Laserfiche WebLink
7 <br />on the downstream end but not on their upstream end, except during relatively high flow <br />events. Sloughs are linear wetlands that are ephemeral to permanent and do not have <br />surface water connections to existing channels except during relatively high flow events. <br />Most slough and backwater areas exist within the forested portions of the Property that <br />- will be cleared during the different phases of this Plan. Both of these habitat types will <br />_ be developed and enhanced to provide habitat for the target species. , Both habitat types <br />when managed in conjunction with surrounding upland areas and active channels can <br />provide loafing, foraging and roosting habitat for whooping cranes. Backwaters may <br />also provide reproductive habitat and refugia for fish and aquatic invertebrates thus <br />provide foraging areas for least terns and piping plovers. <br />Development of grasslands, backwaters and sloughs will require delineation of existing <br />backwaters and sloughs. An evaluation of existing groundwater conditions under <br />various flow and precipitation conditions may be necessary. Some of this information - <br />may be available from other studies and will be obtained. After these parameters have <br />been determined, a development and enhancement methodology will be completed to <br />develop and enhance these habitats. This development and enhancement methodology <br />may not be possible until baseline data on groundwater conditions, vegetative <br />composition and soil types are evaluated and the overstory of woody vegetation is <br />removed. <br />Each backwater will contain some area that is deeper than the adjacent riverbed to the <br />site. The downstream connection of each backwater will be excavated to insure a <br />surface water connection at flows normally available during summer flow periods. <br />Backwaters will provide water depths suitable for roosting habitat at a wide range of <br />river stages. Backwaters will also provide foraging areas for least terns and piping <br />plovers over a wide flow range. <br />Sloughs will be constructed so that they have a surface flow connection to the river at <br />high river stages. Sloughs will contain areas that are deeper than the riverbed in the <br />adjacent channel. Sloughs will be shaped to provide whooping crane roosting and <br />foraging habitat and low flow velocities as refugia for least tern forage fish even at <br />relatively high flows (i.e. greater than 5,000 cfs). <br />Data gathering efforts needed to develop grassland, backwater, and slough development <br />and enhancement methodologies will be part of phase 1. Enhancement of these habitat <br />types will be initiated after approval of this plan by FERC or when all data and permits <br />needed to implement development and enhancement measures aze obtained. <br />3.5 Grassland, Wetland and Meadow Development and Enhancement Away Outside <br />the High Banks of the River <br />Objective: Develop and enhance grasslands, wetlands and/or wet meadow habitats in <br />areas outside the high banks of the river.