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Ecological Inventory of Wetland Sites

in the

Thompson-Fisher

Conservation Easement

Prepared for the
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Submitted by
W. Marc Jones and D. Paul Hendricks

May 2002

frjT" "" MONTANA

jsj) Natural Heritage
Program

Ecological Inventory of Wetland Sites

in the

Thompson-Fisher

Conservation Easement

May 2002

2002 Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building, P.O. Box 201800, Helena, MT 59620-1800. 406-444-3009

This document should be cited as follows:

Jones, W. M., and D. P. Hendricks. 2002. Ecological inventory of wetland sites in the Thompson-Fisher
conservation easement. Report to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana Natural Heritage
Program, Helena, MT.

Introduction

The Montana Natural Heritage Program, in cooperation with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife &
Parks (FWP), has completed a survey of wetlands on Plum Creek Timber Company (PCTC) land in the
Thompson and Fisher River drainages of northwestern Montana (Figure 1). This inventory documents
the condition of wetland and riparian resources on a conservation easement that the Department is
acquiring from PCTC and will help FWP identify wetlands of high ecological value.

Methods

Ecological Inventory

We restricted our ecological inventory to higher quality wetlands on PCTC land within the current and
proposed Thompson-Fisher conservation easement. Specifically, we sought wetlands with limited
hydrologic and geomorphic modification that had intact, representative native plant communities. We
also sought wetlands that supported rare species or plant communities or had outstanding wildlife habitat.

Wetlands were surveyed during the summer of 2001. Montana Natural Heritage Program ecologists used
a standardized methodology based on Bourgeron et al. (1992) to assess site condition, catalog community
types, and document rare plant and animal occurrences. Specifically, we attempted to walk through all
wetland plant communities at any given site, except where prevented by deep water. For each dominant
community, we collected species composition and coverage data from 400-m 2 , 200-m 2 , or 50-m 2 releve
plots. Where applicable, we classified each wetland plant community using Hansen et al. (1995) and
NatureServe (2002). The condition of each community was assessed using criteria such as the presence
of exotic species, evidence of logging, hummocking or pugging, presence of ditches, dikes, riprap, and
other geomorphic and hydrologic modifications. We also noted the depth of standing water and presence
of beaver activity.

At each site, elevation, aspect, slope, and the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) class and subclass (Smith et al.
1995) were noted, as were the Cowardin system/subsystem, class/subclass, and hydrologic regime
(Cowardin et al. 1979). We also recorded offsite land uses. A cursory search for rare plants was
conducted during the walk- through of each wetland.

Sites were ranked using five factors: condition, landscape context, diversity, rarity, and size. Table 1
describes indicators for and the relative importance of these criteria. Each factor was rated A - D
(numeric equivalents of 4 - 1) and weighted as described in Table 1. An overall site rank of A - D was
then calculated, where A was between 3.25 and 4.00, B was between 2.50 and 3.25, C was between 1.75
and 2.50, and D was less than 1.75. This system corresponds to the ranking strategy described in
Greenlee and Jones (2000) as follows:

A = outstanding ecological significance

B = very high and high ecological significance

C = moderate ecological significance

D = not significant

Plant Community Classification

We defined plant associations based on the International Classification of Ecological Communities
(NatureServe 2002). This database, developed by The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe, forms the
basis for a standardized National Vegetation Classification. This classification is currently being
developed by the Ecological Society of America, U.S. Geological Survey, and NatureServe, among
others. It incorporates and expands on published state and regional plant community classifications, such
as Pfister et al. (1977), Mueggler and Stewart (1980), and Hansen et al. (1995).

Table 1. Indicators and relative importance of criteria used to rank the ecological and conservation
significance of wetlands.

%of

Overall

Rank

Factor

Indicators

Condition

Diversity

Rarity
Size

25%

Landscape 25%

Context

20%

20%
10%

• Alteration of geomorphic or biogeochemical processes.

• Presence of intact, representative native plant communities with characteristic
structure and composition.

• Presence of exotic species or cultural vegetation.

• Alteration of hydrologic processes.

• Extent of land uses in the surrounding uplands that disrupt hydrologic and habitat
connectivity among the site, uplands, and adjacent wetlands.

Number of plant communities, number of structural vegetation types, number of
hydrologic classes.

Number and condition of rare plants, animals, or plant communities present at the site.

Size of site.

Nomenclature

We used Hitchcock et al. (1955-1969) and Dorn (1984) to identify plant species in the study area. In
keeping with International Classification of Ecological Communities (NatureServe 2002), we followed
the nomenclature presented in Kartesz (1999) for vascular plants, except for Betula glandulosa (Bog
Birch), where we used the Flora of North America (Furlow 1997). There are two other taxonomic
considerations worth noting. The first concerns a common wetland sedge, often called Beaked Sedge,
which has been erroneously called Carex rostrata in previous studies. While Carex rostrata does occur
in northwestern Montana, it is very rare. In this report, we refer to Beaked Sedge as Carex utriculata
(Griffiths 1989). Secondly, we use Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) to include Picea engelrnannii,
Picea glauca (White Spruce), and their hybrids (Daubenmire 1974). Table 2 presents the synonymy
among Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973), Dorn (1984), and Kartesz (1999) for common and indicator
species.

