2000
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
STREAM INVENTORY REPORT
Atascadero Creek
Atascadero Creek and Green Valley Creek Subwatershed
Russian River
INTRODUCTION
A stream inventory was conducted during the summer of 1995 on Atascadero Creek to assess habitat conditions for anadromous salmonids. The inventory was conducted in two parts: habitat inventory and biological inventory. The objective of the habitat inventory was to document the amount and condition of available habitat to fish, and other aquatic species with an emphasis on anadromous salmonids in Atascadero Creek. The objective of the biological inventory was to document the salmonid and other aquatic species present and their distribution. After analysis of historical information and data gathered recently, stream restoration and enhancement recommendations are presented.
WATERSHED OVERVIEW
Atascadero Creek is a third order creek and is a major tributary to Green Valley Creek. The confluence with Green Valley Creek is approximately 1.5 miles upstream from Forestville. Jonive Creek, a second order tributary, was also inventoried and the results are included in this report. Atascadero Creek drains an area of about 14 square miles of rolling hills and open valley, discharging flow in a northwest direction. The stream within the channel is bowl shaped and covered by an extremely dense growth of riparian vegetation. The creek is accessed from Burnside Road, Barnett Valley Road, Watertrough Road, Mill Station Road, Graton Road, Occidental Road, and Green Valley Road.
Atascadero Creek is approximately 8 miles long and terminates in the Atascadero Marsh northwest of Graton. The 100 year flood plain is about 600' wide south of the Jonive Creek confluence and broadens to about 1100' north of the confluence. Elevations within the watershed range from 919' in the headwater areas to 80' at the Atascadero Creek Marsh.
Land use within the watershed is a mix of diverse agriculture and rural residential. Three natural resource conservation areas extend along the western boundary north of Bodega Highway. There is industrial land use in Graton adjacent to Atascadero Creek. The creek, along with Jonive Creek and the tributary draining Pitkin Marsh, are designated in the Sonoma County General Plan as riparian corridors. Atascadero Creek Marsh is designated critical habitat, and a significant portion of the watershed is designated as scenic landscape.
The following table includes sensitive plants and animals listed in DFG's Natural Diversity Database as occurring within Atascadero Creek Watershed:
Common Name
Scientific Name
Sebastopol Meadowfoam
Lymnanthus vinculans
White Sedge
Carex albida
Pitkin Marsh Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja uliginosa
Pitkin Marsh Lily
Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense
California Beaked Rush
Rhynchospora californica
Thurber's Reed Grass
Calamagrostis crassiglumis
Swamp Harebell
Campanula californica
Yellow Larkspur
Delphinium luteum
Vine Hill Clarkia
Clarkia imbricata
Showy Indian Clover
Trifolium amoenum
Sonoma Alopecurus
Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis
Rincon Ridge Manzanita
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana spp. decumbens
Rincon Ridge Ceanothus
Ceanothus confusus
Vine Hill Manzanita
Arctostaphylos densiflora
California Freshwater Shrimp
Syncaris pacifica
Stream Surveys:
Stream surveys were conducted on Atascadero Creek in July of 1969 and September of 1973. The 1969 survey covered the entire length of the creek from the headwaters to the confluence with Green Valley Creek. Flow was intermittent in the headwaters. Flow near the Highway 12 bridge measured .068 cfs, and flow near Mill Station Road bridge measured 0.50 cfs. Generally, flow velocity was low throughout the surveyed area. A general description of the physical habitat follows: The creek width ranged from 1' to 500' with a mean of 5'. The depth ranged from 1/4" to 8' with an average of 1'. Temperatures recorded 3/4 mile downstream from Barnett Valley bridge were water, 58°F and air, 67°F. Temperatures measured near the Highway 13 bridge were water, 59°F and air, 76°F, and temperatures near Mill Station Road bridge were water, 67°F and air, 70°F. Mean pool measurements were 25' long by 7' wide by 2' deep. The Pool to riffle ratio was 80:20. The streambed bottom consisted of 70% mud, 15% hardpan-clay, 10% gravel, 5% bedrock. A dense streamside vegetative growth comprised of willow, maple, blackberry and poison oak provided a riparian canopy covering 95% of the stream.
