips should be maintaining water quality and forest-cover along the
banks.
44
REFERENCES
Ament, S. 1998. Personal communication, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife bald eagle
Dracht, P., B. Johnson, L. Leigh, D. Levkoy, D. Milne, RRead, R Selkirk, and C. Swanberg. 1975. A
case study for species reintroduction: the wolf in Olympic National Park, Washington. The Evergreen
State College, Olympia, Washington.
Hamer, T.E. and SK Nelson. 1995. Characteristics of marbled murreket nest trees and nesting stands.
Pp. 69-82 in USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report PSW -GTR 152, Ecology and Conservation
of the Marbled MurreleL 420pp. -
Hansen, C.A. 1993. Habitat use by Roosevelt elk in relation to roads on the Olympic Peninsula. M.S.
Thesis. University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 84pp.
Hedwall, T.R. 1993. Bat activity and species composition on theQuiloene Ranger District, Olympic
National Forest. Unpublished senior thesis, University of Washington, Seattle. 17pp.
Idaho State Conservation Effort 1995. Habitat conservation assessment and conservation strategy for the
Townsend's big -eared bat. Draft unpubl. rep. no. 1. Boise, ID.
Moorhead, B.B. 1994. The Forest Elk. Northwest Interpretive Association. 61pp.
Nelson, S.K and T.E. Hamer. 1995. Nest success and the effects of predation on marbled murrelets. Pp.
89 -97 in USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report PSW- GTR -152, Ecology and Conservation of
the Marbled Murrelet. 420pp.
Nickelson, S. 1998. ' Summary of Dosewallips elk herd, provided for watershed analysis.
Pagel, J.E. and W.M. Jarman. 1991. Peregrine Falcons, Pesticides, and Contaminants in the Pacific
Northwest Journal of Pesticide Reform 11(4) :7 -12.
Ralph, C.L. G.L. Hunt, MG. Raphael, and JF. Plant. 1995. Ecology and Conservation of the Marbled
Murrelet in North America: an Overview. Pp. 3 -22 in USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report
PSW -GTR 152, Ecology and Conservation of the Marbled Murrelet. 420pp.
Ruggiero, L.F., Aubry, KB., Buskirk, S.W., Lyon, L.J., Zielinski, W.J., tech. eds. 1994. The Scientific
Basis for Conserving Forest Carnivores: American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine in the Western
United States. , Gen. Tech. Rep. RM -254. Ft Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 184pp.
Taber, R.D. and K.J. Raedeke. 1980. Roosevelt elk of the Olympic National Forest Final report to
USDA Forest Service, Olympic National Forest Contract No. 86779 -237. 107pp.
Thomas, J.W., Black, H. Jr., Scherainger, RJ., Pederson, R.J. 1979. Deer and elk Pp 104 -127 in
Thomas, J.W., a Wildlife habitat in managed forests: the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington.
Agric. Handbook 553. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Washington, DC.
USDA and USDI. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and
Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late - Successional and Old- Growth Forest Related Species -
within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. 100+ pages.
45
USDA and USDIa. 1994. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact .Statement on Management of
Habitat for Late - Successional and Old- Growth,Forest,Rclatod Species within the Range of the Northern
Spotted Owl. Appendix J2: Results of Additional Species Analysis. 476pp.
U.S. Fish and. Wildlife. Service (USFWS), 1986, Reohvery :Plan for the Pacific Bald Eagle. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Portland, OR 160pp.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 1992: Final rule listing the marbled murretet as threatened in
Washington; Oregon, and California. U0104Sia -tz Federal. Register October 1,:1992.
White, M.J. 1994. Proposal for relative abundance study ofMyotns bats on the Quilcene Ranger District,
Olympic National Forest. Unpublished senior thesis, University of Washington, Seattle. 14pp.
World Forestry Center. 1992. Woodland Fish and Wildlife: Managing Small Woodlands for Elk.
Portland, OR. 8pp.
Ziegltrum, J, 1996. Olympic National Forest Species of Concern Guide.: USDA Forest Service .
i-
46
d
Aquatic Functions - -
Stream Flow Key Questions.
• What is the magnitude, frequency and trend of flows for the period of record?
• What are the natural and human causes of change between historical and current hydrologic
conditions?
• Does the main channel have any significant or unusual characteristics?
• What are the effects on-water quality?
• What are the natural and human causes of change between historical and current water quality
conditions?
Water Quantity
Hydrologic Processes
The Dosewallips River Basin is a unique watershed in that it has its own geomorphic characteristic as do
all watersheds in existence. A large portion (approximately 2/3rds) of the basin experiences a
geomorphology with minimal anthropogenic effects, thus providing a more quasi-equilibrium
environment (Leopold 1997). The Dosewallips River does not have a great deal of hydrologic data that
accompanies rivers of its size. The basin's USGS gauging station # 12053000, located near River Mile
(MI) 7, registered an annual Peak flow that reached a maximum of 13,200 cubic feet per second aver a 38
year of period of record form 1931 to1938 (Hydrosphere 1997). Gauging station # 12053000 also recorded
mean discharge from 1930 to .1951 and Water temperature for 3 years during 1969 WIWI: A lower
gauging station # 12053500 near the Hwy 1.01 bridge only operated during the years 1910 -11, 1924 -25,
and 1928 -30 that produced fiagmented data, recording only mean discharges. The only other gauging
station listed by the USGS in the Dosewallips basin is located on a lower tributary positioned at Latitude
47 :43:00, Longitude 122:56:20 that recorded peak flows from 1951 to1970.
Approximately 642% of this drainage is located in the Olympic National Park with the remainder of the
lower drainage running through US Forest Service land (middle section), State and private land on the- -
lower reaches (USFS 1998). The heaviest USFS activities occurred in the Rocky Brook subwatershed
consisting of 7.291/o of the total Dosewallips basin. Over a span of 70 years from 1920 to 1990, 64.69'/9 of
the Rocky Brook basin supported timber harvest with the highest decade for harvest occurring in 1940
(Table A in appendix 4). The overall timber harvest disturbance has involved only 13.93% of the
Dosewallips basin. The highest activities occurring in the Lower Dosewallips river subwatershed where
80.69% of the subwatershed was affected. Graphs of the various sub*atersheds that supported timber
harvest from 1920 to 1990 are in appendix 4. The vertical exaggeration of each subwatershed graph in the .
appendix is different in order to magnify temporal fluctuations of disturbance.
The Dosewallips River basin covers approximately 78, 000 acres (USFS 1998) supporting a mean annual
precipitation of 60 inches. The headwater precipitation initially contacts the surface at a maximum
elevation of 6,600 feet' above sea level and travels 26.7 miles emptying into Hood Canal near Brinnon,
Washington. The average slope of main stem (mlief/dLwmce) from headwaters to the estuary is
approximately 204 feet/mile (USGS 1998). A stream gradient map of the Dosewallips basin can be found
that shows the gradient in 3 different categories: source, transport, and response. (Map 12) The
Dosewallips River headwaters originate in the northeastern slopes of the Olympic Mountain range near
Sentinel Peak and Mt. Claywood. The headwaters flow from this point in a general northeast direction for
4 miles, turn southeast traveling another 3 to 3.5 miles meeting Silt Creek. The river continues its decent
turning southwest for approximately 4 miles combining at the West Fork Dosewallips confluence. -
Another 3 miles are traveled in the same direction before finally turning in a general eastward direction
47
for the remaining 7 to 8 miles discharging into Hood Canal. (Williams et. al. 1975). The main stem is a
4th order watershed with Silt Creels, West Fork Dosewallips River, and Rocky. Brook .Creek contributing,
the major tnbutary flows. The headwaters of the Dosewallips basin is generally a teardrop shape typii al of
most drainage basins. The basin narrows around RM 14 and does not widen extensively until the flow
reaches RM 2 where the Turner and Walloer subwatersheds are incorporated into the Dosewallips
drainage. . .. . , , .
Rain -on -Snow and Precipitation
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) created Rain -on -snow maps (map 10) using
various parameters such as climate, aspect, vegetation, elevation, and latitude-to establish five categories;
low land (LL), rain dominant (RD), rain -on -snow (RS), snow dominant (SD), and high lands (TIL). The
major contributor to seasonal runoff is the RS zone. Generally, the largest volumes of rumff are produced
by snowmelt compounded with warm rain. Large weather events, having extensive and/or intense
precipitation, may have the some runoff effect. The Dosewallips Watershed is broken into smaller
subwatersheds for analysis purposes in table 12.
Table 12. Dosewallips Basin Subwatersheds
�Subwatershed # .
Subwat6rshed Name
Area (ac)
Percent of Total
Rain -on -snow Zones (acres)
Percent of Subwatershed
Subwatershed
Area
171100180110
TURNER AND WALKERS CREEKS
3;468.20
4.46%
17-1100180401
HEAD WATERS DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
10,109.90
12.995/4
171100180402
SILT CREEK
&;823.40
11.34%
171100180403
HIDDEN AND TWIN CREEKS
6,562.20
8.43%
171100180404
WEST FORK DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
12,880.00
16.55%
171100180405
UPPER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
11,587;70
14.89%
171100180466
MIDDLE DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
14,00.9.30
18.00%
171100180407
ROCKY BROOK
5,67220
7.29'/0
171100180408
LOWER: DOSEWALLLPS RIVER
4,710.30
6.05%
Additionally, table #13 shows the rain -on snow zones and how they are related to coverage of the various
sut watersheds in the Dosewallips basin
Table 13. Data acquired from DNR Rain -on -snow model.
Dosewallips.Rain -on -snow
Subwatershed Acres
Rain -on -snow Zones (acres)
Percent of Subwatershed
Subwatershed
Subwatershed
LL
RD
RS
SD
HL
LL
RD
RS I
SD
HL
Code
Name
171100180110
Turner and
2415.0
594.7
349.5
0:0
0.0 `
71.9%
17.7%
10:4%
0.0%
0.0%
Walker Creeks
171100180401.
Headwaters
0:0
0.0
1496.
3708.3
4905.0
0.0%0
9.0%
14.8%
36:7%
48.5%
Dosewallips R
17110 . 0180402
. Silt -
0:0
0.0..,
1503.
4262.6
3056.9
0.0%
0.0%
17.0%
48.3%
34.6 °h
171100180403
Hidden and.
0.0
40.6
2606.3
2980.7
934.6
0.0%
0.6%139.79/c
45.4%
14.2 °r6
Twin Creek
171100180404
West Fork
0.0
0.1
4336.
5324.5
3219.1
0.0%
0.0%
33.7%
41.3%
25.0%
Dosewallips R
171100180405
Upper
0.0
1491.0
5111.6
3572.2.1412.9
0.0%
12.9%
44:1%
30.8%
12.2%
Dosewallips,R
.
171100180406
Middle
225.6'5989.8
5751.6
1846.6
1953
1.6 %e
42.8%
41.11%
13.2%
1.4%
'Dosewallips R
171100180407
Rocky Brook
9.6
1482.2
3914.4
266.1
0.0
0.2%
26.1%
69.0%
4.70%
0.00/0
Creek
171100180408
Lower
2755.4
1299.8
655.2
1 0.0
0.0
58.5%
27.6%
13.9%
0.0%
0.00/6
Dosewalli R.
48
Subwatersheds; Headwaters Dosewallips River, Slit Creek, West Fork Dosewallips River, Hidden and
Twin Creeks, and Upper Dosewallips River in headwaters of this drainage are mainly influenced by HL,
SD, and RS conditions. However, a small portion of the Hidden and Twin Creeks, and Upper Dosewallips
River are influenced by the RD zone. Moving further down the drainage into the Middle Dosewallips
River subwatershed the major runoff influence is generated by SD, RS, and RD. A small portion of the
Middle Dosewallips River subwatershed also encompasses the HL zone as well. The Rocky Brook
subwatershed is influenced by SD, RS, and RD with a small portion in the LL zone. An interesting point
about the Rodry Brook subwatershed is that it is heavily influenced by rain -on -snow which produces the
greatest seasonal runoff and is in the heaviest managed portion of the Dosewallips watershed. The
remaining subwatersheds of Lower Dosewallips River, and Turner and Walker Creeks are influenced by
RS, RD, and LL conditions with the LL conditions being the major player in the runoff conditions. The
rain -on -snow zone relationships to subwatersheds are displayed in table # 13 giving zone percentages for
each subwatershed.
Various subwatersheds are listed in Figure # 2 displaying the weighted (by area) annual precipitation.
Figure # 2. DNR precipitation data from GIS: -.
The precipitation data originated from Washington State DNR, transferred to the USFS database in GIS,
transferred again into Microsoft Excel then equated to reflect the proportional influence of precipitation in
terms of area for each subwatershed. The annual and ten year 24 -hour precipitation is shown in Figures 2
& 3 respectively. The annual precipitation in Figure #2 shows that the West Fork Dosewallips (125
inches) and Silt Creek (119 inches) subwatersheds accumulate the greatest amount of annual
precipitation. However, moving towards the north, in the headwaters of the basin, the annual precipitation
decreases as the Dosewallips Headwaters (88 inches), Hidden and Twin Creeks (96 inches) display. This
reduction in annual precipitation would suggest a greater influence by the Olympic rain shadow on this
section of topography. This same rain shadow condition is also exhibited in Figure # 3 in the 10 -year, 24
-hour storm even precipitation chart just not as pronounced. Figure # 3 does show Silt Creek (7.20 -
inches) having a somewhat higher storm event quantity than the West Fork Dosewallips (7.04 inches).
49
1<igum # 3. DNR precipitation data from GIS.
Dosewallips River Weighted, 10year 24hour Storm precipitation
The elevation becomes the important factor as it decreases. Annual, and 10 year - 24 hour precipitation
show decreases at the lower elevations from the higher elevations. This is best depicted in Figure # 2. The
Rocky Brook subwatershed is heavily influenced by the rain -on -snow zone (table # 2) and it also shows
impacts having been one of the heavily managed subwatersheds in the Dosewallips basin (appendix 4)..
Peak and Mean Dbeharges _
Although the period of records for discharge of the Dosewallips River is small and somewhat sporadic,
there is the advantage of having the Duckabush River next door. The Duckabush basin is a s utable
comparison drainage that supports a longer period of record for peak and mean discharges. The smaller
Duckabush basin is the next drainage south of the Dosewallips drainage. When examining Figure # 4
keep in mind that the Duckabush River is going to generally run at a lower annual peak discharge.from
that of the Dosewallips dnimage..Both gauging stations recording annual peak flows are placed relatively
in the same longitudinal position in both drainages.
50
Figure # 4. Comparison of annual peak discharge chart of Duckabush and Dosewallips Rivers. USGS
gauging stations # 12054000 and 12053000.
13000
11 000
m 90%
:A
p 7000
s
v SM
a
3000
1000
1931 1936 1941 1946 1951 '1956 1961 1966. 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991
Water Yeas '
Dosewa9ps ..... Duckabush
linear (MmkabusW -Unear (Dosma6ps)
Duckabush & Dosewallips Rivers Annual Peak Discharge
Compairison
Additionally, linear trend lines are superimposed for the Dosewallips and the Duckabush rivers arm ual
peak flow trends. However, the line displayed for the Dosewallips River is misleading in that an
increasing flow is =Whited by the trend. The trend line displayed is an incorrect indicator because of the
short period of record for the Dosewallips River. The increased annual peak discharge trend can be
contributed to the high discharge event that occurred in 1950 that influenced the regression line. If the
period of record for the Dosewallips River had covered a longer segment of time it would resemble the
Duckabush's flat trend line. The Dosewallips River basin above gauging station # 12053000 has minimal
anthropogenic influence other than fire suppression that would flatten the trend line as the vegetation
moved towards hydrologic maturity.
A chart of the lower tributary supporting annual peak discharge data is displayed in Figure # 5 with a
descending trend line. The trend line in this case would seem to suggest that flows may be on a reducing
trend because of regeneration of vegetation in this portion of the Dosewallips Basin. However, again the
period of record is only a 20 year collection of data that may only be reflecting a climatic cycle that covers
a longer period (i.e. El Nino or La Nma)
51
:s.
Figure #5. Annual peak discharge chart of Dosewatlips Tributary, USGS Gauging stations # 12053400.
Dosewallio River Tributary Annual. Peak
Discharges Near Brinnon, Washington
70
0 60
d
501
ai 40 -
30
vy_
N
1951 1953 1.955 •1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967, 169 ..
The trend line in,Figure 45 is affected by the range of discharge amounts over time.. During. the period or
record for the tributary ecorded low annual disc
tary peak barges for 1953, 1961, 1965. These lows had
greater influence over the reg=sion then the high discharge periods,of 1954, 1957, 1959, and 1969. The
low discharge in 1965 -66 of the tributary coincide with the figure #4 comparison-chart suggesting a larger
event that affected a larger portion of the eastern-slopes 9f the Olympic mountain range. The other
fluctuations of annual peak flow in figure #5 indicate more site - specific occurrences possibly from smaller
weather systems producing a mieroclimate effect.
Monthly Mean Discharge
A comparison between the •Dosewallips and Duckabush Rivers monthly mean discharge for the sane
period of record is displayed in Figure #b:...
Fignce #6 Downloaded from USES Water Resources web site for gauging station 12053000 a'12954M.
. Dosewallipg & Duckabush Monthly Mean Discharge
800.0
7,00.0
600:0
500.0
u
400.0 —
a 300.0
200.0
100.0
0.0
ti
Month
Dosewallips - .. Duck bush
52
The Dosewallips and Duckabush monthly means are flowing at the same annual temporal fluctuations but
at slightly different amplitudes, The Dosewallips drainage,. at point of measurement, is actually larger
than the Duckabush drainage, at point of measurement, 59,840 acres, and 42,560 acres, respectively.
Because of the Dudmbush's more southern location on the east side of the Olympic Mountain range, it is
not affected as much by the rain shadow where the fall rain tends to be the higher amount intercepted.
The Dosewallips basin size appears to be the dominant factor in the latter part of the water year, but less
during the first half of the water year where the rain shadow is the major influence. Although other
variables (i.e. channel slope, length, basin elevation, storage, forest cover, and annual and storm
precipitation) may also be playing a part in this turnaround of amplitude between these two basins. In
figure #6 the seasonal high and • low discharges are following the same temporal pattern In October at the
beginning of the water year, a steady increase of flow is exhibited through mid-13ecember reflecting the
fail precipitation. From mid - December until mid - January the mean decreases as the seasonal
temperatures drop and the runoff is held in storage as snow and ice. From mid -January through the
middle of February the runoff levels out, possibly from,winter storm activities.. From mid - February to
mid -March another decrease is exhibited As the warmer temperatures of early spring occur and rain -on-
snow conditions begins to take hold, the runoff moderately increases into April.
From April until May the greatest increase and highest mean peak flows occur for the Dosewallips, unlike
that of the Duckabush. This flow continues into June and then starts to decrease as temperatures continue
to rise, and the snow and ice melt volumes decrease. This decrease in runoff continues until August and
then slows reaching a low in October where the cycle starts over. Not every year will follow this pattern
precisely because of significant weather events such as deposits of heavier than usual snow packs, higher
than normal winter temperatures, or dry winters. Many variables may affect this pattern as mentioned
earlier.
f Water Quality Reference
ti
Key Questions
1. What mass wasting or surface erosion processes are active and how are they distributed across
the landscape?
The dominant mass wasting process in this watershed is erosion from shallow rapid and surface erosion
sites (Varues, 1978) originating in shallow soils on steep slopes in the highly dissected mountainous and
converging headwall geomorphic map units. Many of these sites are chronic sediment producing sites
and the streams that carry these deposits are for the most part 1st and 2nd order drainages. These
drainages are steep, usually in the 8 -20 percent gradient class and are capable of carrying great amounts
of sediment to 3rd and 4th order streams. Most of the streams affected by these mass wasting events are
not anadromous fish bearing streams. The type of sediineni entering these systems is colluvial in nature,
composed of weathered basalt.
2. How have rates, frequencies and processes of mass wasting and surface erosion changed?
Comparison of mass wasting events interpreted from 1939 air photos and photos and Digital Ortho Quads
(DOQ) of the landscape in the 90's, indicate that the acres affected by erosion have increased by a small
percent. Table 14 shows acres per subwatershed in each of the drainages (WAUs) affected by mass
wasting in 1939 and then in the 1990's. The revegetated failures may still be susceptible to mass wasting
again when conditions are extremely wet or when sufficient colluvial material has refilled the site to fail
again. -
The GIS Slope Morphology Maps using Susan Shaw's methodology (1995) outline areas on the landscape
susceptible to mass wasting. (Map 11) A complete discussion on this methodology and its limitations
follows the Key Question discussion. Table 16 Susceptibility to Shallow Rapid Mass Wasting usinga
Slope Morphology Model This table illustrates the number of acres per subwatershed that fall. into the
53
High, Moderate, or Low Susceptibility for mass wasting. This GI$ generated map is an meilent first cart
tool for prioritizing management -decisions. It is not intended to be, used for project based decisions.
Mass Wasting
This analysis assesses mass wasting in the National Forest and alsd considers private sections of the lower
Dosewallips drainage. The National Forest will make no specific recommendations off the National
Forest as we e no jurisdiction over management decisions it this area: The National Forest also h
hav as
no jurisdiction.over the activities in the park, and for the most part the Olympic National Park is not
impacted by activities except for a few trails, traiilheads, and wilderness campsites
Failures were mapped using 1939, 1962, and 1994 air phootos. The following table shows the four sub
watersheds, the Lower, Middle and Upper Dosewallips, and Rocky Brook and the number ofbilures
within each. Mass wasting was most prevalent in the steep slopes in the Middle and Upper Dosewallips.
These areas are influenced by snow avalanche. Many of the slides terminate in the gentler glacial slopes
above the river and deposition of material has formed large fan deposits rather than deposits directly into
the Dosewallips River. Failures in the Rocky Brook subwatershed were mostly the result of logging and
road building. Only 250/6 of the surface erosion "sites entered stream courses and none were anadroniods
stream reaches.
The land base for this watershed is Heavily forested in tbe:valleys with mountainous and rocky teiraiw up
slope from the main Dosewalhps River valley. Riparian cover along the`Doscwallips made it difficult to
assess stream bank erosion through the use of aerial . photos, however the air flight video of the
Dosewallips showed heavily vegetated stable banks except for a few high glacial outside meander bends.
Table 14: Mass Wasting by Sub-watersheds-(Number of Failures)
Sub -
Deep
Debris
Stream
Shallow Surface
watershed
Seated
Torrent
Bank
ftp d
Erosion
Totals
Lower Dosewallips
4
0
0
3
0
7
Middle Dosewallips
5
0
4
41
0
56
Upper Dosewallips
1
0
1
24 '
0
26
Rnclsv Brook
0
0
0
23
22
45
Totals
10
0
5
91
22
128
Land Use and Mass Wasting per subwatersked
Since the river is almost totally undeveloped, human caused limiting factors are minimal (USGS river
report 1998). A road parallels the mainstem lower Dosewallips along the left bank throughout its length.
It is built on a river terrace with cutbank constriction through primarily bedrock, and although it is within
the riparian zone for much of its length, there are only a few sites that impact the river through sediment
delivery in the form of surface erosion sites.
