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Sensitive Amphibian Information in KRIS Big River

February 10, 2000

TO: Department of Fish and Game
Central Coast Region
Noyo River Watershed Files

FROM: Rick Macedo, Department of Fish and Game

SUBJECT: Abbreviated Electrofishing Survey and Watercourse Classification of Unnamed Tributary to the North Fork of the South Fork Noyo River; Downstream of the Brandon Gulch / North Fork of the South Fork Noyo River Confluence; Brandon Gulch 2000 THP; Jackson Demonstration State Forest, Mendocino County

On February 9, 2000, Mr. Jon Ambrose of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Mr. Marc Jameson of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and I conducted an abbreviated electrofishing survey in an unnamed tributary to the North Fork of the South Fork Noyo River in Mendocino County. The purpose of this survey was to determine watercourse classification in accordance with the California Forest Practice Rules. The unnamed tributary is adjacent to the western boundary of the Brandon Gulch 2000 Timber Harvest Plan (THP # 1-99483 MEN).

At approximately 1200 hours, we began the survey of the unnamed tributary at its confluence with the North Fork of the South Fork Noyo River [Map Point A (lat 39*24'10.36 N, long 123040'59.66W)]. At approximately 1300 hours we terminated the survey at the approximated location identified as Map Point B (lat 39024'29.00, long 123 *4 I'l 1.95W). Total channel distance covered was estimated at 670 meters. Toposcout (Maptech) mapping software was used to derive the location information noted above.

The survey consisted of walking upstream within the watercourse channel or along the adjacent bank. We evaluated bedrock ledges and log/rock jams for barriers to anadromous fish and conducted electrofishing at selected sites to determine presence of fish and other aquatic vertebrates. A Smith-Root Model 12 Electrofisher was used during the survey. The Electrofisher was set at P- 16; 200 volts during the entire survey.

At Map Point A, a salmonid, thought to be a I+ steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), was temporary immobilized. Having confirmed the presence of fish in the lower-most reach, electrofishing was discontinued until a rock ledge was encountered. At present flows, this structure may be a barrier to upstream migration; however under high flows I believe adult steelhead would be able to swim over it and gain access to upstream reaches. Electrofishing was resumed immediately upstream of the rock ledge and continued at selected sites up to Map Point B. No other fish were observed upstream of the first rock ledge; however numerous (100+) tailed frog tadpoles (Ascaphus truei) were observed from the first rock ledge upstream to Map Point B. Several additional in-channel obstructions were observed during the survey. Obstructions were composed of both bedrock-type features and large woody debris or a combination of rock and large woody debris. In my opinion, no single feature would be a complete barrier to adult steelhead during optimum flow conditions. Therefore, the unnamed tributary should be classified as a Class I or restorable Class I watercourse. The Class I designation should extend upstream to the THP boundary or to a point where in-channel features or other watercourse attributes definitively prohibit use by fish as per the California Forest Practice Rules.

The unnamed watercourse appeared to be moderately unstable, had a moderate to good concentration of large woody debris and had a highly embedded substrate. As with many streams in the Mendocino County, the watercourse appears to be recovering from past logging practices. We observed several recent erosion points along the banks of the watercourse. Ongoing sediment transport and the evolving development of an appropriate meander pattern are reasons for the bank erosion. Existing large woody debris was storing and metering sediment and, in some cases, these storage points were sites of potential fish migration barriers. The highly embedded nature of the substrate did not appear accommodating for tailed frogs. This tributary, however, may maintain cool temperatures throughout summer periods, thereby providing tailed frogs with viable habitat irrespective of poor substrate quality.

Questions or comments regarding this report can be transmitted to me via telephone, email, or mail at: (707) 928-4369; rmacedo@dfg.ca.gov; or P.O. Box 47, Yountville, CA 94599.



Rick Macedo Environmental Specialist Central Coast Region

Attachment: (Map on Reverse Side of Page 1) (220K)

cc: M. Jameson, B. Valentine (CDF - Santa Rosa)

J. Ambrose (NMFS - Santa Rosa)

C. Wilcox, S. Rae, R. Fitzgerald, S. Cannata, S. Harris, D. Albin (CCR)

G. Neillands, (NCNCR - Ft. Bragg)

CNDDB (Sacramento)

RAM/ram