Less than 1% of the stream appeared suitable for salmonid spawning, mostly occurring in the headwaters. Nursery habitat was exclusively in the headwaters. Fish shelter was comprised of deep pools and dense overhanging vegetation. A 4' falls was observed approximately 200' downstream from the Barnett Valley bridge and no fish were seen above this falls. There were no springs observed, however some seepage was noted. No diversions were observed on Atascadero creek, though numerous private dumps were apparent along the stream banks. Fish present included: Juvenile steelhead and/or rainbow trout (3/4 - 1"), stickleback, roach and sculpin. The juvenile steelhead and/or rainbow trout were observed only in a 1/4 mile section of stream within the headwaters.
The purpose of the 1973 survey was to evaluate effects of discharged wastes by the Sebastopol Co-op apple cannery located near Barlow Creek, a tributary to Atascadero Creek. There were indications that the wastes were significantly reducing the creek's spawning and rearing habitat for fresh water fish species. Samples were taken at five sites along Atascadero Creek and one site at Barlow Creek. Field tests were made for dissolved oxygen, water temperature and Ph along visible lengths of Atascadero and Barlow Creeks. Water samples were taken at various sites and analyzed. Bottom samples were taken from Atascadero Creek 1/10 mile upstream of the confluence with Barlow Creek in clear water, and one mile downstream from the confluence in murky water. The samples were analyzed for types and diversity of aquatic life present. The results showed that high runoff of organic waste into Barlow Creek was degrading Atascadero Creek's water quality. The section of Atascadero Creek upstream from the cannery was a notably clean-water environment, while the stream at the confluence with Barlow Creek was dramatically less clean. Conclusions from the stream survey suggested the stream could support considerably more clean-water organisms and fish if an effort were made to eliminate apple cannery waste discharges.
METHODS
The habitat inventory conducted in Atascadero Creek follows the methodology presented in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual (Flosi and Reynolds, 1991). The Americorps members that conducted the inventory were trained in standardized habitat inventory methods by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) under the supervision of DFG's Russian River Basin Planner, Robert Coey in May 1995. This inventory was conducted by a two person team.
HABITAT INVENTORY COMPONENTS
A standardized habitat inventory form has been developed for use in California stream surveys and can be found in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual. This form was used in Atascadero Creek to record measurements and observations. There are nine components to the inventory form.
1. Flow:
Flow is measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) at the bottom of the stream survey reach using standard flow measuring equipment, if available. In some cases flows are estimated. Flows were also measured or estimated at major tributary confluences.
2. Channel Type:
Channel typing is conducted according to the classification system developed by David Rosgen (1985). This methodology is described in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual. Channel typing is conducted simultaneously with habitat typing and follows a standard form to record measurements and observations. There are four measured parameters used to determine channel type: 1) water slope gradient, 2) channel confinement, 3) width/depth ratio, 4) substrate composition.
3. Temperatures:
Water and air temperatures, and time taken, are measured by crew members with hand held thermometers and recorded at each tenth unit typed. Temperatures are measured in fahrenheit at the middle of the habitat unit and within one foot of the water surface. Temperatures are also recorded using Ryan Tempmentors which log temperature every two hours, 24 hours/day.
4. Habitat Type:
Habitat typing uses the 24 habitat classification types defined by McCain and others (1988). Habitat units are numbered sequentially and assigned a type identification number selected from a standard list of 24 habitat types. Dewatered units are labeled "dry". Atascadero Creek habitat typing used standard basin level measurement criteria. These parameters require that the minimum length of a described habitat unit must be equal to or greater than the stream's mean wetted width. Channel dimensions were measured using hip chains, range finders, tape measures, and stadia rods. Unit measurements included mean length, mean width, mean depth, and maximum depth. Pool tail crest depth at each pool unit was measured in the thalweg. All measurements were taken in feet to the nearest tenth.
5. Embeddedness:
The depth of embeddedness of the cobbles in pool tail-out reaches is measured by the percent of the cobble that is surrounded or buried by fine sediment. In Atascadero Creek, embeddedness was ocularly estimated. The values were recorded using the following ranges: 0 - 25% (value 1), 26 - 50% (value 2), 51 - 75% (value 3), 76 - 100% (value 4).
