Figure 90. Phelan Creek valley. 



The West Fork Tolovana River and McManus Creek flow in sinuous configuration 

 through heavily vegetated, more narrow floodplains and do not strongly domi- 

 nate the surrounding landscape. 



The vegetation at most Southern Interior locations is a diverse mixture 

 of deciduous-coniferous forest and riparian shrub thickets. The rounded decid- 

 uous shrubs and trees contrast with the dark, slender white spruce. The West 

 Fork Tolovana River and Tanana River floodplains have a particularly lush 

 understory that increases the variety of texture patterns. The valley walls 

 near most Southern Interior sites are less obviously patterned with a more 

 sparse understory except near drainages. However, contrasting patches of dark 

 and light green can still be seen in most locations. 



The color variety near the Southern Interior sites includes a complex 

 mixture of greens, browns, grays, and tans with fall vegetative foliage adding 

 reds, oranges, and yellows. 



302 



