Park-Level Vital Signs Tables - Klamath Network Water Quality Report

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Klamath Network Water Quality Report (Phase II)

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

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C. Park-Level Vital Signs Tables

Crater Lake National Park (CRLA)

Crater Lake aquatic resources occur within and outside of the Mt. Mazama caldera. Crater Lake is the focus of most park visitors, and a long-term monitoring program of lake and inner-caldera streams and springs water quality has been active since June, 1983. Geothermal sites deep in Crater Lake are also identified as an important resource within the caldera. Freshwater resources outside of the caldera include: (1) relatively small and shallow ponds, lakes, and wetlands; (2) Sphagnum Bog Research Natural Area; and (3) numerous streams and springs. Vital Signs for Crater Lake, inner-caldera streams and springs, and lentic systems outside of the caldera, in order of priority, are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota; (3) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants; and (4) visitor use impacts - recreation and motorized boat use on Crater Lake. Vital Signs for perennial streams and springs outside of the caldera, in order of priority, are: (1) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota; (2) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants; and (3) land and non-recreational human use impacts – park operations. Cattle trespass is identified as a potential vital sign of Sphagnum Bog RNA. There is also concern that geothermal exploration near the CRLA boundary could negatively impact geothermal sites within the caldera. A detailed summary of Crater Lake aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 14A-D.

Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO)

Aquatic resources in Lassen can be grouped into two categories: (1) ponds and lakes, wetlands, and streams; and (2) geothermal/hydrothermal features such as hot springs and streams, fumaroles, and mudpots. Ponds and lakes, wetlands, and streams are grouped together because the same stressors impact each resource-type. Vital signs of lentic and lotic resources, in order of priority, are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants (3) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota (esp., non-native trout and charr); and (4) Visitor use impacts - recreational (e.g., hiking, backpacking and camping) and non-recreational (park operations, e.g., parking lot and road maintenance, and various construction projects). Visitor use impacts - recreational is identified as the major vital sign of geothermal/ hydrothermal resources in Lassen. Geothermal/hydrothermal resources have been and continue to be monitored as part of the USGS Volcano Monitoring Program. A detailed summary of Lassen aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 15AB.

Lava Beds National Monument (LABE)

No permanent surface freshwater resources exist within the boundaries of Lava Beds; however, a few intermittent-ephemeral ponds occur. Aquatic resources in Lava Beds occur primarily as ice and water in permanent ice caves and seasonal wet caves, and groundwater. Stressors of these resources include reduced precipitation associated with increased air temperatures and evaporation, and decreased relative humidity in caves. These changes could subsequently decrease the amount of ice in caves and the availability of water for Lava Beds biota. Since water is a precious commodity in Lava Beds, any change in water availability due either to stress of natural or anthropogenic origin could be quite detrimental to Lava Beds ecosystems. Stressors of anthropogenic origin include impacts due to climate change, geothermal exploration, agricultural land use (esp., irrigation and use of chemicals), and timber harvest just outside of the Lava Beds boundary. The priority vital signs for Lava Beds aquatic resources are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) groundwater; (3) agricultural chemicals in cave ice and water; and (4) extent of impact on water quality of activities associated with park unit development, visitor use, and water runoff from roads. A detailed summary of Lava Beds aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 16A-D.

Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA)

The aquatic resources of Oregon Caves consist of an in-cave stream and springs, and surface streams. Stressors to in-cave resources include: (1) impacts due to climate change; (2) human actions that modify the cave environment, especially modification of cave openings; (3) visitor use impairments due to the introduction of inorganic and organic contaminants; (4) manipulation of the cave environment through the introduction of artificial light; (5) subsequent increase in algal growth in the cave and the introduction of contaminants (e.g., bleach) during cave algae control efforts; and (6) decrease in the amount and availability of in-cave water due to withdrawal of water from surface streams for fire suppression. Surface streams are susceptible to the effects of climate change, catastrophic fire, and debris flows. Cave Creek, a primary stream flowing through Oregon Caves, is also particularly susceptible to contamination by drain field leaching. The presence of grazing cattle near Oregon Caves’ streams may also contribute to the potential contamination of the Oregon Caves water supply. The priority vital signs of Oregon Caves’ aquatic resources are: (1) drain field contamination of Cave Creek; (2) cave environment relative to the modified cave opening; (3) visitor usage; and (4) cave environment relative to introduction of artificial light. A detailed summary of Oregon Caves’ aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 17A-B.

Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP)

Freshwater and marine aquatic resources are present in Redwoods. Freshwater resources include impaired streams (i.e., Redwood Creek and Klamath River), numerous unimpaired streams (e.g., Godwood Creek, Hayes Creek, Little Lost Man Creek, Mill Creek, Upper Prairie Creek, and Smith River), and small ponds and wetlands. Marine resources include the intertidal and offshore coastal zones, the estuaries of Redwood Creek and Klamath River, several lagoons (i.e., Espa, Lagoon Creek, and Freshwater), and coastal ponds at Enderts Beach.