Table 2. Plant species synonymy.

Common Name

Hitchcock & Cronquist (1973) Dorn (1984)

Kartesz (1999)

Black Cottonwood

Booth's Willow
Red-Osier Dogwood
Arrowleaf Coltsfoot

American Cow-Parsnip
Beaked Sedge
Hardstem Bulrush
Marsh Cinquefoil
Mountain Sweet-Cicely
Slender Bog Orchid
Spotted Knapweed
Starry False Solomon's Seal
Streambank Ragwort
Western Dock

Populus trichocarpa

Salix myrtillifolia
Cornus stolonifera
Petasites sagittatus

Heracleum lanatum
Carex rostrata
Scirpus acutus
Potentilla palustris
Osmorhiza chilensis
Habenaria saccata
Centaur ea maculosa
Smilacina stellata
Senecio pseudaureus
Rumex occidentalis

Populus balsamifera

Salix boothii
Cornus stolonifera
Petasites sagittatus

Heracleum sphondylium
Carex rostrata
Scirpus acutus
Potentilla palustris
Osmorhiza chilensis
Habenaria saccata
Centaur ea maculosa
Smilacina stellata
Senecio pseudaureus
Rumex occidentalis

Populus balsamifera ssp.

trichocarpa
Salix boothii
Cornus sericea
Petasites frigidus var.

sagittatus
Heracleum maximum
Carex utriculata
Schoenoplectus acutus
Com arum palustre
Osmorhiza berteroi
Platanthera stricta
Centaur ea biebersteinii
Maianthemum stellatum
Packer a pseudaurea
Rumex aquaticus

Amphibian and Reptile Surveys

Sites for amphibian surveys were identified through discussions with the Heritage Program wetland
ecologist, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel, and study of USGS 7.5' topographic maps.
Springs, marshes, small ponds, and valley-bottom sloughs were priority sites for surveys.

From 10-50 minutes were spent during each site survey (Table 4 in the Other Wetlands Surveyed
section), depending upon areal extent of the site, site conditions (including weather), and what was found.
Shorelines and wetland margins were searched for adults and juveniles while walking slowly along the
edge; some sites were also scanned first for basking turtles with an 8-power binocular. The entire
perimeter was searched at some sites; others were inspected by traversing the length of the site through
shallow emergent vegetation. May searches included visual searches for egg masses attached to
submerged and emergent vegetation. At regular intervals (where appropriate) the aquatic habitat was
sampled for tadpoles or larvae using a dipnet. Time of day and duration of searches (a measure of search
effort: Heyer et al. 1994, Olson et al. 1997), weather, and species encountered were recorded on
standardized U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data sheets. Most sites were visited more than once to
increase possibility of detection and document phenology of development.

Results and Discussion

Ecological Inventory

Six sites were identified as high quality wetlands. These include willow and sedge dominated
bottomlands, remnant riparian spruce forest, and three peatlands. Site ranks for these sites are shown in
Table 3. No "outstanding" wetlands were documented in the study area. This is in part due to the land
use history of the region. Both the Thompson and Fisher River watersheds have been extensively logged,
and the catchments of all wetlands surveyed had been at least partially clearcut. Although Plum Creek
appeared to be following Best Management Practices and adhering to Streamside Management Zones, the
logged-over nature of the uplands has likely altered the hydrology and biogeochemistry of surveyed
wetlands to some degree. Another widespread consequence of timber harvesting in these watersheds is
the abundance of exotic species, especially Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary grass) in the floodplain of
the Thompson and Fisher Rivers. Site locations are shown in Figures 2 and 3; see the Site Description
section for detailed accounts of these wetlands.

Table 3. Site ranks for ecologically significant wetlands in the Thompson and Fisher watersheds.

Site Rank

Weight factor = 0.25 025 O20 O20 (HO (LOO)

Landscape

Overall

Site Name

Condition

Context

Diversity

Rarity

Size

Rank

Upper Doe Creek

Thompson R-Big

Rock Ck

A/B

Lower Doe Creek

Lost Lake Fen

B/C

Little Kettle

Buck Creek

Amphibian and Reptile Surveys

We conducted nineteen site surveys for amphibians and reptiles at 10 sites in the Thompson River and
Fisher River corridors (Table 4); all sites but one were visited once in May and once in August 2001.
Three amphibian species (Long-toed Salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum, Pacific Tree Frog Hyla
regilla, Columbia Spotted Frog Rana luteiventris) and two reptile species (Painted Turtle Chrysemys
picta, Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis) were observed at nine of the survey sites. Columbia

Spotted Frog was the species most often observed (eight sites, 10 site surveys), and was present in both
river corridors. Long-toed Salamander was also present in both river corridors, but was observed at only
three of the ten sites. Pacific Tree Frog, Painted Turtle, and Common Garter Snake were observed only in
the Fisher River corridor at only one or two sites each.

