Laserfiche WebLink
Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), a noxious weed, is the dominant shrub in the wetland <br />area at the southwest end of the site. Since this species requires full sun, it is uncommon <br />under the cottonwoods. <br />Ground cover at the site is primarily cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), but at least one - <br />third of the area is covered with inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), a native species <br />tolerant of both saline soils and partial shade (Photo 4). Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus <br />aeroides) and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) are present at the site, but <br />coverage is negligible. <br />The wetland at the southwest end of the study area was described in detail in the WWE <br />report to the US Army Corps of Engineers in 2009. Standing water is present for most of <br />the growing season, but high soil salinity limits the number of species found there. <br />Tamarisk is the only shrub, and the ground cover consists of the salt - tolerant species <br />cattail (Typha latifolia), arctic rush (Juncus arcticus), bulrush (Seirpus pallidus), and <br />inland saltgrass. <br />Photo 4. Inland saltgrass north of the cottonwood grove. Shrubs in background are a <br />mixture of rabbitbrush, seepwillow, and greasewood. <br />In the heavy shade under the cottonwoods, there is a layer of cottonwood leaves and other <br />duff approximately'' /2 inch thick. The soil is typical loam to sandy loam alluvial deposits <br />with high organic content and well- developed structure. Earthworms were present at the <br />time of the survey. <br />Several areas of cryptogamic soils are found at the site; the largest is immediately north <br />of the cottonwood grove and measures approximately 50 ft. by 30 ft. (Photo 5). <br />WestWater Engineering Page 5 of 8 April 2010 <br />