Within the National Forest; the Rocky Brook drainage has had more logging activity than the rest of the
watershed
The following table breaks down the number of failures and their causes. Of all the failures in Rocky
Brook, 65% have revegetated since their initiation, 17% are partially revegetated and 17% are chronic.
sources of sediment. These numbers are based on air photo interpretation and have a moderate level of
certainty. ,
54
Table 15: Number of Failures by Land Use:
Sub -
High %
Road
Harvest Mining
Head waters Dosewallips 59.2
watershed -
Natural Related Related Related
Totals
Lower Dose
6
1
0 0
7
Middle Dose
48
1
0 1
5o
Upper Dose
25
1
0 0
26
Rocky Brook
3
36
6 0
45
Totals
82
39
6 1
128
The following table shows the percentage of each subwatershed in each of the three classes of
susceptibility to shallow rapid mass wasting. These percentages are derived from the slope morphology
model of Susan Shaw (1995). It is surprising to see so much of the landscape in the low class of
susceptibility, until the topographic maps are consulted.
Table 16: Percent Susceatibirdy to Shallow Mass Wasting:
Sub watershed
High %
Moderate %
Low _%
Head waters Dosewallips 59.2
12.7
27.8
Hidden and Twin Creeks 56.2
13.8
30.0
Lower Dosewallips
95.4%
0.1%
4.0%
Middle Dosewallips
59.4%
16.0•/0
25%
Rocky Brook
72.2%
5.4%
22.4%
Silt Creek
55.001.
15.3%
29.6%
Turner and Walker Cr.
97.6%
0.4%
2.0%
Upper Dosewallips
46.1%
25.1%
28.8%
..
West Fork Dosewallips
60.7%
16.4%
22.9%
Methods
Air Photo Interpretation
Photo interpretation of 1939 photos was completed to get a perspective of the inherent mass wasting
history of the watershed. Photos were available for the entire watershed There were many areas when the
stereo pairs had less than adequate parallax and in these areas some of the failures were mapped with less
than a definite degree of certainty.
A second complete analysis of the watershed was done using both 1962 and 1995 coverage of the National
Forest. Parts of the watershed showed a significant change from the historical mass wasting record. The
most change was noted in the Rocky Brook subwatershed. This area had been logged in the sixties and
road related failures had occurred. There is a cycle of mass wasting and revegetation.
Slope Morphology
The wide glacial valleys of the Headwaters Dosewallips, Silt Creek and the West Fork Dosewallips River
rise to rocky ridges and peaks. These wide valleys contribute to the high percentage of land area within
the low susceptibility for shallow rapid mass wasting calculations of the slope morphology model. The
slope morphology model also seems to be having a problem identifying rocky areas. The tacky outcrops
within this watershed are depicted as low areas of susceptibility for shallow rapid mass wasting. This is as
it should be. Even though the steep areas are susceptible to rock fall and contributing to talus slope .
formations they are probably not contributing to many shallow rapid mass wasting features. These
55
features most usually initiate below these rock faces and are mapped as lugh areas in the slope
morphology model.
A Slope Morphology and Mass Wasting Potential•(SMMWP) map was produced using a method
developed by Susan Shaw of the Department of Natural Resources, (DNR) Forest Practices Division
(Shaw, 1995) and modified by Olympic National Forest Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
personnel. This map was-created using the basic criteria of slope angle, depth and slope shape.
In addition to the SMMWP map, aerial photographs from 1939, 1962, and 1995,(and 1990 where 1995
photos did not cover) were used to identify mass wasting and surface erosion features. The ShIMWP reap
displays the potential for mass wasting by combining slope shape, (concave, convex, and planar), and
three, sloN. percent classes, to determine high, moderate, and low hazard areas. The Slope Morphology
Model; Draft Fact Sheet (Shaw, 1995) explains the - original model, The alterations will be described after
the model description.
The Slope Morphology Model was•developed by Susan Shaw, Geomorphologfst, and Dave Johnson, GIS
Cartographer, with DNR The documentation for the model is in DNR Forest Practices Division Open -
File Report 94 -1; available May 1995. The following excerpt is directly from the .Slope Morphology
Model:
Purpose of Slope Morphology Model
Developed in 1993 as a flagging tool for Olympic Region state -lands foresters, to assist them in
locating existing or potential areas of natural hill slope instability within proposed timber sales.
This tool was to be used in conjunction with other information (e.g. aerial photos, soil surveys,
watershed analysis, field evaluations) to make management decisions. Field evaluations by r
qualified staff of sensitive slope areas•was required.
The advantage of this tool is that it relies on information we currently have available in the GIST
system. It serves as a proxy for detailed measurements of site parameters required for running
more sophisticated hill slope - failure models, information that we currently have no resources to
collect (e.g. soil properties, hydrologic regimes, bedrock geology).
Model Components
Based on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps (stored in the GIS system as digital
elevation model (DEM) data, and a geologic interpretation of hill slope forms susceptible to
erosion by mass wasting.
Mass - wasting hazard, zonation matrix formed by: hill slope .gradient (in percent) and hill slope
form (concave, planar, or convex). Both determined by GI.S analysis of DEM data.
Computer determines union of slope gradient and form data, and assigns a color to each data
pixel (900 m2; comparable to about one 100 ft. X 100 ft. square on the ground)
red = high susceptibility to mass wasting (steepest, most concave part of slope)
yellow = moderate susceptibility to mass wasting
green = low susceptibility to mass wasting(leasf steep, least concave part of slope)
Model Assumptions
Most rapid failures occur on steep ground ( >70% slope), particularly where the ground is
concave in form because:
M
The angle of repose for loose, unconstrained materials is exceed, Slope
driving factor of mass steepness is a primary
$. partiwlarly shallow rapid failure types.
Groundwater, surface water, soils, and debris collect in slope depressions, where forces
Promoting movement of the mass (e.g. gravity, soil saturation, material weight, bedrock
Structure) can exceed those resisting movement (e.g. soil shear strength, buoyancy effects of pore
water pressure, root strength)
Topographic information on slope gradient and form can, therefore, serve as a proxy for
measurements of hydrologic conditions, soli properties, and bedrock geology at each site of
interest. This is assuming enough uniformity in strength Controlling properties, which is
reasonable for shallow rapid failures controlled by steep slopes.
This model does not substitute for on- the - ground hill slope evaluations; as with any predictive
model, it is only as accurate as the input information used to generate it.
o massy yellow pixel sigaif es that some portion of the slope susceptibili ty
g The pixel size does not accurately indicate the size of the slide-prone
may incorporate all or only a small fraction of the 900 m2 area., it
Model Limitations,
size MOM is limited to the quality of the DEM data for a given area, and the DEM pixel
The model cannot account for man -made slope features that are susceptible to failure (e.g. road
o <:
fills, quarries, reservoir walls, stream -crmmg st uctues) because they are not indicated as o
dimensional objects, in the DEM data...
The model cannot predict deep - seated mass movement or earth flows over complex topography
containing several ridges and tributary valleys_' It will . identify concave or steep; planar portions
of massive earth flows.
Slope depressions must be on the order of a 900 m2 pixel to be identified by the model; that is, a
given pixel must register a lower elevation than its surrounding pixels to be discriminated
Hence, the smallest slope failures (e.g. those less than several tens of feet wide) may not register
on the slope - morphology maps.
This model does not substitute for field data
Model Testing
This model has primarily been used in the Olympic Region, It has been field- tested over the past
two years on proposed timber sales and independently compared with maps of mass wasting
Potential derived from field and aerial photo analyses. The model averages a 900K accuracy level
in the Olympic Region. Limited testing in other regions (including this analysis) indicates a
ainaall (at least 50.0) correspondence to map of mass wasting potential produced during watershed
57
Olympic National Forest Alterations to Slope MorpkoloU Model .
DNR high susceptibility areas (red) include concave slopes between 24 - 47%. The Olympic National
Forest model high susceptibility arras do not include these slopes, the "high" begins at concave slopes
steeper than 476 %.
The following matrix displays thecombinations used to create the areas within the subwatasheds with the
Potential for shallow rapid mass wasting.
SLOPE PER£ENF CURVATURE
0-47%
47 -70%
670%
'CONVEX �
PLAN
ge+een =low
gre6r= w
yellow=medfum
CONCAVE
green--low '
yellow= modium
red =high
91cen =tow
red =high
yellow- - medium
Riparian .Reserves
The slope morphology model is being used in delineating.riparian reserves. If an area.mapped as high
potential for mass wasting fails and is close to a stream course, the potential to impact the aqua tic
environment is high. Established.riparian reserves from the ROD are ma
pp This map is overlain with the hi Pped. and/or digitized into the
high potential mass wasting polygons. If a high potential polygon
actually touches an established riparian reserve boundary, this polygon is "captured - and included in the
riparian reserves.
Water Quality Current
The Dosewallips River, a class. AA surface flow, has an ambient water quality, that is in an acceptable
of Wg aoc gtong. to the Chapter 173- 201A.W,AC, Water Quality Standards for Surfaoe,Wate� of the StateF
of Washington and EPA standards. The Dosewallips watershed was not listed in the
threatened Water bodies Requiring Additional Pollution Controls and
303(d). The amount of ambient water report for Proposed 1996 Section
Quality data for this particular drainage is limited. The period of
record occurred from 1959 to 1974 for the ambient water quality data collected from the Dosewallips
River at 13rinnon, Washington, station # 1,66070 and then again from 1993 to 1994. The Dosewallips
river basin should qualify for the WAC 173-20 IA Outstanding resource waters. A large portion of the
watershed travels over National Park land, has tributaries running out of wilderness areas and documented
critical habitat for anadromous fish species (see fisheries section). Water quality is a progressive issue
that is drawing more concern. The health of a drainage being so closely connected to effects that can occur
to plant and animal life has induced this interest The lower reaches of this drainage support an
anadromous fish population, which needs healthy water to ensure a viable environment'for their continued
existence. There are billions of organisms that depend on the range of water quality attributes in this
drainage alone. There are good and bad organisms that affects water quality. Fecal Coliform is one of the
major players in the negative influence of the environment.
The various water quality attributes examined from the data collected at station # 16D1 }70 are as follows;
date of collection, time (not recorded until 1971), Temperature•(C), Discharge (cfs), Color, Conductivity
(ohms)25 C), Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L), Oxygen Saturation (%)', pH, Fecal Coliform (Colonies/100m1),
Suspended Solids (mg/L), Total Persulfate Nitrogen (mg/L); Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L), Total
Phosphorus (mg/L), Dissolved Soluble Phosphorus (mg/L), Turbidity (NTU), and Nitrate (mg/L). The
data recorded for Station # 16DO70 can be seen in Table # WQ =I in the appendix. According to David
Hallock, data manager for DOE Ambient Monitoring Team there are no parameters for Nitrate, Total
Phosphorus, Dissolved Soluble Phosphorus, Suspended solids, Total Persulfate Nitrogen and conductivity
(Barrett 1998). The largest effect on the Dosewallips, water quality has occurred in the lower reaches
(approximately 1/3) of the drainage. The antiuopogenic activity in these lower sections has been a major
force influencing the water quality. Such activities as splash dams, riparian vegetation removal,
58
channelization and lose of flood plain overflow channels, development and draining of fl ood plains have
affected the water quality and the hydrology (Bails 1998). The lower reaches supported the heaviest
concentration of human population in the Dosewallips basin with the upper 2/3 of the basin located on
National Forest and National Park lands. The major management activities occurred in the Rocky Brook
tributary in the National Forest and the road, trail, and campground in the National Park. When looking
at data collected from Station 16DO70 keep in mind that outliers (datum values recorxded significantly
outside the bulk of data collected) were removed from the data before a descriptive statistic analysis was
performed on the various components examined
• Date and Trme: There appears to be no set patterns for the date of collection other then being on a
monthly basis. Some months are slapped in the years of collection. Time, when recorded, generally
occurred during late morning to early afternoon. Time was not recorded until 1971.
• Temperature: The period of record is broken between 1959 -74 and 1993 -94. The data available (59
samples) reached a maximum tempezature of 15.5 C (59.9 F) and a minimum of 3.9 C (39.0 F). The
mean temperature for this collection of data registered at 8.6 C (47.5 F). Chapter 173 -201A WAC
acceptable standard calls for the temperature in a class AA system not to exceed 16.0 C (60.8 F). The
Dosewallips system falls into an acceptable surface water range according to the data collected.
Conductivity
Conductivity is one of the attributes of the data collected for the two periods of record that was recorded .
for each sampling. The minimum recorded value of 57 ohms/ 25 C and the maximum of 118 ohms! 25 C.
The mean registered at 87,4 ohms/ 25 C. The Water Quality Standards for Surface Water of the State of
Washington does not set a acceptable range for conductivity for a elm AA system (Barrett 1998),
However, the USEPA d mkmg water standar&say that conductivity should not exceed 800 ohms/cm
(Mayer 1996). As one can easily see, the- conductivity within this system is good by the USEPA standards
for drinking water. Conductivity (K) has a direct relationship with Total Dissolved Solids (IDS) in that
TDS = 0.62 x K.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) concentrations of water are important because adequate levels are fundamental to
support aerobic respiration of aquatic plant and animal life (Mayer 1996). The concentration of oxygen in
the system from the data collected displayed a maximum amount of 13.6 mg/L, a minimum value of 10.0
mg/L, and came in with a mean of 11.8 mg/L.. The Water Quality Standards for Surface Water of the
State of Washington call for the concentration of oxygen to exceed 9.5 mg/L for class AA systems. The
Dosewallips River appears to have a good level of DO in its waters.
Oxygen Saturation Percentage
The recorded maximum and minimum percentage registered at 113.9 and 86.3 % respectively with the
mean at 100.5 %. Chapter 173 -201A WAC, standard states that the percentage.should not exceed 110% at
any point of sample collection. This WQ standard was general met except on two occasions, may and
September of 1974 showing in the periods of record From the data it would seem safe to say that this
drainage is not, suffering from an oxygen saturation problem sense this exc eedence occurred only 3.6% of
the time in the combined periods of record.
PH
The pH samples collected range from 6.9 to 7.9, running a mean of 7.5, suggesting a passing grade in
correlation with the Washington State WQ standards. The standards for class AA systems should range
between 6.5 to 8.5 pH in order to be deemed acceptable, thus the Dosewallips appears good for this
component.
59
Fecal Cotiform
The Washington WQ standards call for samples not to exceed a geometric mean of 50 colouies/looml of
water for a class AA drainage. The samples collected form the I)osewallip's waters ranged from I to 7
colonies per 100m1 having an average of 3/100ml. This suggests a very low concentration of these
Pathogens in the: system during the 1993 -94 period of record. This water is not acceptable fo
but easily qualifies for p r potable use
rimary and secondary contact
Suspended Solids
The solid residues in the samples collected from the Dosewallips .range from 1 to 19 mg/L with an
arithmetic mean of 4.3 11191L. The limit for potable drinking water is N)omg/L (Mayer 1996). The mines!
content is low in this river for the period of record. '
Total Persulfate Nitrogen
The samples collected ranged from 0.012 to 0,174.
mg/L with a 0.07,1 mg/L mean during the 1993 -94
period of record; The Washington WO regulations gave no acceptable limits.
Ammonia .Nitrogen
The mean recorded level of the 29 samples taken equated out to 0.03 mg/L spanning a range of 0.01 to
0.13 mg/L. A Washington State standard was not available on this chemical conent for AA class surface
flows.
Total Phosphorus
Out of 29 samples ranging from a maximum of 0.04 mg/L to a minimum of 0 mg/L the mean equated out
to 0.01 mg/L. A Washington State standard was not available for this chemical concentration:
Dissolved SOlabie Phosphorus
Out of 30 samples ranging from a maximum of 0.01 mg/L to a minimum of 0 m the mean
to 0.004 m �' �an� om
g/1.. A Washington State standard was not available for this chemical concentration.
Turbidity
Out of 12 samples ranging from a maximum of 9.5 NTU to a minimum of 0.5 NTU the mean equated out
to 2.28 NTU. Washington State standards call for the turbidity level to not exceed 5.0 NTU over
background turbidity when 50 NTU or less. Consequently, since this sample is probably the same as
background turbidity and generated from a natural occurrence it would appear that this river system is in
an acceptable flux. For this period of record, the State standard was exceeded for the sample taken
October 25, 1993 and again January 24, 1994. These higher than acceptable values probably occurred
because of the natural injection of material into the system by geomorphic, processes. The mean value for
this period of record did equate out well within the acceptable limits.
Nitrate
Out of 46 samples ranging from a maximum of 0.4 mg/L to a minimum of mg/L the mean equaled out
to 0. l2 mg/L. �A- Washington State standard was not available for this chemical concentration: The
Dosewallips drainage is a healthy system, in terms of, Ambient water quality conditions of this system.
Dosewallips Channel Assessment
Channel assessment was done using ortho quads and hydrographio maps. Aerial photos were used to
determine the containment characteristics of the maiinstem Dosewallips River, and Rocky Brook. Channel
segmentation has only been done on these two main waterways.
M
Miles of stream
gradient class designations have been calculated by GIS and no gradient inventories were
done by hand. Only GIS generated stream slope classes were used. These classes are not as accurate as
doing them by hand, but the Dosewallips River is a very stable river system
ms. and most of the tributaries are
steep fluvial mountain strea
There are only a few response reaches in the Dosewallips above the area of settlement in the lower valley.
The two rock gorges attenuate flow and control sediment discharge to some extent
Drainage patterns
Turner and Walker Creek subwatersheds
• Streams flow directly off the planar bluffs adjacent to Hood Canal into the sound. Highway 101
interrupts the direct flow of most of these channels.
P The hill- slopes fall within the low to moderately dissected hill slope landform designation.
Lower and WiMe Dosewallips Subwatershed
• Nearly all of the tributary drainages into the mainstem Dosewallips river enter at high angles of
intersection, practically all at 90 degrees, Only 9 out of 49 enter at angles less than approximately 90
degrees. The general flow and steepness of the Dosewallips river transports sediments derived from
these tributaries through the system efficiently.: Within these two subwatersheds 14 drainage's
originate in the converging headwater type landform .# .77.
Upper Dosewallips, West Fork, and Kdden and Twin Creek Subwalmhed
'
These three upper Dosewallips.mbwatershed are characterized by broad glacially sculpted valleys,
with steep side slopes terminating in rocky ridges and prominent mountain peaks. Glacial.cirques. -.,,
and tarns are abundant and the headwaters of the Twin and Hidden Creek Subwatersheds originate in
existing glaciers.
0 Tributary channels enter the mainstem at high angles. Many of the tributaries end in debris fans and
these landforms make up most of the toe - slopes above the mainstem Dowwallips.
Most of the hillslopes fall within the moderately dissected mountain slope landform designation. The
upper hillslope tributary channels are steep fluvial mountain valleys and adjacent slopes can be
chronic sediment sources.
Rocky Brook
Rocky Brook is the only main subwatershed tributary channel of the Dosewallips watershed. The first
0.3 mile is excellent spawning habitat and the prominent falls at river mile 0.3 is a fish barrier to
anadromous fish for the rest of this drainage Air photos, topographic maps, and ortho quads reveal
that Practically all of Rocky Brook is a confined channel within a predominantly v- shaped valley
configuration. There is evidence of glacial overflow into the Rocky Brook drainage at Section 15.
T26N R03 W and this is the only place the geomorphology of the channel varies from a confined
channel configuration to a broader valley shape.
There are a few response reaches in Rocky Brook but they are flanked on both sides by steeper
gradient reaches and sediment flows through these reaches. Channel configuration has not noticeably
changed within the photo record.
Field work and stream survey results would be helpful in determining the frequency and amount-of
stream bank erosion within this steep v shaped channel.
61
Riparian and Wetlands Reference conditions
As the glaciers retreated, ponds formed where the ground water table intersected the surface some in
depressions or low gradient areas. Eventually, streams interconnected most of the ponds and they became
wetlands
Wetlands were scattered throughout this physiographic unit (map 2) and owirred in all the geologic
types• They most >requbntly occurred in gently sloping valleys, and relatively flat areas. In the
impermeable bedrock units, the flatter topography of U- shaped valleys detained runoff and stream flows
creating wetlands. in recessional outwash, topography, underlying bedrock, and in some areas,
underlying rill, has caused the detention of water. Forested and shrub wetlands predominated in the
mountains. Many are impounded open water and emergent areas. Wetlands dominated by emergent
vegetation were uncommon in this area.(Nelson et al., 1992)
Shade
Shade or canopy closure, plays an important role in goveruing stream temperatures Fish require
relatively cool, stable water temperatures. Some assumptions can be made from historical 'disturbance
patterns on the canopy closure that has historically shaded the streams. As large f res have burned
through the arm on a 200 year cycle, it can be assumed that for several decades following the fires,
shading would be-very poor. Following the second or third decade, it is likely that with natural
regeneration canopy closure would have increased and the ms strea would have then been well shaded
until the next major fire. , I . .
Coarse Woody Debris
Coarse woody debris is critical as fish babitatpproviding protective cover, creating pools, and contributing
to stream shading. Coarse woody debris is also critical for amphibian, mollusk and
arthropod species.
These species have limited dispersal capabilities, which.tncreases their vulnerability to disturbances from
Sire, harvest, and other activities. ' Hats and species of small mammals are also-closely associated with
riparian areas.
Some assumptions-can be made from historical disturbance patterns on Coarse Woody Debris availability .
The large fires burned throughout the area on 200 year cycles. Towards the end of the cycles there would
be a good supply of large material from the current'stand. Fire would have consumed much of the smaller
material and killed most of the large trees. As the new stand started, there would have been an abundance
of coarse woody debris from falling fire - killed snags. The new forest would not have been able to
contribute new wood to the coarse Woody debris (CWD) cycle for approximately 50 years. It is likely that
there was coarse woody debris at all times with different decay rates, given the mix of species and sizes.
There would have been an abundance of wood that was fresh following fire, then it would slowly decay
with an absence of new hard wood during the stand development period. The different decay rates of
various species and the variety of sizes would contribute to diversity, but there would have been little new
wood for a number of years.. Some quick growing alder in wide alder bottoms may have helped
supplement C" until longer tasking coniferous CWD became available. Coarse woody debris following
timber harvest would have been reduced as wood was hauled away prior to stand regeneration. Old
decayed wood would not have been replaced with large size sound wood.
Riparian and Wetlands Current Conditions
Coarse Woody Debris Recruitment Potential
There has not been a basin'wide survey to summarize current CWD loading, but analysis of the
Recruitment Potential in the riparian areas was done using the Washington State Methodology for
Watershed Analysis (Washington Forest Practices Board, 1994). The analysis utilizes aerial photos io
approximate a 100 -foot riparian zone on both sides of the stream to analyze CWD recruitment potential.
62
Coniferous tare species produce the best CWD, because they can grow larger than deciduous trees and
because they deteriorate at a slower rate. The streams identified in Table 17 were analyzed for riparian
tree types (these streams were studied because they were thought to contain fish). Stream analysis areas
are on file at Quilcene ganger District.
Streams that have high percentages of their length rated "good ", are considered to have riparian zones
that are functioning sufficiently, or have the potential to function sufficiently. These can provide habitat
material for fish and ground -dwelling wildlife species, as well as provide for other biological functions
that rely on the input of large organic material.
Streams with high percentages of length rated "poor" show deficits in their ability to provide for fish, and
some wildlife and biological needs in the riparian zones. Opportunities exist in poor and fair conditions
for rehabilitation to sufficiently functioning systems. The aerial .photo interpretation is a guide to
selecting areas-for site - specific analysis. Site -specific analysis will determine which areas will benefit
from restoration of these streams and riparian areas
Good: Areas have existing large wood from coniferous trees in the riparian zone at the present time.
