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Klamath Network Water Quality Report (Phase II)

Skull Cave, Lava Beds National Monument, 1968

Robert L. Hoffman1, Christopher R. Currens2 and Mary Ann Madej2

(USGS FRESC1, USGS WERC2)

With contributions from:

Bob Truitt, Laura Bridy, Andrew Duff, Sean B. Smith and Sid Covington

(Klamath Network Inventory and Monitoring Program)

On behalf of

The Water Quality Subgroup of the Klamath Network Science Advisory Committee:

Mark Buktenica, Crater Lake National Park

Louise Johnson, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Randy Klein, Redwood National Park

Mary Ann Madej, USGS Western Ecological Research Center

Brian Rasmussen, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Bob Truitt, Klamath Network (chairperson)

Ad hoc members:

Marie Denn, NPS Pacific West Region

Barry Long NPS Water Resources Division

Gary Rosenlieb, NPS Water Resources Division

October 2005

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Executive Summary

Introduction

Section 1: Overview of Klamath Network Aquatic Resources

Section 2: Locations of Active Monitoring Stations in the Klamath Network Region

Section 3: Past Inventory, Monitoring and Research Activities in the Klamath Network Park Units

• Crater Lake National Park

• Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Lava Beds National Monument

• Oregon Caves National Monument

• Redwood National and State Parks

• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Section 4: Water Quality Monitoring and Research Programs of Allied Agencies Relevant to Klamath Network Park Units

Section 5: Network-wide Scoping, Identification, and Prioritization of Vital Signs for Aquatic Resource Monitoring

A. Purpose, Need, and Approach

B. Vital Signs Scoping

C. Park-level Vital Signs Tables

D. Network-level Vital Signs Assessment

• Priority Aquatic Resource Monitoring Questions

• Aquatic Resource Vital Signs Categories

• Vital Signs Prioritization

• Monitoring Questions, Potential Indicators of Resource Stress, and Associated Monitoring Options

References Cited

Attachment I: Bibliography of KLMN Park Unit Aquatic Resources Inventory, Monitoring and Research Study Reports and Publications

Attachment II: Aquatic Resources and Water Quality Questionnaire

Attachment III: General Conceptual Models of Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems

List of Tables

Table 1: Klamath Network 303(d) listed impaired water bodies

Table 2: Daily Precipitation Monitoring Stations

Table 3: Hourly Precipitation Monitoring Stations

Table 4: Evaporation Monitoring Stations

Table 5: Air Temperature Monitoring Stations

Table 6: Drinking Water Intakes

Table 7: Stream Gaging Stations

Table 8: Highlights of Crater Lake monitoring and research activities, 1892-1984 (from Larson, 1987)

Table 9: Crater Lake and Intracaldera Springs Water Quality Parameters

Table 10: Beneficial Uses of Water within Redwood National and State Parks (NCRWQCB)

Table 11: Marine Inventory Needs at Redwood National and State Park

Table 12: Broad-scale Monitoring Questions and Potential Vital Signs for Water, a National Framework Level 1 Category

Table 13: Participants at the NPS Klamath Network Water Quality Vital Signs Scoping Meeting, Ashland, Oregon, December 1, 2004

Table 14: Crater Lake National Park Vital Signs Tables

Table 15: Lassen Volcanic National Park Vital Signs Tables

Table 16: Lava Beds National Monument Vital Signs Tables

Table 17: Oregon Caves National Monument Vital Signs Tables

Table 18: Redwood National and State Parks Vital Signs Table (FRESHWATER)

Table 19: Redwood National and State Parks Vital Signs Tables (MARINE)

Table 20: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Vital Signs Tables

Table 21: General Vital Signs Categories and Subcategories and their Applicability in each Klamath Network Park Unit

Table 22: General Vital Signs Categories and Subcategories and their Applicability in each Freshwater Resource-type in Klamath Network Park Units

Table 23: General Vital Signs Categories and Subcategories and their Applicability to Three General Types of Marine Resources in Redwood National and State Parks

Table 24: Priority Ratings for each of Five General Aquatic Resource Vital Signs Categories and Subcategories

List of Figures

Figure 1: Horseshoe Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Figure 2: Klamath Network Park Units

Figure 3: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Crater Lake National Park

Figure 4: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Lassen Volcanic National Park

Figure 5: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Lava Beds National Monument

Figure 6: Merrill Cave Ice Floor in (a) 1990 and (b) 1999

Figure 7: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Oregon Caves National Monument

Figure 8: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Redwood National and State Parks

Figure 9: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Executive Summary

The Klamath Network (KLMN) is one of 32 National Park Service (NPS) networks responsible for developing vital signs-based monitoring programs for managing the longterm ecosystem health of the nation’s parks. The park units of the Klamath Network are Crater Lake National Park (CRLA), Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO), Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA), Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS). National Park Service networks are required to formulate Vital Signs Monitoring Plans, consisting of three phases: Phase I compiles background information and data on network park unit resources and presents conceptual models for each park unit ecosystem; Phase II provides an augmented Phase I and the selection and prioritization of vital signs; and Phase III will include the entire scope of information in Phases I and II, as well as the monitoring objectives, sampling designs and protocols, and data management and analysis procedures of a long-term vital signs monitoring program. The Klamath Network Phase II Water Quality Report is intended to provide an overview of the previous water quality related inventory and monitoring work conducted in each of the network’s six park units and provide guidance in the direction of future monitoring objectives. The Phase II Report summarizes the activities undertaken to select vital signs to be used for monitoring the aquatic resources of Klamath Network park units.

The primary goal of the National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) Program is to assess and monitor the long-term ecological health of park units. Other benefits of the program include the ability to detect change in resource condition and evaluate resource responses to management actions. Moreover, the program aims to create baseline knowledge of the condition of park unit resources for use by park unit scientists and those in academia or the private sector, and to create an effective method for data management, analysis, and reporting. Through information and data sharing the program hopes to increase public awareness of park unit activities and resources. The I&M program first focuses on inventories of park unit resources to assess the ecological health of the park units. While many aquatic resource-related inventories have been conducted within the Klamath Network, some fundamental inventories have not been completed. Then, given basic inventory data, a monitoring plan will be created to collect broad-based scientifically sound information on the current status and long-term trends in the health, composition, structure, and function of park unit ecosystems.

The I&M program was created through the Natural Resource Challenge, a method of improving natural resource stewardship in national parks. The Natural Resource Challenge requires managers to know the status or condition of natural resources under their stewardship and monitor long-term trends in those resources to conserve them unimpaired for future generations. Moreover, vital signs monitoring achieves the Category 1 goals found in the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) which requires that federal agencies account for money spent by reporting on the results of their activities.

To better understand and organize the information currently available about the aquatic resources of each park unit, the Klamath Network contracted the US Geological Survey to (1) compile background information on the primary aquatic resources of each network park unit, including past and current monitoring efforts, and (2) draft the Phase II Report. To date, over 100 aquatic inventory and monitoring related projects have occurred within Klamath Network park units and surrounding public lands. These projects include information on aquatic biota (e.g. amphibians, fishes, macroinvertebrates), baseline water quality (e.g. chemical and physical parameters), hydrological/ geological resources (e.g. surface flow, groundwater, geothermal/hydrothermal, ice in ice caves), recreation effects, land use impacts, and watershed restoration.

The Klamath Network, under the guidance of the National I&M Program, undertook the process of creating conceptual ecological models to help identify proposed candidate vital signs for selection and prioritization. Conceptual models formalize understanding of natural processes and facilitate a cross-discipline dialogue between scientists and resource managers. In addition, conceptual models provide an understanding of the structure, function, and interconnectedness of park unit ecosystems, enabling the identification of vital signs for assessing ecosystem health. Models were developed for freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems found in Klamath Network park units. The conceptual modeling process also helped to identify many stressors that can potentially affect ecosystem components, patterns, and processes. Stressors, as defined by the I&M program, are forces of ecological change and can be of natural- or human-origin. The conceptual modeling process was particularly helpful in identifying proposed candidate vital signs that were not identified through other scoping processes.

The Klamath Network began in 1998 its scoping process to determine, or to prioritize, which vital signs the network should monitor. Initial park-specific Vital Signs Workshops were held between 1998 and 2003 to begin to identify stressors that potentially impact park unit ecosystems. These workshops were followed in 2004 by three network-wide workshops. The purpose of these workshops was to more specifically identify monitoring questions and vital signs associated with specific ecosystems and ecosystem categories (e.g., air, soil quality, hydrology, water quality, invasive species, etc.). The result of these workshops was the development of 172 monitoring questions and associated vital signs for the various park unit ecosystems. These monitoring questions and vital signs were sent out for review and prioritization by scientists/resource managers with research and management expertise related to park unit ecosystems; and two of the 10 most important network-wide vital signs monitoring questions identified were aquatic-resource focused. These two questions were: (1) what is the status and what are the trends of surface waters and pollutants; and (2) what is the status and what are the trends in structure, function and composition of locally limited (i.e., focal) aquatic communities?

