Riparian condition assessments for the Pecos River and lower Glorieta Creek: Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico
Wagner J and Martin M. 2011. Riparian condition assessments for the Pecos River and lower Glorieta Creek: Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/WRD/NRR—2011/422. National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report presents the results of riparian condition assessments conducted during July 6-8, 2010 on the Pecos River and lower Glorieta Creek within Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico. These assessments were intended to inform the Natural Resource Condition Assessment and the Resource Stewardship Strategy now being prepared for the park. We used methods described in “A User Guide to Assessing the Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas” (USDI 1998) to evaluate 17 hydrology, vegetation, soil and geomorphology elements for three assessment reaches on the Pecos River and one reach on lower Glorieta Creek. We then rated the reaches as being in “proper functioning,” “functional at-risk” or “nonfunctional” condition. Riparian condition checklists and supporting notes prepared for all assessment reaches are provided in the appendices. All three Pecos River reaches are in “proper functioning condition” (highest possible rating). However, the lower Glorieta Creek reach was rated “functional – at risk with a downward trend” due to the man-made levee adjacent to the stream channel. The levee constrains the channel to an artificially narrow corridor, which limits the potential size, structural complexity, and habitat value of this riparian system. In addition, flood flows have the potential to erode through the levee and deposit excessive sediment into the newly restored wetlands east and north of the levee, and into downstream aquatic habitats. We strongly recommend removal of the remaining levee to complete the lower Glorieta Creek restoration (i.e., connect the restored riparian-wetland area to the stream corridor), allow the riparian system to reach its full potential for habitat size, diversity, and quality, and eliminate the threat of excessive sediment deposition in aquatic systems.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Wagner, Joel; Martin, Michael
- Date of Issue
- 2011-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
- Units
- NRSS , PECO
- Keywords
- Assessment, Condition, Geomorphology, Glorieta Creek, Pecos RIver, PFC, proper functioning condition, Riparian, Vegetation, Wetland