We heard Pacific Tree Frogs calling in the evenings of 14 and 15 May at two additional locations in the
Fisher River corridor; at least two in a small roadside marsh (T28N R29W, Sec. 13SWSW), and at least
two in another roadside marsh opposite survey site # 5 (T27N R29W Sec. 4NESE). An adult Painted
Turtle was observed basking on 1 5 May at one additional location, in a small slough across the road from
the Fisher River (T27N R29W, Sec. 9NWNE).

The amphibian and reptile species we detected during the wetland site surveys represent only a portion of
the herpeto fauna present in this part of Montana. Several species would not be expected to associate with
wetland/aquatic habitats, but there are additional wetland species that we failed to observe that could be
present. The Western Toad (Bufo boreas) probably is the amphibian species of greatest conservation
interest that was not seen and which might reasonably be expected to associate with the wetlands along
the Thompson River and Fisher River corridors. Western Toad was observed in small numbers during a
wetland survey of the Thompson Chain of Lakes (Hendricks 2000) that occupy an area central to the
wetland survey presented in this report. Either too few suitable sites were surveyed, or too few toads to
detect remain in this altered landscape without an intensive survey effort. A combination of these two
factors could also have contributed to our failure. Western Toad populations appear to be in decline
throughout western Montana, with few breeding locations documented in recent years of intensive survey
effort (Werner et al. 1998).

One amphibian species present nearby, the Inland Tailed Frog (Ascaphis montanus), inhabits swift
mountain streams and would not be expected to occur in the wetland habitats surveyed. The same applies
to the Coeur d'Alene Salamander (Plethodon idahoensis), which occupies fracture zones and seepages in
northwestern Montana (Wilson et al. 1997) but whose habitat was not present in the two river bottoms.

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), another amphibian of conservation interest in Montana, has been
documented in northwestern Montana in past decades, from the Noxon area (1964) in Sanders County,
and from Rogers Lake (1974) and near Marion on Bitterroot Creek (no date) in Flathead County, about 25
miles east of Thompson Chain of Lakes. However, there are no historical records from either the
Thompson River or Fisher River corridors. The species was reported in June 2000 (without
documentation) from the Thompson River bottom at our survey site #3 (Table 4). We found Columbia
Spotted Frog in August 2001 at the same site, but failed to find leopard frogs at any location. Northern
Leopard Frog, like Western Toad, has experienced extirpation from many former sites in western
Montana (Werner et al. 1998).

Few surveys for amphibians and reptiles have been conducted in our study areas that allow us to
determine what species abundances and distributions may have been prior to or during intensive timber
harvest of the river corridors and surrounding landscapes. At one location, the pond along McKillip Road
(our site # 4: Table 4), the two amphibian species we documented were observed at this same site in 1994
(Werner and Reichel 1994), suggesting that most of the amphibian species inhabiting the region in former
years are still present in the landscape, and likely will reoccupy suitable wetland habitats once disturbance
is removed.

Site Descriptions

Buck Creek

Directions

Description

This riparian wetland occurs within a Streamside Management Zone along Buck Creek. An Alnus incana
(Mountain Alder) community dominates the majority of the site. Tall shrubs, primarily Alnus incana and
Betula occidentalis (Water Birch), form a dense, closed canopy over a well developed medium shrub
layer of Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry), Rubus idaeus (Red Raspberry), Lonicera
involucrata (Twinberry Honeysuckle), Rosa acicularis (Prickly Rose), and Ribes sp. (Gooseberry). There
is limited regeneration of Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce), and there are a few, scattered Populus
balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood) trees present. There is a small remnant stand of mature
Picea engelmannii on a small knoll within the floodplain. These trees are approximately 170 years old
and have a diameter-at-breast-height >20 inches. They form a somewhat open canopy with a few smaller
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-Fir). Amelanchier alnifolia (Western Serviceberry), Symphoricarpos
albus (Common Snowberry), Rosa acicularis (Prickly Rose), Betula occidentalis (Water Birch), Alnus
incana (Mountain Alder), Cornus sericea (Red-Osier Dogwood), and Mahonia repens (Creeping Oregon-
Grape) dominate a well developed shrub layer. The abundant ground layer is dominated by
Maianthemum stellatum (Starry False Solomon' s-Seal), Ar alia nudicaulis (Wild Sarsaparilla), Elymus

virginicus (Virginia Wild Rye), and Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail). Cirsium arvense (Canada
Thistle) have colonized open areas in this site.

Key Environmental Factors

Fluvial processes, such as seasonal flooding and high groundwater, are the primary influence on the site's
vegetation.

Rarity

No rare plants, animals, or plant communities were observed.