Fair. Areas have existing large deciduous trees, or the potential to produce large coniferous trees in the
future. � .
Poor. Areas have no large standing wood, have sparse urge deciduous trees, have sparse young
conifers or young deciduous stands.
Table 17. Estimated Total Stream Length CWD Recruitment Potential
Subwatershed #
Subwatershed Name
Good %
Fair %
Poor %
171100180401
HEAD WATERS DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
39
0
61
171100180402
SILT CREEK
33
0
67
171100180403
HIDDEN AND TWIN CREEKS
43
0
57
171100180404
WEST FORK DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
63
0
37
171100180405
UPPER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
62
5
33
171100180406
MIDDLE DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
20
22
58.
171100180407
ROCKY BROOK
5
4
91
171100180408
LOWER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
18
73
9
Since this analysis is to give National Forest managers tools to gage projects, the CWD was also estimated
only within the NF boundary.
Table 18. Estimated CWD Recruitment Potential within the National Forest Boundary
Subwatershed #
Subwatershed Name
Good %
Fair %
Poor %
171100180405
UPPER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
50
0
50
I71100180406
MIDDLE DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
33
3
64
171100180407
ROCKY BROOK
5
0
95
171100180408
LOWER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
22
8
71
Much of the Dosewallips and main tributary river banks are poor in recruitment potential. The best
portions, as might be expected, are in the National Park where there have been no unnatural disturbances.
This is also generally low in recruitment potential. Much of the lower river is "fair" as it is lined with
alder, and also flows through wide gravel banks. The alder provides structure as coarse woody debris, but
does not last long before decaying. Much of the river is lined by small sized stands, both coniferous 4nd
hardwood.
63
Forest Type
Deciduous trees, common invader's of disturbed mesic sites, are associated with riparian zones and are
habitat to many bird species, such as the yellow warbler, willow flycatcher, downy woodpecker, common
merganser, and blue heron. Forest type is important, especially in riparian areas. It indicates different
habitat types that are important to a variety of species. Much of the deciduous forest consists -of red alder
and big -leaf maple. Further discussion of the habitat created by the forest type can be found in the wildlife
portion of the Landscape FunctionsVage 25).
Table 19. Estimated Total Stream Length Ripadsin Forest Type
Subwatershed #.
.. Subwatershed Name
Conifer
Mixed
Hardwood
111100180401
HEAD WAM S'DOSEWALLTPS RIVER
72
16,
12
171100180402,.
SILT CREEK
52
47
1'
171100180403
HIDDENAND TWIN CREEKS'
5
4
91
171100180404
WEST FORK DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
07.
3
171100180405
UPPER DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
'92
0
8
1711001$0496
MIDDLE DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
20
27
53
171100180467
ROCKY BROOK
60
40
0
171100180408
LOWER DOSEWAU IPS RIVER
9
15'
76
Coniferous tree types 70% or more conifer trees
Deciduous tree type 70% or more deciduous trees
Mixed category all other forested land,
Table 20. Estimated National Foresi Riparian Forest-Type
Subwatershed #
Subwatershed Name
Conifer'%
Mixed %
Hardwood
171100180405
UPPER DOSEWA JAPS RIVER
98
0
2
171100180406
MIDDLE DOSEWALLIPS RIVER
27
36
36
171100180407
ROCKY BROOK
5
4
91
Coniferous tree types
70% or more conifer trees
Deciduous tree type
70% or more deciduous trees
Mixed category
all other forested land
n A
Shade
Due to the width of the river there is very little shading downstream after the river leaves the National
Park. Upstream, within the National Park boundaries the conditions are natural.. We elected not to
determine shade on the river as it was under fairly natural conditions.
64
Fisheries
Aquatic Species Habitat Key Questions
• What is the distribution and stock status of fish in the analysis area?
• What migration barriers exist for fish?
• What are the Current Trends of aquatic habitats ( roads, dikes, nptap that may restrict the channel)?
• What physicalibiological processes are affecting fish populations?
• Where and what types of restoration actions might maintain or improve
• aquatic habitat conditions?
• What role does the watershed play in providing for conservation or recovery of the fish species?
Introduction
Methods, Data Sources, Strength of Analysis
Due to lack of resources, the level of resolution desired in this watershed analysis on the fish resource was
not achieved. Most of the analysis was based on existing data with little to no field verification.
Estimates of resident fish distribution in the headwaters (within the Olympic National park) were made
using likely gradient breaks in the streams.
This section was completed by compiling data regarding the historic and present condition of the analysis
l area. Data were gathered from county, state and federal agencies, the Point No Point Treaty Council,
journal articles and local authors and residents. Key issues were clarified with local experts familiar with _...
the streams. - Historic conditions of riverine habitat and species assemblage were estimated from historic
records, historic trends of nearby habitat, and anecdotal information. Limited field time was spent to
familiarize the authors with river reaches of key concern and to verify main issues.
Background
There were many contributors to this analysis module. Organizations and individuals consulted include
Brian Winters of the Olympic National Park, Marty Ereth of the Skokomish Tribe; Charles Toal of the
Washington State Department of Ecology; Peter Bails of the Port Crumble S'Klallam Tribe; Byron Rot,
Chris Weller and Carol Bernthal of Point No Point Treaty Council; Cindy Burns, Ron Egan, Thom
Johnson, Randy Cooper, Paul Mongillo and Mark Kimball of the Washington State Department of Fish
and Wildlife.
Information used from the various sources include recent basin analyses, government and tribal
publications, stocking information, spawning survey data, local professional knowledge and limited field
verification.
The analysis area covers the Dosewallips watershed. These streams range from the unnamed tributaries
with little to no fish habitat to the main stem and forks of the Dosewallips providing over 125 miles of
habitat utilized by anadromous and resident fishes.
The streams within the analysis area support both anadromous and resident fish in 131 total miles of
stream habitat utilized. Chinook and summer chum are currently proposed as threatened by the National
Marine Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act (see table 2.61)). Conditions and ecological
processes have changed from historical conditions. Channel reconstruction/alignment, changes in input
65
I A
and routing of sediment-and large woody debris (LWD), and fish management action have all contributed
to the changes in productive capacity of the drainages.
Hood Canal Salmon Management
Management of the salmon resource in the Hood Canal has taken a more conservation oriented turn as
compared to historical management in order to restore the diminished wild runs while attempting to
provide for a sustainable fishery. The delicate management in the Hood Canal balances 7' anadromous
stocks with varying competing resource interests.
In 1935 state initiative 77 closed the Hood Canal to commercial fishing, thereby. creating a "salmon
sanctuary." As a result, salmon populations increased until the mid to late 1970's; In 1973 state
legislation allowed the director of the state Department of Fisheries to open previously ciosed;waters to
commercial fishing. In 1974 judge George Boldt rendered a court decision affirming Indian rights by
requiring that all harvestable salmon be allotted equally between Indian and non - Indian fishers. After the
Boldt ruling, the Hood Canal Salmon Management Plan (HCSMP) was eventually developed and then .
approved by the courts in 1981, but never fully implemented. Since the transition time following the
Boldt decision, the state and tribes have been working more cooperatively (Simmons 1997).
A new HCSMP was court roved in 1986 and now forms the backbone of the
app cooperative state/tn'bal
management. This document fits under the larger Puget Sound Salmon Management Plan dealing with
production and harvest`issues (Simmons 1997). Under the new plan, the Hood Canal is essentially
managed as a "hatchery management zone." - It directs managers to manage by aggregate escapement, that
is looking at return numbers as a whole rather than on an individual stream basis (Simmons 1997). Wl►ile
the HCSMP contains a "Habitat Management Policy" thatconfirms the common commitment to habitat
protection and restoration, it primarily deals with production and .harvest. Habitat is under more direct
influence of other'poUtioal entities such as the US Forrest Service, Washington State Department of
Natural Resources, - National Park Service and counties of Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason (Simmons 1997),.,
. s
More recent agreements expanding on the HCSMP include: the 1989 Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) on Hood Canal Production Evaluation Program, the 1993 MOU on Hood. Canal Wild Coho -
Salmon Evaluation and rehabilitation Program, the Hood Canal Summer Chum Restoration Program,
and the Draft Wild Salmon Policy (1997) (Simmons 1997)..
While Steelhead.are not included n.the HCSMP, the Steelhea4Management Plan protects and enhances
individual wild steelhead stocks and their habitats (Simmons 1997).
Hatchery practices have dominated the Hood Canal for many years., Hatcheries in the Hood Canal include
George Adams (built in 1920 to mitigate effects of Cushman hydroelectric project), lvlcKernan, Shelton,
Eel Springs and Hood Canal (state facilities); Enetai and Little Boston tribal facilities; the Wild Salmon
Restoration Facility (AKA Lilliwap Hatchery, administered by Long Live the Kings); and the Quilcene
National Fish Hatchery,(USFWS). Net pen facilities include the state Sund Rock site; the cooperatively
managed Glen Ayr, Hood. Canal Marina, Hoodsport Marina, and Pleasant Harbor Marina; and the Point
No Point Treaty Council facility in Quilcene Bay. Remote Site incubators are at six locations'around the
Hood Canal and are designed to improve incubation survival (Simmons 1997).
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has used the Hood Canal hatchery complex (includes
Hoodsport, George Adams, McKernan, and Eel Springs) as a ,major tool in fishery management of the
lower Hood Canal. A memorandum of understanding with the local treaty tribes obligates the state to
salmon production of a certain number and species composition. Up until recently the emphasis has been
primarily on chum release. The hatchery complex emphasis is evolving now to a greater fall 'Chinook'
release (2.2 to, 4.3 million 0 age) and a decrease in chum production. The evolution of the hatchery role
in;fish management is due in part to tribal agreements and a three year quarantine due to IHN infection at
66
Hoodsport (which prohibits exporting any fish to fi-eshwater). Recent and forthcoming documents,
including the Wild Salmonid Policy, stock status reports and species management plans will fiuther shape
the hatchery complex role in fish management of the Hood Canal.
Reference Conditions
Fish Community
The fish diversity (see table 21) in the analysis area prior to European settlement could be traced back to
geologically - recent glacial events. The most important aspect of the Pleistocene history of western
Washington on fish distribution was the glaciation of the Puget Sound region (MacPhail 1967). The area
under analysis was covered by the glacial ice up to a mile thick (USDA Forest Service Dungeness
Watershed Analysis, 1995).
Table 21. Fishes likely inhabiting the analysis area prior to European settlement (Johnson, WDFW,
personal communication).
Family
Genus - species
Common Name
Race
Comment
Cottidae
Cottus aleuticus
coast range sculpin
Cottus as per
prickly scut in
Salmonidae
Oncorhynchus keta
chum
summer
wild populations
fall
wild populations
Oncorhynchus kisutch
coho
Oncorhynchus mykim
steelhead
winter
wild populations
summer
wild populations
rainbow trout
resident
Oncoriymdwsgorbuscha
Pink
wild populations
Oncorhynchus tschawytscha
Chinook
fall /sum
Oncorhynchus clarkii
cutthroat trout
searun
Little known/wild
resident
In ancient Lake Russell of the southern Olympics (MacPhail, 1967), freshwater lakes formed at the ice .
margins, providing refuge for freshwater species. With glacial retreat to present day Everett, a marine
route for invasion by saltwater and estuarine species was opened. The actual route and origin of marine
fishes in the immediate post - glacial period is secondary to the issue of stock distinction. This is of prime
consideration in characterizing the uniqueness and thus genetic "value" of a population and the habitat
that supports it. Ricker defines stock as "... fish spawning in a particular lake or stream (or portion
thereof) at a particular season, which to a substantial degree do not interbreed with any group spawning in
a different place or in the same place at a different season... "(Ricker, 1970).
Species
Except for brook trout and west slope cutthroat trout, it is likely that the fishes currently utilizing the
aquatic habitat were also present prior to Europeans colonization. See map 13 for distribution of
species throughout the drainages.
Anadromous distribution prior to European settlement was likely similar to that of today. Stream gradient
changes pose the main barriers. It is conceivable that an abundant supply of LWD may have created_
occasional logjams in the larger drainages that periodically reduced anadromous range even when
67
compared to today's habitat. Resident fish range was also Neely limited in the steeper-gradients and.
reduced stream flows at the headwaters..
Habitat
Information on historic conditions is scarce. The general character of the drainage was that of a post-
glacial valley dominated by western red cedar and Douglas fir, Sitka spruce was prevalent in the lower
stream corridor. The creek flowed through a constricted, incised canyon with shallow, porous soils over a
shale-type material that are .unstable when devoid, of vegetation: The lower valley habitat of the larger
Dosewallips drainage flowed through glacial .outwash and Likely was characterized by abundant LWD,
creating: deep pools and off channel over wintering habitat within a more sinuous stream than we, know
today. The LWD.rvasa maJar:habitat fotiniug.faCtor in.the st;eaurs, providing.%r a stable sureacnlied,
energy dissipation, sediment retention and habitat diversity to meet species life stage requirements
( Nelson, et. al., 1992). The concentration of LWD: may have been sporadic over the centuries given the
relatively.: frequent natural and human- caused disturbances,. There was likely frequent interaction between
the streams and their flood plains, thereby minimizing flood damage in the riparian zone. The instieam
..... ... :... .
wood and intact riparian zone throughout the watersheds provided some hydraulic control for stream bed
stability, thereby withstanding high flow events, with less damage than we see today in the areas prone to
A ma wasting. ..
Current Conditions
Fish Species Inhabiting the Area
Twelve fish species are present in the analysis area including six anadromous stocks, see Table 23 and 24.
Most of the fish distribution is likely the sanre"as in historical times, defined by geologic barriers for
anadromous species and steep headwater reaches for resident species.
Anadromous fish distribution extends to the falls just upstream of the Nationa[ForestfNational Park
boundary and resident habitat is estimated to total '25A miles above the falls based on gradient breaks in..
the stream channel. The total extent of habitat utilization is presented on table 22. See map 13 for
distribution of species throughout the drainage.
Introduced fish species in the Dosewalhps drainage include brook trout and west slope cutthroat trout in
the lakes at higher elevations. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife currently manages
introduced populations of Eastern brook trout in Karnes Lake, Jupiter Lake, #5,.Lower Jupiter Lake #5;
rainbow trout in Jupiter Lokes 1, 2, 4; 6 and west slope cutthroat trout in Jupiter lakes • 1, l- upper; 2; 3;:.
and 4. Brook trout also exist in Lake Constance and are suspected to occur in Wild teat Lake, both within
Olympic National Park (Olympic Natioial Park files). There is no documentation known to the author of
fish presence in the lakes prior to initial stoddng. Besides these species, it is likely that the fishes
currently utilizing the aquatic habitat within the watershed were also present prior to Europeans,
colonization.
Fish passage has likely not changed significantly from historical conditions. The extent of habitat
utilization may have been reduced by culvert barriers along the Dosewallips River Road, but amounts to
relatively little habitat given the steep valley wall immediately uphill of the road. Culvert barriers are a°
more significant problem ig the Rocky Brook sub- drainage where 5 culverts have been identified as
migration barriers to resident fish (see restoration section).
68
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Stock Status
The status of anadromous fish stocks in the analysis area varies relative to the defining publication and
delineation of the population characteristics. The fish stocks closest to listing as proposed threatened
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are the Puget Sound Chinook, Hood Canal summer chum and
bull trout. The Chinook and Summer chum are documented in the Dosewallips River. Bull trout have
not been documented in the Dosewallips, but the habitat is favorable. John Meyer, Olympic National Paris
fish biologist reports a reliable source identifying, spawning native char above the falls in the 1970's. The
USF WS has not yet devised or accepted a protocol for establishing absence for bull trout within a
drainage, so they are considered in this analysis. Table 24 summarizes the stock status of the fish in the
analysis area.
Table 24 STATUS OF FISHES IN THE ANALYSIS AREA SUMMARU ED FROM PUBLISHED
REPORTS
70
WDF, -
USFS
et al 1993
Region 6
SASS
SSL
Stock/Race
Stock
Produc do
Stock
Species
Evolutionary
ESA
Origin
n Type .
Status
Classificatio
Significant
Listing
n,
Unit S
Status*
Chinook,
Mixed
Composite
Healthy
Sensitive
Puget Sound
Proposed rule
Summer/Fall
threatened
-Hood Canal
Chum,
Native
Wild
Critical
Sensitive
Hood Canal
Proposed rule
Summer
Strait of Juan
threatened
Hood Canal.
de Fuca
Summer
Chum, Fall
Native
Wild
Healthy
NM
Puget Sound/
Presently not
Dosewallips
Str. Georgia
warranted
Fall/salwinter
(3/98),..
Coho
Mixed
Wild
healthy
Sensitive
Puget Sound/
CandikUte
Dosewallips
Str. Georgia
Pink
Native
Wild
Depressed
NM
Puget Sound
Presently not
Dosewallips
warranted
10/95
Steelhead,
Unresoly
Unresolve
Depressed
NM
Puget Sound
Presently not
Winter
ed
d
warranted
Dosewalli
8/96 .
Steelhead
Unresoly
Unresolve
Unknown
NM
Puget Sound/
Presently not
Summer
ed
d
Str. Georgia
warranted
Dosewalli
Fall/su/winter
8/96
Rainbow trout
NM
NM
Cutthroat,
Sensitive
Proposal due
searun
'Dec. 1998.
Cutthroat,
NM
Candidate
resident
Soul in S
NM
NM
NM
NM
NM
NM
Bull Trout
NM
NM
NM
Sensitive
Puget Sound
Proposed rule
threatened
3SL= Sensitive Species List NM= Not Mentioned
In Text *= Subiect to chanee
70
The US Forest Service Region 6 sensitive species list was updated in August 1997 to include several
anadromous fish stocks within the analysis area (see table 24). This status requires that all Forest Service
activities within the watersheds occupied by these fish (table 23) must be reviewed to determine if the
activity would likely result in a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability of these stocks. The review
and determination will be recorded in NEPA documentation and/or BE. The activity need not be within
the habitat range of the species. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) matrix (see Tables
26,27,28) is the best tool for making this determination.
Bull Trout
Little is known about the specific life history strategies of bull trout in the Dosewallips. There has been no
systematic inventory conducted to determine distribution of this species in the watershed. While the full
extent of distribution and use of the upper watershed by bull trout is unknown, it should be assumed that
they are present until proven otherwise. Habitat has been determined to be satisfactory for all bull trout
life stages. Historical sightings (ca 1970's) of native char were reported above the falls to the Olympic
National Paris fish biologist by the trail crew, a source the biologist considers credible (J. Meyers, personal
communication). This is the only known report in the drainage. Limited snorkel surveys by the Park
have shown no bull trout. There is no catch record of native char in the lower river.
Coho
According to the NMFS, coho are not currently listed under the ESA but are part of a vulnerable
Evoludonally Significant Unit and may be a fixture candidate for listing. The redd site is chosen by the
female. The preferred location is at the head of a ride in small to medium sized gravel (Moyle 1982).
Each female lays 1,000 to 5,000 eggs, depending on her size. The eggs hatch in eight to twelve weeks
and the fry emerge from the gravel four to tentmeeks later, depending on the water temperatures (Moyle .
1982).': The fry school- in the shallow stream margins, feeding on a wide variety of small invertebrates. As
the fish grow, individuals will establish territories. This territory is characteristically quiet backwater or
off channel areas in winter and main stem pools during summer.. Young coho are voracious feeders,
ingesting any organism that moves or drifts through its territory . A major part of their diet is aquatic
insect larvae and terrestrial insects; small fishes are taken when available (Moyle 1982). Coho salmon..
migrate to the sea after their first year in freshwater. At sea, coho are pelagic and prey mostly on other
fishes (Moyle 1982), returning in two to five years to their native stream to spawn, die and start the cycle
again.
Although stock - specific information is not available, it is assumed that Hood Canal cobo are primarily
harvested in Canadian troll, net and sport fisheries and in Washington net and sport fisheries. In
preterminal areas, the harvest rates on coho are determined by the needs for the other stocks of echo or
other species. There is a terminal area fishery on Hood Canal coho. Overall, harvest rates are also a
limiting factor for this coho stock (WDFW and WWTIT 1994).
Chum, Summer and Fall
Summer chum are currently proposed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, with a final listing
decision expected in March of 1999. Genetic studies show that the Hood Canal and Juan de Fuca summer
chum salmon are distinguishable from other Northwest chum salmon stocks (WDFW 1995). Summer
chum are in the Hood Canal Evolutionally Significant Unit (ESU) while the late fall chum are considered
part of the Puget Sound ESU. Hood Canal summer chum spawn from early September to late October and
late fall chum spawn from mid- November to mid -January (WDFW and WWTIT 1994). Chum salmon
spend little time in fresh water. They usually occupy the lowermost sections of anadromovs habitat, not
extending beyond barriers that are easily passed by other salmon. The female digs a series of depressions
to form the redd in gravel rifles, laying 2,400 to 4,000 eggs (Moyle 1982). Chum in the Dosewallips
emerge from the gravel from late December to early March and out - migration starts in March and goes
through April (Teller personal communication 1998). They leave the gravel when they reach 30 -35 mm
71
Some populations of pair spend several months in the estuaries (Moyle 1982). The chum spend three to
five years at sea before returning to their `native stream to spawn, die and regenerate the cycle.
Steelhead, Summer and Win'
inter
Steelhead are the. anadrothous form of rainbow:trout.:Aside.&om their sea going habit and large size at
spawning, there is little to distinguish them from the resident rainbow, Winter steelhead utilize the-,
analysis area for juvenile rearing and adult spawning. Like other m1nionid, the steelhead female digs the
redd in a riffle. The number of days from egg deposition to first emergence of winter Steelhead fry from
the gravel in Snow Creek averaged 62 days with 50 percent of emergence occurring by 71 days; it is likely
similar in the Dosewallips system: Emergentwinter steelhead fry are an average 30' rani in length and
0:21 g-in weight. The fry initially live in _waters Clow 'to.
shore and exhibit little aggressive. behavior for
several weeks. The steelhead can, spawn more than once in a lifetime, and it is not unusual for a fish to
gip: a year between spawning. :Hood::Canal:sfcelhead mostly rear for two years in freshwater before .
migrating to the sea: a !:
Freshwater habitat in many of the drainages has been impacted by forest?manastment (WDFW and
WWTIT 1994), often:resulting in.decreased spawning habitat;quality.. as well'as increased runoff, flood
frequency and downstream erosion.
Cooper and Johnson (1992) examined trends in Steelhead abundance in Washington and found an overall
decline. They used sport harvest data to provide the besi indication of long *tern abundance
finding an overall recent decline beginning in, 085, with the 1990 -91 harvest being the lowest on record
since 1962. Cooper and Johnson (1992) provides a comprehensive review and discussion of factors1kely
responsible for declines in abundance of steelhead. An assessment of genetic conservation management'.
units for Washin on steelhead is resented
gt ' . p by 1.eider et al. (1994) and Leiden et al. (1995).
Cutthroat
Little is known about the status of.cutthroat:in Hood Canal. N4tdrallysmall sea -nun cutthroat-populations
are present in most small creeks along with ooho. 'A proposed ruling for the species on the west coast is
expected December 1998.
