Academic literature on the topic 'Moose River Watershed'

The purpose of this three-year study is to describe, explain and predict changes in the geomorphology of the Snake River (from Jackson Lake Dam to Moose) and related changes in riparian vegetation due to Jackson Lake Dam and 1988 fires in the watershed. Specific objectives are to determine changes over time and space in: 1) sediment mobilization on hillslopes from rainsplash and overland flow; 2) sediment delivery to streams from slope failures; 3) equilibrium condition and relative stability of the Snake River; and 4) extent of various riparian vegetation communities in the Snake River floodplain.

Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are relatively abundant on the North Slope of Alaska, an Arctic ecosystem dominated by tundra habitats that run north from the Brooks Range across a wide coastal plain to the Beaufort Sea. The region contains a range of potential Wolverine prey species, including ungulates (Caribou [Rangifer tarandus], Moose [Alces americanus]), Arctic Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus parryii), and both Soricidae and Cricetidae species. The seasonal composition of these, and other prey species, in the Wolverines’ diet is not well understood. We collected Wolverine scats during spring (March–May) on the North Slope while tracking animals from snowmobiles and with helicopters that visited areas identified as of interest during ground surveys or using global positioning system collared animals. We analyzed prey remains in 48 scat samples based on hair, bone, and other prey fragments. We then calculated frequency of occurrence, percentage of occurrence, and weighted percent volume for each major prey category detected. We confirmed species identity of scats as Wolverine by amplifying the control region of the mitochondrial DNA. We estimated spring diet diversity and richness based on nine major prey categories detected in scats. Ungulates and cricetids together constituted 69% of the Wolverines’ spring diet, with Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) constituting 9%, fox (Vulpes spp.) 6%, Arctic Ground Squirrel 2%, birds 2%, American Beaver (Castor canadensis) less than 1%, and unknown 6%.

Abstract The New Mexico meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius luteus was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2014, with critical habitat designated in 2016. Despite these recent conservation actions, there is a paucity of published information regarding its habitat associations. The taxon is a riparian obligate that occurs along both low-elevation rivers and high-elevation headwater streams in several disjunct areas of the American Southwest. Habitat information from one region might not apply to others. The distribution and habitat preferences of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse in the White Mountains in eastern Arizona are poorly known. Objectives of this study were to 1) identify and resurvey historical locations in the White Mountains, 2) survey for new populations in areas with potentially suitable habitat in the White Mountains, and 3) use quantitative data to evaluate habitat associations at the landscape and microhabitat scales and to compare habitat at sites where I captured or did not capture the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. I found 123 historical records of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse from 21 locations in the White Mountains, indicating a formerly broad distribution. I conducted field surveys and collected habitat data at 35 sites (14 historical, 21 new) and caught 37 (39 total captures) New Mexico meadow jumping mice at 12 sites, including 6 of 12 historical locations surveyed. The overall capture rate was 0.36%, with an average capture rate at sites where it was present of 1.28% (range = 0.25–2.5%). All historical sites where I caught the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse were in the drainage of the Black River. The six new sites included the first records for Nutrioso Creek and Corduroy Creek and confirmed persistence of the taxon in the East Fork Little Colorado River, San Francisco River, and Blue River watersheds. Habitat used by the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse in the White Mountains was similar to that reported for other montane populations, characterized by tall, dense herbaceous vegetation composed primarily of forbs and sedges on saturated soil in close proximity to flowing water. However, there was significantly more cover provided by alders Alnus spp. at capture sites at both the stream reach and microhabitat scales. All sites where I captured the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse had no authorized livestock grazing, and the taxon was more likely to occur at sites where there were no signs of unauthorized livestock grazing. Further, there was a significant positive relationship between alder cover and time since an area was excluded from livestock grazing. The widespread exclusion of livestock from riparian areas in the White Mountains may have contributed to the higher rate of population persistence of the New Mexico meadow jumping mice in the White Mountains compared with the Jemez and Sacramento mountains, New Mexico. Although the overall persistence rate in the White Mountains (47%) was higher than other populations, the population is at risk of further losses due to small, isolated occupied areas and ongoing threats.

Many communities are currently seeking to balance urban water needs with preservation of sensitive fish habitat. As part of that effort, CE-QUAL-W2, a hydrodynamic and temperature model, was developed for Chester Morse Lake and the lower Cedar River, WA. Chester Morse Lake is approximately 10 km long with a maximum depth at full pool of 40 m. The Cedar River model started immediately downstream of the Chester Morse dam and ended 21 km downstream at Landsburg, where drinking water is diverted for the City of Seattle. This water quality model was coupled with a fish habitat and bioenergetics model for bull trout and was calibrated to temperature data between 2005 and 2008. Bull trout fish bioenergetics parameters were provided by the USGS. The CE-QUAL-W2 model was found to be highly accurate in modeling temperature variation in the lake - at most locations having an average absolute mean error of between 0.5 and 0.8 oC. The Cedar River model had an average absolute mean error of 0.7oC. This tool is designed to allow managers and operators to estimate the impact to fish habitat and growth potential from various management decisions including extent of drawdown, timing/volume of flows, and various pumping operations. Future studies could include incorporating further water quality parameters such as nutrients, algae, and zooplankton as they relate to fish productivity.