The dominant theme during the initial identification of network-wide water quality issues was aquatic ecosystem health. The ability to (1) document improvement (or lack thereof) in the water quality of Clean Water Act section 303(d) listed impaired streams, and (2) the ability of park unit managers to document progress toward achieving GPRA goal 1.a4 (i.e., that parks have unimpaired water quality), underscored the importance of identifying a suite of vital signs useful for effective water quality assessment. The need to fully inventory aquatic resources and document baseline and reference water quality conditions also were identified as important objectives in the development of a vital signs-based long-term water quality monitoring program.

Detailed assessment and refinement of priority issues specific to Klamath Network water quality and the two aquatic resource-focused monitoring questions began in October 2004. The process was initiated by sending a questionnaire regarding aquatic resources and water quality to the Chief of Resources Management of each park unit. Park-specific information was sought in five basic categories: (1) identification of aquatic resources within park unit boundaries (i.e., marine, estuarine, lotic, lentic, palustrine, ice caves, and geothermal/ hydrothermal); (2) a list of water bodies of particular importance or interest to the park unit management; (3) a list of past and current water quality monitoring efforts; (4) a list of water resource management and/or land use issues that impact resources from either within or outside each park unit; and (5) qualification of the level of knowledge and experience of park unit staff in monitoring water quality. Questionnaire responses were summarized into preliminary park-specific Vital Signs Tables that included columns for: (1) Aquatic Resource; (2) Potential Resource Stressors; (3) Potential Indicators of Stress; (4) Potential Monitoring Options; and (5) Stressor Priority. The tables were reviewed and refined at an aquatic resources vital signs scoping session held in December 2004. Park unit staff identified the five most significant water quality resource management issues and aquatic resource stressors for each park unit (i.e., climate change, land use and non-recreational human impacts, introduced/invasive nonnative biota, visitor recreational activities, and atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants). In addition, the assessment process was instrumental for identifying indicators (or vital signs) of aquatic resource stress, relative to the five identified stressors, and potential monitoring options for quantifying ecosystem health and/or disturbance. The park-specific and network-level results of this process are discussed in detail on pages 57-85.

Figure 1: Horseshoe Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Introduction

The Klamath Network (KLMN) Water Quality Report is intended to provide a broad overview of aquatic resources at the network and park unit levels. Figure 1 is an example of one type of aquatic resource present in Klamath Network park units, and is representative of inland montane lakes within the network. The report begins with an overview of aquatic resources of the Klamath Network and includes identification of the locations of active monitoring stations in or near park units where various parameters (e.g., precipitation, evaporation, temperature, general water quality) are measured. This overview is followed by a general discussion of past and present water quality inventory, monitoring, and research activities in each park unit, a list of references associated with these activities, and a review of common (i.e., network-wide) water quality inventory, monitoring, and research themes related to these activities. Past and present monitoring and research programs of allied agencies in the KLMN region are then discussed followed by a detailed review of the Klamath Network Vital Signs Scoping Process and park-specific/network-level outcomes. The final section of the report presents park specific responses to the Aquatic Resources and Water Quality Questionnaire solicited from each park unit.

FIGURE 2: Klamath Network park units: Crater Lake National Park (CRLA), Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO), (Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA), Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS). LAVO, LABE, and ORCA are the park units that have been selected for the current baseline inventory.

Section 1: Overview of Klamath Network Aquatic Resources

The Klamath Network park units (Figure 2) occur in a rugged region of exceptional and complex climate, topography, and geology; and the aquatic resources within the network are very diverse. Crater Lake National Park (Crater Lake) is responsible for managing the clearest and seventh deepest (592 m, 1942 ft) caldera lake in the world. In addition, Crater Lake contains deep lake thermal areas, small ponds outside of the Mt. Mazama caldera, numerous streams and springs, and several important wetland areas. Lassen Volcanic National Park (Lassen) includes the largest concentration of freshwater lentic systems in the network, with over 250 ponds and lakes (many of which have never been inventoried), as well as several major stream drainages, geothermal areas, and sphagnum bogs along lake margins. Lava Beds National Monument (Lava Beds) has limited surface water, although Tule Lake and the Tule Lake Wildlife Refuge are present near the northern border of the Monument. Lava Beds does, however, have approximately 28 known ice caves that are an important source of water for wildlife and, historically, for humans. Oregon Caves National Monument (Oregon Caves) is a small unit with only one stream, Cave Creek. The creek flows through the main cave and wet meadows, and seeps are present in the upper canyon of the creek. Parts of Cave Creek are directly affected by visitors touring the cave. Redwood National and State Parks (Redwoods) have marine and freshwater aquatic resources. Marine resources include over 60 km (36 mi) of coastal marine habitat extending 0.4 km (0.25 mi) offshore and coastal estuaries and lagoons. Freshwater resources include Redwood and Mill Creeks and their watersheds, and slope fens and seeps. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (Whiskeytown) contains a large reservoir (Whiskeytown Lake) created by the damming of Clear Creek, as well as many perennial and intermittent tributary streams. Historically, mining was a common enterprise within WHIS and as a result acid mine drainage and mercury contamination are of major concern. WHIS also contains the only known global population of Howell’s alkali grass (Puccinellia howellii) which is restricted to a mesosaline fen in the park.

National Park Service Water Resources Division Baseline Water Quality Inventory

The baseline water quality inventory is part of a National Park Service Water Resources Division program to develop baseline water-quality information for key resources in National Park Service units throughout the United States. A Klamath Network baseline inventory is in progress (i.e., 2005) at Lava Beds, Lassen, and Oregon Caves. The inventory is being conducted by personnel from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center located in Arcata, California. The following parameters have been measured for all water bodies selected for the inventory during the first of two sampling seasons scheduled to begin in 2005: alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, temperature and discharge (where applicable). Additional parameters measured for select water bodies include fecal and total coliform, chloride, fluoride, nitrate and sulfate.

Outstanding Natural Resource Waters

There are no designated Outstanding Natural Resource Waters (ONRW) within the Klamath Network. Crater Lake National Park and network staff are, however, in the process of obtaining ONRW designation for Crater Lake from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has identified Redwoods as a State Water Quality Protection Area as designated by the California State Water Board. Also, there are several Redwoods marine areas designated as Areas of Special Biological Significance by the State of California. The coast off Redwoods is part of a California Marine Sanctuary, and Redwoods has a California State Lands Commission Submerged Lands Lease to conduct resource management activities.

Wild and Scenic Rivers in the Klamath Network Region

(All of the information contained in this subsection is from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers website: http://www.nps.gov/rivers/wildriverslist.html.

1. Eel River:

A. Designated Reach: January 19, 1981. From the mouth of the river to 100 yards below Van Ardsdale Dam. The Middle Fork from its confluence with the main stem to the southern boundary of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness Area. The South Fork from its confluence with the main stem to the Section Four Creek confluence. The North Fork from its confluence with the main stem to Old Gilman Ranch. The Van Duzen River from the confluence with the Eel River to Dinsmure Bridge.

B. Classification/Mileage: Wild – 156 km (97 mi); Scenic – 45 km (28 mi); Recreational – 440 km (273 mi); Total – 642 km (398 mi).

C. Managing Agencies: California Resources Agency, Bureau of Land Management; Six Rivers National Forest; Mendocino National Forest; Round Valley Reservation.

2. Klamath River:

A. Designated Reach: January 19, 1981. From the mouth to 1,097 m (3,600 ft) below Iron Gate Dam. The Salmon River from its confluence with the Klamath to the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Salmon River. The North Fork of the Salmon River from the Salmon River confluence to the southern boundary of the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area. The South Fork of the Salmon River from the Salmon River confluence to the Cecilville Bridge. The Scott River from its confluence with the Klamath to its confluence with Schackleford Creek. All of Wooley Creek.

B. Classification/Mileage: Wild – 19 km (12 mi); Scenic – 39 km (24 mi); Recreational – 403 km (250 mi); Total – 461 km (286 mi).

C. Managing Agencies: California Resources Agency; Yurok Tribe; Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation; Klamath National Forest; Bureau of Land Management.

3. Smith River:

A. Designated Reach: January 19, 1981 and November 16, 1990. The segment from the confluence of the Middle Fork Smith River and the North Fork Smith River to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. The Middle Fork from its the headwaters to its confluence with the North Fork Smith River, including Myrtle Creek, Shelly Creek, Kelly Creek, Packsaddle Creek, the East Fork of Patrick Creek, the West Fork Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Griffin Creek, Knopki Creek, Monkey Creek, Patrick Creek, and Hardscrabble Creek. The Siskiyou from its headwaters to its confluence with the Middle Fork, including the South Siskyou Fork of the Smith River. The South Fork from its headwaters to its confluence with the main stem, including Williams Creek, Eightmile Creek, Harrington Creek, Prescott Fork, Quartz Creek, Jones Creek, Hurdygurdy Creek, Gordon Creek, Coon Creek, Craigs Creek, Goose Creek, the East Fork of Goose Creek, Buch Creek, Muzzleloader Creek, Canthook Creek, Rock Creek, and Blackhawk Creek. The North Fork from the California-Oregon border to its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Smith River, including Diamond Creek, Bear Creek, Still Creek, the North Fork of Diamond Creek, High Plateau Creek, Stony Creek, and Peridotite Creek.