Studies by Michael ( 1983) suggested that resident and anadromous cutthroat populations in Salmon Creek
are reproductively separate (Michael, 1989). Anadromous cutthroat trout in Snow and Salmon Creeks are
late -entry, entering freshwater in winter or spring. • This timing in Puget Sound is usually associated with
small, independent drainages t?%fichael 1989): ,Michael .also suggests that regulation, can maintain the
carrying capacity for cutthroat smolt production by allowing the population to spawn onm prior to
harvest Resident salmomd sympatrie with the anadromous cutthroat may displace or replace anadromous
stocks if the searun stock declines ( Nchael; 1989). Resident cutthroat trout spawning behavior is similar
to other trout species. Each female, depending on her size, lays 400 to 4,000 eggs. Each fish may spawn
up to five times in it's lifetime (Moyle 1982). The eggs hatch in six to eight weeks, and the fry begin
feeding about two weeks after hatching. Sea -run cutthroat rear in Snow and Salmon Creeks for one, two,
or three years before smolftg and migrating to Discovery Bay, the pattern may be similar in the
Dosewallips.
y
Chinook
Chinook salmon are proposed.as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, with a final .
listingdecision due in March of 1999. Chinook are largest:.of the salmon species; They, are,found in the
mainstem Dosewallips River within the analysis. area. A mature spawner can range from two to seven
years old (Moyle 1976). Redds are often 3.6 meters long and 30 cm deep with a female laying between
2,000 and 14,000 eggs: Eggs laid in the fall hatch: in the early spring . In fresh water the juveniles are
72
opportunistic drift feeders; adults feed primarily on fish in the marine environment As the juveniles
i grow, they gradually move out into swifter water, smolting to enter the marine environment They are
primarily subyearling emigrants.
Pink
Pink Salmon utilize the rnainstem Dosewallips River. The male has the distinctive hump on its back,
giving the nickname "Humpies" to the species. The stocks in the analysis area, as in nearly all Puget
Sound rivers, spawn only in odd numbered years, thus defining their life history to two years. The female
spawns in gravel of a moderately sized stream and the eggs hatch in four to six months. Most of the life
cycle is in salt water as the fry head straight out to the marine environment after absorbing the yolk sack
and subsequently emerging from the gravel (Moyle 1976). The fry school in estuaries for several months
before finally going out to sea (Moyle 1976).
Coast Range Sculpin
Typically, coast range sculpins are found in swift gravel riffles in the lower reaches of the larger coastal
streams but they can also inhabit the brackish quiet water of stream mouths, on bottoms ranging from
mud to sand to coarse gravel (Moyle 1976). Coast range sculpin are most active at night and, except
during breeding season, usually exhibit little social behavior (Moyle 1976). Coast range sculpin feed
primarily on aquatic insect larvae and other benthic invertebrates. They also feed on salmon eggs and fry
when readily available, however, it is doubtful that this predation has much effect on salmon populations
(Moyle 1976). Coast range sculpin mature during their second or third year and usually spawn in early
spring (Wydoski and Whitney 1979). Some females may have two separate spawning periods (Moyle
1976). The usual spawning site is the underside of a flat rock in swift water, to which clusters of orange
eggs are attached Immediately after hatching, sculpin larvae are carried by current into estuaries, lakes,
or large pools where they live on and among the plankton for three to five weeks; once they assume a
bottom existence they gradually move upstream (Moyle 1976). Coast range sculpin inhabit all of the
Hood Canal tributaries, and extend.up the Dosewallips approximately 12 miles (Mongillo, personal
communication). ,
Prickly sculpin
Few fishes occupy the wide range of bottom habitats occupied by prickly sculpin populations. They live in
waters ranging from Eresh to salt, in streams ranging from small, cold and clear to large, warm, and turbid
(Moyle 1976). Prior to spawning, prickly sculpin move into areas, in either a freshwater or intertidal
zone, that contain large flat rocks and a moderate current (Moyle 1976). Males frequently spawn with
more than one female, so as many as 25,000 to 30,000 eggs have been found in one nest (Moyle 1976).
The young of the prickly sculpin are pelagic for 30 to 35 days (Wydoski and Whitney 1979). Prickly
sculpin primarily feed on benthic organisms such as crustaceans and immature aquatic insects (Wydoski
and Whitney 1979). Within the analysis area, the prickly sculpin extend about 6 miles up the Dosewallips
drainage; not quite as extensive as the coast range sculpin (MongiIlo and Hallock, 1997).
Habitat
In general, the middle and lower watershed is affected by forest management activities and the associated
roading while the lower reaches near the canal are developed with sporadic houses and small
communities.
73
Table 25. Watershed probes affecting` §almonds and their stream habitats.
Watershed Process
Affected Species and Life Stage
Simplification of habitats through reduction of
All species and freshwater life stages are affected
LWD recruitment and removal of instream LWD.
by the lack of LWD. Primary Ioss is lack of deep
pools, hidiug;and rearing habitat,'and spawning
ZLmmd crieation '
Routing and in -channel storage of course and fine
impacts include detrimental affects on incubating
sediments from mass- wasting and surface erosion
eggs with decreased survival to emergence.
Result is decreased pool volume and increased pool :
Decreased pool volume and increased spacing
spacing. In some subwatersheds secondary mass- '
'impairs habitat capability t'or summer rearing
wasting and/or bank erosion from channel
juveniles'(cpho and steelhead) and resident fish.
adjustments is observed. Effect is exacerbated by
Conversely, increased rifle habitat may favor the
reductions in LWD.
surviving youn. -of-year steelhead and cutthroat:
Alteration of stream saltwater interface
In the case of blocked or diverted streams, habitat is
lost fbrr species and life
Forest practices and associated roading of-ten contribute to limiting upstream passage and a change in flow
regime. Culverts may create a fish passage barrier for resident fish migrating upstream to spawn.
Because of the cursor level of analysis, resident fish blockage due to culverts were not investigated., A
change in flow regime is typified by greater extremes in summer and winter that reduces the productive
capacity. Extreme low flows in summer result in stressful temperature increases and stranding,of fish.
Extreme high flows in winter can flush out juveniles and produce an environment that reduces suitable
holding areas for returning adult spawners. Iftereased sediment can suffocate eggs in the gravel and
increased aggregation associated with -high energy flows can scour redds, killing the eggs (Table 25).
Matrix Baseline Habitat Con4tions
In February of 1998, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed the Puget Sound Chinook
and the Hood Canal Summer Chum as threatened under the Endangered Species Act Both of these
species inhabit the Dosewallips River (Table 2.6C). The NMFS has developed a tool for assessing
current, or baseline, environmental condition for certain indicators of habitat function. The result of the
assessment characterizes the indicators as: fmctioning appropriately, functioning at risk or functioning at
unacceptable risk. This tool is commonly ieferred to as the "Matrix." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) modified the matrix by adding indicators needed for analysis of bull trout, a species proposed
for listing within the Puget Sound region in June of 1998. The bull trout baseline information was
determined jointly in a training session involving the US Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service
and the Olympic National Park. While not much time was available for the effort; it was a collaborative
effort representing many professional opinions familiar with the watershed. The matrix establishes the
baseline conditions and then evaluates the effects of a proposed - action on the relevant indicators. This.
analysis will only review the baseline conditions since this document does not propose a particular action.
See Table 26, 27, 28, and the following discussion.
Subpopulation characteristics (bull trout only)
Historical sightings (ca 1970's) of native char were reported above the fall to the Olympic National Park
fish biologist by the trail crew, a source the biologist considers credible Q. Meyers, personal
communication). This is the only known report in the drainage. Snorkel surveys by the Park have shown
no bull trout. There is no catch record of native char in the lower river.
74
Water Quality
6 1
L4¢4
is
5
F
4.
t.
4
Temperature
According to Washington State DOE records for samples taken from 1959 -74 and 1993 -94 at station
16DO70 in Brinnon'the mean. temperature was 8.6 degrees Celsius with a maximum of 15.5 degrees
(WSDOE, 1998). The maximum WAC limit is 16.0 degrees. The Dosewallips is known for its cold
water. While certain parameters are not suitable for bull trout life stages, professional judgement is that
the watershed is functioning appropriately.
Sediment
The significance of looting transport and deposition reaches is more pertinent to sediment as opposed to
LWD due to the character of the headwater valleys. The many branches of the drainage that make up the
headwaters are narrow, often narrower than the length of wood within the stream or in the riparian zones.
The net result is that wood from the headwaters, despite being in a transport reach, does not travel far
from its recruitment site and therefore contributes little to downstream LWD concentrations.
Analysis of the riparian condition within and between transport reaches allows the connectivity to be
ascertained. The connectivity is dependent upon the location of unstable slopes and large woody debris
relative to these reaches. Streams that, by nature, have intermediate low gradient or response reaches
have less tendency to transport material all the way downstream as opposed to streams whose response
reach is limited to the lowest most reach.
Determining whether unstable slope areas anCto some extent, LWD recruitment sites are in transport or
depositional areas can help us establish the degree of potential positive or negative impact to downstream::
habitat. This information can also prioritize and locate restoration efforts as well as avoid potential fugue
degradation.
For the higher elevation spawners such as bull trout, sediment is not considered to be a significant factor
since they utilize.the upper reaches subject to more natural conditions (interagency group's professional
judgment). The fish utilizing the lower portions of the river would be more subject to the sediment
generated from bank erosion due to the road, stream side development and lowland clearcuts (author's
professional judgment).
Even though there are no specific measurements. Professional judgmme t indicates that the watershed is
functioning appropriately for the sediment parameter.
Chemical contaminants/nutrients
According to Washington State DOE records (WSDOE, 1998), levels of suspended solids, total persulfate
nitrogen, soluble phosphorous, turbidity, and other measurements indicate low levels of contamination
(see aquatic function section). There are no 303D designated reaches. This indicator is functioning
appropriately.
Habitat Access
Physical Barriers
Besides the occasional culvert along Forest Service road 2610 that may block less than 50 feet of habitat,
the only significant human caused barriers are at 5 separate culvert crossings in the Rocky Brook sub -
drainage (see restoration recommendations). 'These do not affect bull trout or any other fish under - -
analysis in the matrix professional judgement indicates that this indicator is functioning appropriately.
75
� Jy
Habitat Elements
Substrate embeddeduess
The Rocky Brook drainage is functioning at risk, while the rest of the drains
appropriately based on the local knowledge of the author. drainage is functioning
Large Woody Debris (LWD)
The concentration ofLWD may have been
frequent sahrral and human mused disturbances. sporadic over the last two centuries given the relatively
downst mm,(Baes, 1997 . A The river was used as a means of transporting logs
Brook confluence. It is ) splash dam was built at the upshum end of the gorge near the Rocky
reasonable to assume that much of the stream side future
logs rnh routinely historic logging periods, likely aff yes LWD loading. large woody - debris was
y been taken Obt of rivers as a matter of �t water ant decades,
"cial.oPP61tubity. At leasE.one log jam has been removed cl�versio concerns and/or
instream bed wood and intact riparian zone ved from the river (gaile3', pers. Comm ). The
stability, thereby withstandin �oughorit the wateirsheds.provide hydraulic control for stream
group determined the LWD indicator to be frmchorung a less damage than we see today. The interagency
nurg at risk.
Pool Frequency and Quality
Pool Creation above the six mile bridge is dominated by boulders while LWD is the major structure
this Point. The lower mile or so of the river adjacent to the town of Brinson and the state park is below
characterized by larger logjam
Plain. Due to the lack of LWD in defMing the *"o� of the river and creating the pools in wider fl ood '
and quality indicator to be AInctio • . lower river, the interagency group determined the
. nmg at risk: �l fiequency�
Large Pools
Due to lack of LWD in.:the lower river; the intern en
indicator under functioning g CY group's Professional judgment puts "the large wood
Wing at risk,
Off Channel Habitat
Off - channel habitat is of importance to salmonids residing refuge from high flows.. The � m the rim Over winter due to the need for
overwrote ' �� nature of the valley provides few low
gradient tributaries for
nng' Rocky Brook, Gamm Creek and two Other areas known to the author within the un�e;tributaries are the only off channel
overwintering ponds have been built, three off oo f o Portions of the stream. A total of four Gamm address this an apparent lack of reek and one off an unnamed tributary to
ovenvinte overwintering habitat for coho and steelhead. For fish needing
nng habitat, this. indicator is fuunctioning. at risk; 'For fish not residing
(Chum and p salmon) the author considers rt to be ck. ' F r appropriately.
f the river for rearing
functioning
Refugia
The extent of habitat connectivity within a watershed is mirrored
consequences front a ground disturbin u by the degree ve downstream
censtruetion likes g upstream activity. For example, intensive logging and road
timely bublicationCb� is Fr s; sedimentation, and bedload instability in the lower
watersheds. A P
I.an ---ds Refu a for the Conservation f a c Salmons in Selectint No Point Treaty Council entitled
Peninsula on Hood Canal ;Was River B ins of the Ol is
restoration on identifies refugia within the Do
risk section of this report). Given this report, refugia for all sewallips River basin (see .
species are considered functioning at
76
Channel Condition and Dynamics
Mdth/Depth Ratio
This information is unknown.
Streambank Condition
The interagency group gave this indicator a functioning at risk rating given the rip rapped bank at
Elkhorn campground, whose alteration would benefit a healthier river dynamic, and bank protection
projects' along private lands.
Flood plain Connectivity
Given the assumption that there is likely less LWD in the river now as compared to historical conditions,
there was likely more frequent interaction between the streams and their flood plains than there is today.
However, there is no evidence of a lack of connectivity and the group considers this indicator to be
functioning appropriately.
Floit:/Hydrology
Change in Peak/Base Flows
Changes in flow regime are typified by greater waremes in summer and winter that reduces the productive
capacity.: Extreme low:flows in summerresult in stressful temperature increases and stranding of fish. .
Extreme high flows in winter can flush out juveniles and produce an environment that reduces suitable
holding areas for returning adult.spawners. Increased sediment can suffocate eggs in the gravel and
increased aggredation associated with high energy flows can scour redds, killing the eggs.
According to the hydrology section of this report, the flows have been relatively stable. This indicator is
functioning appropriately.
Increase in Drainage Network
The drainage network increase for this fifth field watershed is placed in the functioning at risk category by
the interagency group primarily due to the extensive roading in the Rocky Brook sub- drainage.
watershed Conditions
Road Density and Location
Along the mainstem the most significant affect is likely the Dosewallips River Road (FS Road 26 10)
which rams along and in places constricts the river. The extensive roading in the Rocky Brook drainage
affects the aquatic system also. This indicator is functioning at risk.
77
Table 26. Road Miles per Square Mile
Subwatershed Road
Miles
Watershed Sq. Miles
Road Miles/Square
We
Turner and Walker
25
5.4
4.6
Head Waters Dosewallips
0
15.8
0
Silt Creek
0
13.8
0
Hidden and Twin Creeks
0
10.2
0
West Fork Dosewallips
0
20.1
0
upper Dosewamps
4
18.1.
.2
Middle Dosewallips
15
21.9
.7
Rocky Brook
33
8.9
3.7
Lower Dosewallips
18
7.4
2.4
Total
95
121.6
Disturbance History
Over the last 80 years, there has been clearcut harvest within the watershed ranging from 330 acres per
decade in the 1950's to 3,031 acres in the 1980's. There is currently 3,304 acres under 20 years of age.
Within the National Forest, the harvest has been concentrated in the Rocky Brook drainage. This is
approximately 5% of the subwatershed for total equivalent clearcut area. The lower watershed has been
extensively clearcut on private land. There is 29% of Late Successional Old Growth within the watershed.
The group considers this indicator to be functioning at risk.
Riparian Conservation Areas./Riparian Reserves
Riparian Areas -for fish bearing streams under the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) are defined as 300 feet
or a distance equivalent to two site potential tree heights, whichever is farther, until site specific analysis
justifies a reason to change those parameters.. While those default distances are still in place, this
designation does not preclude activity in the riparian area. The objective within the reserves is to
maintain the Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the NWFP. Given that the road is entirely within the
riparian reserve and the little protection afforded in the lowlands, the group assigned "functioning at risk"
to this indicator.
Disturbance Regime
Most of the affect on the Dosewallips has been in the areas of logging and associated roadiiig,
urbanization, recreation and associated roading. Most of the logging has occurred in the lower watershed
south of the river on private land and in the Rocky Brook sub- watershed on National Forest Land. Two
campgrounds, one Forest Service and one Park Service, are located on the xiver bank. One Forest Service
Campground was abandoned in 198.1 due to damage. from changes in river course. The author considers
this indicator functioning at risk because the road and strearnside developments and condition of the
Rocky Brook sub- drainage do not allow for completely stable processes.
Integration of species and Habitat Condition (bull trout)
If bull trout are present, it is not expected that for those indicators functioning at risk, full recovery will
occur within five years. The author considers this indicator to be functioning at risk for bull trout.
78
Table 27: Bull Trout
TTCT"WC Pnnubrion and Environmental Baselines
Diagnostics)
Pathways
Indicators
Functioning
Appropriately
Fanctionin
g at Risk
Functioning
at
Unacceptable
Risk
Subpopulation
Characteristics
Subpopulation size
See narrative
Growth and Survival
See narrative
Life History Diversity and
Isolation
See narrative
Persistence and Genetic
Integrity
See narrative
Water Quality
Temperature
X
Sediment
X
Chemical
ContarninantstNutrients
X
Habitat Access
Physical Barriers
X
Habitat
Elements
Substrate Embe idedness
X
X(Rocky)
Woody Debris
x
Pool Frequency and guaft
X
Pools .
X
_
Off - Channel Habitat
X
Refu '
X
Channel . , :
Condition and
amics
Wetted widtlT/Max Depth.:.
Ratio
'UnImown
Streambank Condition
X
Flood pjain Connectivity
X
F76w/H olqgy
Change in Peak/Base Flows
X
Drainage Network Increase
X
Watershed
Conditions
Road Density and Location
X
Disturbance History
X
Riparian Conservation Areas
X
Disturbance Re ' e
X
Integration of S ties and Habitat Conditions
X
79
Table 28: Chinook, coho, steethead, cutthroat
NMFS
Diagnostics/
Pathways
Indicators
Functioning
Appropriatel
Functioning
at Risk
Functioning at
Unacceptable
Tusk
Water &SIft
T tune
�{
Sediment
){
Chemical
JContamivants/NWAents
JC
Habitat Access
physical Barriers
Habitat
Elements
Substrate Embeddedness.
X ;
Large WODdy Debris'
X
Pool Frequency
X
Pool
X
Off- Channel Habitat
X
Channel
Condition and
amics
Width/Max Depth Ratio
Unknown
Streambank Condition
X
Flood lain 2nLE-ftimig
X
Flow/H drolo
Peal Base Flows
X
Drains a Network Increase
X
Watershed
Conditions
Road Density and Location
X
Dist
X
Riparian Reserves
X
80
-' -` Table 29: Churn, Summer and Fall & Pink Salmon
�nnr Arm»latinn anti Rnvimntnental Baselines
Diagnostics/
Pathways
Indicators
Functioning
Appropriatel
Functioning
at Risk
Functioning at
Unacceptable
Risk
Water ali
Tem
X
Sediment
x
Chemical
Contaminants/Nutrients
X
Habitat Access
Physical Barriers
X
Habitat
Elements
Substrate Embeddedness
X
Large Woody Debris
x
Pool Frequency
x
Pool 99ILtx
x
Off - Channel Habitat
X
Rdugia
X
Channel
Condition and
Dynan;ics
widthlMax Depth Ratio
Unknown
$treambank Condition
x
Flood plain Connectivity
X
MowlHydroLo,g
PeakBase Flows
x
DaLuM Network Increase
x
Watershed
Conditions
Road Density and Location
X
Disturbance Histo
x
Riparian Reserves
X
Restoration
Establishing Refugia
Locally significant aquatic habitats are those areas that contain spawning and/or rearing habitat that is at
or near full function. They represent the most productive habitats in the watershed. Locally significant
anadromous habitats include significant portions of the main stem (see table 29).
Stream reaches adjoining locally significant habitat may be productive and provide habitats for various
life stages, but are somehow degraded or simplified and do not represent a desired condition or trend.
Development of a comprehensive strategy for management of aquatic habitats should focus on the
restoration of watershed processes and linkages to locally significant habitats. This can be done in part
through the advancement of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy within the Northwest Forest Plan. .
81
Table 30. Locally significant habitat (Frissep, 1998)
River Reach
Location
Key Attributes
Tidal Wetlands
Mouth to RIv 1.2
- Estuarine function
Lower Dosewallips
Rocky Brook to RM 6
-Good off - channel habitat
-Chum spawning
Middle'Dosewallips
RM 9.S -to Falls -@ RM 15
Heavily used
-Good off channel habitat
-H spawning
Restoration Efforts
An interdisciplinary team is currently-determining how to take advantage offlood.restoration funds in
order to relocate streamside campsites and refurbish Elkhorn Campground ."along the Dosewallips River.
From. a fish advocacy standpoint and the interest of healthy river dynamics, it is a wonderful opportunity
to alter the riprap to provide fish holding and feeding habitat. This can be done while still providing
Protection for the campground. This campground is within the habitat of Chinook salmon , proposed as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The fish module author's opinion is to remove all capitol
investments {campsites) along the streambank so no future manipulation is done to the river to protect
them.
General Analysis Area Recommendations
Direction for this iteration of the analysis reviews the watersheds in their, entirety; but concentrates
recommendations withm,the National Forest boundary . Forest Service land management has most,
recently been directed by the Olympic - National' Forest Management Plan and the Northwest Forest Plan.
• Watershed Inventory Need (WIN) sites that are management related, exhibiting a worsening or
unchanging trend and pose a high to moderate risk to fish habitat are listed below. These failures
have been identified as those having the greatest affect on fish habitat on national forest within the
analysis area, and should be a priority for road decommissioning or stabilization work.
• Ensure forested buffers along streams and around wetlands to provide sufficient shade, habitat, cover
and resistance to blowdown. Restore wetland vegetation through planting of native species and
removal of non- native invasive species. Protect forested wetlands with regard to vegetation complex
and water quality/quantity;
• Promote future long -term recruitment of large woody debris in riparian areas through'planting
conifers in primarily deciduous stands, concentrating in source areas of all response reaches and also
the lower extents of transport reaches. Densely stocked riparian auras should be thinned to encourage
development of large diameter trees to advance the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (See Riparian
Section). Felled trees should be left in the riparian area for short term LWD inclusion into the creek.
• Large woody debris: within stream channels should not be removed. if an inventory indicate§ LWD
deficiencies, the addition of logs should be considered
• . Develop a strategy that would identify road stabilization and watershed restoration opportunities.
This would include Watershed Inventory (WIN), Access and Travel Management (ATM), and be
consistent with the Standards and Guidelines in the Olympic National Forest Plan. Upgrade the
culverts in both size and number to provide adequate drainage for [00 -year floods and fish passage.
• Prioritize culvert blockage projects in Rocky Brook.
• Sidecast pullback, especially in Riparian Reserve zones, can help address slope stability and sediment
production from roads.
82
• Analysis of culvert location and spacing with the intent of relocatin g and/or reducin g spacing
of ditch
relief culverts or constructing water bars can help reduce sedimentation (most applicable to Rocky
Brook).
• Analyze culvert size and outlet design to determine potential to cause scouring, aggravation, increase
in velocity or plugging of the culvert.
• Evaluate roads and areas adjacent to - or crossing - streams (bridges, culverts, etc.) for erosion and
mass wasting potential.
• While a comprehensive treatment of effects to the lower systems, off the National Forest, are beyond
the scope of this analysis, a few hypotheses are listed below:
• Riparian vegetative condition relates directly to stream condition/health especially in lower
systems. Base dependency of pool formation on various types of channel wood interactions.
