Cottonwood Creek Watershed Assessment
The purpose of the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Assessment is to gather and integrate existing information on the present and historical environmental and land use conditions within the Cottonwood Creek watershed. This represents the first comprehensive effort to document the state of information available in the entire watershed. This report does not present management recommendations for the Cottonwood Creek watershed; rather, it focuses on prior studies and suggests avenues for further study that may be useful to watershed managers and stakeholders.
The complete report is available in one large PDF file (17 MB), or as smaller PDF files, divided by chapter below.
The complete report is available in one large PDF file (17 MB), or as smaller PDF files, divided by chapter below.
Cover and Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
General Description
Hydrology
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology
Soil Resources
Water Quality
Vegetative Cover
Fishery Resources
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types
Special-status Species
Riparian Communities
Land Use
Objective
Scope
Background
Cottonwood Creek Board of Directors, 2001
Technical Advisory Committee, 2001
References
Chapter 2: Hydrology
Setting
Current Hydrologic Regime
Shasta County
Tehama County
Description of the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Area
North Fork
Middle Fork
South Fork
Cottonwood Creek
Water Development
Precipitation and Runoff
Groundwater
Historical Hydrologic Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Hydrology Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 3: Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology
Watershed History Setting
Geology
Current Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Characteristics
Previous Studies
Sediment Discharge
Sediment Size Distribution
Channel Form
Channel Width
Channel Slope and Elevation
Bankfull Discharge
Historical Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphologic Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Chapter 4: Soil Resources
Setting
Current Soil Characteristics
Millsholm-Sehorn-Lodo (CA147)
Newville-Dibble-Corning (CA140)
Etsel-Maymen-Parrish (CA138)
Heneke-Stonyford-Maymen (CA139)
Sheetiron-Goulding-Millich (CA137)
Tehama-Hillgate-Arbuckle (CA146)
Newtown-Red Bluff-Redding (CA157)
Barpeak-Sheetiron-Marpa (CA104)
Chaix-Corbett-Kanaka (CA154)
Neuns-Deadwood-Kindig (CA011)
Historical Characteristics
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Soil Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 5: Water Quality
Setting
Water-quality Monitoring
Surface-water-quality Monitoring—USACE
Surface-water-quality Monitoring, DWR
Groundwater Quality
Groundwater Monitoring, DWR
Groundwater Monitoring, USGS
Current Water Quality
Surface-water Quality
Historical Water Quality
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Water-quality Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 6: Vegetative Cover
Setting
Current Vegetation
Review of Available Technical Data
Vegetative Cover
Agriculture
Barren
Urban
Serpentine
Chaparral
Annual Grassland
Riparian
Douglas Fir/True Fir
Mixed Conifer
Blue Oak/Gray Pine
Water
Historical Vegetative Cover Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Vegetative Cover Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Chapter 7: Fishery Resources
Setting
Current Fishery Resources
Habitat Conditions
Fish Populations
Historical Fishery Resources Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Fishery Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 8: Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types
Setting
Current Wildlife and Habitat Conditions
Methods
Habitat Types
Historical Occurrence of Wildlife and Habitat
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 9: Special-status Species
Setting
Potential Presence of Special-status Species
State- and Federal-listed Threatened and Endangered Species
Other Special-status Species
Historical Occurrence of Special-status Species
1975 to Current
Special-status Species Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 10: Riparian Communities
Setting
Current Riparian Communities
Historical Occurrence of Riparian Communities
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Riparian Communities Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 11: Land Use
Setting
Current Land Use
Agriculture
Timber
Public Lands
Habitat Resource/Open Space/Recreation
Residential
Mining
Land Use Plans
Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US
Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management
Land and Resource Management Plan, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, US Forest Service
General Plan
Zoning Plan
Department of Water Resources Land Use Surveys
Land Use Maps
Historical Land Use
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Land Use Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 12: Cottonwood Creek Watershed Assessment Summary Conclusions and Recommendations
Phased Approach to Watershed Management
Phase 1 Establish CCWG
Phase 2 Develop CCWG
Phase 3 Establish Desired Condition of Watershed
Phase 4 Affect Change in Watershed
Overall Conclusions and Recommendations
Hydrology Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Conclusions and Recommendations
Soil Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Water-quality Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Vegetative Cover Conclusions and Recommendations
Fishery Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Special-status Species Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Riparian Communities Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Land Use Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Appendix A: Water Data
