Mill Creek Watershed

Mill Creek Watershed proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was established to represent Disjunct Cascadian communities such as Red Alder (Alnus rubra). The pRNA has a series of narrow drainages separated by steep ridges with a northwesterly aspect. There are three main tributaries: Low Creek, Broken Creek and Paradise Creek. Red alder borders the Mill Creek riparian area from the forest boundary to above north fork.  The majority of the pRNA is covered by grand fir (Abies grandis) forests with fairy bells (Prosartes), snowberry (Gaultheria), ginger (Zingiber), sword fern (Macrothelypteris torresiana), oakfern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) and thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) as the understory. There are also scarce patches of Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) present. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga)/ninebark (Physocarpus) and bunchgrass communities occur on lithic ridge tops and xeric slopes while white fir (Abies concolor) stands are common on northern slopes. Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) dominates cold air pockets and/or seepages.