Examining the impacts of beaver dam analogues and groundwater storage on Miners Creek, California

Author

Miles Munding-BeckerFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 2022

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Science degree with a major in Environmental Systems, option Geology

Committee Chair Name

Laura Levy

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Margaret Lang

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Hillary Jenkins

Third Committee Member Affiliation

Community Member or Outside Professional

Keywords

Beaver Dam Analogue, Water resources, River, Northern California, Restoration, Water storage

Subject Categories

Environmental Systems

Abstract

Beavers have been altering streams in North America for millions of years by impounding water behind their dams. The recent historical removal (intensely throughout the 18^th and 19^th century) of these dams altered the hydrology in low gradient streams from dynamic anastomosing streams and wet meadow complexes to incised channels with little structural diversity. Anthropogenic structures called Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) are used as a restorative process by mimicking natural beaver dams that can reverse channel incision, increase ponded and groundwater storage, and provide low velocity habitat for aquatic species and vegetation. A system of four original BDAs was installed on Miners Creek and monitoring data was collected over the course of six years from water year 2016-2021. Here, monitoring data from water year 2021 is used to determine reach-scale storage dynamics and BDA recharge, ponded storage, and habitat suitability for juvenile coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) based on ponded depth. The reach on Miners Creek was found to be predominantly a losing reach with BDA recharge only occurring during the onset of the wet season. At their maximum, ponds were found to increase storage by up to ~36 m³. During the dry summer months, however, there was not sufficient habitat to support recruitment of juvenile coho. This was shown to be predominantly due to issues stemming from a combination of issues pertaining to BDA structural integrity, water availability, and seasonal changes in water usage within the watershed.

Citation Style

APA

Recommended Citation

Munding-Becker, Miles, "Examining the impacts of beaver dam analogues and groundwater storage on Miners Creek, California" (2022). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 607.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/607