Appendix B: Fishery Resources Data
Appendix C: Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Data
Appendix D: Special-status Species Data
Appendix E: Riparian Communities Data
Appendix F: Soil Resources Data
Appendix G: Vegetative Cover Data
Appendix H: Sediment Data (USGS)
Appendix I: List of Available Timber Harvest Documents
Chapter 1: Introduction
General Description
Hydrology
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology
Soil Resources
Water Quality
Vegetative Cover
Fishery Resources
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types
Special-status Species
Riparian Communities
Land Use
Objective
Scope
Background
Cottonwood Creek Board of Directors, 2001
Technical Advisory Committee, 2001
References
Chapter 2: Hydrology
Setting
Current Hydrologic Regime
Shasta County
Tehama County
Description of the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Area
North Fork
Middle Fork
South Fork
Cottonwood Creek
Water Development
Precipitation and Runoff
Groundwater
Historical Hydrologic Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Hydrology Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 3: Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology
Watershed History Setting
Geology
Current Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Characteristics
Previous Studies
Sediment Discharge
Sediment Size Distribution
Channel Form
Channel Width
Channel Slope and Elevation
Bankfull Discharge
Historical Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphologic Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Chapter 4: Soil Resources
Setting
Current Soil Characteristics
Millsholm-Sehorn-Lodo (CA147)
Newville-Dibble-Corning (CA140)
Etsel-Maymen-Parrish (CA138)
Heneke-Stonyford-Maymen (CA139)
Sheetiron-Goulding-Millich (CA137)
Tehama-Hillgate-Arbuckle (CA146)
Newtown-Red Bluff-Redding (CA157)
Barpeak-Sheetiron-Marpa (CA104)
Chaix-Corbett-Kanaka (CA154)
Neuns-Deadwood-Kindig (CA011)
Historical Characteristics
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Soil Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 5: Water Quality
Setting
Water-quality Monitoring
Surface-water-quality Monitoring—USACE
Surface-water-quality Monitoring, DWR
Groundwater Quality
Groundwater Monitoring, DWR
Groundwater Monitoring, USGS
Current Water Quality
Surface-water Quality
Historical Water Quality
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Water-quality Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 6: Vegetative Cover
Setting
Current Vegetation
Review of Available Technical Data
Vegetative Cover
Agriculture
Barren
Urban
Serpentine
Chaparral
Annual Grassland
Riparian
Douglas Fir/True Fir
Mixed Conifer
Blue Oak/Gray Pine
Water
Historical Vegetative Cover Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Vegetative Cover Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Chapter 7: Fishery Resources
Setting
Current Fishery Resources
Habitat Conditions
Fish Populations
Historical Fishery Resources Conditions
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Fishery Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 8: Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types
Setting
Current Wildlife and Habitat Conditions
Methods
Habitat Types
Historical Occurrence of Wildlife and Habitat
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 9: Special-status Species
Setting
Potential Presence of Special-status Species
State- and Federal-listed Threatened and Endangered Species
Other Special-status Species
Historical Occurrence of Special-status Species
1975 to Current
Special-status Species Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 10: Riparian Communities
Setting
Current Riparian Communities
Historical Occurrence of Riparian Communities
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Riparian Communities Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 11: Land Use
Setting
Current Land Use
Agriculture
Timber
Public Lands
Habitat Resource/Open Space/Recreation
Residential
Mining
Land Use Plans
Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US
Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management
Land and Resource Management Plan, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, US Forest Service
General Plan
Zoning Plan
Department of Water Resources Land Use Surveys
Land Use Maps
Historical Land Use
1800 to 1850
1850 to 1900
1900 to 1950
1950 to 1975
1975 to Current
Land Use Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Chapter 12: Cottonwood Creek Watershed Assessment Summary Conclusions and Recommendations
Phased Approach to Watershed Management
Phase 1 Establish CCWG
Phase 2 Develop CCWG
Phase 3 Establish Desired Condition of Watershed
Phase 4 Affect Change in Watershed
Overall Conclusions and Recommendations
Hydrology Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Sediment and Fluvial Geomorphology Conclusions and Recommendations
Soil Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Water-quality Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Vegetative Cover Conclusions and Recommendations
Fishery Resources Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Special-status Species Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Riparian Communities Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
Land Use Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
References
Appendix A: Water Data
Appendix B: Fishery Resources Data
Appendix C: Wildlife Resources and Habitat Types Data
Appendix D: Special-status Species Data
Appendix E: Riparian Communities Data
Appendix F: Soil Resources Data
Appendix G: Vegetative Cover Data
Appendix H: Sediment Data (USGS)
Appendix I: List of Available Timber Harvest Documents