• Buffer all unstable upper slopes from ground-disturbing-activities and stabilize existing sites.
• The river should not be constricted by dikes or other means
• Future bridge design should not encumber river flow or process.
Site - Specific Recommendations
• Relocate streambank campsites in the Elkhorn Campground to a higher terrace.
• Alter rip rap along Elkhorn Campground in areas without mature vegetation to provide some fish
habitat diversity for feeding and holding.
• Environmental Interpretation at Elkhorn Campground to educate the public about the importance of
managing for aquatic resources, thereby e*laming wiry the campsites were removed and the rip rap
modified. A trail would also concentrate the use along the bank in order to give the vegetative
restoration effort a better chance at success. This projed would foster education, understanding,
watershed restoration ideals, and.still make acoessible the waterfront for campers_ Short, easy
established hikes do not exist in the Dosewallips Valley.exccept at the state park at the estuary and the
National park at the end of the road; this would be a nice addition.
• Another nice addition to the family recreation mperience would be another easy interpretive trail. At
approximately - (road) mile 9.3 is the fourth of four Forest Service constructed overwintering ponds.
There is an ideal opportunity to interpret dynamic floodplain ecology between this area and the old
Steelhead Campground area. An Environmental Assessment and Interpretive plan have already been
written for this project and can provide sufficient background.
• Five adverts have been identified as resident fish barriers in the Rocky Brook drainage. Along the
2830 road in section 17, 18NE (2 sites), and 13NW. One site exists on the 2830 -020 in sec 17NW.
These should be planned to eliminate the barriers.
References
Amato, C. 1996. Historical Changes Affecting Freshwater Habitat of Coho Salmon in the Hood Canal
Basin, Pre -1850 to the Present. Point -No -Point Treaty Council.
Barrett, Steve. E -mail correspondence . Department of Ecology. 27 Aug. 1998
Bails, Peter. Recorded phone message. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. 13 Aug 1998
Bailey, Ida and Vern. 1997. Brinnon: A Scrapbook of History. Perry Publishing, Bremerton WA 98312.
211pp.
83
Cooper, R_ and. T.H. Johnson. 1992.. Trend in seelhead abundance in Washington and along the Pacific
Coast of North America Washington Department of Wildlife, Fisheries Management Division. Report
92 -5. 57pp.
Emmett, S.L. Stone, S.A. Hinton, and M.E. Distribution and abundance offrshes and Invertebrates in
west oast estuaries, Volume H. species life history summades. ELMR Rep. No. 8 NOAAINOS
Strbtegic Environmental Assessments Division; Rockville, MD, 329p.
Frissell, Christopher A. 1998. Landscape Refugia for Conservation of Pacific Salmon in Selected River
Basons of the Olympic Peninsula and Hood'Canal; Washington. Prepared for Point No Point Treaty
Council.
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and Long Live the Kings. 1996? Hamma Hamma Project. All
Species. Salmon Restoration 1996 2010.
Henderson, J.A., D.H. Peter, R.D. Lesher, D.C. Shaw. 1989. Forested plantassdcladons of the Olympic
National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Technical ' Paper 00148. 50-2 pp: .
Huntington, C.W., W. Nehisen, and L Bowers. 1994. Healthy Native,. Stocks ofAnadroMous 5almonids
in the Pacific Northwest and California.
Hydrosphere Data Products: Inc. 1997. USGS Daily values, peak values, NCDC, Summary of day;, and
GIS. Boulder, Colorado. CD-ROM software, Data volume 1.0; GeoSelec4, Oregon/Washington:.
Lawrence. F.F. 1952. Waterpower resources of Hamma Hamma, Duckabush, and Dosewallips Rivers of
Washington. U.S. Geological Survey, Washington D.C., Geological Survey Circular 109.
Leider, S.A., P.L, Hulett, andT.H. Johnson. 1994. PrellminmyAssessm'ent ofGerietic- Conservation
Management Units for Washington Steelhead.- Implications for WI3FW's Draji Steelhead Manegement
Plan and the Federal ESA. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Fish' Management Program;
Report 94-15. Olympia, WA. 42pp.
Leider, S.A., S.R. Phelps, and P.L. Hulett. 1995 GenetieAnalysis of Washington Steelhead.•
Implications for Revision of Genetic Conservation Management Units. March 1995 Progress
Report. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Fish Management Program. Olympia, WA. 21pp.
Leopold. L.B. 1997: Water, rivers and creeks. University Science Books. Sausalito, California.
MacPhail, J.D. 1967. Distribution of Freshwater Fish in Western Washington., Northwest Science 41:7
1 -11.
Mayer, J.R. 1996 "Water, Quality: basic principles and experimental methods ". Western Washington
University, Bellingham, WA
Michael, Jr.,J.H. 1989. Life History ofAnadromous Coastal Cutthroat Trout in &ow and Salmon
Creeks, Jefferson County, Washington, with Implications for Management. California Fish & Game 75
(4): 188 -203.
Mongillo, Paul; and Hallock. 1997.
Montgomery, D.R., T.B. Abbe, J.M. Buffington, N.P. Peterson, KM. Schmidt, J.D. Stock. 1996.
Distribution of bedrock and alluvial channels in forested mountain drainage basins. Nature Vot.
381.
84
Moyle, P.B. and J.J. Cech. 1982. Fishes. An Introduction to Ichthyviogy. Prentice -Hall, Inc, Englewood
Cliffs, NJ. 593pp.
Moyle, P.B. 1976. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Nehlsen, W., J.E. Williams, and J.A. Lichatowich. 1991. Pacific salmon at the crossroads: Stocks at risk
from California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington. Fisheries 16 :2 4-21.
Nelson, T., L. Adkins, M. Hoover, J. Heller, B. McIntosh, and T. Granger. November 1992. The
Discovery Bay Watershed.
Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team. 1995. West Shore Hood Canal Watersheds.
Simmons, D.M. 1997. How Salmon are Managed in Hood Canal. Document prepared for Long Live the
Kings.
Sumioka. S.S., Kresch D.L., and Kasnick K.D. 1998. Magnitude and frequency of floods in Washington:
U.S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington. U.S. Geological Survey, Water - Resources Investigations
Report 97 -4277.
Trotter, Patrick C. 1989. Coastal cutthroat trout: A life history compendium. Trans. American
Fisheries Society. 118:463 -473
USDA 1990. Land and Resouroe Management Plan, Olympic National Forest. USDA Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Region, Olympia, WA. ,.
! USDA and USDI. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management Planning Documents .Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and
Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late - Successional and Old- Growth Forest Related Species
within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. 100+ pages.
USDA, US Forest Service. 1998. Geographic Information System Database's conversion of Washington
Department of Natural Resources Geographic database land base data.
Washington State Department of Ecology. 1998 "Station 1613070; Water Quality Data History"
http:\\ www. wa. gov/ ecology /dWfw_riv /datatrvl6d07O.html.
Washington State Department of Ecology. "Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of
Washington. Publication WAC 173 -201A Ecology Edition. 18 Nov. 1997.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Western Washington Indian Treaty Tribes
(WWI'I I'). 1994. 1992 Washington State Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory (SASSI). Olympia,
WA 424 pp.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 1995. Genetic Diversity Units and Major
Ancestral Lineages ofSalmonid Fishes in Washington. Busark, C. and J.B. Shaklee, editors. Fish
Management Program, Resource Assessment Division. Technical Report No. RAD 95 -02.
Williams, R.W., R.M. Laramine, and J.J. Ames. 1975. A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon
Utilization. Vol. 1., Puget Sound Region_ Washington Department of Fisheries, Olympia, WA.
Wydoski, R.S. and RR. Whitney. 1979. Inland Fishes of Washington. University of Washington Press,
Seattle, WA, USA 220 pp.
85
Social Systems
Key Questions
• What human uses have occurred, are. occurring, and are planned: within. the watershed?
• What recreational opportunities are consistent with-current direction?
• What is the hydropower situation and what is the potential for future development?
• What is the potential for future municipal water storage?
• What access routes have been used historically and currently?
Pre - European Settlement
Much of this pre - European cultural information was gleaned from the Hamma Hamma River and Hood
Canal Dibs Watershed Analysis, July 1997, Olympic National Forest, and the Duckabush Watershed
Analysts, 1998, Olympic National Forest..
Archaeology
The prehistory of the Olympic Peninsula can be divided into four major time periods:' early -prehistoric
(13,000 -6,000 B.P.), middle prehistoric (6,000 - 2,5000 B.P.), late prehistoric (2,500 - 350 B.P.), and
historic. (350 -100 B.P.). Archaeological deposits throughout this region are tied to the Fraser River .
sequence of cultural development (Borden 197.A, cited in Righter 1978a). Little is known about the early-
prehistoric period, due to changes in the coastline following glacial recession {Righter 1978x). All known
sites in Washington State from this time period are located at considerable distances from modern
shorelines. Common artifacts from this time period are shaped, projectile points and knives, ;and pebble
and heavy spall tools. Faunal remains and bone tools are rarely :found from these sites; however,
indications are that both terrestrial and littorat resources were utilized.., Terrestrial organisms present., .
during this period include deer, ells, bison, mastodon, and mammoth. As the glaciers receded, people
moved into the high country where new vegetation attracted game and provided hunting and gathering•::
Opportunities. Archeological surveys in the Olympic mountains by the National Park Service-have
'documented fithic scatters and hearth sites believed to date between 8000 and 4000 B.P. near high
mountain lakes, meadow's and along. ridge >line& It was here that people made tools for hunting . and plant
processing
Coastal developments for the middle prehistoric. time period are rare south of the Strait of Georgia
(Righter, 1978a). However, several cultural developments are attributed to this time period in. mainland
and island areas north of Puget Sound and in the Cascade Mountains (Righter 1978a) In these areas,
coastal sites ate characterized by .ground- stone.implements as well.as.the earlier artifacts, such as
projectile points and knives, adzes, and colts (Righter, 1978a). Bone, antler, and.ground shell implements
are also present. The presence of toggling harpoons indicates that marine resources such as sea,-mammals
were exploited in coastal areas during this time period (Righter, 1978a).
Cultural developments for the late. prehistoric time period have been studied intensively {Righter, 1978).
Numerous, but zelatively minor, local and regional differences are found in artifacts frora this period
These differences are probably the result of resource availability across the region as well as local cultural
histories (Righter, 1978a) Artifacts from this time period represent; a maritime - oriented culture „•which is
also supported by ethnographic records (Righter, 1978x):
There was early contact with the NW coast tribes and influence by Spanish; Russian, British, and ''
Americans, and even Japanese and Chinese. Prior to 1875, no less than 75 Japanese junks had been found
. 86
t i i j
adrift or ashore along the west coast of North America, having been brought by the Japanese current. The
first known contact of Northwest Coast Indians with Asian cultures was by the Chinese explorer Hwui
Shan, about the fifth century ad. (Campbell 1979 in Henderson et al. 1989)
Contact with European and Anglo- Americans in the eighteenth century caused a marked shift in faunal
resources utilized by native communities. The fur trade exploited and caused the depletion of faunal
resources in the area Native populations were reduced with the influx of Euro- American diseases, for
which Native Americans had not developed immunity. Imported tools replaced native tools, snaking
native tool manufacturing techniques obsolete. The native traditional way of life had been drastically
altered by the end of the nineteenth century. although spiritual traditions and native community life
persisted, traditional material culture had been completely replaced by objects of Euro- American origin.
There have been few, but spectacular, archaeological investigations on the Olympic Peninsula. although
numerous sites have been recorded, relatively few have been tested, excavated, or published (Righter,
1978a). The lack of archaeological sites does not indicate the lack of use in this area, but the lack of
archeological surveys. As few records exist and little research has been done specifically on the post-
,contact history of Native American groups within the study area, this aspect of the region's history
remains poorly understood. Further research including oral historical research is needed to fill out this
important gap in the historical record.
Ethnography
The Twana, Coast Salish Indians, occupied the western shore of Hood Canal. They were a speech
community of nine villages. The area around the mouth of the Dosewallips River was occupied by the
"Quilceed" band This was one of three bands"of Twana who often waged petty wars with each other.
The word Dosewallips was translated to "place of thieves, selfish people, people who'll take it away from
you" ( Elmendorf & Kroeber in Bailey). There was a winter village at the mouth of the river (Bailey).
The winter village community was the only definite social unit of Twana people (Elmendorf and Kroeber,
1992). Winter village locations were based on food availability, with consideration to protection from
winter storms ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992). Most Twana settlements were located at the mouths of
salmon streams or near the canal shores. These villages were inhabited year round by at .least some
residents (Righter 1978x, Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992). Each village contained several large houses,
smaller structures and often a potlatch house ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992). The village was named
based on the geographic location and the people became known as the people of that village (i.e., people
of such- and -such site) ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992)
The Twana as well as other communities followed seasonal food gathering pat terns which were centered
around the winter village. The Twana people were primarily of the saltwater culture type ( Elmendorf and
Kroeber, 1992), meaning food gathering activities were oriented toward gathering food from the shoreline
or marine waters. This activity was not exclusive, salmon runs were definitely used, as were upland food
sources ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992). Small groups of the community dispersed over a wide territory
during the summer to fish, hunt, and gather shellfish and wild plants (Gunther, 1974, Elmendorf and
Kroeber, 1992): during this semi - migratory existence, the people lived in small, pole - framed, mat -
covered structures or lean -to shelters ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992).
Elmendorf identifies the Twana as the people occupying the entire Hood Canal drainage before and at the
time of white contact. "These people called themselves collectively tuwa'duxq, commonly anglicized as
Twana, and spoke a Salishan language unintelligible to neighboring Indian groups. The Twana were a
speech community, sharing largely common customs and a single drainage area territory.." (STC, p. 255)
(James, K 1979). Elmendorf identifies nine Twana winter village communities existing before and -_
during 1850. He defines village communities as follows: "Village communities were populations who
annually took up winter residence in plank houses at single sites. The personnel of each of these winter
87
,, r,
village communities was definite and constant. Each person had permanent membership in a particular
village community." (S3'C, p,306). (James, K 1979). The village communities were Dabop (Dabob),
Quilcene, Dosewallips and Duekabush in.the northern,part of Hood Canal; Hoodsport, Skokomish and
Vance Creek in the vicinity of Hood Canal's Great Bend and theSkokomish River Basin; and Tahuya and
Duhlelap in the southeastern area of Hood Canal.
Eight of the Twana village communities occupied single sites with two to four large, gable -roof plank
houses and a number of houses of the single -pitch "shed" type -(STC, p.. 1,58).
Western Washington anthropologists have identified two main culture types, one oriented-
toward the inland environment and the other towardsaltwater. Elmendorf found the majority of the
Twana communities were of the saltwater type. Iteir villages were located on the shore of good Canal,
usually at the mouth of salmon streams. the concentrated on saltwater food supplies, as well as river
fishing and inland hunting. The Vance Creek people were one of the Twana-groups that Elmendorf
identified as an inland culture. .
Other sites of historical significance have been documented (Ehnendorf and Kroeber, 19912) during the
early 1900's. Information on these sites were ,conveyed to .1lmendorf and Kroeber by Indian inibrm"
born in the 1860's. Where appropriate, site names given by Watermart are listed along with El neadorf `
and Kroeber or alone if a definite match did not exist. In some instances, Elmendorf and Kroeber listed
the significance of these areas. If more information is required, the reader is directed to Elmendorf and
Kroeber (1992). In many cases the significance of the area was not listed, however, any area given a site
name is likely to be of significance to the Twana community. all the site names are located on or near the
shores of the Hood Canal. This does not reduce the possible significance of inland areas, but reflects the
saltwater culture of these people. :.
Elmendorf and Kroeber (1992) state that "food resources, in approximate order of importance mere fish;"
sea mammals, mollusks, waterfowl, -land game, 'and vegetable proddi . Important fide included. f0&-!
species of Pacific salmon {chinook, coho, chum, and pink) and steelhead trout. Most salmon catches
occurred in the river using weirs and 'associated dip nets; and harpoons ( Elmendorf and Krbftr, -1992)z'-
Saltwater trolling and netting were of minor importance; but yielded Wmon,.skate, sole; flounder, rock
cod, and, in the northern canal, bahbut. Herring were trapped in tidal shore enclosures and roe collected
on brushwood sunk offshore ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992).
Salmon were an important component of Twana-culture and certain rituals had to be followed while
fishing in the river ( Elmendorf and Kroeber,:1992). The river had to be kept clean before salmon started
running. No nebbish or food scraps could be thrown into the river, nor could canoes be baled out in the
river. Each season the tribe celebrated the catch of the first salmon. The salmon was specially cared for
prior to cooking and all members of the community ato from this salmon. The bones were then returned
to the river following certain rituals: Salmon was dried or smoked and stored for the winter; during which
it was the main staple. Other less common fish, such as skate and halibut, were cooked and eaten
immediately.
Important mollusks included clams (littleneck or rock clam; butter clam; horse clam) cockles, geoduck,
oysters, and mussels. Octopi, crabs and barnacles were also obtained ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992).
The presence of shell middens provide insight as to the importance of these resources t the Twana.
communities.
Land animals were an important food source for most twana groups ( Elmendorf and Kroeber, 1992).
Common game animals included elk, deer, black bear, mountain beaver, beaver, and muskrat. Elk in
particular were culturally significant. Each year the Twana groups had communal ells drives. The first.
elk killed was cooked according to prescribed rituals and eaten by all participants in the hunt. the bow
and arrow was the most common tool used for hunting. Clubs, spears, nets, pitfalls, loop snares, and dead
falls were also used. Dogs were used to trail or drive deer during hunts.
88
Plant products were also important for subsistence. In addition, they were highly important for utensils,
clothing, tools, lodging, and canoes. Righter (1978a) suggests that some controlled burning took place in
order to maintain open areas where berries and camas could grow and which likely attracted deer and elk,
which were hunted
Other possible uses of these watersheds included spirit quests and burial grounds. Guardian spirits were
the center of spiritual life of the Twana. Any individual could undertake a spirit quest in order to obtain a
guardian spirit. Some of these inland sites may have also been used as ceremonial sites (Elmendorf and
Ktneber, 1 992). Information regarding the ceremonies and locations is practically nonexistent because
they were sacred. the dead were often buried in canoes, in the ground or in grave houses,-probably near
the permanent village locations (Ekmendorf and Kroeber, 1992).
Post-European Settlement
The first extensive European exploration began with Captain George Vancouver who explored, mapped,
and named Hood's Canal and Puget's Sound, as well as a number of other landmarks.. George Vancouver
left his ships the "Discovery" and the " Chatham" in Discovery Bay for repairs and explored the eastern
coast of the Olympic Peninsula before returning to his ship and exploring the rest of Pu9d's Sound. He
and some of his crew explored Hood's Canal in the Discovery's yawl and launch, and the Chatham's
cutter. During their trip, they camped on the SW corner of the Toandos peninsula across from the mouth
of the Dosewallips. As they returned to their camp from a trip up Dabob Bay, "we observed some smoke
on shore, and saw a canoe hauled up into a small creek, but none of the inhabitants could be discovered,
nor did we hear or see any thing of them during the night ". The next morning they again embarked to the -
south with -17he region we had lately passed seemed destitute of human beings. The bride creation also
had deserted the shores; the tracks of deer were no longer to be seen; nor was there an aquatic bird on the
whole extent of the canal; animated nature seemed nearly exhausted; and her awful silence was only now
and then interrupted by the croaking of a raven, the breathing of a seal, or the scream of an eagle. Evert
these solitary sounds were so seldom heard, that the rustling of the breeze along the shore, assisted by the
solemn stillness that prevailed, gave rise to ridiculous suspicions in our seamen of hearing rattlesnakes,
and other hideous monsters, in the wilderness, which was composed of the productions already
mentioned, but which appeared to grow with infinitely less vigor than we had been accustomed to
witness." (Vancouver, 1792) Archibald Menzies who accompanied Vancouver as a botanist and ships
physician described the area as "our being close under that high ridge of Mountains with snowy summits
which support the Peaks of Mount Olympus & which now lay between us & the sea coast, but their sides
were everywhere covered with one continued forest of Pinery" (Menzies, 1792).
Possibly the best description of the History of the Dosewallips watershed can be found in the book
"Brinson: A Scrapbook of History" by Ida and Vern Bailey, 1997. Ida grew up on the Dosewaltips and
has always been interested in it's history. Vern and Ida, because of their interest, found themselves the
depository of scrapbooks, letters, and pictures from the community. As a result they put together the book
of the watershed Much of what we have found has been based on the book and by talking with Ida acrd
Vern.
Settlement and early economy of the area is not documented as to when people arrived The earliest
patent dates on homesteads were in 1873. Ewell Brinnon arrived after selling his homestead on the
'Duckabush (known as Quagaboor) in 1868, though he apparently wasn't the first (Balch). He proved on
his Dosewallips (known as Duckaboos) homestead in 1887 (Bailey). Ewell Brinnon lived there with his
Indian wife, Kate, until his death in 1895. At one point he owned nearly all the property in the lower
Dosewallips valley. (Balch). The community was named after Brinson by Jessie Macomber, wife and
assistant to the Post Master, because she said Quagaboor and Ducaboos were too hard to spell (BACDP).
89
Logging
Logging was said to start in the Dosewallips watershed in 1859 as Tom Pierce was logging the Brinnon
flats: Bailey). Logging evolved from oxteams, through railroads and.log trucks; There was a splash dam
at the head of the canyon on the Dosewallips below it's junction with Rocky Brook. This was built in
1917 by Sims Logging Company and was used for 9 or 10 years (Bailey). When the dam was closed, a
Lake developed into which 200 -300 logs were placed. The water was then released with the logs which
carried most of them to Hood Canal.
The first logging railroad was built by James .-Izett shortly after the turn.of the century (Bailey). He built
rail on the south side of the river which went almost as far as Gamm.Cr. This was in two levels on the
hillside. The upper track was later rebuilt into the old "CCC road", which went from the 6 -mile bridge to
Black Point. Izett also maintained two logging camps (Balch). This was destroyed by the 1928 fire,
which ended railroad logging.
There was an incline near Seal Rock which was built by C.B.&M logging. , This was a devicelo .bring logs
down from Green mountain to the beach, on two railroad cars counter balanced on a cable, C.13. &M also
had a railroad that extended up Rocky Brook, Mt Tuner and Gme.u.ii'ill. Suns 'Logging Company had a
short railroad in around 1906. Tbis went from Rocky Point to the beach. This was a gravity operated -
system with a horse return (Barley). Aha 1920, most of the logging in the area was done by truck.
Mining
Manganese was discovered on both Mt Constance and N Jupiter. -Fred Karnes filed a claim on Mt
Constance at the Elkhorn mine and lived. and worked there for many years. Magnesium was mined and
smelted, and unlike many mines it paid a profit.- It is reported that the mine was worked through WW I,
but there is question that it should have been AVW II (Bailey). Fred Karnes died in 1963. This claim is
still held in private ownership within the National Forest. There was also a claim.thatgold was found yi-
the area of Jupiter City (Seal Rock Campground), which was reported i4 :1905a That claim and;mine;was
apparently salted to gam investor support., .There, was also :a claim by A Rodriquiz: on Mt Jupiter, abovw
the Dosewallips Six -Mile Bridge (Bailey).. Rodriquiz had a: cabin and One on the-hillside. above the
bridge.
