BOARD02392 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. Spring Creek Special Interest Area This Special Interest Area (SIA) is designated for its unusual hydrologic character. The Spring Creek hydrologic site consists of two small wetlands located on the Paonia Ranger District at the base of the Ragged Mountains. Site No.1 is approximately ,8 acres in size and Site No, 2 is approximately 1.8 acres in size, These site are located in T, 12S" R, 89W, See, 10, Site No, 1 and Site No, 2 represent unusual and interesting features that support important ecological processes and wetland ecosystems, The sheer volume of groundwater discharge at Site No.1 makes it unmatched within the GMUG forest. Groundwater discharge varies seasonally, but is relatively stable as compared to streams that are primarily sourcing from surface runoff and snowmelt. . The source of the water is snowmelt and rain runoff from the Ragged Mountains, which has percolated through a massive landslide debris deposit forming a westward flowing colluvial/alluvial ground water flow system. These waters appear to be perched on the Mancos Shale, which is westward dipping in this area, The water flowing through and across shale accumulates and transports salts and produces alkaline waters, (Cooper, 2003, unpublished), Vegetation of the Spring Creek sites is complex for such small areas, Species present include Carex aqualtitis, Carex utriculata, Corydalis caseana, Senecio triangularis, Cardamine cordifolia and an exotic invasive Trifolium reopens, Currently there are no water developments at the springs. Water has historically been diverted into ditches just above the Forest boundary and used for agricultural and fish production purposes, The Ragged Bench trail traverses across the upper edge of site # 1, A grazing exclosure was constructed at site #1 in 2003 in order to protect groundwater and climate monitoring equipment. EXHIBIT A