Upper Columbia Basin Network Stream Channel Characteristics Monitoring Protocol: Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.2 (Appendix A to Narrative version 1.2)

Starkey, Eric; Archer, Eric; Dicus, Gordon; Irvine, Kathryn; Rodhouse, Thomas; Sherrill, Kirk

This protocol details the why, where, how, and when of the UCBN’s stream channel characteristics monitoring program. As recommended by Oakley et al. (2003), it consists of a protocol narrative and a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs), which detail the steps required to collect, manage, and disseminate the data representing the status and trend of stream channel parameters in the network. These data in combination with other vital signs monitoring, in particular riparian vegetation condition and water quality, will provide a context for the interpretation of status and trends in stream condition. This monitoring protocol is comprised of methods developed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) - PACFISH/INFISH Biological Opinion Effectiveness Monitoring Program (PIBO). The sampling design found in the PIBO Stream Channel Attributes protocol has been extensively evaluated by the PIBO program in a number of publications (Roper et al. 2002, 2010, Archer et al. 2004, Whitacre et al. 2007) and by more than 10 years of field work (Archer et al. 2008). Kershner et al. (2004b) provides a more detailed description of the PIBO objectives, study design, and methods. PIBO also uses a riparian condition protocol that is integrated with stream channel monitoring (Leary and Ebertowski 2010) and the UCBN has adopted this as well (Starkey et al. 2011), thus ensuring a full complement of stream and riparian information will be available for each sampled stream in the UCBN over time. The UCBN will contract with the USFS PIBO program annually to implement the PIBO stream channel protocol and collect data in UCBN parks. The intent of this protocol is to provide the written documentation required by the Pacific West Region (PWR) and the National Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program for NPS protocols. We have incorporated the USFS-PIBO program details and documentation to meet NPS standards. The general roles and responsibilities for completion of stream channel monitoring in the UCBN are show on the following page and described in more detail in the Roles and Responsibilities section of this document. This protocol is a “living” document in the sense that it will be updated as new information acquired through monitoring and evaluation leads to a refinement of program objectives and methodologies. Changes to the protocol are carefully documented in a revision history log. The intent of this protocol is to ensure that a seamless and scientifically credible story about the status and trends in stream channel characteristics can be told to park visitors and managers alike. The next few years of monitoring results are eagerly awaited, as outstanding questions related to site variability, inter-annual variability, and the current stream channel condition can finally be described. From there, the focus will shift toward trend analysis, in which meaningful changes in stream channel characteristics will be detected, and appropriate management strategies can be developed.

Upper Columbia Basin Network Stream Channel Characteristics Monitoring Protocol: Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.2 (Appendix A to Narrative version 1.2)

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