Land Use

Historically, this site was probably dominated by riparian Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) and
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood) forest. Past logging appear to have converted
much of the site into anAlnus incana (Mountain Alder) community with limited Picea regeneration.

Exotics

Small, localized populations of Cirsium arvense (Canada Thistle) are present at the site.

Uplands

The uplands have been extensively logged.

Information Needs

How has timber harvesting in the catchment affected the site's functional capacity? Altered hydrology
(increased inflows and peak runoff) and biogeochemical cycling (increased sedimentation and nutrient
loading) are possible consequences of adjacent logging that may affect the vegetation and function of the
site. Mechanical disturbance and overstory removal may also decrease the resilience of wetland edges to
invasion by exotic species. Do 50-foot buffers adequately protect the site from these adverse effects?

Management Needs

Existing forest cover in excess of the 50-foot Streamside Management Zone buffer should be maintained.

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Rarity Ranks
State Global

Viability
Rank

EO?

(Y/N)

Picea engelmannii 1 Galium triflorum Woodland
Alnus incana Shrubland

S4 G4
S3 G?Q

C
C

N
N

Thompson River-Big Rock Creek

Directions

This site is located in the Thompson River watershed in northwest Montana. From Kalispell travel
approximately 60 miles west on U.S. Highway 2. Turn south on Forest Road 56 (Thompson River Road)
and travel for about 14.5 miles. The site is located at the confluence of the Thompson River and Big
Rock Creek.

Description

This wetland is located in the floodplain of the Thompson River at its confluence with Big Rock Creek.
In addition to high water tables associated with these streams, the site also receives groundwater from
seeps that discharge from the adjacent toeslope. Most of this site is dominated by wet Salix
drummondiana I Car ex utriculata (Drummond's Willow / Beaked Sedge) and Car ex utriculata
communities. The willow community is co-dominated by tall Salix drummondiana and Salix geyeriana
(Geyer's Willow) shrubs. Rhamnus alnifolia (Alderleaf Buckthorn), Salix boothii (Booth's Willow), and
Cornus sericea (Red-Osier Dogwood) form a sparse low shrub layer. Carex utriculata dominates the
ground layer; other common species present are Calamagrostis canadensis (Bluejoint Reedgrass), Scirpus
microcarpus (Small-Fruit Bulrush), Comarum palustre (Marsh Cinquefoil), Geum macrophyllum (Large-
Leaf Avens), Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail), and Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern). Calamagrostis
canadensis becomes the understory dominant on higher microsites. Lower areas are dominated by a near
monospecific stand of Carex utriculata.

On higher ground adjacent to Big Rock Creek, vegetation is characterized by a Populus balsamifera ssp.
trichocarpa I Symphoricarpos albus (Black Cottonwood / Common Snowberry) community. Mature (20-
inch diameter-at-breast-height) Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa form a closed canopy with scattered

mature individual Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) and Pinus ponder osa (Ponderosa Pine) present.
Sapling-sized Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine Fir) occur at low cover. A dense layer
of low Symphoricarpos albus dominates the shrub layer. Other common shrubs include Rosa woodsii
(Woods' Rose), Alnus incana (Mountain Alder), Crataegus douglasii (Black Hawthorn), Amelanchier
alnifolia (Western Serviceberry), and Cornus canadensis (Canada Bunchberry). The herbaceous layer is
sparse; dominant species are Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass), Elymus glaucus (Blue Wild Rye), and
numerous mesic forbs, including Geum macrophyllum (Large-Leaf Avens), Osmorhiza berteroi
(Mountain Sweet-Cicely), Packer a pseudaurea (Streambank Groundsel), and Senecio triangularis
(Arrow-Leaf Ragwort).

Key Environmental Factors

This site is primarily influenced by high groundwater tables associated with the Thompson River and
adjacent toeslope seeps that keep much of this site seasonally flooded. Beaver use was also noted at this
site.

Rarity

No rare plants or animals were documented. One G2 and one G3 plant communities, Populus
balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa I Symphoricarpos albus (Black Cottonwood / Common Snowberry) and
Salix drummondiana I Calamagrostis canadensis (Drummond's Willow / Bluejoint Reedgrass),
respectively, were documented in good condition.

Land Use

No human use was observed at most of this site. Some camping occurs along Big Rock Creek near the
road.

Exotics

Exotic species are primarily restricted to drier portions of the site. These include Poa pratensis
(Kentucky Blue Grass), Cirsium arvense (Canada Thistle), and Cynoglossum officinale (Hound' s-
Tongue). Centaurea biebersteinii (Spotted Knapweed) is abundant on an adjacent toeslope. Phalaris
arundinacea (Reed Canary grass) forms monospecific stands in wet areas immediately adjacent to the
Thompson River channel.

Uplands

Uplands have been extensively logged.

Information Needs

Management Needs

The Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary grass) population should be monitored. Upstream of this site,
Phalaris has almost completely replaced native herbaceous species in the floodplain. This site may be at
risk to a similar conversion, although the sedge-dominated herbaceous layer should be relatively resistant
to invasion.