Transportation
It was not until 1893 that Brinnon was.accessed by road from Quilcene. Many of the old logging railroads
were converted into trick "roads upon the demise of the railroads.
The Dosewallips river has washed out the highway bridge in 1909, as well as a 25 foot high logging
railroad bridge. There were also other bridges such as a steel bridge in the 1920's, a swinging bridge and
a covered bridge (Balch).
Many people accessed the back country through trails up the Dosewallips. Originally horse access was
limited past the Dosewallips Chasm (near the National Park entrance), whch'was called "Jump -off. It
was passable by foot, but was poor going. There were log stringer Midges around this rock barrier for
pack stock and they were known as Lower Jump -off Bridge and Upper Jump-off bridge. There was a one
trail between the two, on the south side of the river, which still exists. The road has now been blasted
through this obstacle.
There were a number of areas that were used by the Forest Service and others as campgrounds and guard
stations as people traveled through the upper watershed. Corrigenda`was a Forrest Service Guard Station
which was used by employees working in the National Forest. This was located at Wilson Cr. hear the 6-
lvfrle Bridge. At this site there was a permanent CCC satellite camp used by the Quilcene CCC camp.
Steelhead camp was also a location of a CCC tent camp.
90
~ "Elkhorn Camp" was used by packers. For a number of years the road ended at Elkhorn and it was a
staging area for packing into the mountains. When the Forest Service started using stock animals, they
built a bam at the site, which was also available for private use. During the 1930's Elkhorn was used as a
transient camp. This was in the area between the present campground and the River road. The camp was
for a government program, which lasted a year or two, where young men that were arrested for vagrancy
were housed and put to work. During the winter months it was relocated to the Boy Scout Camp Parsons.
Above Elkhorn and near the Lower Jump -off bridge was Mt Home forest camp. Above Upper Jump -off
bridge was "Happy Camp", and above there was "Muscott Flats Camp", "Dose Forks Camp", and "Home
Station Camp". At approximately 8 miles above the forks of the Dosewallips was "Camp Marion". These
were all camps used by packers.
Water Use
In 1932 the City of Tacoma proposed a hydroelectric dam on the Dosewallips River just below the
junction with Rocky Brook Creek. As the war effort for World War II carne along the project eventually
died.
In 1982, Jefferson County PUD #I,. requested a preliminary permit and permission to study the
Dosewallips River for a potential hydroelectric project (Elkhorn Hydroelectric Project). The proposed
diversion and intake would have been located 500 feet downstream of the Olympic National Park
boundary. The power house would have been 1,500 feet upstream from Elkhorn Campground. The
transmission line would be underground and parallel the Dosewallips River Road. In 1982 they were
joined in the project by the City of Tacoma, which would share the project ownership and purchase the
output. The application was opposed in court. In 1990, the State Department of Ecology required
\ minimum instream. flow in the bypass of the E&born project After a lengthy court battle that went all the
way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the State Department of Ecology, Tacoma dropped out of..
the project and.the project has died. ;
Rocky Brook Creek has an existing hydroelectric plant which is located near Rocky Brook Falls. It was .
built by the Rocky Brook Hydroelectric Limited Partnership in 1984. They have a special use permit with
the Forest Service for easements that contain the intake and approximately 400 feet of 42 inch pipeline.
The plant is required to maintain a flow of 5 cubic feet per second of natural flow in the stream while
diverting and using water from the stream. This water is then returned to the stream. This has generated
power over 3 million watts in one year which is sold to Seattle City Light and Power.
There is no municipal water system in the Brinnon area. Area residents derive their domestic water from
individual wells, diverting water from streams and creeks, or participating in a Brinnon community water
system. Some of the residents participate in community water systems where two or more property
owners share a common source. Some of the Brinnon community water systems are under Public Utility
District management (BACDP).
Civilian Conservation Corps
Each CCC company was assigned a number by the war department Fort Worden organized
administration of the first four CCC camps on the Olympic Peninsula: Elwha, Co. 936; Quilcene, Co.
946; Lake Cushman, Co. 947; and Humptulips, Co 982.
The Forest Service, National Park Service and other agencies supervised CCC work and administered the
camps. The operating agency usually had a name for a camp as well as a letter to designate the type of
land ownership_ For example the Forest Service had the following camps on the peninsula in May of
1933: F -16 Snider, F -17 Elwha; F -18 Slab Camp; F -19 Quilcene; F -20 Lake Cushman; F -21 West Fork
Humptulips; F-46 Bogachiel/Hoh. `
91
l
w
The Quilcene came managed side camps at Corrigenda; Because work ro ects
P j required that the
enrollees be located near the site, when the.project was too far away from the:man camp; a side camp was
established Usually the side camps consisted of 10 to 20 men living in tents, with -a foreman in charge of
the camp. The CCC boys often preferred these side gips, as :the routine was quite informal and less
stringent schedules were enforced. Under an.
agreement between CCC director Fechner and Washington
State Governor Martin, the type of work projects initially undertaken by the camps was confined to roads
chiefly of value for forest fire protection, insect disease control, and sheet erosion control involving forest
lands. Corrigenda was a Forest Service Guard Station which was used by employees working in the
National Forest. This was located at Will Cr` near the 6-Mile Bridge At. this site there was a
Permanent CCC satellite camp used by the Quilcene CCC mmP. '3teelhead rump was also a location
CCC tent camp. of a
After nine years and three months the CCC ceased active operation and the decision to liquidate was made
on June 30, 1942 and completed by June 30, 1943. In excess of one thousand Depression -era sites and
structures survive in the PNW region of the USFS (lb -oop 1996). Relatively few remain within Olympic
National Park and Olympic National Forest., . -„
The CCC preceded forest and park development by many years. Protective facilities, greatly needed fire
trails and other forest fire - prevention facilities such as lookout towels, ranger cabins and telephone lines
connecting them were constructed which resulted in the best'fire protection in history. In the "d(fle
Dosewallips, south of the river is a very mysterious straight line through the timber. Vern Bailey
identified this as a created fire fuel break
A major outcome of the CCC was the growth of the recreation movement, and a resultant appreciation of
the meaning of conservation. Recreation became as important as the conservation of human wealth
because it provided relief from the pressures of modern life }s
Communities and Occupation
The unincorporated community of Brinson is located along the, lower Dosewallips.River and US Highway
101. Farly records show it was called Duckaboos. Settlers started arriving in the 1860's and ift"
were mostly serviced by steamers. Shortly before 1900 dad
, Brinnon was accessed by roads from Quilces a
Timber was always a valuable resource .of the area, and one of the early sources of employment along with
mining. Electric power came in 1949. In recent years logging.;has diminished and oyster and'clarn
farming has become an industry. Brinson, however, mostly has been -a retirement community (BACDP).
Its present economic base is supported primarily from the tourist trade and retirement pensions. Other
incomes include logging, retail and service trades, construction, govenunent, and real estate. As the
trends are changing, there arse more commuters traveling to out-of -area employment and computer -
enhanced at -home employment along with various local home businesses and cottage industries
(BACDP). The 1990 census indicated 1,049 people in Brinson which included areas outside the
Dosewallips watershed, such as along Hood Canal and along the Duckabush
number in the 1970 census. River. This is four times the
Values and Uses
Terrestrial
member Harpest
The majority of the watershed is in forest land under various ownerships. There is no. limber harvestin
the National Park. The National Forest has harvested timber within the watershed up until the mid -
1990's. At present, there are no planned sales, though limited harvest could be expected in the future.
92.
The State Park will not be harvesting timber. Private forest land within the watershed has been heavily
cut over within the last decade.
Special. Forest Products
There are many products that can come from forest land other than timber. Many people obtain permits
in order to pick vegetation for floral use, cut firewood, gather mushrooms and many other items.
Agriculture
There are several small farms in the lower portion of the watershed These for the most part raise
livestock on pasture land. Hay is another crop that is raised
Transportation
Roads
One of the major highway transportation routes of the Olympic Peninsula, U.S. Highway 101, travels
through the lower watershed from north to south. Private land owners, the Forest Service, and National
Park have also accessed much of the lower portion of the watershed with roads. Except for Highway 101
and the Dosewallips River road (FS Road 2610) which accesses the National Forest and Park, the rest are
mostly logging roads.
Power Lines
High voltage power lines cross the eastern part of the watershed parallel to, and west of US Highway 101.
These are managed by Bonneville Power, and ere part of the Shelton- Fairholm No. 1. line. This 115kV
power line has been in use since 1948..
-� Radio Relay
The Buck Mountain area has been used as anelectronic site since-1970. Buck Mountain is a prominent
ridge that provides excellent, direct line -of -site communication coverage to the greater Puget Sound basin.
It is recognized as a premier electronic site with great value. The Olympic National Forest and Resource
Management Plan designates Buck Mountain as an electronic site. There are two sites, one is operated by
ACCU -COMM, Inc and one operated by Nextel, Inc. Both sites use propane as their primary power
source. The categories of uses include 1) Receive only where passive reflectors receive and retransmit by
cable only, 2) Transmit/Receivers such as 2 -way radios, base stations and mobile telephones, and 3)
Microwave broadcast and satellite link systems.
Rock Sources
There is a Forest Service rock pit at the end of the 2610-012. This has been used to provide a rock source
for past road construction and maintenance. This hasn't been used in recent years, but is available for
use.
t1ldlife
Wildlife of various types have found habitat within the watershed. Many species can be found within
riparian zones along the streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Deer have become very common in open
areas following timber harvest. An elk herd makes the lowlands of the Dosewallips home, bear, and
cougar have also been seen along with a variety of birds which live and forage in the area. Outdoor
enthusiasts enjoy both observing and hunting wildlife.
93
Aquatic
Fish
Resident and anadromous fish use the water as a medium to live. The fish depend on the water for'
habitat, f1bod; travel ways; 11 and area'slot spaww"rig:4 helosupo6it a comtneieial=fishing industry as
well as recreational fishing 00 Oysters and clams grow naturally and are alsb,raised,in the
porttinitft rs
tidewaters near the mouth of the Dosewallips. The shellfish are harvested both commercially and
recreationally. People enjoy seeing the fish and shellfish-even if they are not harvesting. This it pan of
the aesthetics of the watershed <•
Bemuse of the fact that most of the Dosewallips side channels come off of steep side hills, there is not
much spawning and resting area outside of the major channel. One of the exceptions is at Gamin Cr... For
a distance of less than 1/4 mile Gamin Cr. flows parallel to the Dosewallips and at a lo* . gr . a(lient
Because of this, it has been highly used by Cohe salmon fry to get out of the Dowwallips high winter
flows. The Forest Service has built a series of small ponds which are attached to Gamm Cr. in order to
increase overwintering habitat for salmon fry. Over the years, there are a couple of times that the
DosewaMps has broken the barrier into one of the ponds and filled it with "ment. The -pond was
cleaned and is presently being used by salmon fry and resident trout..
Another pond was built by the Forest Service for the same purposes as the Gamm Cr. ponds, but on
another small unnamed tributary approximately 1/4 mile up river from Gamin Cr. This small stream had
indications of beaver activity and salmon fry use. Plans have been discussed to use this pond acrd the area
between here and the Gamin Cr. ponds for an ecological interpretive mail.
Hydropower
In 1990, the State Department of Ecology required minimum instream flow in the bypass of e
t4 proposed'
Elkhorn hydroelectric project. After a lengthy court battle that went all the way to the U ' S ...
Court, which upheld the State Department of E66logy, the hydroelectric I project died. This will probabfp'
also limit future efforts to harness the energy 6f the river.
Water
The City of Port Townsend submitted an application to the State of Washington, in February of,1956, for
a permit to continuously divert 50 cubic feet per second of water from the DoseiyaWps river for municipal
use. While this application has never been acted upon, it has been updated'and the water riot
maintained.
Social
Cultural Resource-'s
I
Specific information on sites and artifacts is considered sensitive information. Partnering agencies can
access the Forest Service files as needed.
The Dosewallips watershed is within . the boundaries of the Point No Pont Treaty Area. The local tribes
cede4,thqir land to t4e,United States in.1855 thratigh this treat "right taking
y. The,tribes retained the "rig tof
fish at usual and accustomed grounds!, and '%,vith the privilege of hunting and gathering roots and berries
on open and unclaimed lands". The tribes that are included in this treaty include the Skokomish, Nit
Gamble SMallain, Jamestown S%Iallam and Lower Elwa S'Klallam.
94
Recreational Use
Local residents and visitors commonly use the area for recreation. Many people access the hiking trails in.
the National Forest and National Park. There are two hailheads in the National Forest (Tunnel Creek
trail 841 and Mt Jupiter trail 809), and two in the National Park (Mt Constance and at the end of the
road). These trails access the Forest Wilderness areas and Park interior.
Campgrounds include the Dosewallips National Park Campground at the end of the Dosewallips river
road, which has primitive campsites, restrooms, and a ranger station. Elkhorn and Seal Rods
Campgrounds are in the National Forest. Elkhorn has wooded, primitive campsites with vault toilets, and
is located approximately 10 miles from U.S. 101 on the Dosewallips river road. Seal Rock has wooded
campsites, vault toilets, and a beach with oysters and dams. Dosewallips State Park has wooded
campsites (some with full R/V hook -ups), showers, r+earooms, RN dumping station, trails, and public
beach with oysters and clams and a day use area along the Dosewallips River at it's mouth. Private
campgrounds include the Flock -in Trailer Park in the heart of Brinson that has frill RN hookups and
restrooms, and several others which are nearby and outside the analysis area.
Historically the Forest Service Steelhead Campground was located between the Dosewallips and Gamin
Cr. at the mouth of Gamm Cr. The Dosewallips River started changing course and moving into the
campground in the late 1970's. Efforts were made to armor the bank and also put the river back into an
old channel on the south side of the river away from the campground However, during the winter of
1980, with a major log jam, the river cut deeply into the campground. Steelhead Campground was then
closed in 1981. It is still possible to see the old campground well casing emerging from the middle of the
river. The campground was closed, but became a popular dispersed recreation site accessed by a wet
water crossing of Gamin Cr. Because of the popularity, vault toilets were reestablished to reduce
unsanitary conditions that emerged. Again, b'&ause of continuing river damage and vandalism to the
dispersed site, in 1997 all facilities including the toilets were removed and the wet water crossing blocked
Elkhorn Campground has sustained damage during the 1990's from the Dosewallips River during storms
and high flows. Several campsites have been damaged. The Dosewallips river bank along the
campground was armored by riprap in the late 19601s.. Some of this has failed and specialists said mach
of the rest is not functional. The Quilcene District is currently studying ways to respect the river's
deviations and to provide campground facilities at Elkhorn Campground that are resistant to flood
damage.
Other recreational uses within the National Forest is the cutting of Christmas trees from the wild by
permit. Hunters continually roam the watershed during various hunting seasons in search of game. Deer,
bear, and grouse are common game animals. Fishing is common in the river and Hood Canal, and many
recreationists dig for clams and pick oysters on the public beaches.
A number of people use the lower river to kayak and tube. The upper river beyond Six Mile Bridge can be
hazardous for this activity and periodically recreatiomsts are killed trying to run the river.
Desired Products
Among major desired products from this watershed are clean water, timber resources including special
forest products, habitat for a variety of fish, wildlife, recreational opportunities, areas for agriculture,
transportation routes, and rural residences and businesses. The Brinnon Community Plan states that the
respondents overwhelmingly agreed that the area should retain its rural characteristics and atmosphere,
with a lightly populated structure (BACDP).
95
References:
Bailey, Ida and Vern. 1997. A Scrapbook of History, Brinnon. Perry Publishing, Bremerton,; WA.
211'pp-
Balch, Mrs. T.B.. No date. History of Brnnon in Hood.Canal-Kitchea Kapem Quilcene Pre - School .. .
Parent - Teachers Assn.
Borden, C.E. 1970. Cultural: History of the Frasier Delta Region; an outline. Bri tish Columbia
Geographical Studies No. 6 & 7
Brinnon Area Community Development Plan. May 1995.
Elmendor� W. W.,: and AL. Kroeber, 1992. The structure of Twana culture with. comparative. notes 'gn
the structm of Yurdk Whine. • Washington State University, Pullman,- WA
Gunther, & 1974. Ethnobotany of western Washington. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA
71P
Henderson, J.AD: H. Peter, R.D. L.esher.and D.C. Shaw. 1989. Forested plant associations of the
Olympic National Forest. USDA. Forest. Service R6-1 cwl- 00.1--88. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland;
Or. 502 pp
James, Karen M., 1979. Anthropological Study of the Tidelands :fronting the Skokomish Indian
Reservation.
Jefferson: County Historical Society, 1966, With, Pride in Hotage,, History of Jefferson County, Port. ,.. ,.:.
Townsend WA.
McCormick, Jack &. Associates, inc., March; 1978; Cultural • Resource Overview of the Olympic National'•
Forest;. Washington, for USDA Forest Service Region G, Portland OR, Contract No o 06709N, ; .
Menzies, A. 1792, Menzies Journal of Vancouver's Voyage April to October, 1792. Memoir No. V.
Archives of British Columbia.
Righter, E., 1978a Cultural resources.overview, of the Olympic National Forest,. Washington. Vol. I.: Jack
McCormick, and Associates, Inc. Washington, D.C.
Righter, E. 1978b. Cultural resources overview of the Olympic National Forest, Washington. Vol. II.
Jack McCormick and Associates, Inc. Washington, D.C.
Taylor, Eva Cook. 1966. Brinnon, in With Pride in Heritage, history•of Jefferson
County. Jefferson County Historical Society. Port Townsend. 422pp.
USDA. 1994. Olympic National Forest. Big Quilcene_ Watershed Analysis.
USDI Geological Survey. Water Resources Division. 1955. Monthly and yearly summaries of
hydrographic data in the State of Washington to September, 1953. Water Supply Bulletin No. 6, Tacoma,
Washington. 292 pp.
Vancouver, G. 1792, Original Journal of Vancouver's Discovery of Puget Sound
96
Trends
Landscape Patterns
The upper watershed is in an unusually pristine condition due to the fact that the Olympic National
Park occupies over 60% of the watershed,. and 11% is within the National Forest Wilderness system. In
addition to this, an additional 17% within the National Forest has been designated Late - successional
Reserve, with the objective of moving stands toward late - successional vegetative conditions. The
remaining 12 %, within the Lower Dosewallips sub watershed is expected to experience significant
human modifications which may degrade that habitat,
Erosion
The trend in erosional processes was interpreted from 1939 to 1990's with aerial photos. Thirty five
percent of the failures mapped occurred within the Rocky Brook sub watershed Half of these were
surface erosion sites associated with roads, but most of these failures did not impact any major streams.
Most of these failures had revegetated when observed in 1990's photos. Almost all of the failures
mapped within the Lower and Middle Dosewallips subwatershed were naturally occurring. Most of the
failures initiated in the rain -0n -snow zone, or in the snow zone.
Fire
Wildfires were the primary process affecting vegetation from at least. 1308 to 1701.. The trend in
wildfires has been a landscape -scale fire approximately. every 200 years during that time frame.,
Therefore, the eastern peninsula may be "dueVor another.similar fire. Such a fire can be expected if
the following conditions occur: 1) an ignition source (natural or manmade), and 2) summer
precipitation less than 2 ", and 3) east to west winds. Experts (Modie 1994) believe that such a fire may .:
be impossible tol suppress. The analysis area did not have an episodic fire at the last 200 year interval,
but approximately 1/4 of it's acreage has burned since the 1701 fire, in several smaller fires. Much of
the Lower Dosewallips and Middle Dosewallips sub- watersheds burned, and some several times. Most
of these fines were associated with clearing or logging activities.
The recurrent nature of fire produced a cyclical vegetative condition (page 15). Ecosystem initiation (EIS)
conditions stretched across the landscape every 200 years for a 15 -20 year period Then the forest went
through the Competitive Exclusion (CES) and Understory Reinitiation (URS) conditions for about 150
years. Finally, Developed Understory (DUS), Botanically Diverse (BDS), Niche Diversification (NDS),
and Fully Functional (FFS) were likely prevalent during the last couple of decades before the next fire
started the cycle over again. Wildlife populations dependent on vegetation for habitat, were no doubt
cyclical as well.
Traditionally in the DosewalIips, a landscape -scale disturbance (fire) has been followed by a long
recovery period. The trend in timber harvest activity across the watershed is best described as a
"chronic" disturbance: small disturbances, at regular intervals with very little or no recovery time.
Timber harvesting and goad building to access timber have been constant activities in the lower 1/3 of
the watershed since the 1920's. The harvest trend has been one of individually planned, clearcut units
through the eastern portion (lower 1/4) of the watershed. As a result, mid and late -seral forest has
developed mostly in the mid and upper portions of the watershed.
Recent timber harvest has resulted in some EIS on the National Forest in the Rocky Brook drainage.
On private lands, much of the area has been harvested in the last 20 years, increasing the percentage of
EIS forest substantially in that area.
Fire would kill timber and consume duff but would not expose much fresh mineral soil. At those times,
alder was most likely found in riparian zones. Ideal conditions for alder establishment consist of open
97
;f I
areas with exposed mineral soil. Once timber harvest began, when the forests were removed, mineral soil
was exposed to a much larger extent. As alder moved into areas of exposed soil where roads were built
and timber harvest completed, there was increased seed source. More red alder is likely to occur in young
stands now than in the past after the episodic fires.
Wildlife
Species dependent on snags and/or down wood have been impacted in the lower portions of the watershed
by timber harvest Theme is -less coarse woody debris, both snags and down logs, left in stands after
harvest than after fire. For wildlife, this means fewer snags and down logs to provide nesting, foraging,
and resting sites.
On the National Forest, the trend in harvest activities has decreased. This is due to restrictions imposed
by the Endangered Species Act and the Northwest Forest Plan Record of Decision. National Forest
previously available for harvest has been designated..as either Late- Suocessional Reserve or Adaptive
Management Area. Late Successional Reserve (LSR) consists.of 12;898. acres; or 17 percent of the
watershed LSR's are managed to protect and enhance conditions of late - successional and old- growth
ecosystems. Wildlife values.are the primary emphasis within the LSR Limited stand management is
permitted, but the philosophy of the LSR, is tp create and enhance a network of old- growth forest .
ecosystems. Adaptive Management Area (-AMA) consists of 1,307 acres, or 2 percent.of the watershed
Objectives of the AMA include the development and testing of innovative approaches at the stand and
landscape level for integration of ecological and economic goals, including restoration of structural .
complexity to simplified forests and streams and development of more diverse managed forests. Timber
harvest within the AMA will most likely be thinnings instead of cleareuts.
In general the National Forest, except for Rod yy Brook and Turner Creek, is in a pristine natural
condition. Late - successional habitat is predominant and management activities are localized in the Lower
Dosewallips subwatershed. L ate - successional habitat improves as it ages and in general is older now than
typically has occurred. On private lands, the focus will remain on residences, small farms, and providing .
a timber commodity. Therefore, much of the this landscape will be removed from forest conditions or will
remain in early and early- mid -seral forest.
In the past the Rocky Brook subdrainage had a more mature habitat, which is now predominately EIS and
CES. The lowlands, off the National Forest, have been transitioning from forest and estuary into homes
and yards.
Vegetation
The trend in invasive non - native plants has not been studied,in the entire watershed. However, a study
by the Olympic National Park indicates that invasive non- native plant species pose a threat to native
vegetation in the Olympic National Park (different species pose varying levels of threats to different
arras within the Park). The trend of non- native plant invasion across the entire watershed can be
assumed to be increasing, and will continue to increase in the future..
