Photo Database Series Watershed Tour: Elk River Riparian Conditions

Click on any thumbnail to see a larger photo. For detailed information on these photos click here.

  23 KB
The image above is the vegetation map of the Elk River from a 1994 Landsat image showing only a 90 meter (270 foot) wide buffer on all streams. Most of the streams show the spectral signature of small trees, shrub/tree mix, shrubs and grass. Only in the Headwaters Forest at the southern end of the watershed is there a substantial large tree canopy on both sides of the stream.

  304 KB
This photograph shows a debris slide in the upper Elk River drainage. The large riparian trees that were not harvested at the base of the hill may prevent some of the sediment from being delivered to the stream. Photo courtesy of the Humboldt Watershed Council.

  117 KB
Headwaters Forest spans portions of the Salmon Creek and Little South Fork Elk River watersheds. The stream course in old growth forests is difficult to discern because the large trees encroach closely. The depression at the left of the photo is the Little South Fork Elk River headwaters. This aerial photograph provided courtesy of Doug Thron and Project Lighthawk. Copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography.

  124 KB
This photograph is of the source of the Little South Fork Elk River in Headwaters Forest. Understory vegetation surrounding streams in mature forests help to filter sediment. Photo courtesy of and copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography. This photo was taken from the stream channel of the upper Little South Fork Elk River and shows a multi-tiered canopy of redwoods and other conifers. The microclimate under these trees remains cool and humid over the stream. This helps to keep it within the optimal range for tailed frogs, southern torrent salamanders and coho salmon. Photo courtesy of and copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography.

  132 KB
This photo was taken from the stream channel of the upper Little South Fork Elk River and shows a multi-tiered canopy of redwoods and other conifers. The microclimate under these trees remains cool and humid over the stream. This helps to keep it within the optimal range for tailed frogs, southern torrent salamanders and coho salmon. Photo courtesy of and copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography. Fall 1992.

  136 KB
These trees in the riparian zone of the upper Little South Fork Elk River were cut by Elk River Timber Company as part of a 1996 timber harvest. Photo courtesy of and copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography. February 1997. The photograph above shows a recent timber harvest in the upper North Fork Elk River. The green depressions in the landscape are intermittent stream channels that have no riparian protection which decreases filter capacity. The roads and tractor trails adjacent to the stream course provide a substantial source of fine sediment. Photo courtesy of and copyright by Doug Thron Nature Photography.


 

www.krisweb.com