6. Shelter Rating:
Instream shelter is composed of those elements within a stream channel that provide salmonids protection from predation, reduce water velocities so fish can rest and conserve energy, and allow separation of territorial units to reduce density related competition. The shelter rating is calculated for each habitat unit by multiplying shelter value and percent cover. Using an overhead view, a quantitative estimate of the percentage of the habitat unit covered is made. All cover is then classified according to a list of nine cover types. In Atascadero Creek, a standard qualitative shelter value of 0 (none), 1 (low), 2 (medium), or 3 (high) was assigned according to the complexity of the cover. Thus, shelter ratings can range from 0-300, and are expressed as mean values by habitat types within a stream.
7. Substrate Composition:
Substrate composition ranges from silt/clay sized particles to boulders and bedrock elements. In all habitat units, dominant and sub-dominant substrate elements were ocularly estimated using a list of seven size classes.
8. Canopy:
Stream canopy is estimated using hand held spherical densiometers and is a measure of the water surface shaded during periods of high sun. In Atascadero Creek, an estimate of the percentage of the habitat unit covered by canopy was made from the center of each unit. The area of canopy was further analyzed to estimate its percentages of coniferous or deciduous trees, and the results recorded.
9. Bank Composition:
Bank composition elements range from bedrock to bare soil. However, the stream banks are usually covered with grass, brush, or trees. These factors influence the ability of stream banks to withstand winter flows. In Atascadero Creek, the dominant composition type in both the right and left banks was selected from a list of eight options on the habitat inventory form. Additionally, the percent of each bank covered by vegetation was estimated and recorded.
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY
Biological sampling during stream inventory is used to determine fish species and their distribution in the stream. Biological inventory is conducted using one or more of three basic methods: 1) stream bank observation, 2) underwater observation, 3) electrofishing. These sampling techniques are discussed in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data from the habitat inventory form are entered into the Habitat Program, a dBASE IV data entry program developed by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). This program also processes and summarizes the data.
The Habitat Runtime program produces the following tables:
Graphics are produced from the tables using Lotus 1,2,3. Graphics
developed for Atascadero Creek include:
HABITAT INVENTORY RESULTS
*** ALL TABLES AND GRAPHS ARE LOCATED AT THE END OF THE REPORT **
The habitat inventory of July 14 - 21, 1995 was conducted by Pamela Higgins, Kurt Gregory (Americorps), and Gregory Bates (volunteer). The survey began at the Occidental Road Bridge and extended up Atascadero Creek to the end of access permission. The total length of the stream surveyed was 14,516 feet.
Flow was estimated to be 0.79 cfs at the Mill Station Road bridge, and 0.099 cfs at the Watertrough Road crossing. Both flow readings were taken on July 14, 1995 with a Marsh-McBirney Model 2000 flowmeter.
This section of Atascadero Creek has two channel types, a B6 from the start of the survey at the Occidental Road Bridge to 13,253 ft. upstream, and an B4 for the upper 1,263 ft. B6 channels are moderately confined, moderate gradient (2-4%), riffle dominated streams with predominately silt/clay substrate. B4 channels are similar but with a gravel substrate.
Water temperatures recorded by field observers ranged from 60°F to 65°F. Air temperatures ranged from 59°F to 85°F. A Ryan Tempmentor was placed in a pool near Mill Station Road and recorded temperatures every two hours from July 20 - October 10, 1995. The highest temperature recorded was 64.9°F. and the lowest was 53.1°F. The mean of the daily highs was 62.8°F for the last 11 days of July, 61.7°F. for August, 60.5°F. for September and 58.2°F. for the first 10 days of October (see Tempmentor summary graph).
Table 1 summarizes the Level II riffle, flatwater, and pool habitat types. By percent occurrence, pools made up 45%, flatwater 36%, and riffles 19% (Graph 1). Flatwater habitat types made up 82% of the total survey length, pools 11%, and riffles 7%.
Thirteen Level IV habitat types were identified. The data are summarized in Table 2. The most frequent habitat types by percent occurrence were glides, 23%; mid-channel pools, 22%; and low gradient riffles, 19% (Graph 2). By percent total length, glides made up 77%, low gradient riffles 7%, and mid-channel pools 6%.