Aquatic Trends
Changes in hydrologic trends of the river and tributaries were not generally significant. Most of the
system is pristine and in a stable condition. There is a portion of the river channel below the National
Forest Boundary however which appears to be *More dewatered and alder are encroaching into the
channel.
Historically, there has always been an important hardwood component in the riparian vegetation; that has
been used as habitat This can be seen in the National Park where conditions are basically undisturbed.
Flooding by streams created gaps that allowed hardwoods to grow and thrive. Thus, there was permanent
seed source in riparian areas.
98
r..
1 11 1 "
The Large Woody Debris (LWD) potential seems low based on the analysis system used to screen it
Much of the channel has been unaffected by human activities. Evaluation and re- interpretation of the
criteria used to evaluate LWD should be assessed to recalibrate the natural base line levels of LWD. It .
was observed that the best LWD potential was where there was a flatter gradient of the stream. These
may be areas with better soil and therefore bigger trees. Where the gradient was steeper, there was
generally poorer LWD potential. Wood which'contnbutes- to-river complexity can originate from the
steeper slopes higher on the hillsides. , .
All but the three proposed species for listing, and two at risk but not yet proposed species, of fish seem to
have stable populations. The river system has limited opportunities for anadromous fish as it has a
pinnate pattern with tributaries coming off steep sidehills into the river. Spawning habitat is inherently
limited due to the gradient, confinement, and size of bedload material. These conditions do not create
potential to increase spawning habitat
Social Pattems
Human use of the watershed and demand for forest products has been intensifying since European .
settlement. The watershed supports the community of Brinnon, strong recreation use, several farms, and
the harvest of timber. The residential and recreational uses have been increasing over the last decade.
There has also developed a public environmental awareness trend which created pressure on elected
officials to change objectives for ecosystem. management - The resulting development of the Northwest
Forest Plan (NWFP) provides more emphasis on aquatic conservation and planning in development of
habitat The NWFP indicates a significant trend in change in public attitude and the objectives.for
managing public lands.
References
Johnson, T., 1996. Personal Communication., Research Biologist, Snow Creek Research Station.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Modie, N. 1994. Conditions are converging for cataclysmic forest fire. Seattle Post- Intelligencer,
Seattle, WA.
Peter, D., 1996. Personal Communication. Ecologist, Olympic National Forest.
M
r,
Interpretation
Interrelationships
Hydrologic conditions have remained relativelyunehanged during. the entire Holocene Period (the last
10,000 years). Precipitation results are affec(ed by the rain shadow influence of the Olympic mountains.
The maritime winds moderate temperatures
Modest variations to. the overall wet, moderate climate.took place throughout the Holocene, In dryer and
warmer periods (such as the Hypsithermal Period of 10,000 to 4,000 years -ago) less water was available
for . surface -water runoff and ground -water recharge. Slightly dryer periods probably somewhat reduced..
stream flows and yietded,slightly more intermittent stream reaches.' During colder periods (such as the
Little Ice Age of 1400 through 1850) more precipitation fell as snow. The increased proportion of snow
would result in a slightly smaller proportion of recharge to the ground -water system and surface runoff
during the winter, and a slightly larger proportion during the spring melt. Ground water seepage has
augmented stream flows and cooled water temperatures during the entire Holocene. This moderating
effect is particularly - noticeable- during summer low flows.
Alterations of vegetative cover occurred first by natural forest succession and by natural disturbances,
predominantly fire. More recently, human activity altered the landscape by harvesting timber, building
roads, and clearing land for communities and farms. The altered Cover modified the amounts of
evapotranspiration, surface runoff; and infiltration to ground water. In old - growth forests, trees consume
much of the incident reci itation
p p by transpiration and by evaporation of water intercepted in their
canopies. Recently harvested stands, by contrast,,.do not have such high evapotranspiration losses, and so
more water remains to run off on the surface of infiltrate to groundwater Old- growth forest litter held
water on the forest floor, retarded surface runoff; and enhanced infiltration to ground water. Today's
cleaner forest floors allow more loss as storm runoff; and, consequently, less water is available for
recharging the ground -water system.
Besides changing ground -wa `
ter recharge, current activities have also bad small' impacts on ground -water
flowpaths and water-table levels. Road grades slightly rerouted ground -water flowpaths by compacting
the near - surface layer. The grades also slightly altered the water table by holding water in ponds.
Human activity in historical times has caused slight alteration of flowpaths and sediment transport. Roads
have caused rerouting of surface flows. Usually, culverts, bridges, or groundwater flow have allowed. the
water to flow by such obstacles in relatively unaltered fashion. dearcuts and roads have caused increases
in sediment loads in the watersheds. Stream-bank erosion from harvest and livestock use along riparian
areas has caused slight increases in fines within limited stream reaches. However, the impact has been
comparatively smaller than other basins, partly due to low topographic relief throughout the watersheds.
The steeper Olympic foothills and mountains contribute limited fines because of its relatively small area,
hard basalt bedrock, and shallow soils.
Low stream flows are detrimental to fish that try to use streams in the summer. In some cases, the streams
are already extremely shallow at low flow, and fu Cher lowering is detrimental to habitat quality. Lowered
summer stream flows reduce survival of rearing salmonids such as coho. The impact on the water supply
from withdrawal of ground water from wells for domestic or other uses is unknown.
Fires occurring on a two hundred year cycle, since the early 1300s, likely were the greatest natural impact
to water quality. Early Native American habitation probably had little impact on water quality. Later,
European settlement concentrated in small communities, which increased the potential impact to surface
and ground waters.
100
t k
Overall, slopes in these watersheds are stable, and management activities should not have a major effect
on their stability. Mass wasting is not likely to be triggered outside of road corridors on the gentle slopes.
Failures can occur on road fillslopes and cutslopes, especially if constructed or maintained in an over -
steepened condition and unvegetated state. Surface erosion can not deliver sediment over long distances
on gentle slopes to the aquatic environment.
Mass wasting and surface erosion constitute concerns primarily along stream corridors. These are the
areas generally containing less stable soils
Climate on the Olympic Peninsula has been similar throughout the Holocene (the last 10,000 years or so).
Small variations in climate during the Holocene caused moderate shifts in the distribution of vegetative
species within the watersheds. Climate fluctuations have also greatly influenced wildfire occurrence.
Fires that occurred during the Hypsithermal Period were assumed to be large and intense, with few small
fires. Three large burn periods were known to have happened from 1300 to 1750 during the Little Ice
Age. These stand - replacing fires that occurred in 1308, 1508, and 1701, essentially spread across the
entire landscape It is speculated that these foes occurred because of a shift in the position of the jet
stream resulting in drier summer conditions, and increased high east winds {Henderson et al., 1989).
The more recent burning episodes have been smaller.
Ground disturbing harvest activities have exposed mineral soil that has likely increased the amount of
alder in the watershed. Alder was likely found naturally along riparian areas. When fire occurred, the
duff was likely still intact and alder did not invade extensively. When.roads and harvest activities exposed
mineral soil to sunlight, the conditions were excellent for red alder. As alder invaded, there was
additional seed source when seed bed condiuo% were right. Alder is now a very common component of
stands that have been harvested. Silvicultural treatments are generally needed in order to maintain
conifer characteristics in a stand following harvest.
Channel gradient provides a measure of the energy available w the stream system (by directly influencing
velocity-6f flow). Stream energy is responsible•for doing work; transporting sediment, controlling
substrate material size, recruiting trees, scouring and redistributing bed and banks, in short creating in
stream habitat conditions. Confinement influences how energy may be distributed in the channel. For
example during flood an unconfined channel may dissipate excess energy by expanding laterally over the
bank, while a confined channel has less freedom and does work on its bank, bed or translates that energy
downstream.
It is important to identify input source areas, for sediment and wood, and link these processes and areas to
sensitive channel segments (i.e., those segments where these processes have direct and/or long term
effects to stream channel character or in- stream habitat conditions).
The greatest general effect on fisheries is the interrelationship with the riparian corridor. The extent of
disturbed riparian or other sediment sources has a direct effect on the quality of fish habitat. The critical
question is whether or not we can hold on to the last of the critical anadromous stocks for long enough so
that the habitat can recmer to support them at sustainable rates once again. The best habitat option is to
be careful not to degrade the remaining good habitat and restore the degraded areas.
The Dosewallips river watershed is mostly in federal management within the National Forest and
National Park Most of the stands within the upper half of the watershed have never been harvested.
There has been heavy cutting in the Rocky Brook and the lower Dosawallips main channel. Many of the
stands in these areas are now 20 years of age or younger. There are also many stands, which are within
wilderness areas and the National Park which have come in following fire and were never cut (over 170
years old Vegetation in the lower valley bottom is forest land, much recently curt, mixed with non ..-
forested pasture land.
101
In general, the riparian areas are deciduous, or mixed deciduous and coniferous. The deciduous is
primarily alder, with scattered presence of cottonwood and maple.
Habitat for EIS forest spedds is abundant'inthe lower watershed. Historically, this habitat would. only
have occurred for about 20 years after a wildfire. Species would..have to adapt or move .until the next fire...
Now, timber harvest provides expanses of young forest across the watershed, and will likely continue to do
SO for'decades to come. EIS dependent wildlife populations are probably at levels similar to historic post -
fire levels, but they will be able to maintain those levels into the future, which was not possible under the
fire regime. One potential limiting factor to several of these species is the high road density in this
watershed. Many of these roads are associated with recent timber harvest, so densities are highest in the
young stands.
CES and URS forest species have a large amount of habitat available on the National Forest and National
Park: Prior to timber harvest; CES and URS forests were the predominant, habitat, stretching across the
landscape. Very few species rely solely on CES and URS forest.
Given the hariest'liistory of the area; habitat for DUS,. BDS, NDS, FFS, and OGS species, including the
northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet, has been almost non - existent since the mid -late 1800s in the
lower watershed. DUS, BDS, NDS, FFS, and OGS forest is available within the National Forest
Wildernes& areas and National Park. These are providing suitable habitat at the present time.
The prevalence of deciduous and mixed forest habitat along streams in this watershed. make the riparian
habitat very desirable for many species, especially a number of neotropical migratory birds. Forest
wetlands are important habitat for many analysis species, including bats; molluscs, cavity users, and
neotropical migratory birds,
References r
Henderson, J.A., D.H. Peter, R.D. Lesher, D.C. Shaw. 1989. Forested VIM associations of the Olympic
National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Technical Paper 001 -88. '502 pp.j
102
Appendix
Appendix 1
GEOMORPHOLOGY
LANDFORMS
The combination of geology, glaciation, and natural weathering processes, has created a topography
ranging from alluvial and glacial valley bottoms and relatively gentle slopes in the eastern part of the
watershed to the rugged and steep terrain associated with near vertical slopes and dissected incised valley
side slopes in the headwaters. The landforms mapped for this analysis have similar characteristics to
mass wasting map units cited by Matt 9 Connor for the West Fork Satsop Watershed Analysis, 1995.
Most valleys north of the Dosewallips River have V- shaped profiles at low elevation and broad cirque -
shaped basins at high altitude (Lingley and others, 1997).
The western headwaters of the Dosewallips River are wide glacial valleys,
The landscape in the Dosewallips Watershed has been characterized into seven Geomorphic Map Units
based on geomorphology, drainage density, mass wasting frequency, and geology. Please see the
Geomorphic Map for the Dosewallips Watershed. Mass wasting sites within each of the geomorphic units
have been mapped.
GEOMORPHIC UNIT #20 Glacial Erosional landform
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: This area consists of cirque basin topography located at the heads of
many of the steeper drainages of the watershed. A deep steep walled half -bowl like recess or hollow,
variously described as horseshoe -or crescent- shaped and semicircular in plan, situated high on the side of
a mountain and commonly at the head of a glacial valley. It often contains a small round lake and it may
or may not be occupied by snow (Bates and Jackson, 1995).
EXAMPLE: The cirque and tam topography of the areas around Mount Jupiter this landform also
includes low elevation cirques that were formed during glaciations previous to the last one about 240,000
years ago -
MATERIALS: Coarse textured colluvial soils boulders to cobble talus slopes, and avalanche deposits
consisting of vegetation and colluvial deposits.
MASS WASTING PROCESSES: Natural erosion from freeze thaw and avalanches into these basins.
The glacial erosional landform includes cirques, tarns, and the shallow rapid mass wasting features
common to these features which include debris talus slopes, debris avalanches, rock fall, and translational
mass wasting that deposits relatively coarse into these glacial basin.
DELIVERY: Debris and avalanche torrents, deposit sediment into these cirque basins, which remains
contained within this landform. Sediment usually does not enter the major river tributaries and for this
report will not be addressed.
TRIGGER MECHANISMS: Management activities have not encroached upon this terrain. However
when roads are built in these steep cirque basins road related failures are common. Natural erosion from
freeze thaw and weathering of the steepest slopes in the analysis area is common..
GEOMORPHIC UN 17 # 30 Glacial Depositional Outwash Plains
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: Gently rolling glaciated lowlands of the watershed below the lake. This
landform includes the bulk of the land within the Lower Dosewallips. The Dosewallips River meanders
thorough this landform and has down -cut through these deposits.
MATERIALS: Materials include the glacial deposits of undifferentiated outwash and till. These
deposits can be up to 300 fat thick and as streams as rivers down -cut through this deposit, meanderiLng
and avulsing sediment is deposited directly into the system.
MASS WASTING PROCESSES: Generally little or no mass wasting activity. Shallow rapid slides are
adjacent to 1st and 2nd order drainages. Shallow rapid failures originating from slopes associated with
sidecast road construction. Shallow rapid failures near 3rd and 4th order tributaries.- Road related
failures occur but are not common.
DELIVERY: Deliver to 3rd and 4th order streams when proximal to channel'.
TRIGGER MECHANISMS: Most of this Geomorphic Map Unit is stable and road construction
techniques that do not entail sidecast construction and poor drainage would not increase slope instability.
This Geomorphic Unit is ideal for road building and harvesting. Generation of 2nd growth forests is .good
and in -unit failures are not common.
GEOMORPHIC UNIT 951 Low Dissected Mountain Slopes
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: `Mostly planar slopes at the base of steeper- mountain slopes with less
than 3 dissections per mile. 'Due to time constraints on the GIS group the dissection density was estimated
on topographic maps and aerial photography.
MATERIALS: Colluvial and toe slope deposits of sedunentary, volcanic and glacial origin.
MASS WASTING PROCESS: Some deep seated'fadures` m possible, but generallytthis�is a stable
landform.
DELIVERY: Delivery of the few failures that occur on this landform is not always -into streams.
TRIGGER MECHANISMS: Road building and culvert failures may be the few trigger mechanisms on
this landform
GEOMORPHIC UNIT # 52 Moderately dissected mountain slopes.
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: Slopes with shallow rapid landslides and debris torrents in weathered
sedimentary bedrock Due to time constraints on the GIS group the dissection density was estimated on
topographic maps and aerial photography. Steep
in slopes, more planar than unit #51 with 340
channels per mile. (Haskens,1996).
MATERIALS: Coarse textured' col wrW soils of both basalt and sedimentary" bedrock. 'Some glacial
de-posits.
MASS WASTING PROCESS: Shallow rapid failures and - debris torrents.
DELIVERY: Directly to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order drainages. '
TRIGGER MECHANISMS:` Road building has increased the number of shallow rapid Mures-within
this iandform from the pre- managed time. Road construction along these' slopes` increases failures.
Placement of sidecast on road fidslopes and delivery of road runoff to steep slopes and loss of root strength
resulting from timber harvest can contribute to slope instability in this Geomorphic Map Unit.
GEOMORPHIC UNIT 53. Hii!hl*. Dissected Olympic Mountain hilMoves
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: Slopes that contain shallow rapid landslides and debris torrents in
weathered volcanic bedrock and sedimentary rock and colluvial soils with high potential for delivery to
stream. Due to time constraints on the GIS group the dissection density was estimated on topographic
maps and aerial photography. This landform comprises highly dissected (.greater than 10 channels per
mile—Haskins, 1996) mountain slopes, with direct deposit into main channels.
MATERIALS: Coarse and medium textured colluvial soils and weathered volcanic and interbedded "
sedimentary bedrock.
EXAMPLE: This area is mountainous with high relief and steep slopes drained by narrow v- shaped
valleys.
MASS WASTING PROCESSES: The majority of the fi lures are natural shallow rapid failures and
debris torrents. Road related landslides from roads built on steep slopes (typically >65 %) occur but are
not a common source of sediment to streams.
DELIVERY: Directly to Ist ; 2nd, and 3rd order drainages. In a few instances sediment is deposited
onto glacial benches and not direct delivery to streami. .
TRIGGER MECHANISMS: Most are natural failures on steep slopes with shallow soils originating in
the rain on snow regime. High precipitation is the main trigger mechanism. Failure sites related to roads
are typically in unconsolidated sidecast materials or in soils above oversteepened cutslopes. Road
drainage transferred from one drainage to another and any concentrated delivery of water to areas where
no natural channel exists would also increase risk of slope failure (O.Connor, 1995).
GEOMORPHIC UNIT # 60— Fluvial Depositional Landforms :-
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: Flood plains and terraces adjacent to alluvial stream channels
susceptible to erosion by migrating, meandering, and avulsing. The area of this landform ranges from %z
mile to 5 miles wide. Alluvial and glacial terraces are reworked by the Dosewallips River and bank
erosion is the dominant sediment source. As streams flow through glacial deposits large inputs of
sediments from streambank erosion continues to change the channel character.
MATERIALS: Glacial and alluvial sand, cobbles, boulders. Some fine grained glacial- lacustrine
deposits.
EXAMPLES: The meandering sections of the Dosewallips River.
MASS WASTING PROCESS: Erosion along alluvial channels is a natural process. Rates of erosion
can be influenced by forest practices across channels and increased peak flows. .
DELIVERY: Directly to channels.
TRIGGER MECHANISMS: Increase in peak flows. Increase in discharge due to decrease in
hydrologic maturity of surrounding areas. - Hydrologic maturity of hillslopes adjacent to these areas can
influence the discharge and consequent erosion capability of the streams.
GEOMORPHIC UNIT #77 Conversing headwater drainage areas
LANDFORM DESCRIPTION: Tear drop shaped basins with converging zero and first order drainages.
MATERIALS: Coluvial soils. Soils deposited in bedrock hollows below ridge tops.
EXAMPLE:: The many tear dropped shaped basins at the heads of numerous valleys.
MASS WASTING PROCESS: Stream bank erosion. Shallow rapid mass wasting
DELIVERY: Direct delivery into 2nd and 3to order channels. Deposits accumulate at the juncture of
these channels usually high in the headwater area of 3rd and 4th order streams.
TRIGGER MECHANISMS, High peak flows which contribute to soil saturation and initiation of first
order drainages. Some of the streams are non - perennial and erosion may not initiate debris torrents, but:
may contribute to them when deposits enter larger drainages downstream.
Appendix 2
The following is a list of the plant and fungi species on the NWFP survey and manage list that may occur in
the Dosewallips watershed and for which surveys are necessary on National Forest lands prior to activities
that may alter their habitat. For additional information on these species or management provisions, see
pages C4 to C -6 and C49 to C -61 in the NWFP (USDA and USDI 1994) or Appendix J2 to the NWFP.
Fungi
Bondarzewia mesenterica
Lichens
Hypogymnia duplicata
Lobaria linita
Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis
Liverworts
Diplophyllum plicatum
Kurzia makinoana
Marsupella emarginata
Mosses
Buxbaumia viridis
Rhizomnium nudum
Schistostega pennata
Tetraphis geniculata
Ulota meglospora
Vascular plants
Allotropa virgata
Botrychium minganense
�. Appendix 3. Wildlife Species Known or with Potential to Occur
in the Dosewallips Watershed Analysis Area
In alphabetical order by common name
M
SPECIES
SPECIES
American crow
Northern flicker
American dipper
Northem fl in squirrel
American goldfinch
Northern goshawk
American kestrel
Northem harrier
American robin
Northem oriole
American trees arrow
Northem pyginy owl
American tree swallow
Northern rough-winged swallow
Bald eagle
Northem saw -whet owl
Band - tailed pigeon
Northem spotted owl
Bam swallow
Northem water shrew
Barred owl
Northwestern gaiter snake
Beaver
Northwestem salamander
Belted kingfisher
Orange-crowned warbler
Bewick's wren
Oregon me om hix
Big brown bat
Oregon vole
Black bear
Olive -sided flycatcher
Black-capped chickadee
Olympic marmot
Black - headed grosbeak
Olympic torrent salamander
Black - tailed deer
Osprey
Black- throated gray warbler
Pacific jumping mouse
Black swift
Pacific slope flycatcher
Blue:oy tailZxo—pper
Pacific tree fro
Blue grouse
Pacific water shrew
Bobcat ,
Panther •um in -slu
Brewer's blackbird
Papillose tail -dro er
Brown creeper
Peregrine falcon
Brown - headed cowbird
Pileated woodpecker
Bull frog
Pine grosbeak
Burringtonjumping-slug
Pine siskin
Bushtit
Puget ore onian
Bushy-tailed woodrat
Purple finch
Califomia m otis
Purple marten
Canada goose
Raccoon
Cascade frog
Red- breasted merganser
Cedar waxwing
Red- breasted nuthatch
Chestnut- backed chickadee
Red - breasted sapsucker
Chipping sparrow
Red crossbill
Cliff swallow
Red-eyed vireo
1
Coast mole
Red fox
Common barn owl
Red-legged fro
Common garter snake
Red- tailed hawk
Common merganser
Red-winged blackbird
Common nighthawk
River otter
Common raven
Roosevelt elk
Common snipe
Rou - skinned newt
Common yellowthroat
Rubber boa
Cooper's hawk
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Co e's giant salamander
Ruffed grouse
Coyote
Rufous hununin bird
Creeping vole
Rufous -sided towhee
Dark -e ed `unco
Savannah sparrow
Deer mouse
Sharp-shinned hawk
Douglas' squirrel
Short-eared owl
Downy woodpecker
Shrew mole
Dusky flycatcher
Silver- haired bat
Dus shrew
Snowshoe hare
Ensatina
Solitary vireo
Ermine
Song sparrow
Enning grosbeak
Southern red - backed vole
Ev2pjag fieldslug
Spotted sandier
Fisher
Spotted skunk
Forest deer mouse
$teller's 'a
Fox sparrow
Striped skunk
Great blue heron
' Swainson's thrush
Great -horned owl
Tailed fro
Green- backed heron
Townsend's big-eared bat
Golden - crowned kinglet
Townsend's chipmunk
Golden ea le
Townsend's mole
Gray a
Townsend's solitaire
Nairy woodpecker
Townsend's vole
Hammond's flycatcher
Townsend's warbler
Harlequin duck
Tree swallow
Heather vole
Trowbridge shrew
Hermit thrush
Vagrant shrew
Hermit warbler
Van D ke's salamander
Hoary bat
Varied thrush
Hoko vertigo
Vaux's swift
House finch
Vesper's sparrow
Hutton's vireo
Violet-green swallow
Lincoln's 's arrow
Warbling vireo
Little brown bat
Warty jumping-slug
r �
Long-eared m otis
Water pipit
Long-eared owl
Western bluebird.
