| Area |
Rancheria Creek |
| Topic |
Tour: Rancheria Creek Riparian Conditions 1995 |
Click on image to enlarge (41K). Click here to display a larger version (166K).This photo shows Rancheria Creek below Ham Canyon open to the mid-day sun and very subject to warming. The riparian zone is comprised mostly of young hardwoods and conifers with no large diameter conifers present to provide a large wood supply or thermal buffering for the creek. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (129K).This photo shows the depleted condition of the riparian zone along Rancheria Creek. The lone, stream-side conifer provides some shade to the creek but the lack of overstory and a mature buffer facilitate stream warming. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (144K).Rancheria Creek rounds a bend in the canyon below Ham Canyon Creek. Inner gorge landslide scars are evident at the center of the photo and below. Young hardwoods and conifers make up both the upland forest and riparian. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (135K).Large conifer leaning out over Rancheria Creek is likely to fall into the stream and to provide diversity to the stream from a fish habitat perspective. Note the height of leave trees immediately adjacent to the stream versus the height of much smaller trees just back in the riparian zone indicating active logging. The reduction of the overstory back from the stream can alter the microclimate (see Info Links). Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (41K). Click here to display a larger version (167K).The stump in the foreground of the photo indicates post WW II logging in the riparian zone of Rancheria Creek, with hardwoods now comprising what remains. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (117K).This photo of Rancheria Creek shows a young mixed conifer and hardwood. The landslide at left is still actively contributing sediment to the stream but is likely related to a much earlier era of disturbance. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
Click on image to enlarge (127K).Young man stands in the middle of Rancheria Creek using a solar densiometer to measure the percent canopy over the stream. Photo by Pat Higgins, June 1995.
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Click on image to enlarge (41K). Click here to display a larger version (166K).
Click on image to enlarge (129K).
Click on image to enlarge (144K).
Click on image to enlarge (135K).
Click on image to enlarge (41K). Click here to display a larger version (167K).
Click on image to enlarge (117K).
Click on image to enlarge (127K).