B. Classification/Mileage: Wild – 126 km (78 mi); Scenic – 50 km (31 mi); Recreational – 348 km (216 mi); Total – 524 km (325 mi).

C. Managing Agencies: California Resources Agency; Smith River National Recreation Area

4. Trinity River:

A. Designated Reach: January 19, 1981. From the confluence with the Klamath River to 91 m (300 ft) below Lewiston Dam. The North Fork from the Trinity River confluence to the southern boundary of the Salmon-Trinity Primitive Area. The South Fork from the Trinity River confluence to the California State Highway 36 bridge crossing. The New River from the Trinity River confluence to the Salmon-Trinity Primitive Area.

B. Classification/Mileage: Wild – 71 km (44 mi); Scenic – 63 km (39 mi); Recreational – 194 km (120 mi); Total – 327 km (203 mi).

C. Managing Agencies: California Resources Agency; Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation; Yurok Tribe; Shasta-Trinity National Forest; Six Rivers National Forest; Bureau of Land management

Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Impaired Waters

Table 1 lists the 303(d) impaired waters within the Klamath Network. Redwood Creek and the Klamath River in Redwoods are listed due to impacts associated with upstream land use practices; in particular, road building, reduced land cover as a result of logging, and dams. In Whiskeytown, Willow Creek (associated with past mining activities) and designated swim beaches of Whiskeytown Lake are listed as 303(d) impaired waters. Whiskeytown Staff are in the process of having the swim beaches delisted. A full discussion of the CWA Section 303(d) listing and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program process can be found at the following EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/.

TABLE 1: Klamath Network 303(d) Listed Impaired Water Bodies.

*See the EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/ for a description of the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Loads) process.

Aquatic Species of Special Concern

In 2002, the Klamath Network began an inventory of vascular plants and vertebrate species of special concern in network park units (Acker et al. 2001). Aquatic vertebrate species of concern at the network-level include nine amphibian, five reptile, and four fish species. The study plan for this inventory is available at: http://www1.nature.nps.gov/im/units/klmn/inventories/download_files/inventory_study_plan.doc.

Section 2: Locations of Active Monitoring Stations in the Klamath Network Region

Tables 2-7 list the locations of geo-referenced climatic and hydrologic monitoring stations in or near Klamath Network park units. In addition to these monitoring stations, past water quality sampling sites in or near Lassen, Lava Beds, Oregon Caves and Whiskeytown are listed in a Horizon Report for each park unit (i.e., LAVO = NPS-WRD 1999a, pages 51-54; LABE = NPS-WRD 1999b, page 39; ORCA = NPS-WRD 1998, page 45; WHIS = NPS-WRD 2000, pages 45-47). Horizon Reports have not been completed for Crater Lake and Redwoods. The Horizon Reports are baseline water quality data inventories that detail historical water quality sampling and monitoring efforts in network park units. These reports have been developed by the National Park Service Water Resources Division and Service-wide Inventory and Monitoring Program. The network will emphasize verifying and geo-referencing additional locations and will link spatial files with corresponding tabular records in the NPS database for cataloging datasets and related metadata.

TABLE 2: Daily Precipitation Monitoring Stations as of 2005 in the Klamath Network Region

TABLE 3: Hourly Precipitation Monitoring Stations as of 2005 in the NPS Klamath Region

TABLE 4: Evaporation Monitoring Stations as of 2005 in the NPS Klamath Network Region

TABLE 5: Air Temperature Monitoring Stations as of 2005 in the NPS Klamath Network Region

TABLE 6: Drinking Water Intakes as of 2005 in the NPS Klamath Network Region

TABLE 7: Stream Gaging Stations as of 2005 in the Klamath Network Region

Section 3: Past Inventory, Monitoring, and Research Activities in the Klamath Network Park Units

In this section, past and ongoing water resources inventory, monitoring and research activities in each park unit are summarized based on information gathered from available project and study reports. A Horizon Report (or Technical Report of Baseline Water Quality Information and Analysis compiled by the National Park Service’s Water Resources Division) has also been completed for four network park units (LAVO, LABE, ORCA, and WHIS). Each report contains information from several sources, including: (1) Storage and Retrieval (STORET) water quality database management system; (2) River Reach File (RF3); (3) Industrial Facilities Discharge (IFD); (4) Drinking Water Supplies (DRINKS); (5) Water Gages (GAGES); and (6) Water Impoundments (DAMS). Each report provides: (1) a complete inventory of all retrieved water quality stations and parameter data, and the entities responsible for data collection; (2) descriptive statistics and appropriate graphical plots of water quality data characterizing period of record, annual, and seasonal central tendencies and trends; (3) a comparison of the park's water quality data to relevant EPA and WRD water quality screening criteria; and (4) an Inventory Data Evaluation and Analysis (IDEA) to determine what Service-wide Inventory and Monitoring Program "Level I" water quality parameters have been measured within each study area. Core freshwater parameters include water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, qualitative assessment of flow/discharge at lotic sites, and qualitative assessment of stage/level at lentic sites. Marine/estuarine ecosystem core parameters include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and salinity. Horizon Reports can be downloaded from the National Park Service’s Water Resource Division web site at: (http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/horizon.htm).

Klamath Network park units have completed, at minimum, partial inventories of park unit-specific aquatic resources and short-term water quality sampling and monitoring of these resources. The descriptions of past inventory, monitoring, and research activities in each park unit also highlight future network-wide inventory, monitoring, and research needs. It is clear that not all aquatic resources in each park unit have been fully inventoried nor have present baseline water quality conditions been fully determined. These baseline conditions include documentation of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of each water resource-type. Once these present baseline conditions are determined, appropriate resource sampling designs can then be used to more effectively monitor for potential resource-specific changes. The need for consistent freshwater inventory and monitoring techniques across park units has been identified as an important part of any network-wide program. Consistent sampling design and sample collection will facilitate the comparison and interpretation of water quality monitoring results among park units. Additional important future inventory and monitoring activities include: (1) development of a general monitoring program for Redwoods marine ecosystems; (2) inventories of wetland biota; (3) salmonid fisheries monitoring; (4) amphibian monitoring; and (5) benthic macroinvertebrate studies.

Crater Lake National Park (CRLA)

FIGURE 3: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Crater Lake National Park has focused primarily on monitoring the water quality of Crater Lake. A long-term lake monitoring program has been active since 1983. Less comprehensive water quality inventories have been completed for ponds/lakes and streams located outside of the Mt. Mazama caldera. A Sun Creek bull trout restoration project and a survey of amphibians in the Whitehorse Ponds have also been initiated and/or completed.

Crater Lake National Park (Figure 3) was established by Presidential Proclamation on May 22, 1902. The 74,140 ha (182,304 ac) park is located at the southern end of the Cascade Mountains in south-central Oregon. The park is dominated by a large natural caldera lake formed after the eruption of Mt. Mazama, approximately 7700 years ago (Ramsey et al. 2003; accessed June 6, 2005 at http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/imap/i2790/i2790.pdf). The lake that is now in existence usually fluctuates seasonally between 1881 and 1882 m (573 – 574 ft) in surface elevation. However, fluctuations of up to five meters have been recorded (Redmond 1990). Crater Lake is the clearest and seventh deepest lake (592 m, 1942 ft) in the world, and has a strikingly deep blue color. Secchi disk clarity readings have been recorded as deep as 40 m (131 ft).

The water quality of Crater Lake and other freshwater resources in Crater Lake National Park has been an important management focus for over 100 years. Water quality monitoring of Crater Lake began in 1892 when Diller and Patton initiated the recording of Crater Lake water level (Larson 1987). Numerous inventory, monitoring, and research projects and programs have been completed or are being conducted within the caldera and focused on Crater Lake, or at sites located outside of the caldera.

Intra-Caldera Monitoring and Research

Monitoring and research activities from 1892-1984 that were designed to document the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of Crater Lake are listed in Table 8. Most of these activities were of short duration and limited in scope (Larson 1987). A long-term Crater Lake water quality monitoring program, that is now 22 years old, was initiated in June 1983. Sampling has been most often conducted during July, August, and September, however, sampling also has been conducted in January, March, April, May, June, and October. Samples for the determination of lake water quality have been collected at predetermined depths from 0–550 m, and from intra-caldera springs (Larson 1987, 1990, 1996). Initially, up to 41 springs were sampled, but this number was reduced to five springs beginning in 1990. Water quality variables monitored as part of the longterm monitoring program (1983-present) are listed in Table 9. Introduced rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) have also been studied as part of the monitoring program. Detailed information concerning the long-term water quality monitoring program is available in Larson 1987, 1990, and 1996.