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Rarity Ranks

Viability
Rank

EO?

State Global

(Y/N)

S5 G5

S? G2?

S3 G3

S4 G4

Carex utriculata Herbaceous Vegetation

Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa I Symphoricarpos albus

Forest
Salix drummondiana I Calamagrostis canadensis Shrubland
Salix drummondiana I Carex utriculata Shrubland

* Rank not assigned

Little Kettle

Directions

This site is located in the Fisher River watershed in northwest Montana. From Libby, travel east on State
Route 37 for 14 miles. Turn south on the Fisher River Road and travel for a little over 13 miles to Forest
Road 764. Travel west on this road for about 1 .3 miles. Turn right onto an unnamed road and travel for
approximately 3 miles. Veer left and travel up a spur road for 0.3 mile to the site.

Description

This small kettle depression is a peatland dominated by a Carex utriculata (Beaked Sedge) community.
Equisetum fluviatile (Water Horsetail), Comarum palustre (Marsh Cinquefoil), and Typha latifolia
(Broadleaf Cattail) are present at low cover. Equisetum fluviatile becomes more abundant on the peatland
margins where it becomes co-dominant to dominant in places. A soil pit revealed over 40 cm of peat
grading into mucky peat.

Key Environmental Factors

A stable hydrologic regime and saturated conditions have led to the development of peat soils and is the
primary influence on the structure and composition of the wetland's plant communities.

Rarity

No rare plants, animals, or plant communities were documented at this wetland. However, this site has
enough peat soil development to be classified as a peatland. This type of wetland is rare in Montana, and
provides habitat for 40 species of rare vascular and non-vascular plants, one rare animal, and several rare
plant communities.

Land Use

No land use was observed in the wetland.

Exotics

No exotic species were observed.

Uplands

The adjacent uplands have been extensively logged, and recent clearcuts abut the site. A Streamside
Management Zone buffer was left around the wetland.

Information Needs

Management Needs

A monitoring program that measured nutrient levels and plant species composition/diversity at this site
and at nearby undisturbed peatlands could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of buffer strips.

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Rarity Ranks
State Global

Viability
Rank

EO?

(Y/N)

Carex utriculata Herbaceous Vegetation

S5 G5

Lost Lake Fen

^^m

Directions

This site is located in the Fisher River watershed in northwest Montana. From Libby, travel east on State
Route 37 for 14 miles. Turn south on the Fisher River Road and travel for about 7 miles to Forest Road
534. Travel west on this road for a little over 6 miles. A side road crosses Doe Creek and heads in a
southerly direction. Travel on this road for approximately 1 mile until reaching Lost Lake. The fen is
located above the lake immediately to the west.

Description

Lost Lake is a small (1 1.5-acre), shallow kettle lake with narrow lacustrine fringe wetlands. These
wetlands support emergent and aquatic plant communities. Emergent communities are monospecific
stands dominated by Carex atherodes (Awned Sedge) and Schoenoplectus acutus (Hardstem Bulrush).
The aquatic community is dominated by Polygonum amphibium (Water Smartweed), Potamogeton
praelongus (White-Stem Pondweed), and Potamogeton zosteriformis (Flat-Stem Pondweed). A small
peatland is perched above the lake. This 2.5-acre fen is dominated by a Carex lasiocarpa (Slender Sedge)
community. Carex lasiocarpa is the dominant species; however, Carex utriculata (Beaked Sedge), Carex
diandra (Lesser Panic led Sedge), Comarum palustre (Marsh Cinquefoil), and Rumex aquaticus (Western
Dock) are present at low cover. Carex utriculata and Typha latifolia (Broadleaf Cattail) communities
occur on the fringes of the fen.

Key Environmental Factors

A stable hydrologic regime and saturated conditions have led to the development of peat soils and is the
primary influence on the structure and composition of the fen's plant communities.

Rarity

Land Use

There is some pugging around the edge of the fen. This may be from livestock use.

Exotics

No exotic species were noted at the site.

Uplands

The uplands have been extensively logged. It appears that Stream Management Zone practices were
observed. A 50-foot buffer with some overstory component remaining was left around the wetlands.

Information Needs

Management Needs

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Carex atherodes Herbaceous Vegetation

Carex lasiocarpa Herbaceous Vegetation

Polygonum amphibium Permanently Flooded Herbaceous

Alliance
Schoenoplectus acutus Herbaceous Vegetation

Typha latifolia Western Herbaceous Vegetation

* Rank not assigned

Rarity

Ranks

Viability
Rank

EO?

State

Global

(Y/N)

S3S5

G3G5

G4?