Fifty-six pools were identified (Table 3). Main channel pools were most often encountered at 54%, and comprised 62% of the total length of pools (Graph 3).
Table 4 is a summary of maximum pool depths by pool habitat types. Depth is an indicator of pool quality. Thirteen of the 56 pools (23%) had a depth of three feet or greater (Graph 4).
A shelter rating was calculated for each habitat unit and expressed as a mean value for each habitat type within the survey using a scale of 0-300. Pool types in general rated 44 (Table 1). Of the pool types, the backwater pools had the highest mean shelter rating at 75, main channel pools rated 48, and scour pools 33 (Table 3).
Table 10 summarizes total cover by habitat type. Small woody debris is the dominant cover type for pools in Atascadero Creek. Large woody debris and undercut banks are the next most common cover types. Graph 6 describes the pool cover in Atascadero Creek.
Gravel was the dominant substrate observed in 33% of the low gradient
riffles measured (Graph 7). Large cobble and silt/clay were dominant
substrates in the remaining low gradient riffles.
No mechanical gravel sampling was conducted in the 1995 surveys due to inadequate staffing levels, however, dominant substrate types observed and embeddedness ratings results are presented below.
Pool tail embeddedness, is a measure of the suitability of spawning gravel. Reach 1 was found to be very embedded with 94% of the pools having a rating of 4 (75-100% embedded). Reach 2 was a little better, but still highly embedded with 25% of the pools with a rating of 4 and 63% with a rating of 3. A value of one is best for the needs of salmon and steelhead (Graph 5).
Only 28% of Atascadero Creek lacked shade canopy. Sixty-five percent of the stream had a canopy consisting of coniferous trees and 7% had a canopy of deciduous trees. Graph 8 describes the overall canopy in Atascadero Creek. On a reach by reach comparison, 26% of Reach 1 and 31% of Reach 2 lacked shade canopy (Graph 11).
The mean percent right bank vegetated was 56% and the mean percent left bank vegetated was 54%. For the habitat units measured, the dominant vegetation types for the stream banks were: 63% coniferous trees, 18% brush, 13% deciduous trees and 6% bare soil. The dominant substrate for the stream banks were: 90% silt/clay, 8% bedrock and 2% cobble/gravel. The dominant vegetation types for the stream banks were: 63% coniferous trees, 18% brush, 13% deciduous trees and 6% bare soil (Graph 9).
HABITAT INVENTORY RESULTS FOR JONIVE CREEK
The habitat inventory of June 30 through July 11, 1995 was conducted by Pamela Higgins and Kurt Gregory (Americorps). The survey began at the confluence with Atascadero Creek and extended up Jonive Creek to the end of access permission. The total length of the stream surveyed was 10,692 feet.
A flow of 0.44 cfs was measured on July 14, 1995 at the Ferguson intersection with Bodega Hwy with a Marsh-McBirney Model 2000 flowmeter.
This section of Jonive Creek has two channel types, an F6 from the mouth to 7,820 feet and a B4 for the upper 2,872 feet. F6 streams have low gradient (<2%), highly confined, meandering riffle/pool channels of predominately silt/clay substrate. B4 channel types are moderately confined, moderate gradient (2-4%), riffle dominated, and predominately gravel streams with stable banks.
Water temperatures recorded by field observers ranged from 53°F to 63°F. Air temperatures ranged from 58°F to 73°F. A Ryan Tempmentor was placed in a pool near the confluence with Atascadero Creek and recorded temperatures every two hours from July 8 through October 17, 1995. The highest temperature recorded was 66.7°F and the lowest was 50.5°F. The mean of the daily highs was 63.2°F for the month of July, 61.4°F for August, 59.5°F for September, 55.8°F for October (see Tempmentor summary graph).
Forty-two of the 290 habitat units (14%) were fully measured. By percent occurrence, pools made up 57%, flatwater types, 27% and riffles 16% of the units. Pools made up 61% of the total survey length, flatwater types 28% and riffles 11%.