Long-legged m otis
Western fence lizard
Long-tailed vole
Westem flycatcher
Long-tailed weasel
Western redback salamander
Long-toed salamander
Western red- backed vole
MacGillv 's warbler
Western screech owl
Mallard
Western tanager
Marbled murrelet
Western terrestrial garter snake
Marsh wren
Western toad
Marten
Western wood-pewee
Masked shrew
White- breasted nuthatch
Mazama pocket gopher
White - crowned sparrow
Merlin
Willow flycatcher
Mink
Wilson's warbler
Mountain beaver
Winter wren
Mountain goat
Yellow-pine chipmunk
Mountain lion (cougar)
Yellow -rum ed warbled
Muskrat
. Yellow warbler
Northern alli for lizard
Yuma m otis
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Recommendations and Opportunities
Direction for this iteration of the analysis for the Dosewallips watersheds was to look at the entire
watershed, but to concentrate recommendations on the National Forest.
Desired Conditions
The desired conditions on the National Forest are described in the Olympic National Forest Management
Plan (ONFP) (USDA 1990) as modified by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) (USDA and USDI 1994).
The ONFP identified the analysis area as "Timber Management" in the Rocky Brook subdrainage and on
the south shore of the Dosewallips mainstem, "Undeveloped Recreation (Non- Motorized)" and
"Undeveloped Recreation (Motorized)" in part of the central areas, Visual management above some of the
private l and, River Corridors along the mainstem, Wild and Scenic Corridors, and Wilderness. The
NWFP superceded the ONFP with the Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives and goals and objectives
for Adaptive Management Areas ( AMA) and Late - Successional Reserves (LSR). Much of the analysis
area is categorized by the NWFP as LSR LSR objectives are to protect and enhance conditions of late -
successional and old- growth forest ecosystems. The AMA consists of landscape units designated to
encourage the development and testing of technical and social approaches to achieving desired ecological,
economic, and other social objectives. The standards and guidelines for the ONFP continue to apply
where they are more restrictive or provide greater benefits for late - successional species.
Land and Resource Plan for the Olympic National Forest (1990)
Desired conditions for water resources have bep identified in the Land and Resource Plan for the
Olympic National Forest (ONFP) that was developed with public participation through an EIS and has
been approved by the Regional Forester.
• The condition of vegetation in riparian areas will be less disturbed. Implementation of Forest -wide
Standards and Guidelines will maintain or improve water quality and provide the structural,
components necessary for diverse, high quality riparian habitat
• Sediment levels in major streams will be significantly decreased in comparison to curre nt conditions.
• Summer water temperatures throughout the Forest will be well within the tolerance levels of aquatic
organisms historically found in the streams.
• Water temperature increases on Class I and II streams should be limited to the quantitative criteria in
State Standards.
• Instream flow on National Forest System lands should be protected through critical analysis of
proposed water uses, diversions, and transmission applications and renewal of permits.
Northwest Forest Plan (1994)
The Northwest Forest Plan was developed from direction by the President of the United. States following
the 1993 Forest Conference in Portland. It was developed with public participation with an EIS and
signed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior. This amends all prior plans that govern the
management of the National Forest
The Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives are:
• Maintain and restore the distribution, diversity, and complexity of watershed and landscape -scale
features.
• Maintain and restore spatial and temporal connectivity within and between watersheds.
• Maintain and restore the physical integrity of the aquatic system.
• Maintain and restore water quality necessary to support healthy riparian, aquatic, and wetland
ecosystems.
103
• Maintain.and restore-the sediment regime under which aquatic ecosystems evolved.
• Maintain and restore in- stream flows sufficient to create and sustain riparian, aquatic, and wetland
habitats and to retain pAUm of sediment, nutrient, and wood routing.
• Maintain and restore the timing, variability, and duration of floodplain inundation and water table
elevation Wineadows and wetlands:..
• Maintain and restore the species composition and structural diversity of plant communities in riparian
areas and wetlands.
• Maintain and restore habitat to support well- distributed populations of native, plant, invertebrate, and
vertebrate riparian - dependent species ,
Riparian Deserves
Riparian areas are terrestrial.,areas.immediately adjaGent to a stream or river where the vegetation
complex and microclimate conditions are products of the presence and influence of water. Riparian
reserves generally parallel' the stream network, but also include other areas necessary for maintaining
hydrologic; :geomorphic, and ecological processes (pg.-B-13—ROD). Humans have invoked various
methods of determining what constitutes a riparian area. _On the National Forest; riparian areas are.
designated with Riparian Reserve widths based.on a number of factors:. Riparian reserves are also
applicable to intermittent streams and wetlands.
Riparian Reserve Designation
The Aquatic Conservation Strategy in the NWFP designates Riparian Reserves using site tree potential,
slope stability, stream class and slope distance. Interim widths are identified based on these factors
While these interim Riparian Reserve widths.are subject to change based on watershed analysis, no
information Odsts at this time to suggest that4he- interim widths should adjusted. Therefore these widths
will continue to apply to riparian areas in the DosgwaUips until site - specific information indicates a r I. <
change is appropriate.
Table -31. Criteria for defining interim.Riparian Reserve widths and prpposed changes,
CATEGORIES
WIDTHS
Fish-bearing stream
Includes active stream channel to flit top of the inner gorge, or
to 9!LWr esages of 100 yr. floodplain, or outer edges of riparian
vegetation, or distance equal to the height of two site - potential
trees, or 300 fect slope distance (600 feet total): whichever is
Permanently flowing, non -lash- bearing streams
greatest.
Includes active stream channel to the iop of the inner gorge, or
to outer edges of 100 yr. floodplain, or outer edges of riparian
vegetation, or distance equal to the height of one site - potential
tree, or 130 feet slope distance (300 feet total), whichever is
greatest.
Constructed pond, iescivoirs. and wetlands greater
Includes outer edges of riparian vegetation, or to extent of
than I acre
scasonally.saturated soil; or cxtcnt of unstable areas. or
distance equal to height of one site - potential trcc..nr ISO feet ,
slope distance from edge, whichever is greatest. "
Lakes and natural ponds
Includes outer edges of riparian vegetation, or cxtcnt of
seasonally saturated soil: or to theextent of unstable and
potentially unstable areas. or distance equal to the height of
two site- potemial trees: or 300 feet slope dipanec. whichever
is greatest.
Seasonally flowing or intermincni streams.
Includes extent of unstable and potentially unstable, areas. or
wctlands less tharr I acre, and unstable and
cmend to top of inn'e'r -,oroc. or thc'outcr edges of riparian
potentially unstable areas
vcgetalion, or distance, equivalent to one sitc•poicnhal uec.,or
100 feet slope distance, whichcver is greatest.
104
� C
The following methodologies were established in the NWFP for consistent application of stream width
criteria forest wide: stream class, site potential - tree height, slope distance, and slope stability. (USDA
1994)
Stream Class
For display purposes, the Olympic National Forest Hydrologic Data Layer was used to delineate stream
types and their respective interim widths. Site -level planning will be used to further validate the mapping
and to update this data layer of the various stream classes. Stream classes are defined as fish beating,
non -fish bearing, and intermittent
Site.Potential - Tree Height
The use of site potential tree heights as a unit of measure for determining the width of the riparian reserve
is suggested by the NWFP (USDA et al. 1994).
The height growth potential for a site was determined by constructing growth curves for Plant Association
Groups. Plot data from the Ecology Program was used to construct these curves. Plant Association
Groups were delineated using the Plant Association Group (PAG) model which describes conditions for a
particular group of plant associations (Henderson et al., 1989). Each PAG is made up of the first two
letters of genus and the species for the climax tree species.and for indicator shrub species. For the
purposes of this analysis, all locations of a given PAG were treated as having the same height growth
potential.
I., '
Height growth curves for each PAG were constructed by ]an Henderson, Area Ecologist. Curves were
carried out to 600 years where they are flat.. The height corresponding to 95% of the 600 year potential
was selected from each curve as the site potential to be used in constructing the reserve boundaries. The
following table contains the heights and the age that height is attained for each PAG in the Dosewallips
Analysis Area. The average height for the Olympic National Forest is 190 feet
Table 32. Height and Age Relationship to PAG
PAG
HEIGHT (600 YRS)
95% OF
AGE AT 95%
600 YR HEIGHT
600 YR HEIGHT
21 TSHEAIHMA
143
136
250
24 TSHE/GASH
187
178
240
25 TSHE/POMU /GASH
209
199
190
26 TSHE/POMU
221
210
200
27 TSHE/OPHO
UNK
210
UNK
32 ABAM/RHMA
148
141
270
33 ABAM/VAAL (dry)
187
178
280
34 ABAM/VAAL (moist)
176
167
300
Slope Distance - measurement
The NWFP specifies distances measured in slope distance for minimum interim widths.
Unstable or Potentially Unstable Slopes
Riparian Reserves are initially delineated according to the Record of Decision (USDA 1994) with
widths prescribed by type of water body and site - potential tree height(s). The NWFP (USDA
105
1994) also states that Riparian Reserves should include source area for sediment such as
unstable and potentially unstable areas in headwaters and along streams.
An analysis of unstable slopes was accomplished by a combination of two methods:
1) Overlaying the initial Riparian Reserve (GIS) layer over the High- Susceptibility- to -Mass-
Wasting polygons of the GIS Geomorphic Slope, layer. Where polygons overlapped or were
contiguous, the High - Susceptibility areas were added to the Riparian Reserve4reas. The
rationale was that, if contiguous High- Susoeptibility areas failed, they would likely deliver
sediment to the stream.
2) Overlaying the Mass Wasting layerJUS) over the Riparian Reserve layer. Where polygons
overlapped or were contiguous, the areas of Mass Wasting features were added to the
Riparian Reserve layer. The same rationale was followed as with the high- Susceptibility.
areas.
The Slope Morphology Model (See Water Module "Slope Morphology" pp. 52 -54) primarily
highlights areas susceptible to "shallow- rapid" failures. Most of the areas that are of
consequence to the streams were delineated by the initial Riparian Reserves areas. However,
some of the failures — and some of the initiation areas of failures — did not fall within the
Riparian Reserves. In those cases, the mapped mass wasting (Map 3) was used to enlarge the.
Riparian Reserves:
The mass wasting features were mapped using aerial photo interpretation. No field work was
done for the purpose of this Watershed Analysis.
a
Riparian Reserve Map :: a
The National Forest Riparian Reserve arras have been mapped (Map 14). This map identifies Riparian..
Reserve areas on the National Forest according to the NWFP, based on available GIS Infofmation '
including: fish utilization, unstable areas and wetlands. If the stream is considered fish bearing, a buffer
zone of 2 site potential trees was designated; one site potential tree was used for non -fish bearing,
perennial and intermittent streams. The average site potential tree of 190 feet for the Olympic National
Forest was used in determining Riparian Reserves. Two site potential trees determined riparian reserve
width around lakes and ponds. On the map, wetlands greater than I acre have a one site potential tree
buffer. All wetlands less than I acre and unstable areas are included as a riparian reserve, but have no
external buffer zone. They will likely lie buffered to at least a small degree during project activities.
Map 14 highlights the general Riparian Reserve. For project development, site- specific
identification should be completed on the ground.
Identification of Riparian Boundaries in the Field
Boundaries are to be identified in the field during site -level analysis. The following list is not inclusive
but should serve to highlight some of the steps in identification.
In the absence of precise site potential data, occurrence and distribution of plant associations should
be identified in the field, and the plant association group site curves applied for site potential tree
height. If the PAG for the site does not have available Site Potential Tree Heights, then use the
Olympic National Forest average of 190 feet.
106
I
• Locate boundaries of unstable slopes and mass wasting features as mapped from aerial photo
interpretation.
• Use slope breaks as a starting point for boundaries and fiuther refine with local observations on slope
instability or potential for instability and wind -throw risk
• Locate all perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams. Use Iocal knowledge, stream survey data,
and locally significant aquatic habitats. Look for a defined channel, riparian vegetation, signs of
vegetation that are laid down slope from water flow, deposition of sediment and intermittently
exposed soil pipes as indicators of these seasonal or infrequcady flowing streams.
• Locate wetlands, ponds, reservoirs, and seeps. Identify the hydrologic network between wetlands
when they are in close proximity.
• Apply the widest width according to this priority: slope stability, then site tree potential measured by
slope distance.
• Incorporate inner gorge or canyon walls into Riparian Reserves on the basis of unstable and
potentially unstable land with direct effects to channels (both sediment and wood delivery).
Intermittent Streams
One of the functions of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy described in the NWFP (p: B -9) is to protect
headwater riparian areas, so that when debris slides and flows. occur, these areas contain coarse woody
debris and boulders necessary for creating habitat farther downstream._ Some of these headwater riparian
areas are intermittent streams. Although intermittent streams are wetted for only part of the year, they
contribute both biologically and .physically to .the watershed By storing large volumes of hill slope
materials, intermittent channels strongly influence, and provide biological products to, downstream
ecosystems by controlling the input of sediment, water, woody debris, and nutrients to the rest of the
channel system. Perennial channels depend on the seasonal delivery of nutrients from intermittent
streams. Intermittent channels may also be susceptrble,to, gully formation and debris flow erosion, which
may create areas of considerable potential instability.
Fish are not expected to be found in intermittent streams in the upper watershed. This is due to high
elevation, steep stream reaches, and highly turbulent water.. No fish have been found to date in those
intermittent streams on National Forest lands. Intermittent streams, supporting fewer predators than
perennial streams, may be seasonally important nursery areas for amphibians.
Riparian zones along intermittent streams are important travel corridors for wildlife, - providing protective
cover for small mammals, birds, mollusks, amphibians and arthropods. Many of these species seasonally
rely upon this habitat for meeting various life history needs. Riparian zones along intermittent streams
may provide refugia for recolonizing up slope areas that have been clearcut or burned. Riparian zones
between upslope springs and the channel, even if they do not directly connect, may also facilitate
movement of wildlife between the two. The riparian vegetation and higher moisture content influences
fire behavior, and subsequently, the patchiness of large burns.
Not all existing intermittent channels in the watershed have been identified and mapped. Field
identification of channels is necessary for site -level planning.
107
Wetlands
The watershed analysis area contains a number of rich and valuable wetland resources, contributing to the
health and diversity of the watershed (Nelson et. al., 1992). These wetlands are mapped{See Map 2)
based on the National'Wetlands Inventory.
Them are also a number of forested wetlands that have never
been napped. Field identification is neocssary for site -level- larmigg;
Re,�torafloa and Habitat Condition -improvement
GeneiJ- Analysis Area Recommendations,
Plantations should be thinned when they become overstocked to encourage growth and size development
of trdes. : Overstocked mid-seralstands -could be thinned to promote development of the understory for
eventual release.
When anareaIas,hadve9MtiQn zcmoved _Fv�gt, it should reforested As•soon as
, ..,:by catastrophic be
possible. If riparian corridors and wetland buffers need to be reforested, they would benefit with a mixture
of fast - growing deciduous species and longer term conifer species for shade and to protect the
strearn/WeSmcL
Alder in young stands or early seral) should be managed to prevent it from out - competing the coniferous
trees. Alder presence should remain in the stands to provide nitrogen and species diversity.
Arm that contain - the fungus that causes laminated mot rot should be managed to minimize damage to
forest stands by'Ororhoting tolerant or immune spemes where the disease is found.
Co" woody debris and, snags arelow in numbers within managed stands. These need to be increased:'
Therefore, retain snags and id4oWn wood 'within managed areas where possible and create snags and
cavities in 53 1 i; yea . r old CEg and OM in adjace4t to
stand 'that have depleted numbers, especially areas
young plantations and stands providing hWitat to-lawsuooessional forest species..
Areas with large diameter remnant trees and snag's sho6id be projected to retain late-succeWonal
attributes for dependent species.
If such stands are managed, protect individual remnant trees and snags in order to provide habitat for late-
' _ ,
successio fial species more quickly after management.
Ensure forested b6ffers along streams and around wetlands to provide sufficient shade, habitat cover and
resistance to blowdown. Restore wetland vegetation through planting of native species and removal of
non-native invasive species. Protect forested wetlands with regard to vegetation complexity and
hydrology, including water quality/quantity.
Provide patches of deciduous habitat along stream habitats and/br retain a portion of existing deciduous
upland habitat for nootropical migratory birds and other deciduous forest users.
Promote fidure long-term recruitment of largd woody debris in riparian areas through planting conifers,
concentrating in source areas of depositional reaches and also the lower extents of transport reaches.
Densely stocked riparian areas should be thinned to encourage development of large diameter trees.
Some stands in LSR should be managed to develop late - successional - forest characteristics more rapidly
than naturally occurring. First priority for this management should be given to stands near owl/murrelet
occupied sites. Second priority will be given to stands adjacent to suitable habitat, or connecting areas of
suitable habitat together to create corridors.
108
4
If elk use of the agricultural and "urban" areas of the lowlands is a concern, develop small areas of quality
forage in forested areas within the herd's historic (or traditional) range. This may include
developing/augmenting understory in second growth forests and/or creating small openings containing
forage species.
In order to meet AMA and LSR objectives, wildfire must be minimized.
Large woody debris within stream channels should not be removed If an inventory indicates LWD
deficiencies, the addition of logs should be considered.
Use the Watershed Inventory (WIN) and Access and Travel Management (ATM) to identify road
stabilization and watershed restoration opportunities. This would be consistent with the Standards and
Guidelines in the Olympic National Forest Plan. Sites that are management related, exhibiting a
worsening or unchanging trend, are in a subwatershed with a- sigh square mile average of road density, or
pose a high to moderate risk to fish habitat, should. be a priority for road decommissioning or stabilization
work.
Conduct a culvert inventory, followed by relocating and/or reducing spacing of ditch relief culverts and
constructing water bars to help reduce sedimentation. As needed, upgrade culverts in both size and
number to provide adequate drainage for 100 -year floods and fish passage_ Also constructing water bars
can help reduce sedimentation (most applicable to Rocky Brook).
Survey and where needed, do sidemst pullback, especially in Riparian Reserve zones.. This will help
address slope stability and sediment production from roads.
Plantations 25 -30 years in age should be pruned as needed to improve wood quality, increase light to
promote development of the understory, and reduce dead branches that can become fire ladders.
CES and URS stands (30 to 70 years old) can be fertilized, in stands that have low enough stocking to
respond, to promote growth. This will produce larger, more valuable trees in a shorter amount of time
This area is well used by individuals with permits for special forest products. Thinned stands can promote
understory growth that is desired for many uses, and other products can be researched and promoted .
through resource management: Creating favorable conditions for spacial forest products development and
harvest should be promoted
While a comprehensive treatment of effects to the lower systems, off the National Forest, are beyond the
scope of this analysis, a few hypotheses are listed below:
1. Riparian vegetative condition relates directly to stream condition/health especially in lower
systems.
2. Buffer unstable upper slopes from ground -disturbing activities and stabilize existing sites.
3. The river should not be constricted by dikes or other means.
4. Future bridge design should not encumber river flow or process.
Specific Recommendations
• Another nice addition to the family recreation experience would be another easy interpretive trail. At
approximately (road) mile 9.3 is the fourth of four Forest Service constructed overwintering ponds.
There is an ideal opportunity to interpret dynamic floodplain ecology between this area and the old
Steelhead Campground area. An Environmental Assessment and Interpretive plan have already been
written for this project and can provide sufficient background.
109
Rocky Brook
Consider decommissioning the 2850 -051 road, which is heavily rutted and no longer drivable.
Survey Mt. Crag for peregrine faloon nesting. U signs of use are observed, manage the site to protect
suitable nesting and foraging habitat.
Prioritize culvert blockage projects in RoekyZrook-for future blockage elimination.
Dosewallips
Conduct a geotechnicad investigation to improve the drainage at Case Creek to prevent annual damage to
the road This Creek is the down slope - extent of a large converging headwater area and the source cannot
be stabilized A suggestion would be to reestablish the natural channel downward on the path of least
'resistance, and also mum the - existing altered channel, Install :an engineered, stream/road intersection
that will accommodate the 100 year flood plus debris discharges from this drainage.
The toilets at Elkhorn campground may be impaling water quality and should be checked and possibly
upgraded to protect watet quality.
The Elkhorn campground has two sites, #1 and #2 which have been impacted by the Dosewallips River.
The stability and safety of the other sites appears fair. The rest of the campground is protected by a rip
rap embankment for most of its length. This upper area appears stable, although it appears to be within
the flood plain of a 100 year event. This campground evaluation should be addressed in an
Environmental Assessment to meet the Aquatto Conservation Strategy. The bank appears stable except
for the lower portion consisting of sites l and 2 and.riprap undercutting occurring near site 11. Affected,
camp sites along the river should.be considered for moving to a higher location.. Analyze the-effects of
relocating all streambank-campsites in the Elkhorn Campground to a higher terrace .
Analyze altering Trip rap along Elkhorn Campground in areas without mature vegetation to providg.some .
fish habitat diversity for feeding and holding.
Analyze the opportunity to provide Environmental Interpretation at Elkhorn Campground to educate the
public about the importance of managing for aquatic resources, thereby explaining why the campsites
were removed and the rip rap modified. A trail would also concentrate the use along the bank in order to
give the vegetative restoration effort a better chance at success. This project would foster education,
understanding, watershed restoration ideals, and still make accessible the waterfront for campers. Short,
easy established hikes do not exist in the Dosewallips Valley except at the state park at the estuary, and the
National park at the end of the road; this would be a nice addition.
There is not sufficient data to determine need for toilets at the trailhead for trail 841 (the Dosewallips side
of the Tunnel Creek trail). This is a very difficult, steep trail and not well used. At the end of summer
1998, orgy 124 people had used the trail during the year. Tate old Steelhead Campground has become a
dispersed recreation site and the toilets have been removed. This is a high use dispersed area and
probably has a higher need for toilets than the trailhead. An analysis of the impact to water quality and
the dispersed recreation site is required to determine the need and the best place to install toilets.
There are no moderate trails. within the Dosewallips for day hikes, except with n'the National Park on
trails to the back country.' One potential opportunity is to build an interpretative trail near Gamm Cr.
This is level ground with a number of interpretative options. Other trail opportunities may also exist.
110
1 �
J
� t
-�. Five culverts have been identified as resident fish barriers in the Rocky Brook drainage. Along the 2830
road in section 17, 18NE (2 sites), and 13NW. One site exists on the 2830 -020 in sec 17NW. It is
recommended that the barriers be eliminated.
Jackson Peek and Marble Creek
The Forest Service 2630 road in Jackson Creek and the 2620 -030 road in Marble Creek have had failures.
They should both have culvert inventories and culvert replacements if necessary . There are also slides
that continually block the ditches and cause fill failures Because of this, there should be a geotechnical
investigation and inventory of the roads for bioengineering projects, hydroseeding of the cutbanks, or
more technical approaches to control sloughing and failures
Information Needs
Continue long -term research that has been established within the Dosewallips drainage. Do not
compromise research values for commercial timber harvest.
Determine water quality degradation at the old Steelhead campground siteltrailhead from the lack of
toilets and evaluate options to determine best solution if a problem is detected...
Complete a fish habitat survey of the watershed
Monitor any modifications to channel characteristics. .
References
Henderson, J.A., D.H. Peter, R.D..Lesher,. D.6' Shaw. 1989. Forested plant associations of the Olympic
National Forest.. USDA Forest Service, Technical Paper 001 -88. 502 pp.
USDA. 1990. Land and Resource ManagementTlan,.Olympic National Forest - USDA Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Region, Olympia, WA.
USDA and USDI. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and
Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late - Successional and Old- Growth Forest Related Species
within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. 100+ pages.
111
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