Endangered and Threatened Species of the Platte River

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Platte River that are stable or growing in size and that serve rural agricultural areas, 39 Figure 2 -14. Fluctuations of groundwater levels, showing development of mound under region of central Platte River, 43 Figure 2 -15. Map of elevation of groundwater table in 1931 shown as contour surface, 44 Figure 2 -16. Map of elevation of groundwater table in 1995 shown as contour surface, 44 Figure 2 -17. View of Platte River near Cozad, Nebraska, showing conditions in 1866, about 20 years after extensive wood use by immigrants, soldiers, and railroad crews, 47 Figure 2 -18. View of riparian and channel woodlands on central Platte River, showing conditions in part of river in 2003, 47 Figure 2 -19. View of highly varied habitats on portion of central Platte River, 48 Figure 2 -20. Reconstruction of predevelopment vegetation based on GLO plat maps and field notes (source of witness tree data) for two Platte River townships, 49 Figure 2 -21. Generalized annual migration from southern to northern latitudes, 56 Figure 3 -1. An example reach of the central Platte River with suitable habitat for whooping crane, piping plover, and least terns. This reach, near Shelton has substantial open areas with long sight lines. Source: Photograph by W.L. Graf, August 2003, 61 Figure 3 -2. Keystone Diversion on the North Platte River, upstream from the central Platte River, represents an example of an effectively irreversible feature of the watershed that has enduring effects on flows. Source: Photograph by W.L. Graf, May 2003, 81 Figure 4 -1. Periods of stream -flow record from gaging stations in Platte River Basin, 92 Figure 4 -2. Daily stream -flow record for Platte River near Duncan, Nebraska, showing length of record and variability of flow, 93 Figure 4 -3. Photograph of central Platte River near 100th Meridian in vicinity of Cozad, Nebraska, in 1866, 97 Figure 4 -4. Central Platte River with associated water control infrastructure and places of interest mentioned in this report, 99 • Figure 4 -5. Johnson -2 diversion on central Platte River, feature that influences local distribution of flows in river and provides valuable irrigation water for, 101 Figure 4 -6. Aerial photographs from 1938 (left) and 1998 (right) of Platte River at Johnson -2 irrigation return site, 101 Figure 4 -7. Aerial photographs from 1938 (left) and 1998 (right) of Platte River at western edge of Cottonwood Ranch, 102 Figure 4 -8. Aerial photographs from 1938 (left) and 1998 (right) of Platte River immediately downstream of Kearney bridge crossing, 102 Figure 4 -9. Changes in channel width at various cross sections of Platte River as interpreted by T.R. Eschner on basis of GLO plat maps (1860s) and aerial photographs (1938 and later), 103 Figure 4 -10. Changes in channel width at various cross sections of the central Platte River as interpreted by C. Johnson on basis of aerial photography, 104 Figure 4 -11. Purple loostrife, an introduced, nonnative species that aggressively occupies some niches along Platte River, 106 Figure 4 -12. Aerial photographs from 1938 (left) and 1998 (right) of Platte River at Audubon Rowe Sanctuary, 106 Figure 4 -13. Map of areas of habitat change in cover from 1986 to 1995 for reach of Platte River near Shelton, Nebraska, 107 Figure 4 -14. Aerial photographs from 1938 (left) and 1998 (right) of Platte River west of railroad bridge near Gibbon, 107 Figure 4 -15. Schematic diagram of basic operations of Physical Habitat Simulation System (PHABSIM) used by DOI agencies to specify connections among habitat characteristics, habitat preferences, and river discharges, 109 Figure 4 -16. Schematic example output of PHABSfM, 110 Figure 4 -17. Basic operations of Instream Flow Incremental Method (1FIM) used by DOI agencies to define recommended flow magnitudes, frequency, duration, and timing, 112 Figure 4 -18. Cleared area along central Platte River, 119 • Figure 5 -1. Historical distribution of whooping cranes in North America, 126 xix