Eighteen Level IV habitat types were identified. The most frequent habitat types by percent occurrence were root wad scour pools, 20%; glides, 19%; low gradient riffles, 15%; and mid channel pools, 14%. By percent total length, root wad scour pools made up 21%, glides 20%, mid channel pools, 20% and low gradient riffles 10%.
One-hundred sixty-six pools were identified. Twenty-six units were fully measured (16%). Scour pools were most often encountered at 63%, and comprised 55% of the total length of pools.
One-hundred seven of the 166 pools (64%) had a depth of two feet or greater. These pools made up 45% of the total length of surveyed habitat.
Pool types in general had a shelter rating at 34. Scour pools had the highest mean shelter rating at 39, main channel pools rated 26, and backwater pools 18. Undercut banks are the dominant cover type for pools in Jonive Creek. Root mass and small woody debris are the next most common pool cover types.
Gravel was the dominant substrate observed in 71% of the low gradient riffles measured. The depth of cobble embeddedness was estimated at pool tail-outs. Almost all of the pool tail out cobble was more than 50% embedded for both reaches (100% for Reach 1 and 93% for Reach 2).
Approximately 18% of Jonive Creek lacked shade canopy. Sixty-six percent had a canopy consisting of Coniferous trees and 13% had a canopy of deciduous trees.
For the stream reach
surveyed, the mean percent right bank vegetated was 83% and the mean
percent left bank vegetated was 80%. For the stream banks measured,
the dominant substrate type was 97% silt/clay. The dominant
vegetation type for the banks was 58% coniferous trees, 25% deciduous
trees and 12% brush.
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY
JUVENILE SURVEYS:
The 1969 survey of Atascadero Creek noted juvenile steelhead and/or rainbow trout (3/4-1") only in a 1/4 mile section in the headwaters.
On July 26, 1995 a biological inventory was conducted in Jonive Creek to document the fish species composition and distribution at several locations. Each site was single pass electrofished using one Smith Root Model 12 electrofisher. The observers were Higgins, Gregory, Coey, Cox, Ambrosious. Fish from each site were counted by species, and returned to the stream. Air temperatures ranged from 70-74°F and water temperatures ranged from 60-62°F.
On Jonive Creek, the inventory of Reach One was conducted starting at the confluence with Atascadero Creek in habitat units 1-10. In pool and glide habitat types numerous sculpin were observed along with 22 freshwater shrimp. Tree frogs and water beetle were also noted.
The inventory of Reach One was continued in habitat units 45-52, starting approximately 200 feet downstream of Water Trough Road. Numerous sculpin and stickleback were observed in pool and glide habitat types.
A final inventory of Reach One was conducted in habitat units 110 125. In pool and glide habitat types 4 2+ steelhead were observed along with 2 lamprey, numerous sculpin, 1 stickleback and 3 freshwater shrimp.
On July 26, 1995 on Atascadero Creek, the air temperature was 70°F and the water temperature was 58°F.
The inventory of Reach One of Atascadero Creek was conducted starting 100 yards downstream of the confluence with Jonive Creek in habitat units 16-20. In glide, riffle and pool habitat types, no steelhead were observed. However, numerous stickleback and sculpin were noted.
The following tables summarize species observed in biological
surveys:
SUMMARY OF SPECIES OBSERVED IN JONIVE CREEK
SPECIES
YEAR
Native/ Introduced
Steelhead
1995
N
Sculpin
1995
N
Stickleback
1995
N
Lamprey
1995
N
Freshwater Shrimp
1995
N
SUMMARY OF SPECIES OBSERVED IN ATASCADERO CREEK
SPECIES
YEAR
Native/ Introduced
Steelhead
1969
N
Sculpin
1995
N
Stickleback
1995
N
Historical records reflect 15,400 steelhead fingerlings were stocked
in Atascadero Creek from Warm Springs Hatchery in 1984. No known fish
rescue operations have occurred in the watershed.
ADULT SURVEYS:
The 1969 survey noted a 4' falls approximately 200' downstream from Barnett Valley bridge, and no fish were seen above the falls.
No recent spawning/carcass surveys have been conducted by DFG on Atascadero Creek or Jonive Creeks.
DISCUSSION
This section of Atascadero Creek has two channel types, a B6 from the Occidental Road Bridge to 13,253 feet upstream, and a B4 in the upper 1,263 feet.