Redwood Creek and Klamath River are listed under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act for high water temperature and unacceptable levels of sedimentation and nutrients (see Table 1). Additional stressors include: (1) the presence of introduced invasive species; (2) upstream land use activities (e.g., timber harvest, use of herbicides, and controlled burns); (3) highway- and levee-related perturbations (e.g., road and culvert failures, runoff and toxic spills, and levee maintenance); (4) contamination from septic system leaching and illegal garbage/trash dumping; and (5) riparian/bank disturbance associated with recreational fishing. Park watershed rehabilitation activities and inchannel gravel extraction additionally impact Redwood Creek. The unimpaired sites will be useful for determining baseline water quality characteristics and range of natural variation of Redwoods streams. Immediate stressors to these systems include runoff and toxic spills from State Highway 229 and U.S. Highway 101 and groundwater draw-down at the Mill Creek Campground.

Stressors affecting marine resources vary according to resource-type. Intertidal and offshore coastal areas can be affected by: (1) climate change and climatic events such as El Niño; (2) offshore oil spills and the dumping of garbage/plastics; (3) reduced downstream sediment transport due to the presence of Klamath River dams; and (4) commercial fishing of smelt and rockfish. Estuaries are affected by changes in hydrology, increased water temperatures, runoff and spills from US Highway 101, and the removal and illegal cutting of wood. The Redwood Creek estuary is also impacted by human activities that degrade riparian habitat, and by dairy farming and flood control projects. Lagoons and coastal ponds can be stressed by human-related perturbations associated with road drainage and maintenance, park development, and potential toxic contamination from an old mill site. The presence or possible introduction of various non-native invasive species (e.g., algae and invertebrates, European beachgrass, and numerous other exotic plants, etc.) can affect all marine resource-types.

The priority vital signs for Redwoods freshwater resources are: (1) 303(d) listed streams (Redwood Creek and Klamath River); (2) upstream land cover and use; (3) recreational fishing; and (4) presence and extent of introduced exotic biota. The priority vital signs for Redwoods marine resources are: (1) commercial fishing; (2) extent of impacts on water quality due to human activities related to flood control and dairy farming (Redwood Creek only); (3) presence and extent of invasive biota; and (4) presence and extent of pollutants (e.g., oil) and garbage/plastics offshore and on beaches. A detailed summary of Redwoods aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Tables 18A-C and 19A-C.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS)

Whiskeytown aquatic resources include Whiskeytown Lake, perennial streams, mineral springs, permanent and intermittent small-shallow ponds, and marshes. Water related activities (e.g., boating, sailing, water skiing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, etc.) are the primary recreational focus of visitors to Whiskeytown Lake and are potential stressors of reservoir water quality. Additional stressors related to human activity include: park unit sewage treatment and wastewater discharge by surrounding communities; marijuana farming and heavy metals contamination from past mining operations on the upstream sections of reservoir tributaries; and water level fluctuations caused by reservoir dam operations. As is the case with many large water bodies in the western USA, the introduction of non-native invasive floral and faunal species impact the native biota of Whiskeytown Lake. Impacted perennial streams have been affected by human-related activity (e.g., past mining operations; treatment and disposal of human waste; marijuana farming; recreation; deteriorating abandoned logging roads; gravel injection and waste rock disposal; prescribed/natural fires and related activities; floods; and introduced nonnative invasive biota). The unimpaired perennial streams in Whiskeytown can be used to determine baseline lotic water quality conditions and range of natural variation. However, these streams can also be affected by perturbations of natural and anthropogenic origin. Whiskeytown also contains a complex of mineral springs that supports a small, indigenous population of Howell’s alkali grass (Puccinellia howellii), which is listed by the California Native Plant Society as rare and endangered. Stressors to this resource include: (1) littering and garbage dumping, trampling, and off-road vehicle use); (2) change in hydrology; (3) State Highway 299 maintenance and contamination/pollution due to vehicle use and accidents; and (4) potential invasion by saltgrass (Distichlis spicata). Little is known about the various permanent and intermittent small-shallow ponds and marshes that occur in Whiskeytown. They, like the unimpaired perennial streams, are susceptible to various types of stress of natural and anthropogenic origin. The priority vital signs of Whiskeytown aquatic resources are: (1) extent of human impacts such as heavy metals contamination associated with from past mine operations and tailings; (2a) park unit sewage treatment and disposal; (2b) septic tanks, garbage/trash, and marijuana farming; and (3) extent and occurrence of natural and prescribed fire. A detailed summary of Whiskeytown aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 20AE.

Table 14: Crater Lake National Park Vital Signs Tables

A: Crater Lake and inner-caldera streams and springs; ponds, lakes and wetlands outside of caldera Priority Vital Sign Potential Stress Indicators Potential Monitoring Options