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KRIS Web Background Pages: Urbanization
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The
Lower Noyo River and upper estuary at the third flat. The GP bridge is to
the right and the Highway 1 bridge is in the distance. This photo shows
the spreading urbanization of Fort Bragg. As paved areas increase, pulses
of non-point source pollution could be discharged into the lower Noyo River
and estuary. November 1998. Photo by Rixanne Wehren |
The lower Noyo River and its estuary may be impacted by urbanization of Fort Bragg but there is very little data available on the lower river that would allow detection. The development of the harbor facilities may also impair ecological function of the stream. KRIS Noyo has an excellent series of aerial photos that help one see spatial relationships of development and the river. Data imported into KRIS from the Eel River shows that urbanization may have the greatest potential impact on aquatic systems of any land use activity in the region.
The EPT Index for Eel River tributaries (Friedrichsen, 1998) shows a diverse community of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies in Redwood (SF Eel) and Williams (MF Eel) creeks. The low EPT score for Bechtel, Broaddus, Francis, Howe and Williams (lower Eel) creeks is indicative of highly impacted aquatic ecosystems. The problems for invertebrates in Broaddus and Bechtel creeks, tributaries to Outlet Creek, is the urbanization of the Willits area. Other streams with high impact scores (<15 taxa) are affected by sediment, although Francis Creek also has urban impacts from the city of Ferndale.
References
Friedrichsen, G. 1998. Eel River Water Quality Monitoring Project. Final Report. Submitted to State Water Quality Control Board, for 205(J) Contract #5-029-250-2. Submitted by Humboldt County Resources Conservation District. 76 pp
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