The B6 channel type is excellent for bank-placed boulders and log cover. B6 channels are also good for low-stage weirs, single and opposing wing-deflectors, and channel constrictors. They are fair for medium-stage weirs and boulder clusters. This reach would benefit from an increase in large organic debris for rearing habitat.
The B4 channel type in the upper section is excellent for low stage plunge weirs, boulder clusters, bank placed boulders, single and opposing wing-deflectors and log cover. Medium-stage plunge weirs may also be good for this channel. However, any work considered will require careful design, placement, and construction that must include protection for the unstable banks.
The F6 channel type in the lower section of Jonive Creek is Good for bank-placed boulders and fair for low-stage weirs, boulder clusters, single and opposing wing deflectors and log cover.
The mean shelter rating for pool habitat types was low at 44. A pool shelter rating of approximately 80 is desirable. The relatively small amount of pool cover that now exists is being provided primarily by small woody debris. Pool cover in Jonive Creek consists primarily of undercut banks, root mass and small woody debris. Log and root wad cover structures in the pool and flatwater habitats are needed to improve both summer and winter salmonid habitat. Log cover structure provides rearing fry with protection from predation, rest from water velocity, and also divides territorial units to reduce density related competition.
Flatwater habitat types comprised 82% of the total length of this survey, pools 11%, and riffles 7%. Most of the flatwater habitat consisted of glides. Nine glide habitat units over 100 feet long made up 72% of the stream length. In third and fourth order streams a primary pool is defined to have a maximum depthof at least three feet, occupy at least half the width of the low flow channel, and be as long as the low flow channel width. The pools are relatively shallow in Atascadero Creek with only 13 of the 56 pools (23%) having a maximum depth greater than 3 feet. These pools comprised only 4% of the total length of stream habitat. In coastal coho and steelhead streams, it is generally desirable to have primary pools comprise approximately 50% of total habitat. Therefore, installing structures that will increase pool habitat is recommended for Atascadero Creek for locations where their installation will not subject the structures to high stream energy. In first and second order streams a primary pool is defined to have a maximum depth of at least two feet, occupy at least half the width of the low flow channel, and be as long as the low flow channel width. In Jonive Creek, a second order stream, pool depth was much better with 107 of the 166 pools (64%) having a depth of two feet or greater and these pools made up 45% of the total length of surveyed habitat.
Spawning areas are generally found in low gradient riffles at the tail-outs of pools. The higher the percent of fine sediment in these areas, the lower the probability that eggs will survive to hatch. This is due to the reduced quantity of oxygenated water able to percolate through the gravel, or because of fine sediment capping the redd and preventing fry emergence.
Pool tail embeddedness, is a measure of the suitability of spawning gravel. Reach 1 was found to be highly embedded with 94% of the pools having a rating of 4 (75-100% embedded) and 6% with a rating of 3 (50-75% embedded). Reach 2 was only slightly better, but still highly embedded with 25% of the pools rating 4 and 63% rating 3. A value of one is best for the needs of salmon and steelhead. Reach 2 contains 69% of the total length of riffle habitat. However, observations indicate the majority of riffles encountered to be poor habitat for spawning.
The mean percent canopy for the entire survey reach was 72%. This is a fair percentage of canopy since 80% is generally considered desirable. Large trees contribute shade, increase bank stability and eventually provide a long term source of large woody debris needed for instream structure.
The water temperatures recorded daily by crew personnel ranged from 60°F to 65°F. The mean of the daily highs measured with remote recorders for the month of July was 62.8°F, August 61.7°F, September 60.5°F and october 58.2°F. In Jonive Creek, the mean of the daily highs was 63.2°F for the month of July, 61.4°F for August, 59.5°F for September, 55.8°F for October.
SUMMARY
Biological surveys were
conducted to document fish distribution and are not necessarily
representative of population information. No salmonids were observed
in the 1995 survey of Atascadero Creek, although steelhead and/or
rainbow trout juveniles were noted in the 1969 survey and historical
notes indicate steelhead were once common in the creek. Steelhead
(2+) were observed in the upper reach of Jonive Creek in the 1995
survey.
