Condition Assessment for the Pleasant Creek and Oak Creek Riparian Systems in Capitol Reef National Park
Martin M, Wagner J, Taliga C. 2015. Condition Assessment for the Pleasant Creek and Oak Creek Riparian Systems in Capitol Reef National Park. National Park Service - Water Resources Division. Fort Collins, CO
The authors assessed the functional condition of the Pleasant Creek and Oak Creek riparian systems within Capitol Reef National Park. The park’s intent was to use the assessment results to support development of a Grazing Management Plan. We performed our assessments using the methods described in “A User Guide to Assessing the Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas” (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998). Our findings indicate that the Pleasant Creek riparian system is in “Proper Functioning Condition,” the highest of three possible ratings. Conversely, our assessment showed that the Oak Creek riparian system is in “Non-Functional” condition, primarily due to the poor condition of riparian-wetland vegetation and a degraded channel/floodplain form along much of the creek. This report documents the factors that led to our assignment of these condition ratings for Oak and Pleasant Creeks.
- Type
- Technical Assistance Report
- Authors
- Martin, Mike; Wagner, Joel; Taliga, Christine
- Date of Issue
- 2015-05-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service - Water Resources Division
- Units
- CARE , WRD
- Keywords
- assessment, Capitol Reef National Park, condition, grazing, impact, livestock, Oak Creek, Pleasant Creek, proper functioning condition, riparian, wetland
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Stream/River Channel Characteristics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Wetland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Riparian Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Vegetation Complex , Ecological Framework: Human Use | Point-Source Human Effects | Point-Source Human Effects , Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Landscape Dynamics | Land Cover and Use