The following scenarios have been developed to demonstrate the variety of ways in which the NOAA Fisheries Russian River Watershed GIS can assist in the evaluation of those factors limiting the recovery of endangered salmonids. The Russian River Watershed GIS does not lead the user to any particular conclusion, but has instead been developed to provide the user with the data to perform analyses that they feel are relevant and supportable.

SCENARIO ONE: (view the related maps)
Land Use and Riparian Habitat Change Over Time – Main Stem Russian River

Limiting Factors: riparian cover, large woody debris potential, corridor structure, and riparian habitat extent.

Context: An agency would like to assess land use changes over time to evaluate impacts to the riparian corridor.

Question/Analysis: What have been the major land use and land cover trends for the alluvial reaches of the main stem in the last sixty years? What are the current dominant land uses? What is the current composition and quality of the riparian zone?

RRGIS Data Layers: SCC/CRP Russian River Resource Enhancement Plan data, DWR/CRP Riparian Habitat data

Potential Uses of Analysis: Prioritization of conservation and restoration sites based on riparian corridor width and quality. Development of restoration costs based on current land use (e.g., vineyard/urban). Landowner outreach to encourage maintaining and restoring riparian habitat.

SCENARIO TWO: (view the related map)
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Riparian Habitat Quality, In-Stream Temperature and Large Woody Debris (LWD) Recruitment Potential

Limiting Factors: high temperature (+68F), pool number/depth, pool shelter, LWD recruitment

Context: An agency wishes to evaluate salmonid bearing streams for conservation easements and/or riparian corridor expansion/restoration with private landowners.

Question/Analysis: Which streams have unsuitably high summer temperatures and inadequate pool number/quality? How does the quality of the riparian habitat in the alluvial areas correlate with temperature and pool/LWD recruitment problems?

RRGIS Data Layers: CDFG Salmonid Habitat data, MCWA/CRP Upper Russian River Aggregate Resource Management Plan, USGS DOQQ’s

Potential Uses of Analysis: Identification of intact riparian areas with large trees for preservation via a conservation easement. Landowner outreach to encourage voluntarily expansions of the riparian corridor and re-establish mature riparian habitat. The data in the RRGIS may also provide guidance for additional research.

SCENARIO THREE: (view the related map)
Evaluation of Stream Embeddedness in Relation to Watershed Features

Limiting Factors: embeddedness of spawning gravels

Context: An agency such as NOAA Fisheries or CDFG is interested in assessing tributary watersheds based on the limiting factor of stream embeddedness.

Question/Analysis: Which streams have unsuitable levels of embeddedness, and what upslope factors may be contributing to this problem?

RRGIS Data Layers: CDFG Salmonid Habitat data, DMG Landslide Potential data, UC Davis Highly Erodable Watersheds, USGS DOQQ’s.

Potential Uses of Analysis: policy and management decisions regarding road development, prioritization of up-slope erosion control efforts, guidance of additional data gathering regarding erosion and roads

SCENARIO FOUR: (view the related map)
Evaluation of Water Quality Issues

Limiting Factors: dissolved oxygen, turbidity, non-point source pollutants, riparian habitat quality

Context: An agency wants to evaluate the correlation between land use, riparian corridor width/quality and in-stream water quality.

Question/Analysis: What land use or habitat condition may be contributing to a high level of non-point source pollution? What are the effects of water quality on habitat condition? How might invasive species degrade existing high quality habitat?

RRGIS Data Layers: NCRWQCB Water Quality data, SCC/CRP Russian River Resource Enhancement Plan data, SCWA/CRP Giant Reed data, DWR/CRP Riparian Habitat data

Potential Uses of Analysis: Evaluate correlation between riparian corridor width and nitrate level, or incidence of giant reed populations and nitrate level. Examination of temporal and spatial patterns in water quality in relation to riparian habitat.

SCENARIO FIVE: (No associated map)
Detailed Restoration Planning: Armstrong Redwoods State Park

Limiting Factors: fish passage, sediment, LWD, riparian cover

Context: Managers have selected an area of riparian corridor with redwood forest for extensive restoration, enhancement and conservation. The importance of the resource requires a detailed assessment, as well as monitoring restoration efforts.

Question/Analysis: How does the removal of weirs affect riparian condition over time? Should forest management practices be applied to maintain redwood forest health? Where should public paths and facilities be located to minimize impacts. What data already exist to support planning efforts?

RRGIS Data Layers: State Parks/CRP Armstrong Redwoods State Park Assessment

Potential Uses of Analysis: Detailed planning for prescribing and implementing restoration treatments. Establishing experimental design to test success of treatments. Baseline data for restoration monitoring.