indicator is functioning appropriately in subwatershed -01, functioning at risk in subwatershed - 

 02, and functioning at unacceptable risk in subwatersheds -03 and -04, and the Upper Willow 

 Creek watershed as a whole. 



6) Large Woody Debris: Subwatershed -01 is forested and does not contain many streamside 

 roads or stream crossings. The majority of riparian areas are forested, although significant 

 portions consist of sedge/willow meadows. LWD is abundant and recruitment potential is 

 excellent. This indicator is functioning appropriately in this subwatershed. The majority of the 

 riparian zone along the mainstem of Upper Willow Creek in the other three subwatersheds are 

 not forested. Tributary streams are primarily forested, but moderate-to-high road densities and 

 high numbers of crossing structures have likely altered LWD inputs. Therefore, these sub- 

 watersheds were rated as functioning at unacceptable risk. 



7) Pool Frequency & Quality: Determinations of pool frequency and quality were based on 

 R1/R4 habitat surveys in selected reaches located on National Forest lands in subwatershed -01. 

 This analysis are was determined to be functioning appropriately. Human activities (conversion 

 of the valley bottom to agricultural uses and road construction) in subwatersheds -02, -03 and -04 

 have likely reduced the quantity and quality of existing pools. Riparian area conversion to 

 increase forage for livestock has resulted in loss of woody riparian vegetation and streambank 

 stability, increased sediment deposition and reduced pool habitat. Based on these conditions, the 

 other three subwatersheds are functioning at unacceptable risk for this indicator. 



8) Large Pools: The Forest Service rated this indicator using the results of R1/R4 habitat 

 surveys in the upper subwatershed (-01) as functioning appropriately, and applied the LNF rule- 

 set to the other subwatershed. The other subwatersheds (-02, -03, and -04) were rated as 

 functioning at unacceptable risk. 



9) Off-Channel Habitat: This indicator was also not measured directly. Instead the Forest 

 Service defaulted to the LNF rule-set, modified by local knowledge. Subwatershed -01 is only 

 slightly impacted by the human activities. Therefore, off-channel habitat was rated as 

 functioning appropriately in this sub-watershed. Conversion of the valley bottom to use as 

 pasture and hay land in the other three subwatersheds has resulted in a much more simplified 

 channel in the rest of Upper Willow Creek, although substantial portions of the streamlength are 

 occupied by beavers. Tributaries are typically higher gradient streams and are generally less 

 impacted by human activities. All three subwatersheds have moderate road densities, but all 

 have a relatively high percentage of roads within the Riparian Habitat Conservation Area. This 

 indicator was rated as functioning at risk in subwatersheds -02, -03, and -04 due to the amount of 

 riparian area conversion and the quantity of roads and crossings. 



10) Refugia: This indicator is rated for the entire Rock Creek subpopulation. Several portions of 

 the sub-basin are designated Wilderness, or managed as roadless. These areas are for the most 

 part well distributed across the sub-basin and are connected. A notable exception is the East 

 Fork, which is isolated from the rest of Rock Creek by a dam. Refugia exist in Welcome Creek, 

 Ranch Creek, Alder Gulch, Stony Creek, the Ross Fork and Middle Fork. This indicator is 

 functioning appropriately. 



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