Section 1: Overview of Klamath Network Aquatic Resources

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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.