Step 4: Complete PFC assessment §17 questions about attributes and processes §Reminder – PFC based on: l Water (hydrology), l Vegetation, and l Soil & landform (erosion/deposition) §Checklist answers: Yes, No, or N/A (sometimes) §Not “Liner” §Notes for “No’s”, Many (all?) “Yes’s”, e g. species list

STANDARD CHECKLIST -- Hydrology YESNONA1) Floodplain above bankfull is inundated in “relatively frequent” events 2) Where beaver dams are present, they are active and stable X 3) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) 4) Riparian-wetland area is widening or has achieved potential extent X 5) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian-wetland degradation

Item #1: Floodplain inundation Floodplain l Level area near a stream channel l Constructed by the stream l In the present climate l Flooded during moderate & high flow events l Should not be confused with terraces (abandoned floodplains) (adapted from Leopold 1994) Abandoned floodplain or terrace Floodplain Channel Hill slope Valley flat

Floodplain – Geologic feature being formed by the river in its present condition and climate

Bankfull Concept Information Forest Service Stream Systems Technology Center (Stream Team) website for on-line training videos, can order CDs and DVDs: 1.Western U.S. 2.Northeastern U.S. (4 CDs) 3.Forested Streams Eastern U.S.

Bankfull Indicators (Moody et al. 2003, Odem and Moody 1999)  Build a case based on physical evidence  Series of depositional features at consistent elevations with similar substrate and veg components  Point bars at inside of meander bends,  Point bars often not well developed with low sinuosity,  Discontinuous alternating longitudinal bars parallel to the channel often most dependable indicator  Broad valley floors are almost always above bankfull Field Observations

Floods Terrace Bankfull

One year flow

1.) Floodplain above bankfull is inundated in “relatively frequent” events

2.) Where beaver dams are present they are active and stable

2) Where beaver dams are present, they are active and stable §Examples of visual indicators l Dam construction material l Dams keyed into streambanks l Breaches YesNoNA

3.) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region)

3) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region) §Examples of visual indicators l Aerial photos help with sinuosity

3.) Sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are in balance with the landscape setting (i.e., landform, geology, and bioclimatic region)

4.) Riparian zone is widening or has achieved potential extent.

§Examples of visual indicators l Riparian-wetland community types expanded to valley edge l Stream narrowed l Upland plants dying or dead l Depositions being captured 4) Riparian-wetland area is widening or has achieved potential extent YesNoNA

5.) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian-wetland degradation

5) Upland watershed is not contributing to riparian degradation Trapping Cr BC 1996 Belgo Cr BC 1996 YesNoNA YesNoNA