Anne Wynn Ecosystems Investigations Program Geological Survey
of Alabama Application of the Strategic Habitat Unit (SHU) Model in
North River
Slide 2
51 Strategic Habitat Units (SHUs) and Strategic River Reach
Units (SRRUs) were designated to focus conservation activities for
managing, recovering, and restoring populations of Alabamas rare
fishes, mussels, snails, & crayfishes. The SHUs and SRRUs
include a substantial part of Alabamas remaining high- quality
water courses and reflect the variety of aquatic habitats occupied
by these species historically and presently.
Slide 3
North River Location of the North River SHU
Slide 4
Before deciding the best way to manage, restore, and recover
mussel populations in the North River Watershed, a comprehensive
assessment of existing environmental conditions needed to be
conducted. GSA performed fish biotic integrity assessments, mussel
surveys, and rapid habitat assessments throughout the watershed.
They also developed a land cover/ land change dataset. Previous
water quality and biological monitoring studies were also
documented and summarized in the assessment. The data came from
various agencies including the USGS, GSA, City of Tuscaloosa, and
ADEM. To access this assessment, visit:
www.gsa.state.al.us/gsa/eco/pdf/OFR_0918.pdf
Slide 5
The potential nonpoint source index (PNPI) method was utilized
to identify nonpoint pollution sources on the broad landscape scale
of the entire North River Watershed. GIS grids of soil
impermeability, distance to water, slope, and land cover were
established in ArcMap and the raster calculator was applied to the
PNPI equation (5 * LCI + 3 * DI + 2 * ROI) to produce the PNPI map.
SoilsDistance to water sources Slope Land Cover
Slide 6
Large PNPI values are red on the map, and represent areas
having a high probability of contributing nonpoint source
pollution. High risk areas included row crop fields/barren
land/clear cuts/built up land with impermeable soils on sloped
terrain in close proximity to a stream. These areas have the best
chance of producing rain runoff carrying sediment, pesticides, E.
coli bacteria, and heavy metals to a nearby water source. This map
can help prioritize locations for stream habitat and road-stream
crossing assessments.
Slide 7
The watershed assessment was not only important for SHU
restoration efforts, but was critical for the development of the
North River Watershed Management Plan. The North River has been
listed on Alabamas 303(d) list of impaired waters since 1998 for
siltation and nutrients. The North River Watershed Management Plan
received 319 funding from ADEM in 2010.
Slide 8
Clear Creek subwatershed North River Watershed The watershed
assessment findings suggested that the most robust assemblage of
mussel species in the North River Watershed was in Clear Creek.
Rapid habitat assessments observed high levels of sediment
deposition in Clear Creek and its tributaries.
Slide 9
Clear Creek watershed To quantify the current sediment load in
Clear Creek, GSA installed two OTT Orpheus Mini Data Loggers. These
water gauges began recording water level in Fall 2010.
Slide 10
Suspended sediment grab samples are being collected at the
gauging stations. Instantaneous measurements of specific
conductance, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, & turbidity are
also recorded. A standard Price AA or pygmy flow meter is used to
record flow measurements at cross-sectional monuments at the
gauging stations.
Slide 11
Clear Creek during low flow Clear Creek during a flood event
Water quality data has been gathered during dry periods of low base
flow, winter flooding, and isolated summer storm events.
Slide 12
The gauge readings, water quality data, and flow measurements
are being used to calculate sediment loading rates in the Clear
Creek Watershed.
Slide 13
Once the water gauges had been installed and baseline water
quality data had been obtained, habitat threat and road-stream
crossing assessments began. These assessments helped to determine
locations for restorative best management practices
Slide 14
Rosgen Stream Classification Very helpful field manuals PANAMA
CITY Fisheries Resource Office HABITAT EVALUATION Field Survey
Procedures June 2006 Stream habitat and road-stream crossings were
evaluated using methods developed by the USFWS (Chris Metcalf),
Science Applications International Corporation (Michael Rainer) and
Troy State University (Patrick Witmer and Paul Stewart). Chris
Metcalf provided orientation and field training to learn the
techniques. Dan Everson w / USFWS also helped our team become more
familiar with identifying stable and unstable channel morphology
using the Rosgen Stream Classification System.
Slide 15
Slide 16
11 variables = Habitat Threat Severity Index score 1. Water
odors 2. Channel stability 3. Channel alteration 4. Shoring
structures 5. Fish passage barriers 6. Riparian buffer width 7.
Local non-point pollution 8. Floodplain access 9. Bank erosion 10.
Pipe discharges 11. Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI)
Slide 17
It takes at least 3 people to perform instream measurements
during the Stream Habitat Threat Assessment Taking bank
measurements in the North River Watershed
Slide 18
Location of stream habitat threat assessment sites on Clear
& Deadwater Creeks
Slide 19
ROAD-STREAM CROSSING SEDIMENTATION RISK INDEX A poorly
maintained road-stream crossing is a potential source of
sedimentation to a stream. The Sedimentation Risk Index (SRI) was
used to evaluate road-stream crossings in the North River
Watershed.
Slide 20
12 SRI metrics This survey can be performed by a single person,
but two people make it go much faster
Slide 21
SRI conditions in the North River Watershed 62 unpaved and 69
paved sites were assessed. Out of 131 sites, 42 (32%) were at high
risk of contributing a lot of sediment to the adjacent stream. 31
(73%) of the high risk sites were unpaved.
Slide 22
What does high risk look like?
Slide 23
Unstable channel morphology No riparian vegetation, incised
channel w/ high banks, and no natural meandering indicate an
altered stream channel downstream of the crossing. Incised channel
w/ high banks, and excessive erosion downstream of the
crossing.
Slide 24
Bare soil / bedrock ditches AND steep road approaches
Slide 25
Road crossing fill erosion
Slide 26
Blocked culverts
Slide 27
BMP installed by Overhead Bridge on Deadwater Creek Road-stream
crossing and habitat threat assessment data has helped establish
BMP locations in the North River. Water quality data will continue
to be collected until 2015 to determine if BMPs are helping reduce
the watersheds sediment load.
Slide 28
Broadening the SHU partnership The work done in the North River
needs to be performed in other SHUs now. Partners are needed to
help with SHU watershed assessments. Assessment data will be hosted
on a forthcoming SHU website, which is being developed by the
USFWS. The website will give the public access to the SHU database
in the form of a statewide interactive map. Stream Habitat Threats
and Road Stream Crossing Assessment sites will be uploaded to the
interactive map. This way Clean Water Partners (this could be you!)
and other stakeholders will be able to see the current conditions
in each SHU and where restoration projects are needed.
Slide 29
Questions? Anne Wynn Ecosystems Investigation Program
Geological Survey of Alabama http://www.gsa.state.al.us/ Jennifer
Pritchett United States Fish and Wildlife Service Daphne Field
Office http://www.fws.gov/daphne/ Contact Us