California Creek. The upper site on California Creek supported a few teratological 

 diatom cells and the lower site supported a few more abnormal cells, indicating possible minor 

 impairment from heavy metals at both sites (Table 4). The lower site supported an exceptionally 

 large number of motile diatoms for a mountain stream, which indicated severe impairment 

 from sedimentation. A slightly depressed pollution index suggests minor impairment from 

 organic loading at the lower site. The two sites shared only 18 percent of their diatom floras, 

 indicating that a major change in environmental conditions occurred between these sites. 



Harris Creek. Borderline values for the pollution index and siltation index suggest 

 minor impairment from organic loading and sedimentation in Harris Creek. A somewhat 

 elevated percentage of Achnanthidium minutissimum suggests minor stress from natural 

 environmental conditions (Table 4). 



Shovel Creek. Aside from a large number of Achnanthidium minutissimum and natural 

 stress due to steep gradients, coldwater temperatures and low nutrients, diatom metrics indicate 

 good biological integrity in Shovel Creek. One abnormal diatom valve was counted at this site. 



Hawkeye Creek. Hawkeye Creek supported an exceptionally large number of motile 

 diatoms for a mountain stream, suggesting severe impairment from sedimentation (Table 4). 

 This site also had a slightly depressed pollution index, indicating minor impairment from organic 

 loading. A single teratological diatom valve was counted at this site. 



Warm Springs Creek. An elevated number of motile diatoms here indicate minor 

 impairment from sedimentation (Table 4). One teratological diatom valve was counted at this 

 site. Otherwise, diatom metrics indicated excellent biological integrity in Warm Springs Creek. 



Mill Gulch. Other than a single abnormal diatom valve and a slightly elevated siltation 

 index, Mill Gulch had excellent biological integrity for a mountain stream (Table 4). Diatom 

 species richness in Mill Gulch was exceptional (70 species counted). 



12 



