﻿Vegetation Analysis—Riparian Tree/Shrub Habitats 



Results of the 1980 riparian tree and shrub analysis are presented in 

 table 6 and the appendix. The ten plots studied, representative of the 

 structurally-diverse riparian tree and shrub communities which would be 

 inundated by the proposed Kootenai Falls dam and reservoir, were found to 

 support nine species of trees and 20 species of tall (4.5 feet or taller) 

 shrubs or tree saplings. Overall density of trees was 436 trees per acre, 

 and shrub density was 7,330 shrub stems per acre. Average ground cover was 

 62.5%, average canopy-coverage was 67.5%, and average canopy height was 46.0 

 feet. Color photographs taken at each plot are on file at DNRC. 



Vegetation Analysis—Sheppard Meadows 



Results of the vegetation studies conducted in the grassy Sheppard 

 Meadows are summarized in figures 6-8 and table 7. Descriptions of the three 

 meadows follow. 



Downstream Meadow . This meadow (see figure 6) lies on a bench 7,100- 

 8,300 feet upstream from the falls. Meadow elevations range from about 2,000 

 to 2,008 feet (msl). The meadow is about 230 m long and 40 m wide. Two 

 barns, an apple orchard, and a fallen root cellar and homestead foundation 

 occupy the meadow. A small spring flows into the meadow just west of the 

 root cellar. This meadow is bounded on the north by dense coniferous 

 forests, and on the south by the river bank, which supports a fringe of 

 scattered trees (primarily Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa ) . 



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