Lower Doe Creek

Directions

Description

This site is a small (2.5-acre) wetland with some peat development. Beaver activity has created several
small ponds and raised water tables throughout the wetland. The majority of the site occurs on a slightly
elevated flat with relatively little microtopography. Soils have high organic content. An open canopy
Betula occidentalis (Water Birch) shrubland with a near-continuous Carex utriculata (Beaked Sedge)
ground layer forms the dominant vegetation of this area. Other common species include Rhamnus
alnifolia (Alderleaf Buckthorn), Cornus sericea (Red-Osier Dogwood), Salix bebbiana (Bebb Willow),
Bromus ciliatus (Fringed Brome), Carex cusickii (Cusick's Sedge), and Viola sp. (Violet). Scattered
sapling-size Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-Fir) are also
present. Wetter areas support small patches of Typha latifolia (Broadleaf Cattail) and Petasites frigidus
var. sagittatus (Arrowleaf Colt's-Foot). A mature Picea engelmannii I Equisetum arvense (Engelmann
Spruce / Field Horsetail) community occupies the Doe Creek floodplain upstream and downstream of the
shrubland. This community supports numerous mesic forbs and has shrubby inclusions of Alnus incana
(Mountain Alder). The uplands are second-growth Larix occidentalis (Western Larch)-Pseudotsuga
menziesii forest.

Key Environmental Factors

These wetlands are influenced by past beaver activity and high water tables.

Rarity

No rare plants, animals, or plant communities were observed.

Land Use

Some cow sign was observed, although there was little evidence of pugging or browsing. The wetland
and adjacent floodplain forest was logged in the past.

Exotics

No exotic species were observed.

Uplands

The uplands were logged historically. The adjacent uplands have also been logged more recently, and
large clearcuts abut the site. Forests immediately adjacent to the stream have not been recently cut.

Information Needs

Management Needs

Existing forest cover in excess of the 50-foot Streamside Management Zone buffer should be maintained.

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Rarity Ranks
State Global

Viability
Rank

EO?

(Y/N)

Betula occidentalis 1 Carex utriculata Shrubland
Picea engelmannii 1 Equisetum arvense Forest

* *
S4 G4

* Rank not assigned

Upper Doe Creek

Directions

This site is located in the Fisher River watershed in northwest Montana. From Libby, travel east on State
Route 37 for 14 miles. Turn south on the Fisher River Road and travel for about 7 miles to Forest Road
534. Travel west on this road for a little over 6 miles. The site is located along Doe Creek just upstream
from where a side road continues on to Lost Lake.

Description

This wetland is a small peatland (approximately 4.2 acres) that occurs along Doe Creek. The site is
underlain by peat soils to a depth of at least 43 cm. There are also narrow (2 cm) lenses of silty loam in
the soil profile. This site is dominated by Betula glandulosa I Carex utriculata (Bog Birch / Beaked
Sedge) and Carex utriculata communities. Where it occurs, the Betula is clumped and ranges from 10 to
40 percent cover. Shrub cover is interspersed with many small openings dominated by Carex utriculata.
Other common species documented in the Betula community include Rhamnus alnifolia (Alderleaf
Buckthorn), Salix boothii (Booth's Willow), Salix drummondiana (Drummond's Willow), Bromus ciliata
(Fringed Brome), Geum rivale (Purple Avens), Comarum palustre (Marsh Cinquefoil), and Platanthera
stricta (Slender Bog Orchid). A few sapling-sized Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce) are present
throughout the wetland. Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus (Arrowleaf Colt's-Foot) is abundant in localized
areas along the wetland edge.

Key Environmental Factors

A stable hydrologic regime and saturated conditions have led to the development of peat soils and is the
primary influence on the structure and composition of the wetland's plant communities.

Rarity

Land Use

No land use was apparent at the site.

Exotics

No exotic species were noted at the site.

Uplands

The uplands have been extensively logged. It appears that Stream Management Zone practices were
observed. A 50-foot buffer with some overstory component remaining was left along Doe Creek.

Information Needs

Management Needs

Element Occurrence Information

Plant Association / Dominance Type

Rarity Ranks
State Global

Viability
Rank

EO?

(Y/N)

Betula glandulosa 1 Car ex utriculata Shrubland
Carex utriculata Herbaceous Vegetation

54 G4?

55 G5

B
B

Other Wetlands Surveyed

Amphibian and reptile survey sites are described in Table 4. Ecological survey areas that did not meet
wetland site criteria are described below. Please refer to Figures 2 and 3 for the location of these areas.

Table 4. Amphibian and reptile species detected during wetland site surveys, May and August 2001
Thompson River-Fisher River inventory. Site numbers correspond to locations in Figure 1.

Site

No.

