4.3 Predicted Effects on Relevant Resources of All 

 Alternatives 



4.3.1 Water Quality, Water Quantity, Soils, Fisheries, and 

 Weeds 



4.3.1.1 Water Quality and Quantity 



4.3.1.1.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



Within the fire analysis area direct effects are from increases in peak flows 

 and surface runoff are anticipated. Indirect effects are: anticipated 

 increases in erosion, sediment delivery, nutrient levels, and stream 

 temperatures due the recent wildfire. Several changes to water quality are 

 expected as a result of the Fish Creek Complex fire. The Deer Creek and 

 Thompson Creek drainage areas with severe bum intensities are expected 

 to be more affected by increased levels of waters yield, sediment delivery, 

 nutrients, and temperature in local stream channels. Potential sediment 

 delivery would be lower on areas of moderate/mosaic bum where patchy 

 vegetation would help trap surface sediments in areas such as DNRC 

 Thompson Creek. Sediment associated with spring mnoff and rainfall 

 events following the fire are anticipated to increase dramatically the first 

 year and reduce water quality. Sediment delivery is expected to decline up 

 to 45% the second year following the fire (BAER 2003) and water quality 

 will gradually improve. Effects from the recent wildfire will continue to 

 decline as natural recovery occurs. Measurable quantities of these impacts 

 may vary across the fire area and would be dependent on the nature of the 

 stream channels, intensity of bumed area, local soils, geology, and the 

 timing, duration, and intensity of snowmelt and rain events. 



Each of the streams in watersheds with extensive moderate to high bum 

 severity are expected to exhibit in-channel scour as a result of the 

 increases in water yield. The potential increase in water yield can be 

 expected to destabilize streambanks. 



Under the Altemative A: No Harvest (No Action), existing substandard 

 roads with inadequate road surface drainage in the bumed portion of the 

 Fish Creek drainage would continue to impact water quality and 

 downstream beneficial uses unless mitigation and remedial actions are 

 undertaken by the landowners. Road reclamation and road improvements 

 in the Deer and Thompson Creek drainages would greatly reduce the 

 potential for storm damage and sedimentation associated with existing 

 roads. No sediment sources to fishery streams were identified on State 

 lands. Anticipated effects to water quality under Altemative A: No 

 Harvest (No Action) are considered similar to existing conditions for 

 watershed analysis. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-2 