TABLE 8: Highlights of Crater Lake Monitoring and Research Activities, 1892-1984 (from Larson 1987)

TABLE 9: Crater Lake and Intracaldera Springs Water Quality Variables Monitored as Part of the Crater Lake Long-Term Monitoring Program (1983-Present)

Extra-Caldera Monitoring and Research

The first observations documenting aquatic resources outside of the Crater Lake caldera were published in 1929 and 1935 in the park’s Crater Lake Nature Notes publication. These articles identified and described, respectively, several mineral springs in the Annie Creek Canyon and six waterfalls that occurred at several locations in the park. Numerous articles in Crater Lake Nature Notes, survey reports, and articles published in peerreviewed scientific journals have, since the publication of those two early articles, documented the diverse types of aquatic resources present in the park. The first survey of park streams was completed in 1947 (Wallis 1948). This survey, focused primarily on trout distribution, included 41 stations on 19 streams where water temperature, average station width and depth, and velocity were measured and stream habitat was described. A more extensive survey of park streams and springs was conducted in 1967-1968 (Frank and Harris 1969). These surveys recorded 106 flow measurements for 46 streams and 21 springs, and collected 45 water samples from a subsample of 17 streams and 21 springs. Eight samples were analyzed for a complete suite of water quality variables, and 37 samples were analyzed for a subset of variables. In 1981–1985, approximately 10 springs were sampled for water chemistry analysis (Thompson et al. 1987). The Whitehorse Ponds, a complex of 15 ponds located on Whitehorse Bluff, were inventoried and sampled in 1992 and 1993 to document their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics (Salinas et al. 1994). Additional activities have included: (1) incidental observations and projects designed to survey and investigate the distributions and life history characteristics of amphibian species in Crater Lake and at freshwater sites outside of the caldera (e.g., Farner 1947, Farner and Kezer 1953, Kezer and Farner 1955, Bergmann 1997); and (2) a project to eradicate brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from and restore native bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Sun Creek. The bull trout restoration project was initiated in 1992 in response to the precipitous decline within the park of this genetically distinct Pacific Northwest population due to encroachment of introduced nonnative brook trout. Fish surveys of all Klamath River basin tributaries within the park have also been conducted.

Horizon Report

No report is presently available.

Resource Management Water Quality Concern

1) Long-term clarity of Crater Lake and health of the lake ecosystem

See Attachment I for CRLA water quality, fisheries and streams inventory, monitoring, and research study references.

Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO)

FIGURE 4: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Lassen Volcanic National park, California, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Surveys of Lassen Volcanic National Park ponds/lakes, wetlands and streams have focused primarily on documenting baseline ecological condition and developing management and research alternatives for these resources. The status of aquatic invertebrates, native amphibians and nonnative fish in Lassen lentic habitats has also been documented. Hydrothermal/geothermal resources have been continuously monitored since 1981, focusing on water quality characteristics, potential impacts of these resources on visitors, and potential visitor impacts on the resources.

Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone National Monuments were established on March 6, 1907, and combined into Lassen Volcanic National Park (Figure 4) on August 9, 1916. The park is located in the southern most part of the Cascade Mountains in northeastern California, and is part of the Cascade Physiographic Province. The park is 43,047 ha (106,372 ac) in size, and the landscape is dominated by volcanic processes; Lassen Peak is the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range. The park contains up to 277 permanent and ephemeral lentic water bodies. Portions of five drainage basins are located within the park, and four of the drainage basins (about 99% of the park) drain into the Sacramento River. Many lakes have been historically stocked with nonnative trout for recreational fishing and now contain self-propagating populations. Mill Creek, which has no dams blocking anadromous fish passage, is one of very few stream courses remaining in the Sacramento River drainage with biological integrity preserved.

There are several aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate taxa within Lassen that are on the federal and/or state lists as protected species. Kings Creek caddisfly (Parapsyche extensa) is a federal species of concern; the Modoc sucker (Catostomus micorps) is listed as endangered on both lists; and the Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) is listed as a federal and state species of concern.

Horizon Report

The retrieval of surface water quality data from six of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national water resources databases included data generated by four agencies (i.e., National Park Service [NPS], US Geological Survey [USGS], EPA, and California Water Resources Control Board [CWRCB]; NPS-WRD 1999a). These data represent water quality analyses for samples collected from 281 sampling stations, of which 218 (NPS = 190, USGS = 14, EPA = 7, CWRCB = 7) were within the boundaries of Lassen. Park sampling stations (NPS-WRD 1999a, pages 51-54) were located at 29 lakes, 21 cold and hot streams, 60 hydrothermal sites, and 2 wetlands. Some sites had multiple sampling stations. A total of 169 water quality parameters (NPS-WRD 1999a, pages 55-57) were examined, although not all parameters were represented at all sampling locations. The period of time represented by these data from Lassen sampling sites was 1960-1994. The Horizon Report is available at: (http://nrdata.nps.gov/LAVO/nrdata/water/baseline_wq/docs/LAVOWQAA.pdf).

Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands

The first known survey of lakes in Lassen was documented in a report titled “1955 Lake Survey – Lassen Volcanic National Park” (author unknown). Wallis (1959) conducted a fishery resources survey of 22 lakes in 1958 with the purpose of developing a stocking plan for park lakes; the focus was primarily on the distributions of fish species and past stocking activities. Several lake surveys were conducted during the 1960’s and data from these surveys have been summarized in the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis report described previously (NPS-WRD 1999a). At least 11 lakes were surveyed during this period of time. The objectives of these surveys were to determine the general ecological conditions of the lakes and to develop management and research alternatives for the park’s lentic resources. In 1976, an extensive survey of Lassen lakes was completed (West 1976). A total of 162 lentic systems were surveyed, and of these 131 were sampled. Measurements and assessments included: (1) water temperature; (2) color; (3) clarity; (4) site depth (maximum and mean); (5) site bottom and shore type; (6) watershed condition; (7) site surface area; (8) presence and location of inlets and outlets; (9) fish presence; (10) presence of fish predators; and (11) relative abundance of aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Additional lake survey activities included the physical and chemical analysis of seven Lassen lakes as part of the EPA’s Western Lake Survey (Landers et al. 1987, Eilers et al. 1987); inventories of aquatic invertebrates (DeMartini, 1994); and amphibian surveys of 378 lentic sites as part of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (Fellers et al. 2003). Stead et al. (2005), during the summer of 2004, also investigated the status of native amphibians and nonnative fish in Lassen lentic habitats (i.e., lakes, permanent and temporary ponds, wet meadows, and marsh/bogs; n=365). A new baseline water quality inventory of Lassen aquatic resources will begin in 2005, conducted by personnel of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center in Arcata, California.

Stream (cold and hot) and wetland survey data are available as part of the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis Report (NPS-WRD 1999a). Three reports document stream survey activities from 1963-1979 (Everest 1964, McClelland 1973, Thompson 1983), and three agencies (i.e., NPS, USGS, and CWRCB) have been responsible for collecting stream survey data from 1979-present. Two wetlands (Corral Meadows and Grassy Swale) were surveyed as part of the Lassen Park Summer 1979 Lake Surveys, and research has been conducted on the Drakesbad fen from 2002-2004 (Patterson and Cooper, in prep). Faculty members of the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, San Jose State University, conducted a sanitary survey of five park watersheds supplying water to campgrounds and park communities. The survey was completed in 1996, and provided data concerning types and sources of potential water source contamination to assist Lassen in complying with the USEPA Surface Water Treatment Rule established in 1989 (Williamson et al. 1997).

Hydrothermal/Geothermal Resources

Geothermal/hydrothermal resources in Lassen are situated primarily in the southwestern (e.g., Sulfur Works, Bumpass Hell, Little Hot Springs Valley) and southern (e.g., Devil’s Kitchen, Drakesbad, Terminal Geyser) parts of the park (Thompson 1983). Waring (1915) reported the results of the first thermal water analyses of Lassen hot springs. Ten years later, Day and Allen (1925) reported the results of the chemical analyses of water from 23 Lassen hot springs. Since these early analyses, at least five surveys of hydrothermal resources have been conducted from 1963 to1981 (e.g., Lenn 1965 = 22 hot springs; Ghiorso 1980 = 34 hydrothermal sites; Thompson 1983 = 43 hydrothermal sites). Data from these surveys have been collected in the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis (NPS-WRD 1999a). Since 1981, the monitoring and chemical analyses of Lassen hydrothermal sites have been performed primarily by the USGS. According to USGS Fact Sheet 101-02 (Clynne et al. 2002), NPS personnel and USGS scientists monitor the physical and chemical characteristics of surface hydrothermal activity in the park to: (1) better understand the origin and evolution of the park’s hydrothermal resources; and (2) protect park visitors from any potential hazards associated with visiting these features.

Fisheries Studies

1) Management of fishing and fish stocking in National Parks in California, 1975.

2) Management of high country lakes in the National Parks of California, 1976.

3) Snag Lake Management Report, 1976.

4) Summary of 1976 lake survey data relating to the status of trout fisheries in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

5) An analysis: Impacts of trout stocking upon recreational fishing and aquatic resources in Lassen Volcanic, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks, California, 1977.

6) Food Habits Analysis of Fish from Mountain Lakes in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, 1977.

7) Aquatic resources of Lassen volcanic, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks, with special reference to trout stocking and the recreational fishery, 1978.

8) Status of the Manzanita Lake trout fishery, Lassen Volcanic National Park, 1998.

9) Surveys of the Sifford Lakes, Lassen Volcanic National Park, 2000.