Site Name

TRS

Date

Survey
Duration
(hr:min)

Species 3

(No.
individuals)

Comments

Roadside seep

T23NR27W, S14NWSE

14 Aug

0:10

RALU (5)

tadpoles

Big Spring

T23NR27W, S23SWSW

14 May

0:15

RALU (2)

adults

14 Aug

0:15

RALU (2)

adults

County Bridge

T24NR27W, S12NWNE

16 May

0:30

AMMA (2)

egg masses

14 Aug

0:50

RALU (3)

adults, juv

McKillip Road
Pond

T27NR28W, S6NWNW

16 May

0:40

None

cold, rainy

15 Aug

0:25

HYRE(10)
RALU (22)

alljuvs (3
HYRE with
deformed limbs)

Oxbow marsh

T27NR29W, S4SENE

15 May

0:45

RALU (9)

adult, juvs

15 Aug

None

mostly dry

Roadside pond

T27NR29W, S8SENE

15 May

0:30

RALU (1)
CHPI (3)

juv
adults

15 Aug

0:40

RALU (3)
CHPI (2)

juvs
adults

Roadside slough

T28NR29W, S13SENW

15 May

0:15

None

15 Aug

None

dry

Roadside marsh

T28NR29W, S26SESW

15 May

0:25

None

15 Aug

0:20

AMMA (2)
RALU (3)
THSI (1)

larvae
adult, juvs
adult

Old slough

T28NR29W, S34NENE

15 May

0:45

AMMA
(112+)

larvae

15 Aug

None

dry

Fawn Creek Marsh

T29NR29W, S22NWNW

15 May

0:20

None

16 Aug

0:25

RALU (4)

juvs

a AMMA (Ambystoma macro dactylum'. Long-toed Salamander), HYRE (Hyla regilla: Pacific Tree Frog), RALU
{Rana luteiventris: Columbia Spotted Frog), CHPI (Chrysemys picta: Painted Turtle), THSI (Thamnophis sirtalis:
Common Garter Snake).

FR1 (Fawn Creek) = Herp Site #10

This area consists of sloughs associated with Fawn Creek and the Fisher River. The Fisher River Road
has altered the hydrology of these wetlands by cutting them off from the Fisher River. These wetlands
consist primarily of mesic herbaceous areas are dominated by Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary grass),
Poapalustris (Fowl Bluegrass), Agrostis stolonifera (Redtop), and Car ex utriculata (Beaked Sedge).
Herbaceous areas are fringed by small willow communities, primarily Salix bebbiana (Bebb Willow) and
Salix geyeriana (Geyer's Willow), with an understory dominated by Phalaris arundinacea and

Calamagrostis canadensis (Bluejoint Reedgrass). Natural levees support small stands of Populus
balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood), including an extremely small (0.25-acre) example of a
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa I Cornus sericea (Black Cottonwood / Red-Osier Dogwood)
community. This stand contains very large cottonwoods (>40-inch diameter-at-breast-height) with
abundant cover Cornus sericea and no exotic species.

FR2 and FR3 (Fisher River Floodplain)

The Fisher River floodplain once supported extensive stands of mature Populus balsamifera ssp.

trichocarpa and Picea engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce). These stands have for the most part been

logged.

FR2 - This area of the floodplain is characterized by strips of mature cottonwood-spruce forest

interspersed with cut over areas. The logged areas are dominated by Phalaris arundinacea. Forest

remnants still support typical understory species, but it is likely that Phalaris arundinacea and

Symphoricarpos albus will become increasingly dominant due to high light levels associated with forest

edges.

FR3 - This area of the floodplain has been largely clearcut. Within the Streamside Management Zone

along the Fisher River, individual mature spruce and cottonwood trees are still standing. These trees

exceed 40 inches diameter-at-breast-height, and some spruce exceed 55 inches. This area is now

dominated by Symphoricarpos albus and Phalaris arundinacea communities. Phalaris arundinacea is

especially abundant along the channel. Other abundant exotic species include Cirsium arvense (Canada

Thistle), Tanacetum vulgar e (Common Tansy), and Hypericum perforatum (Common St. John's- Wort).

FR4 (Fisher River Oxbow) = Herp Site #6

This is a remnant slough cutoff from the Fisher River by a road. A ponded area underlain by clay soils
supports Eleocharis palustris (Common Spikerush) and Carex utriculata communities. Phalaris
arundinacea is becoming dominant throughout this marsh. The middle of the oxbow is filled with
colluvium from an eroding cliff. The Fisher River is entrenched at this location.

TR1 (Thompson River Floodplain)

This portion of the Thompson River floodplain is largely dominated by Phalaris arundinacea. Native
herbaceous communities, such as Carex utriculata and Calamagrostis canadensis, have been almost
completely displaced by Phalaris. Willow stands, co-dominated by Salix drummondiana (Drummond's
Willow), Salix geyeriana, and Salix boothii (Booth's Willow), also have a ground layer largely dominated
by Phalaris arundinacea, although Carex utriculata co-dominates in places.

Although previously logged, the adjacent terrace supports a small stand of Picea engelmannii I Equisetum
arvense (Engelmann Spruce / Field Horsetail). Mature spruce (16-inch diameter-at-breast-height) form a
closed canopy over a patchy tall shrub layer dominated by Cornus sericea and Alnus incana (Mountain
Alder). The ground layer is dominated by Equisetum arvense, but also included numerous mesic forbs
and grasses, such as Festuca subulata (Bearded Fescue), Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry), Heracleum
maximum (American Cow-Parsnip), Circaea alpina (Small Enchanter' s-Nightshade), Osmorhiza berteroi
(Mountain Sweet-Cicely), and Galium triflorum (Fragrant Bedstraw).

