Fossil Creek Watershed
and Riparian Restoration

Fossil Creek Research, Inventory, Monitoring

Recent publications from Northern Arizona University:

The Fossil Creek Ecosystem Studies Group Newsletter (Spring 2006)  provides summaries of current research at Fossil Creek.  In this issue: "Usually High Discharge Rates Recorded for Fossil Springs"; Fossil Creek Stewardship Meeting Highlights Importance of Collaboration"; and more. PDF (86.3 KB)

Short- and Long-term Management, Stewardship and Education/Outreach Needs for Fossil Creek (December 2005)
PDF (146 KB) provides a summary of the October 26, 2005 Fossil Creek Stewardship Meeting.

The Fossil Creek Ecosystem Studies Group Newsletter (Fall 2005)
PDF (314 KB) provides a summary of current research supporting the restoration of Fossil Creek.

Restoring Fossil Creek: A Collaborative Effort, Michele James, Fossil Creek Project Coordinator, NAU (published in Southwest Hydrology,  November /December 2005)
PDF(1.08 MB)

Fossil Creek State of the Watershed Report (July 2005)
PDF (14.3 MB) summarizes available information on the current conditions of the physical, biological, and social environment of the Fossil Creek Watershed prior to the start of the Arizona Public Service (APS) Childs-Irving decommissioning activities which began in the spring of 2005.

Fossil Creek Unbound: Fossil Creek May be National Model, Northern Arizona University.  Published in Arizona Water Resource Newsletter, Water Research Resource Center, University of Arizona (July/August 2005).
Link to website

A Survey of the Aquatic Community at Fossil Creek, AZ (February 2005), Jane C. Marks, G. Allen Haden, Eric Dinger, Ken Adams.  Department of Biology and Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research, NAU (Heritage Grant I03003).
PDF (1.57 MB)

Fossil Creek Publications:

Marks, J. C., Parnell, R. A. Jr., Carter, C., Dinger, E, C., and Haden. A. 2006. Interactions between geomorphology and ecosystem processes in travertine streams: implications for decommissioning a dam on Fossil Creek, Arizona. Geomorphology.
PDF (278 KB)

LeRoy, C. J., T. G. Whitham, P. Keim, and J. C. Marks. 2006. Plant genes link forests and streams. Ecology.
PDF (2.6 MB)

Marsh, Paul C., Jerome A. Stefferud, and Sally E. Stefferud. 2006. Fossil Creek Fish Monitoring Annual Report. In partial fulfillment of Reclamation Agreement No. 05-CS-32-0180.
PDF (253 KB)

Webb, Tatum, and Chuck Dentino.  2006.  Fossil Creek Stream Inventory Report. U.S. Forest Service/Arizona Public Service Co.
PDF (3.73 MB)

Weedman, David, Pam Sponholtz, and Shaula Hedwall. 2005. Fossil Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, Final Project Report, November 2005.  Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ.
PDF (5.6MB)

Fossil Creek State of the Watershed Report, Current Conditions of the Fossil Creek Watershed Prior to Return of Full Flows and other Decommissioning Activities, July 2005. Northern Arizona University. This document summarizes available information on the current conditions of the physical, biological, and social environment of the Fossil Creek Watershed prior to the start of the Arizona Public Service (APS) Childs-Irving decommissioning activities which began in the spring of 2005.
PDF (14.3 MB)

A Survey of the Aquatic Community at Fossil Creek, AZ (February 2005), Jane C. Marks, G. Allen Haden, Eric Dinger, Ken Adams.  Department of Biology and Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research, NAU (Heritage Grant I03003).
PDF (1.57 MB)

LeRoy, C. J., and J. C. Marks. 2006. Litter quality, stream characteristics, and litter diversity influence decomposition rates and macroinvertebrates. Freshwater Biology. Online early .
PDF (349 KB)

Flaccus, Kathleen, Julie Vlieng; Jane C. Marks; Carri J. LeRoy. 2004. Restoring fossil creek: an environmental science class teams up with a local university to conduct a longitudinal study. The Science Teacher, July, v71 i6 p36-40.
PDF (250 KB)

Malusa, John, Steven T. Overby, and Roderic A. Parnell. 2003. Potential for travertine formation: Fossil Creek, Arizona. Applied Geochemistry 18:1081-1093.
PDF (336 KB)


Unpublished

Carter, Codey D. 2005. Influences of travertine dam formation on leaf litter decomposition and algal accrual in Fossil Creek, Arizona [Unpublished Masters thesis]. Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University.

Schlinger, Charles.  2004.  Fossil Creek gaging stations alternatives evaluation and recommendations.
Fossil Springs Gaging Station Evaluation and Recommendations

Jones, Charles E.  2003.  Predicting cattail responses to re-watering of a travertine stream: decommissioning the Fossil Springs Dam. [Unpublished Masters thesis.]  Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University. Thesis  (pdf - ~1MB)

Monroe, Stephen A. 2002. Travertine and concrete: a geomorphological
and historical study of a dam site at Fossil Creek, Arizona. [Unpublished Masters thesis]. Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University.

A Fossil Creek Bibliography, by Stephen Monroe and Bruce Hooper (2002)

Sayers, Rebecca C. 1998. Potential impacts of stream flow diversion on riparian vegetation: Fossil Creek, Arizona. [Unpublished Masters thesis.] Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University.

Malusa, John. 1997. Geochemical evolution of a travertine depositing spring: Fossil Springs, Arizona. [Unpublished Masters thesis.] Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University.

Steven T. Overby and Daniel G. Neary. 1996. Travertine geomorphology of Fossil Creek. In Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest, Vol. 26, Proceedings of the 1996 Meetings of the Arizona Section, American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section, Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, April 20, 1996, Tucson, AZ, 9 p.