In general, Atascadero Creek is poor for steelhead habitat. Deep
pools with adequate shelter are lacking and stream temperatures are
high. Riffle habitat is unsuitable for spawning due to high gravel
embeddedness. Jonive Creek has similar conditions with high
embeddedness, high temperatures and inadequate pool shelter, however,
some steelhead habitat exists. Any work considered in these
streams will require careful design, placement, and construction that
must include protection for any unstable banks.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
SPECIFIC FISHERY ENHANCEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
1)Access for migrating salmonids is an ongoing potential problem in Reach 1 where there are several dams, therefore, fish passage should be monitored, and improved where possible.
2)For sources of upslope and in-channel erosion, utilize biotechnical approaches. Near-stream riparian planting along any portion of the stream should be encouraged to provide bank stability and a buffering against agricultural, grazing and urban runoff.
3) Where feasible, design and engineer pool enhancement structures to increase the number of deep pools in Atascadero Creek. This must be done where the banks are stable or in conjunction with stream bank armor to prevent erosion
4)Where feasible, increase woody cover in the pool and flatwater habitat units along the entire stream. Most of the existing cover is from small woody debris and undercut banks. Adding high quality complexity with larger woody cover is desirable. Combination cover/scour structures constructed with boulders and woody debris would be effective in many flatwater and pool locations in the upper reaches.
RESTORATION IMPLEMENTED
HABITAT STREAM
UNIT # LENGTH (FT) COMMENTS
1.00 3000 AT OCCIDENTAL BRIDGE
100 YARDS.
UNATTACHED OLD WOODEN BRIDGE; WATER
STILL, FILM ON TOP
2.00 3040 LG. COBBLE ASPHALT
5.00 3147 AT MILL STA. BRIDGE, COBBLE ASPHALT
6.00 4647 VERY DEEP NEAR END OF UNIT, LG/SM
WOODY DEB. 8 X 13 X 20; NO FISH
BARRIER
11.00 4770 FORMER BRIDGE 16 X 8.5 X 9; SCOUR
AT FOOT OF BRIDGE
13.00 4992 MASSIVE DAM 20 X 15 X 10 FISH
BARRIER
15.00 5312 FISH PRESENT
18.00 5456 CONFLUENCE WITH JONIVE
19.00 6256 SURVEYING FROM PATH ON LF. BANK,
VERY THICK BRUSH
20.00 6298 JUST ABOVE FOOT BRIDGE
21.00 9798 DAM 7 X 5 X 6, FISH BARRIER, ALL
WOODY DEBRIS
27.00 9963 C" FRY (UNKNOWN SPECIES)
40.00 10900 SPRING RT. BANK; EROSION RT. BANK
50.00 11519 DIFFICULT TO ACCESS
56.00 12126 SURVEY ON SIDE OF CREEK FROM FIRST
DAM
60.00 12367 TRIB. ON RT. BANK 61°F MID
UNIT
61.00 12385 DAM AT END OF UNIT
67.00 12572 DAM AT END OF UNIT
76.00 12827 FISH OBSERVED, NOT STEELHEAD
88.00 13258 BEGIN GARCIA PROP., STREAM
THINNING/SHALLOW
92.00 13375 TRIB. ON RT. BANK DRY OR IRRIGATION
DITCH
94.00 13418 STREAM VERY THIN AND SHALLOW
105.00 13838 IRRIGATION DITCH MIDWAY RT. BANK
110.00 14028 BEDROCK CHANNEL NARROW HIGH WALLS
113.00 14125 BEDROCK VERY NARROW MASSIVE
OBSTRUCTION CONCRETE BLOCKS
115.00 14168 ATASCADERO CONFLUENCE DRY/THICK
BRUSH
116.00 14183 NO FISH OBSERVED
121.00 14365 NO FISH OBSERVED ABOVE DAM
124.00 14525 END SURVEY, BRUSH EXTREMELY THICK
PROBLEM SITES AND LANDMARKS - JONIVE CREEK SURVEY COMMENTS
HABITAT STREAM UNIT # LENGTH (FT) COMMENTS
1.00 32 LOG/ROOT WAD IN CENTER
OF POOL 10 X
6 VERY STABLE ANCHORED ON RT BK
3.00 272 CREEK VERY DEEP, SMELLS BAD, WATER
MILKY; OVERALL BAD SHAPE
12.00 481 NO SIGN OF FISH SO FAR
13.00 681 NO ACCESS; CREEK TO DEEP TO TYPE
25.00 1036 LF BK EROSION/CROSSING?
