Laserfiche WebLink
r <br /> <br />With regard to the Waters of the U.S., Cedar Creek recorded information along each of the main <br />watercourses and primary tributaries, either as specific notes (unrecorded check points) on field maps, or <br />as recorded checkpoints. In many instances, a sand or gravel channel bottom was evident resulting in <br />the documentation of a WUS. In other instances (e.g., lower Jubb Creek), channel bottoms were <br />dominated by wetland grasses and grass-like plants, indicative of wetland as opposed to a WUS. Since <br />wetlands provide continuity between WUS segments, jurisdictionality was maintained upgradient. Once <br />the headwaters of a drainage basin were reached, especially in the drier lower elevation areas (e.g., Little <br />Collom Gulch and tributaries), determination of WUS versus upland was made as follows. Areas of sheet <br />flow runoff and concentrations of sheet flow due to erosional rills (NRCS definition) were classified as <br />upland. Barren, or largely barren channels with a flat bottom (usually sand or gravel) and defined vertical <br />banks of any height were classified as Waters of the U.S. Between these two categories was usually a <br />"V" shaped erosion gully of varying depth with no defined bottom (indicating an actively eroding (down- <br />cutting) feature rather than a more stable channel bed). The larger of these "V" shaped channels were <br />conservatively classified as WUS up to the point where they were approximately one foot across. Above <br />this point, water pathways were less defined topographically and appeared to be controlled as much by <br />random chance as a fluvial process. Below this point, water courses had little opportunity to vary from <br />the path being defined. <br /> <br />• <br />CzDAn CCIRIEIE?S Asssom Il9Es, INC. <br />Page 14 <br />Colowyo Coal Co. - Collom Project Wetlands