Abstract
This project presents baseline habitat data for three tributaries of the Baduwa’t (Mad River) – Powers Creek, School Creek, and Kelly Creek – located on or adjacent to reacquired Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) lands. These small coastal streams hold ecological and cultural significance and have the potential to support salmonids and other aquatic species. Powers Creek and School Creek were dry during the survey period and were assessed using qualitative, waypoint-based observations of vegetation, substrate, instream cover, channel morphology, and potential fish passage barriers. Kelly Creek, a perennial tributary, was surveyed using the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Ten Percent Sampling Protocol to characterize habitat units, instream cover, substrate composition, turbidity, water temperature, canopy cover, and shelter availability, supplemented by streambank observations. Across all creeks, we documented habitat features relevant to salmonid rearing and refugia, including cobble substrates, woody debris, riparian shading, and localized cool-water microhabitats, though habitat quality varied considerably among tributaries. Biological observations confirmed amphibian presence in Kelly Creek and detected fish whose species could not be determined. Collectively, these findings establish a foundational ecological baseline and identify opportunities for long-term monitoring, restoration planning, and Tribal stewardship across BLR’s tributaries.
Date
Fall 2025
Department
Environmental Science & Management
Concentration/Emphasis
Ecological Restoration
Advisor/Professor
Dr. Daniel Lipe
Citation Style
APA