Research Protocol for Cottonwood Ranch

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of the intensive research component will be used to separate normal variability in the channel from changes that are specifically produced by the management activities. Specific objectives are as follows: Objective 1) General river monitoring within Cottonwood Ranch that will become part of the overall adaptive management program along the central Platte River A) To document physical characteristics of the Platte River channels both within the Cottonwood Ranch and immediately downstream. B) To integrate the general monitoring program within Cottonwood Ranch Property into the monitoring scheme devised for adaptive management within the PRESP's area of interest. Objective 2) Intensive research aimed at estimating channel changes and sediment movement resulting from integrated management practices A) To evaluate channel changes (e.g. changes in channel width, distribution of depths within cross sections, and bank stability) resulting from specific vegetation clearing activities along islands and river banks B) To determine the sediment budget and sediment movement of mobilized bed and bank material to downstream areas from the managed channel before and after vegetation removal in the management channel. C) To evaluate the effects of natural river processes (eg. seasonal distribution of flow depths and erosion potential on banks) to maintain or augment the management activities. The monitoring and research in this protocol does not evaluate species response to habitat development and enhancement but does evaluate the response of the existing environment to management actions. The Cottonwood Ranch Property Development and Enhancement Plan was developed based upon current knowledge of habitat needs by the target species with the assumption that ultimately this Plan will result in benefits to the target species. This approach is consistent with adaptive management. While species response to habitat management will take multiple years to evaluate it is imperative to the success of the proposed Program that this initial management action be evaluated to guide future land management and improve understanding of river processes that create and maintain channel habitat. The Districts have and will continue to monitor wildlife use of the site including fish abundance and diversity, breeding and migratory bird use and bald eagle use of an adjacent roost site.