Alder Establishment and Channel Dynamics in a Tributary of the South Fork Eel River, Mendocino County, California

Abstract

Riparian communities established along Elder Creek, a tributary of the upper South Fork Eel River, are bounded by two frequencies of periodic flooding. The upper limit for the riparian zone occurs at bankfull stage. The lower riparian limit is associated with a more frequent stage height, called the active channel, having an exceedance probability of 11 percent on a daily average flow duration curve. Distinct tree communities occupy bankfull and active channel zones. Riparian densities (trees per meter of stream channel) along the active channel decreased with increasing channel gradient and curvature. Riparian densities at bankfull stage were not as sensitive to change in channel gradient and curvature.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the California riparian systems conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA.

Citation

Trush, William J.; Connor, Edward C.; Knight Alan W. 1989. Alder Establishment and Channel Dynamics in a Tributary of the South Fork Eel River, Mendocino County, California. In: Abell, Dana L., Technical Coordinator. 1989. Proceedings of the California Riparian Systems Conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-110. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 14-21