TR2 (Meadow Creek)

Discontinuous patches of & Populus tremuloides I Cornus sericea (Quaking Aspen / Red-Osier Dogwood)
community occur along Meadow Creek. A closed canopy of Populus tremuloides with a dense shrub
layer dominated by Crataegus douglasii (Black Hawthorn), Cornus sericea, Amelanchier alnifolia
(Western Serviceberry), and Symphoricarpos albus characterizes this community. The stream channel is
incised and slumping in places. Exotic species, including Cirsium arvense (Canada Thistle) and

Centaurea biebersteinii (Spotted Knapweed), are abundant in nearby open areas. The adjacent uplands
have been logged.

TR3 (Thompson River Floodplain)

This area supports a 25-acre willow bottom. Dominant willows are Salix geyeriana, Salix boothii, and
Salix drummondiana. Carex utriculata dominates the understory in hygric areas. Calamagrostis
canadensis becomes dominant in mesic areas, although it has largely been displaced by exotic grasses,
including Agrostis stolonifera, Poapalustris, and Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass). Phalaris
arundinacea is the dominant species along the channel. This species may expand into the floodplain as it
has in areas further to the north. Cirsium arvense is also abundant along the channel. Drier areas support
patches of Cornus sericea and Symphoricarpos albus. The adjacent uplands have been logged.

Literature Cited

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Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater
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Daubenmire, R. 1974. Taxonomic and ecological relationships between Picea glauca and Picea
engelmannii. Canadian Journal of Botany 52:1545-1560.

Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West Publishing, Cheyenne, WY.

Furlow, J. J. 1997. Betulaceae. Pages 507-538 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Flora of
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Oxford University Press, New York.

Greenlee, J. T., and W. M. Jones. 2000. Ecological inventory of wetland sites in the Thompson Chain of
Lakes and vicinity. Report to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Montana
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Griffiths, G. C. D. 1989. The true Carex rostrata in Alberta. Alberta Naturalist 19:105-108.

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Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.

Heyer, W. R., M. A. Donnelly, R. W. McDiarmid, L. C. Hayek, and M. S. Foster, editors. 1994.

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Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1955, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1969.

Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest, 5 vols. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.

Kartesz, J. T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of
the United States, Canada, and Greenland. In J. T. Kartesz and C. A. Meacham. Synthesis of the
North American Flora, version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC.

Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana.
General Technical Report INT-GTR-66, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.

NatureServe. 2002. International classification of ecological communities: terrestrial vegetation. Natural
Heritage Central Databases, NatureServe, Arlington, VA.

Olson, D. H., W. P. Leonard, and W. B. Bury, editors. 1997. Sampling amphibians in lentic habitats.
Northwest Fauna Number 4.

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Werner, J. K., T. Plummer, and J. Weaselhead. 1998. Amphibians and reptiles of the Flathead Indian
Reservation. Intermountain Journal of Sciences 4:33-49.

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1994. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.

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Figure 1. Thompson-Fisher Study Area

■ J l\ \

ofij

) i\ t )ih

y * /

r fen

< -

j ■ ■ .xu j/j

> A

v \

: ^m a

v"2 i

y v x^hhI

ilTi

^-v ^~

^- ^

20 Miles

| | Existing Thompson-Fisher Conservation Easement
Land Ownership

USFS
H USFWS

BIA Trust

Tribal

State Trust

DFWP

Plum Creek

Other private
^M Water

Figure 2. Fisher River Survey Areas

"S30N29W

,\NX 1 -JmV vV^J 1 —

^^ — ~~ — 1~

(J\^ (Buck Creek \VsN I

Upper Doe Creek 1 MO XXj 1

J % T < 29N29\Vn
29N30W Lost Lake Feri ^JJ^f I

1 Lower Doe Creek \FJR1 vlo

I l\ xW^3oN^\H * N

J FR3 ^]|

-+- Little Kettle ^1

28N29W />

.8N28V

** 1 o-" — JL_

TTj J [

1 M^" ^FR4 1 J

I'll] 1

f~ 27N29W

II ^ LI 1 ...

| Ecologically Significant Wetlands

Other Ecological Survey Locations
O Herptile Survey Locations
| | Existing FWP Conservation Easement
Land Ownership

USFS

State Trust

Plum Creek

Other private
^M Water

1 Miles

Figure 3. Thompson River Survey Areas

| Ecologically Significant Wetlands

Other Ecological Survey Locations
O Herptile Survey Locations
j | Existing FWP Conservation Easement
Land Ownership

USFS

State Trust

Plum Creek

Other private
^M Water

1 Miles

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