28.00 1139 MANY 1/2" FRY
49.00 1912 BARBED WIRE FENCE ALONG UNIT
HANGING OVER CREEK
60.00 2392 12" DIAM. METAL PIPE IN CREEK FROM
LF BK
67.00 2617 CULVERT RT BK WITH WATER DISCHARGE 3'
DIAM.
101.00 3959 BRIDGE #1 30'W X 14'H, CONCRETE
102.00 4110 TRIB RT BK 63°F
120.00 4858 TRIB ON LF BK 60°F
122.00 4971 2ND BRIDGE 23'W X 14'6"H
125.00 5028 RT BK BROKEN CONCRETE SLABS
127.00 5117 RT BK DECK FAILURE FROM HOME
133.00 5283 HOSE IN CREEK, WATER DIVERSION LF BK
135.00 5376 MASSIVE DEBRIS JAM AT LEAST 20' X
10', FLAG AT END OF JAM #135 BEGINS
136.00 5420 RT BK RUBBLE AND DIRT UP ABOVE
STREAM
142.00 5725 SCULPIN SEEN
144.00 5804 ROOT WAD 12' X 5' VERY STABLE
147.00 5861 LF BK CEMENT SLAB DECK FALLING INTO
CREEK
161.00 6322 BRIDGE #3 24' X 14.5'
164.00 6642 RT BK WATER DIVERSION PUMP; BRIDGE
#4 24.6' X 14.5'; RT BK FAILURE
181.00 7403 A LARGE AMOUNT OF SCULPIN; STREAM
NOT AS MILKY
184.00 7550 AT BRIDGE
185.00 7592 BRIDGE #5 23' X 14.5' CULVERT AT
END OF BRIDGE RT BK
198.00 8001 DIV. HOSE 2" DIAM. RT BK; RT BK
TRIB 59°F
213.00 8368 BRIDGE #6, CONCRETE, 11.9'H X 24'W
217.00 8518 TRIB ON LF BK 59°F, DRY BEYOND
LARGE POOL (E.F. SPOT)
254.00 9607 BRIDGE #7 WOODEN/CONCRETE
278.00 10356 E.F. SPOT
279.00 10384 BRIDGE # 8, CONCRETE, 9.5' X 12.8'
281.00 10500 DIVERSION PIPE 3" LF BK
290.00 10711 BRIDGE #9, UNUSABLE
LEVEL III and LEVEL IV HABITAT TYPE KEY:
HABITAT TYPE LETTER NUMBER
RIFFLE
Low Gradient Riffle
[LGR] 1.1
High Gradient Riffle [HGR] 1.2
CASCADE
Cascade [CAS] 2.1
Bedrock Sheet [BRS] 2.2
FLATWATER
Pocket Water [PoW]
3.1
Glide [GLD] 3.2
Run [RUN] 3.3
Step Run [SRN] 3.4
Edgewater [EDW] 3.5
MAIN CHANNEL POOLS
Trench Pool [TRP]
4.1
Mid-Channel Pool [MCP] 4.2
Channel Confluence Pool [CCP] 4.3
Step Pool [STP] 4.4
SCOUR POOLS
Corner Pool [CRP]
5.1
Lateral Scour Pool - Log Enhanced [LSL] 5.2
Lateral Scour Pool - Root Wad Enhanced [LSR] 5.3
Lateral Scour Pool - Bedrock Formed [LSBk] 5.4
Lateral Scour Pool - Boulder Formed [LSBo] 5.5
Plunge Pool [PLP] 5.6
BACKWATER POOLS
Secondary Channel Pool
[SCP] 6.1
Backwater Pool - Boulder Formed [BPB] 6.2
Backwater Pool - Root Wad Formed [BPR] 6.3
Backwater Pool - Log Formed [BPL] 6.4
Dammed Pool [DPL] 6.5