10) FY04 Joint inventory of fishes, native amphibians, and invertebrates in all lakes and ponds of the park. Status of the trophy rainbow trout fishery at Manzanita Lake

(Lassen Volcanic National Park) based on reports from angler survey boxes in 1994.

Resource Management Water Quality Concern

1) Deterioration of geothermal areas as a result of visitor impacts

See Attachment I for LAVO water quality, fisheries and lake monitoring, and research study references.

Lava Beds National Monument (LABE)

FIGURE 5: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Lava Beds National Monument, California, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Aquatic resource inventory, monitoring and research activities at Lava Beds National Monument have included surveys of ice cave baseline water quality, monitoring of ice depth, and monitoring of groundwater depth and availability. Lava Beds is also concerned about the potential effects of adjacent land use practices (e.g., agriculture and geothermal exploration and development) on park unit aquatic resources.

Lava Beds National Monument (Figure 5) was established by Presidential Proclamation on November 21, 1925 to preserve for public enjoyment the area's dramatic volcanic geology (e.g., lava tubes, cinder cones, spatter cones, lava flows and other volcanic phenomena). Lava Beds was originally placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, and was transferred to the Department of the Interior on June 10, 1933.

The 18,842 ha (46,560 ac) monument is located on the east-side of the Southern Cascade Mountains on the Modoc Plateau in northeastern California. The plateau is a volcanic platform generally ranging in elevation between 1219–1829 m (4,000-6,000 ft). Lava Beds lies on the northern flank of Medicine Lake Volcano. The volcano is a Pleistocene to Holocene shield volcano located about 48.3 km (30 mi) northeast of Mt. Shasta and the eruptive area of the Medicine Lake Volcano covers over 233 km2 (900 mi2). There is evidence of glaciation at the higher elevations of the volcano. LABE contains a range of Great Basin vegetation communities, including ponderosa pine forests, mountain mahogany/juniper, and sagebrush/bunchgrass.

Lava Beds currently has 502 documented lava tube caves with a total of 46.2 km (28.7 mi) of known passageways. Due to the porosity of lava soils, no permanent ponds, lakes, streams or wetlands are found within the monuments boundary. However, 28 caves within the monument are documented to contain ice and water, and seasonal (intermittent-ephemeral) ponds can be formed after heavy precipitation events. Many of the ice caves are important water sources for wildlife and have been historically used by humans (e.g., indigenous groups, ranchers and moonshiners). Fourteen species of bats and a number of bird species utilize the ice caves as sources of water. Two of the bat species include Townsend’s big eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) which is a species of concern, and the largest northern migratory United States colony of the Mexican freetail bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).

There are no distinct aquifers in the area, so there is uncertainty about the source, quantity and movement of groundwater in Lava Beds. One groundwater well, located at the monument headquarters, provides water for all staff and visitors. The U.S. Geological Survey is monitoring groundwater at five wells, four in the monument and one outside the monument boundary. There appears to be some groundwater drawdown due to agricultural land use near the monument. The National Park Service Water Resources Division also is helping to evaluate the status of groundwater at Lava Beds.

In 1999, a Student Conservation Associate conducted the first water sampling of 14 Lava Beds ice caves. Between 1990 and the present, eight ice cave floors have been monitored for changes in ice depths by the Cave Research Foundation. In 1999, the ice in Merrill Ice Cave, one of the larger ice resources in the monument, began to melt with the formation of a hole in the center of the ice floor (Figure 6). By 2001, the entire ice resource had practically disappeared. It is paramount that an ice/water quality baseline be established before possible future losses occur in other caves.

The Glass Mountain Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) is located adjacent to Lava Beds to the south. The KGRA allows the Bureau of Land Management to conduct competitive lease sales for geothermal exploration. In the past there has been exploratory drilling for geothermal resources in the Medicine Lake area up to the southern boundary of the monument. Although it is unlikely that any wells will be drilled in the monument, outside activity could have an impact on Lava Beds. There could be a drawdown of the groundwater table in addition to the vibration and disturbance caused by the drilling rigs and support activities.

Figure 6: Merrill Cave Ice Floor in (a) 1990 and (b) 1999, Lava Beds National Monument

Horizon Report

A Horizon Report (NPS-WRD 1999b) is available for Lava Beds at: (http://nrdata.nps.gov/LABE/nrdata/water/baseline wq/docs/LABEWQAA.pdf). Data were collected for 131 water quality parameters (pages 40-41 of the report) from 23 sampling stations (page 39 of the report), 1966 through 1992. The stations were outside of the park unit boundary and associated with Tule Lake. The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service were responsible for the water quality sampling summarized in this report.

Ice and Water Resource Monitoring

1) Ice cave studies

2) Groundwater study

3) Water quality inventory within ice caves (KLMN-FY05, Chris Currens, USGS WERC). Beginning in 2005, water sampling at Lava Beds will occur in 12 of the 28 known ice caves. Sampling will occur in caves identified as primary ice resources for the monument. The selection of caves will also be based on ease of access, technician safety, and cave resource sensitivity

4) Ice levels in eight ice caves have been monitored since 1990 by Cave Research Foundation

5) Ice cave geomorphology

6) Effects of geothermal exploration and development

7) Assess effects of adjacent land use practices on park unit resources (agricultural use, insecticides/pesticides; accumulation within Tule Lake; Tule Lake NWR management/land use)

Resource Management Water Quality Concerns

1) Loss of ice in permanent ice caves and water in seasonal wet caves

2) Lack of data on groundwater supply and possible drawdown effects

3) Lack of basic water quality inventory of intermittent-ephemeral ponds

See Attachment I for LABE water quality inventory, monitoring, and research study references.

Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA)

Figure 7: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Oregon Caves National Monument has focused on documenting the baseline water quality of pools, springs and streams in or near the park unit cave system. The physical characteristics and magnitude of potential direct human impacts on park unit aquatic resources also have been inventoried and continue to be monitored.

Oregon Caves National Monument (Figure 7) was established on July 12, 1909, under the U.S. Forest Service, specifically to protect the cave system. It was transferred to the National Park Service on August 10, 1933. In February 1992, a large portion of the developed area in the monument was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon Caves (194 ha; 480 ac) is located in the Siskiyou/Klamath bioregion of southwestern Oregon. Although Oregon Caves is a small unit, its forest communities are a diverse representation of the larger bioregion. Old growth Douglas fir, white fir and oak forests cover the majority of the monument, providing diverse microhabitats for the monument’s nearly 500 plant species, and an estimated 5,000 animal and 2,000 fungal species; which are among the highest catalogued biota per acre for any national park unit (John Roth, ORCA, personal communication). Federally threatened and endangered species that reside in or utilize the monument include the northern spotted owl, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. Two of the 20 federal and state species of concern in the monument are the Del Norte Salamander (Plethedon elongates) and Western Toad (Bufo boreas). The amphibian species are, respectively, a species of concern and a sensitive species in the State of Oregon. The cave pools, springs and streams of Oregon Caves are considered important water resources for wildlife.

Horizon Report

A Horizon Report (NPS-WRD 1998) for Oregon caves is available at: (http://nrdata.nps.gov/ORCA/nrdata/water/baseline_wq/docs/ORCAWQAA.pdf). Water quality data catalogued in this report were provided by the Washington Department of Ecology, US Forest Service-Region 6, US Geological Survey, National Park Service, and US Environmental Protection Agency-Region 10. Nineteen sampling stations (page 45 of the report) were located in the park unit; 11 in the cave and 8 outside of the cave. A total of 30 water quality parameters (page 46 of the report) were measured and sampled. The period of sampling was 1966 and 1992-1993.

Cave Inventory

According to Roth (1994), the first comprehensive inventory of any large federally managed cave in the US was completed at Oregon Caves by Earthwatch Institute volunteers prior to 1994. The physical characteristics and magnitude of potential direct human impacts (as indicated by the presence of “cave slime” or actinomycetes bacteria) on Oregon Caves were inventoried.

Aquatic Studies

1) ORCA sample collection, 1992-1993, baseline water quality inventory of waters in or near the cave system;

2) Within-cave water quality study of Cave Creek (ongoing by John Salinas, Rogue Valley Community College)

3) Water quality inventory (KLMN-FY05, Chris Currens, USGS WERC) Resource Management Water Quality Concerns

1) Decline in water quality due to human-caused organic enrichment, calcite solubility index, and turbidity

2) Changes in water volume and timing of cave infiltration

3) Contamination of Cave Creek (the primary water resource at ORCA), cave springs and other surface streams due to drain field pollution and pavement-derived hydrocarbon particulate input

4) Changes in the caves environment (including Cave Creek and various springs located inside the cave) due to manipulation of the primary cave’s environment (i.e., modified cave opening and lighted walkway

5) Visitor use

6) Protection, preservation, restoration and interpretation of cave and karst are of primary importance to the park unit.

See Attachment I for ORCA water quality inventory, monitoring, and research study references.

Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP)

Figure 8: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Redwood National and State State Parks, California, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Redwood National and State Parks has monitored steam surface flow and sediment transport and deposition since 1972. The focus of these activities has been the long-term geomorphic and hydrologic monitoring of park unit freshwater lotic systems with emphasis on: (1) impacts due to human-related activities such as logging and road building; (2) water quality issues related to Clean Water Act section 303(d) impaired stream segments (i.e., Redwood Creek and Klamath River); (3) the impact of human-related activities on anadromous salmonids in park unit streams; and (4) the status of native amphibians in park unit lotic habitats. The status and trends of Redwoods marine ecosystems have been minimally examined. However, coastal and intertidal inventories are underway that are designed to assess, in part, human and invasive species impacts, offshore sediment budget, and potential impacts of perturbations such as oil spills to marine ecosystems.

Redwood National Park was established on October 2, 1968. It was designated a World Heritage Site on September 5, 1980, and a Biosphere Reserve on June 30, 1983. Redwood National Park joined three California State Parks (Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park) as one cooperative management unit of the National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation. In May 1994, Redwood National Park became Redwood National and State Parks (Figure 8), which contains approximately 45% of all remaining old-growth redwood forest in California. The parks are 42,701 ha (105,516 ac) in size arrayed along the Pacific Coast of northern California. The western boundary of Redwoods extends 0.4 km (0.25 mi) beyond the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean and the National Park Service has jurisdiction over the waters, intertidal lands, and submerged lands in this area. The coastal jurisdiction of state parklands extends 0.3 km (0.19 mi) west of the ordinary high-water mark of the Pacific Ocean. Elevations within the park range from below sea level to 996 m (3,268 ft).

The aquatic resources of Redwoods consist of over 60 km (36 mi) of marine coastal habitat and 547 km (340 mi) of USGS blue-line (first order) streams. Redwood Creek and its associated watersheds dominate the southern part of the park. The Klamath River is in the northern part of the park and the Klamath River estuary is the only part of the drainage contained within the park boundary. Redwood Creek supports a number of native salmonid species (i.e., cutthroat trout [Oncorhynchus clarki], coho salmon [Oncorhynchus kisutch], steelhead [Oncorhynchus mykiss], and chinook salmon [Oncorhynchus tshawytscha]) that are monitored on an annual basis. Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), Klamath smallscale sucker (Catostomus rimiculus), and the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) are threatened and endangered fish species that also are monitored on an annual basis within the park. The park also supports a number of additional threatened and endangered species (see Appendix E of the KLMN Phase I Report).

The Redwood National Park Act as amended in 1978 gave the Secretary of the Interior the authority to reduce the impacts of upstream sedimentation and to rehabilitate areas that have been subject to timber harvesting in the past. Due to the nature of Franciscan rocks, the steepness of many slopes, the amount of precipitation, and the exposure of soil and bedrock from intensive logging, stream erosion and sedimentation have had and continue to have a profound impact on Redwoods lotic resources. The lower 40% of Redwood Creek is within the park and the upper 60% is on private land that has been logged. As a result of past land use and flood events, Redwood Creek is currently 303(d) listed under the Clean Water Act due to excessive sediment and warm water temperatures.

Long-term geomorphic and hydrologic monitoring continues to be a priority on Redwood Creek and other creeks within Redwoods. Monitoring parameters include stream discharge, sediment transport, turbidity, temperature, channel stability, changes in pool and riffle distribution, pebble count and facies changes in streambed deposits. It may be difficult to determine the exact source of turbidity and sedimentation, but the primary sources appear to be the various impacts of logging roads inside and outside of the park. In cooperation with private landowners, park staff assists in surveying roads on private lands. Park staff also provides input to proposed Timber Harvest Plans in an attempt to minimize erosion. A project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the differences in the duration of turbidity for small streams with different disturbance levels was recently completed.

Road restoration has been a major undertaking at the park. This effort has restored many of the old logging roads and reduced landslide activity in those areas. However, most roads open to visitor traffic are gravel and subject to erosion. Adequate maintenance and upgrading of road drainage structures, culverts and other road features are concerns. Redwoods coastal resources are largely unexamined and their condition is presently unknown. Redwoods and Humboldt State University are cooperatively conducting an inventory of coastline resources. The goal of the project is to assess the marine resources, including habitat type, vegetation types, and algal, invertebrate, and fish diversity along the park’s 36 miles of accessible coastline.

Horizon Report

No report is presently available.

Fisheries Studies

1) Redwood Creek:

a. Invertebrate drift and juvenile salmonid habitat of the Redwood Creek watershed: 1981

b. Downstream migration, growth and condition of juvenile fall chinook salmon in Redwood Creek, Humboldt County, California: 1985

c. Juvenile salmonid habitat of the Redwood Creek basin, Humboldt County, California: 1988

d. Fish food habits and their interrelationships in lower Redwood Creek, Humboldt County, California: 1987

e. Fish food habits in the Redwood Creek estuary: 1990

f. Redwood Creek basin coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) summary reports: 1994

g. Redwood Creek basin fisheries summary: 1980-1994

h. Redwood Creek basin spawning and carcass surveys and annual reports: 1991-1992, 1993-1994, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 2000-2001, 2002-2003

i. Redwood Creek estuary flood history, sedimentation and implications for aquatic habitat: 1983

j. Redwood Creek estuary monitoring and management: 1990, 1993, 1997-1999, 2002, 2003

k. Redwood Creek fish and amphibian distribution data [collection]

l. Redwood Creek summer steelhead trout survey: 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2002

2) Prairie Creek

a. Effects of fine sediment on salmonid redds in Prairie Creek, a tributary of Redwood Creek, Humboldt County, California: 1991

b. Smolt production from Prairie Creek Hatchery juvenile coho reared in an Arcata wastewater-seawater pond: October 1992-May 1993

c. Prairie Creek salmon restoration: 1992-1993

d. Anadromous salmonid escapement and downstream migration studies in Prairie Creek, California: 1995-1996

e. Prairie Creek salmon redd composition, escapement and migration studies, Humboldt County, California: 1996-1997

f. Effects of sediments from the Redwood National Park bypass project (CALTRANS) on anadromous salmonids in Prairie Creek State Park: 1995-1998

g. Effects of sedimentation on incubating coho salmon, (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Prairie Creek, California: 1998

h. Prairie Creek: Survival, growth and movement of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) over-wintering in alcoves, backwaters, and main channel pools: 2001

i. Abundance and survival rates of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Prairie Creek: 2002

3) Klamath River

a. Klamath River chinook salmon: use of radio telemetry to study adult upriver migration: 1982

b. Klamath River estuary: utilization by juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): 1986

c. Assessment of fish habitat types within the Klamath River estuary: annual performance report: 1992

d. Assessing the effects of moderately elevated fine sediment levels on stream fish assemblages: 2000

4) Coyote Creek Spring Pond brook trout removal: 1999, 2001, 2002

5) Fish habitat inventory for lower Lost Man Creek: 1990

6) Habitat utilization by 1987 and 1988 cohorts of chinook salmon from emergence to out-migration in Hurdygurdy Creek, California

7) Mill Creek monitoring program: juvenile salmonid monitoring on the east and west branches of Mill Creek: 1994

8) Smith River adult fish survey: 1997

9) Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation inventory of reservation waters, fish rearing feasibility study and a review of the history and status of anadromous fishery resources of the Klamath River Basin: 1979

10) Effects of large organic debris on channel morphology and process, and anadromous fish habitat in steep, montane coastal redwood environments: 1980

11) Large organic debris and anadromous fish habitat in the coastal redwood environment: the hydrologic system: 1983

12) Fish distribution survey reports: FY2000, FY2001, FY2002

13) Spawning survey results: 1983-1990

14) Tidewater goby surveys and reports: 1997, 1998, 2002

Beneficial Water Uses

Table 10 shows the beneficial uses of water in Redwoods as identified by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB).

Table 10: Beneficial Uses of Water Within Redwood National and State Parks (NCRWQCB)

Wildlife Monitoring

1) Redwood Creek estuary salmonid monitoring for adult spawning and juveniles

2) Redwood Creek monitoring for deformed amphibians

3) Marine mammal carcass monitoring (ongoing)

4) Marbled murrelet, snowy plover and brown pelican monitoring

Resource Management Water Quality Concerns

1) Freshwater

A) Effects of adjacent land use, in particular, logging on water quality

B) Water quality issues related to Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) impaired stream segments (i.e., Redwood Creek sedimentation/siltation and temperature, and Klamath River nutrients and temperature)

C) Water quality of Redwood Creek watershed related to sediment transport trends, water and suspended-sediment discharge, and water chemistry and aquatic biology

D) Impacts of recreational catch and release fishing on threatened salmonid species Note: a full discussion of the CWA Section 303(d) listing and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program process can be found at the following EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/

2) Marine

A) Completion of coastal and intertidal inventories including assessments of human impacts, invasive species, offshore sediment budget and potential hazards such as oil spills

B) Compliance of near- and offshore water quality with State Water Quality Control Board standards

C) The impact of river flow output (e.g., Klamath River plume) on coastal habitat, productivity, and water chemistry

D) The potential presence of contaminants in the near- and offshore waters

E) Lack of complete inventories from most marine habitats (Table 11)

Table 11: Marine Inventory Needs at Redwood National and State Parks

See Attachment I for RNSP watershed monitoring, water quality, and fisheries inventory, monitoring and research study references.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS)

Figure 9: Aquatic Resources and Watershed Boundaries of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, California, NPS Klamath Network

General Summary of Past Activities: Aquatic resource inventory, monitoring and research activities at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area have focused on the water quality of Whiskeytown Lake and its inlet and outlet streams. Water quality sampling has emphasized documentation of potential resource perturbation due to: (1) human recreation activities and waste disposal; (2) point source pollution due to past mining activities and practices; (3) point source pollution due to clandestine-illegal marijuana cultivation; and (4) impacts due to logging and road building. Additional projects have been initiated or completed to: (1) assess the baseline water quality, biology and habitat conditions of the major Whiskeytown watersheds; (2) demonstrate the potential for watershed restoration; (3) determine the status of amphibians and turtles; and (4) survey the status of and potentially restore anadromous salmonids in Clear Creek.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (Figure 9) was authorized by Congress on November 8, 1965 (“…to provide…for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of Whiskeytown reservoir and surrounding lands…”) and established on October 21, 1972. Whiskeytown is the only unit of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area administered by the National Park Service; the Shasta and Trinity units are administered by the US Forest Service. The Whiskeytown unit (17,198 ha; 42,497 ac) is located at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, eight miles west of Redding, California, and Whiskeytown Lake is surrounded by shrubland, oak woodland, and montane forests.

Whiskeytown Lake was created by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1962, when the Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam, blocking Clear Creek, was completed. The reservoir at full capacity contains 29,604 ha-m (240,000 ac-ft) of water and serves as the domestic water supply for the California cities of Redding, Old Shasta, Centerville, Keswick, and Happy Valley. It is also one of several reservoirs that store water for the Central Valley Project
Seven major streams empty directly into the reservoir: Clear, Mill, Brandy, Crystal, Boulder, Willow and Whiskey Creeks. Intermittent streams abound throughout the park unit, and many springs are found at higher elevations.

Whiskeytown has approximately 850,000 visitors annually, with the majority of visitation concentrated in and around the reservoir. Sailing, skiing, fishing, swimming, and kayaking are popular recreational activities. There are two permanent marinas, one additional boat launch site, three designated campgrounds, two developed day use beaches, and numerous smaller beaches along the reservoir. The reservoir is stocked annually with both native and non-native fishes by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Horizon Report

Surface water quality data for Whiskeytown were collected by eight agencies (i.e., California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Health Services, California Department of Water Resources, California Water Resources Control Board, National Park Service [WHIS and Water Resources Division], UC Davis, USDI Bureau of Reclamation, and US Geological Survey), between 1962-1998 (NPS-WRD, 2000). Numerous sites throughout the reservoir (Whiskeytown Lake), as well as 12 streams, 4 springs, and 2 mines (NPS-WRD 2000, pages 45-47) were sampled during this time period. A total of 128 stations were sampled and all but 17 stations were either sampled once or intensively for a single-year (NPS-WRD 2000). The 17 relatively long-term stations were located at numerous sites around the reservoir, or on Clear and Willow Creeks. Many of the 203 parameters assessed between 1962-1998 (NPS-WRD 2000, pages 48-51) were potential indicators of water quality problems associated with (1) human recreational activities and waste disposal, and (2) point source pollution due to past mining activities and clandestine-illegal marijuana cultivation. These water quality parameters continue to be monitored (1999-present). A Horizon Report for WHIS is available at: (http://nrdata.nps.gov/WHIS/nrdata/water/baseline_wq/docs/WHISWQAA.pdf).

Additional Activities

Water quality related activities at Whiskeytown also include four recent projects not covered by the NPS-WRD (2000) Report. In 1996, Whiskeytown began a cooperative watershed restoration partnership with Shasta College and Salix Applied Earthcare, a natural resource consulting firm, both located in Redding, California. The cooperative project was titled “Watershed Restoration and Logging Road Removal Project in the Paige Bar Demonstration Watershed” and was designed, in part, to demonstrate the capacity for restoring watershed water quality and fish habitat. The project received the National Park Foundation Environmental Conservation Award in 1999. USGS Project CA598 was designed to identify and characterize contaminant “hot spots” in Whiskeytown due to past mining activities, and to examine the potential adverse effects of mercury and other heavy metals on aquatic biota. This project, begun in April, 2002, examined 15 sites throughout Whiskeytown and concluded in September, 2004 (Hothem et al. 2002-2004). In February, 2004, USGS Project 9VL22 was initiated to assess the aquatic biology, habitat, and water quality conditions of the major Whiskeytown watersheds (May and Brown 2004-2006). This project will conclude in September, 2006. In 2002, USGS personnel surveyed and inventoried the presence of amphibians and turtles in 12 Whiskeytown streams and one pond. Amphibians and turtles were again surveyed and inventoried in 2004, in nine Whiskeytown streams and one pond, and in five arms of the reservoir. Fisheries activities in Clear Creek at Whiskeytown have been associated with a larger effort concerning the restoration of anadromous fish in the Sacramento River drainage area (NMFS 1997, USFWS 2001, CDFG 2002).

Resource Management Water Quality Concerns

1) ArcGIS feature datasets of aquatic resources within the park unit boundary have yet to be completed

2) Disturbance and contamination of stream habitats due to clandestine-illegal marijuana cultivation

3) Introduction of nonnative fish and wildlife (particularly bullfrogs) species

4) Spread of exotic plant species within Whiskeytown Lake

See Attachment I for WHIS water quality and fisheries inventory, monitoring and research study references.

Section 4: Water Quality Monitoring and Research Programs of Allied Agencies Relevant to Klamath Network Park Units

This section describes past and ongoing research or monitoring programs in the Klamath Network region. Many of these programs could provide funding, protocols, or partnership opportunities for the Klamath Network as it develops its water quality monitoring program.

A. US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) - Surface Waters - Western Pilot Study, USEPA (with collaborators). Project Dates: 2000–2005: The Western Pilot study is the Surface Waters component of the USEPA Western Geographic Study through the EMAP Program. The program goal is to answer questions about the importance of stressors and the extent of their effects on ecological condition of wadeable streams; the objective is to develop monitoring tools to estimate the ecological condition of surface waters across the Western US. Project methodology includes sampling of water chemistry, stream discharge, periphyton, sediment, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, and physical habitat characteristics. Contact: David Peck, USEPA, Corvallis, OR. Phone: 541-754-4426, E-mail: peck.david@epa.gov.

B. US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) – National Coastal Assessment, USEPA (with collaborators). Project Dates: 1990–2003: The USEPA National Coastal Assessment has conducted estuarine monitoring in all 23 coastal States and Puerto Rico (accounting for 99.8% of estuarine acreage in the continental US and Puerto Rico). Data from several regional and national programs conducted by NOAA, USGS and the USFWS are included in the assessment of coastal condition. The West Coast of the US was assessed in 1999 and 2000, and the assessment was extended in 2003 to cover the continental shelf. Marine biota (plankton, benthos, and fish) and environmental parameters associated with water quality, sediment quality, and tissue bioaccumulation were sampled. The first and second Coastal Assessment Reports can be accessed using the following website link:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr2/index.html. Contact: J. Kevin Summers, US EPA. Phone: 850-934-9201, summers.kevin@epamail.epa.gov.

C. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with the Western Regional Climate Center (Desert Research Institute). Climate Reference Network. Project Dates: implemented in 2004: The Climate Reference Network is a network of climate stations being established, with the help of the Western Regional Climate Center, as part of a NOAA initiative. The goal of this project is to monitor long-term precipitation and temperature observations to investigate present and future climate change. If fully implemented, the network will have about 250 sampling stations nationwide. Many of these stations are being established in national parks. Contact: John Jensen, Program Manager, NOAA. Phone: 828-271-4475, E-mail: John.A.Jensen@noaa.gov.

D. US Geological Survey (USGS), Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), with NPS, FWS, BLM. Project Dates: 2000–ongoing: In response to growing awareness of amphibian declines and malformations, the USGS ARMI program was initiated by the United States Congress in 2000 to monitor trends in amphibian populations on Department of Interior (DOI) lands; and to research the cause of amphibian declines. While intensive monitoring will be focused on DOI lands, ARMI will also provide a framework for other agencies outside of DOI lands for incorporating amphibian monitoring data. Partnerships with other DOI agencies include a nationwide Fish and Wildlife Service survey for contaminants that may induce malformations in amphibians on 48 National Wildlife Refuges in 31 states. Contact: Mike Adams, Wildlife Biologist, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) Corvallis, OR. Phone: 541-758-8857, E-mail: Michael_adams@usgs.gov.

E. US Geological Survey (USGS), National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) – Sacramento River Basin Study. Project Dates: 1994–1998: The Sacramento River water quality assessment, covering the river’s nearly 75,000 sq km (27,000 sq mi) drainage basin, is the largest within the State of California. The study was divided into 5 physiographic provinces: the Sacramento Valley, the Sierra Nevada, the Coast Ranges, the Cascade Range and the Modoc Plateau. The major use of Sacramento River water is for agriculture (58%), environmental management (32%), urban land use (6%), and other (4%). A suite of water quality parameters were measured including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, major cations and anions, metals, suspended sediment, bed sediment, discharge, and fish tissue samples for contaminants. The major issues within the basin are elevated concentrations of trace metals, especially from abandoned mines (WHIS); pesticide contamination of surface water and potential contamination of ground water (LABE, LAVO, WHIS); nitrate contamination of ground water (LABE, LAVO, WHIS); and urban runoff and volatile-organic-chemical contamination. Contact: Joseph Domagalski, USGS, Sacramento, CA. Phone: 916-278-3077, E-mail: joed@usgs.gov.

F. US Geological Survey (USGS), National Stream-gaging Program (NSP), with Federal, State, and Local agencies. Project Dates: variable and ongoing: The USGS has been collecting streamflow information since 1887. The NSP, which partners with many agencies, monitors flows on major and minor streams at nearly 7,000 stations throughout the US. Streamflow gaging stations provide data that can be used for planning and operating water resources projects, flood warning and control operations, and long-term background information about changes in streamflow in response to climate and changes in land use. Contact: Mike Norris, USGS, Phone
703-648-5304, E-mail: mnorris@usgs.gov.

G. US Geological Survey (USGS), Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC), Project: Development of monitoring protocols for mountain lakes and ponds at North Cascades National Park Service Complex: This project began in 2001 with the purpose of developing a sampling protocol for mountain ponds and lakes. The NPS North Coast and Cascades Network is the project partner and this protocol has been developed for all park units in this network. The protocol also has been written as a document that can be used by any agency, institution or group (e.g., KLMN) interested in sampling montane lentic ecosystems. The protocol is in press and will be published as stand-alone chapter of a USGS Techniques and Methods document (Techniques and Methods 2-A2). Contact: Robert Hoffman, USGS FRESC (Phone: 541-750-1013, E-mail: robert_hoffman@usgs.gov) and Gary Larson, USGS FRESC (Phone: 541-750-1032, E-mail: gary_l._larson@usgs.gov).

H. US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Watershed Analyses. Approximately 1995–present: Watershed analyses have been conducted by the USFS National Forests and BLM Districts throughout the KLMN region. These analyses are part of the process of implementing ecosystem management as directed by the Northwest Forest Plan. USFS National Forests include: Fremont-Winema, Klamath, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers; BLM Districts include: Coos Bay, Lakeview, and Medford. Over 76 watersheds have been analyzed since 1995. Each watershed analysis includes the characterization of current and reference conditions in 14 basic categories: (1) human uses; (2) roads; (3) climate; (4) erosion processes; (5) soil productivity; (6) vegetation density and vigor; (7) plant species and habitats; (8) fire; (9) terrestrial wildlife species and habitats; (10) hydrology; (11) stream channel; (12) water quality; (13) riparian areas; and (14) aquatic wildlife species and habitats. Many of the watershed analyses reports are available at each USFS National Forest and BLM District internet web site.

I. Northwestern California/Klamath Bioregion Environment Information Sources: This is an internet website hosted by the Humboldt State University Library at http://library.humboldt.edu/~rls/NorCalEnv.htm#water. The site provides clickable links to environmental data made available by various entities throughout the Klamath Region. Water resources/water quality site links include: (1) California Data Exchange Center; (2) California Nevada River Forecast Center; (3) EPA – Established TMDLs; (4) Hydro-Climatic Data Network; (6) Klamath Resource Information System (KRIS) Web Bibliography; (7) National Water Information System (NWISWeb) Data for California (USGS); (8) Regional Assessment of Stream Temperatures Across Northern California and Their Relationship to Various Landscape-Level and Site-Specific Attributes; (9) Surf Your Watershed; (10) Water Data Library (California Department of Water Resources); and (11) Water Resources Data: California (USGS).

J. California Department of Fish and Game Stream Bioassessment Procedure: The mission of the California Department of Fish and Game’s Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory is to use biology in the management and assessment of California water quality. This procedure utilizes aquatic invertebrates for the rapid bioassessment of stream water quality. Background information and the bioassessment procedure are available at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/cabw/cabwhome.html.

K. California North Coast Watershed Assessment Program: The development of this interagency program was initiated in 1999 by the California Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency. The California agencies participating in this program are (1) Department of Fish and Game, (2) Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, (3) Division of Mines and Geology, (4) Department of Water Resources, and (5) North Coast Water Quality Control Board. The program purpose is “to develop consistent, scientifically credible information to guide landowners, agencies, watershed groups, and other stakeholders in their efforts to improve watershed and fisheries conditions.” Detailed information about this program is available at http://www.ncwatershed.ca.gov.

Section 5: Network-Wide Scoping, Identification, and Prioritization of Vital Signs for Aquatic Resource Monitoring

A. Purpose, Need, and Approach

The Klamath Network is in the process of developing a long-term water quality monitoring plan for its park units. Development of the water quality monitoring plan follows the guidance given in a May 2002 Memorandum to National Park Service Regional I&M Coordinators. The memo outlines the three-phase approach for developing a monitoring plan. Phase 1 of the network’s water resources and water quality assessment provides introductory and background resource and quality information for each park unit in the network. Phase 2 provides a more in-depth review of the aquatic resources and past water quality inventory, monitoring, and research activities in each park unit; and discusses the process of identifying and prioritizing specific “vital signs indicators” (i.e., indicators of ecosystem health) to be monitored as part of a long-term water quality monitoring program. Phase 3 details the steps required to implement an integrated longterm monitoring program including development of: (1) monitoring objectives for each priority vital sign; (2) sampling protocols and sampling designs; and (3) a plan for data management, analysis and reporting.

Water quality was identified during the Klamath Network’s general ecosystems vital signs scoping process as an important element of the overall health of the network’s diverse ecosystems. The network also identified the need for a working water quality subgroup of the Science Advisory Committee (SAC). The subgroup was given the task of making recommendations concerning water quality issues and implementing tasks that the committee considered significant. Their first assignment was to recommend additional Phase I basic water quality inventories for three network park units (LAVO, LABE, and ORCA) based upon a preliminary evaluation of existing water quality information and its currency by the National Park Service Water Resources Division. The second task for the subgroup was to develop and write a Phase I Water Quality Report. The network decided, based upon existing network expertise and available time, to produce the Phase I Report in-house, with technical assistance from the park units. The network did not identify the need to hold a separate water quality scoping and/or vital signs meeting to gather park-specific water quality information. Rather, the identification of general water quality vital signs was incorporated as one of the tasks of the Aquatic Group participating in the network’s third Vital Signs Workshop held May 4-6, 2004. The purpose of this workshop was to identify Level 1 and Level 2 Categories of the National Vital Signs Framework and to provide examples of vital signs and their measurement associated with these categories (see Table 12). A meeting focusing on identifying more specific water quality vital signs for each network park unit was completed on December 1, 2004.

B. Vital Signs Scoping

The Klamath Network began its vital signs monitoring scoping process in 1998. A detailed account of the process and key findings were reported in Sarr et al. (2004).

Initial park-specific Vital Signs Workshops were held between 1998 and 2003 to begin to identify stressors that potentially impact park unit ecosystems. These workshops were followed in 2004 by three network-wide workshops: (1) Marine (January 27-28); (2) Geology/Soils (March 1-4); and (3) Level 1 and 2 Categories of the National Vital Signs Framework (May 4-6). The purpose of these workshops was to identify general monitoring questions and broad-scale vital signs associated with specific ecosystems and categories (see Sarr et al. 2004, Appendix G, pages 4-17 including Table 1, pages 16-17, for a complete list of National Vital Signs Framework Categories). Detailed results of the May 4-6 workshop specific to Klamath Network park units can be reviewed in Sarr et al. 2004, Appendix G, Tables 2-7, pages 18-46.

General Water Quality Vital Signs Identified during the May 2004 Scoping Process

The dominant theme during the initial identification of network-wide general water quality vital signs was aquatic ecosystem health. The ability to (1) document improvement (or lack thereof) in the water quality of Clean Water Act section 303(d) listed streams, and (2) the ability of park unit managers to document progress toward achieving GPRA goal 1.a4 (i.e., that park units have unimpaired water quality) underscored the importance of identifying a suite of vital signs useful for effective water quality assessment. The need to fully inventory aquatic resources and document baseline and reference water quality conditions also were identified as important objectives in the development of a vital signs-based long-term water quality monitoring program. The vital signs initially identified included:

• Watershed budgets: A watershed budget is one method for monitoring water quality. It is an accounting of the inputs and outputs of water, nutrients, sediments, and chemicals passing through a particular watershed; and budgets vary considerably among watersheds. Typical monitored parameters include the concentration of major ions and isotopes, stream flow, groundwater hydrology, and continuous water temperature.

• Continuous water temperature measurement: Water temperature can be a useful indicator of the status and trends of aquatic ecosystems. Change in water temperature can be indicative of ecosystem impact due to climate change or other anthropogenic-derived perturbations. However, the intermittent monitoring of temperature can be problematic due to the significant temp