Neve, Lyn C. 1976. The life history of the roundtail chub, Gila robusta grahami, at Fossil Creek, Arizona [Unpublished Masters thesis]. Flagstaff : Northern Arizona University.

Unpublished Undergraduate Research

Schwartz, Adam. 2004. Rates of travertine formation at Fossil Creek, AZ: baseline monitoring and implications for future research.  Department of Geology, Northern Arizona University. Advisor: Rod Parnell.
PDF (675 KB)

Summary of Research

Research conducted within the Fossil Creek watershed by Northern Arizona University (with the assistance of our partners in many cases) in 2004 focused on determining baseline conditions of Fossil Creek prior to return of full flows to Fossil Creek at the end of the year.  NAU's work falls within four broad categories: 

1)  Aquatic species, food web structure, and ecosystem processes (including      travertine);
2)  Spring characterization, flow rates and physical locations;
3)  Sediment distribution, stream classification and hydrology;
4)  Recreation impacts and visitor use 

Read more about this research below:

1)  Aquatic species, food web structure, and ecosystem processes (including travertine)

The Stream Ecology and Restoration Group has established ten monitoring sites which encompass the ecological and geomorphological variation in Fossil Creek. The sites extend from the springs to the confluence. There are three major components to this work.

A) Aquatic Species Distributions – What are the current distributions of native and exotic species, and how will they change with restoration?
At each of the sites we monitor benthic macroinvertebrates by taking ten replicate samples in pools using cores and ten replicate samples in riffles using surber samples. Samples are preserved in alcohol and invertebrates are identified and enumerated in the laboratory using a dissecting scope. We estimate crayfish densities at a subset of the sites using mark and recapture techniques and minnow trapping. Fish are monitored at eight sites using snorkel surveys that span 100-200 meters. In collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service we plan to compliment snorkel surveys with annual hoop net surveys to estimate size structure of fish populations. Species estimates are conducted 2-4 times per year.

B) Food Web Structure - Have water extraction and exotic species affected feeding patterns of native fish and invertebrates, and will restoration of flow and removal of exotic fish revive native food webs?
We compare food web structure across eight sites using stable isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen to determine who is eating whom and to analyze whether the main source of energy for fish and invertebrates is algae or leaf litter. We sample ten replicate fin clips from each fish taxa and 5-10 replicates of dominant macroinvertebrates and food base items. We are also measuring dissolved inorganic and organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations and stable isotope values at seven sites. Samples are prepared and processed at the Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Facility.

C) Ecosystem processes – How will increased travertine deposition, caused by restoration of flow, affect primary and secondary productivity and nutrient cycling?
We are monitoring travertine deposition at six sites by incubating artificial substrates in the river for two months, and measuring deposition rates of organic and inorganic carbon. We monitor decomposition rates at these sites by incubating litter bags filled with a known weight of leaf litter. Samples are harvested at weekly intervals, the remaining leaf litter is dried and weighed, and decomposition rates are estimated using an exponential decay model. Microbial species composition and activity are measured concurrently using molecular techniques. We are measuring ecosystem productivity and nitrogen uptake rates at four of the sites (above the dam, below the dam, below Irving, and below Sally Mae Wash). The ecosystem work is being conducted in collaboration with three NAU research groups led by R. Parnell (geomorphology), M. Watwood (microbiology), and B. Hungate (nitrogen cycling).

NAU researchers affiliated with these projects include:

Stream Ecology and Restoration Group: Dr. Jane Marks, Allen Haden, Eric Dinger, Ken Adams, Cody Carter, Carri LeRoy, Dr. Cathy Gibson

Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Facility – Dr. Bruce Hungate, Dr. Rick Doucett, Jaina Moan

Geology – Dr. Rod Parnell

Microbial Ecology – Dr. Maribeth Watwood, Brenda Harrop

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation, The Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Program, The Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research, The Ecological Restoration Institute and The Pulliam Charitable Trust.


A Survey of the Aquatic Community at Fossil Creek, AZ (February 2005), Jane C. Marks, G. Allen Haden, Eric Dinger, Ken Adams.  Department of Biology and Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research, NAU (Heritage Grant I03003).
PDF (1.57 MB)
 

3)  Sediment distribution, stream classification and hydrology

As part of our work on this project we plan to complete the following scope of effort on this element of the overall project.

First, we will conduct a detailed stream classification, beginning several miles above the Fossil Springs and continuing downstream to the Verde River. This classification will utilize the scheme developed by Montgomery & Buffington. In addition, we may complete a classification following Rosgen’s scheme. If we use both schemes, we will endeavor to develop a comparison of results from the two methods as applied in Fossil Creek. As part of the stream classification, we will identify locations for: sediment sampling and monitoring; surveying of channel cross-section and slope; estimation of roughness parameters.

Second, we will delineate the watershed and subwatersheds of the main tributaries to Fossil Creek. We will develop profiles using existing data and possibly using new survey data acquired as part of this project using GPS equipment. As part of the watershed delineation we will develop stream profiles, which we will be used as the basis for evaluation of our stream classification results.

Third, we will apply for and obtain research permits that will allow us to conduct sediment sampling and pebble counts, surveying of channel cross-section and slope, and estimation of roughness parameters (Mannings n) at monitoring locations. As part of this activity, we will complete laboratory grain size analyses on the collected sediment samples.

These planned actions are intended to help us develop a better understanding of Fossil Creek watershed hydrology, channel hydraulics and sediment transport, with an eye toward ongoing and future assessment of impacts of decommissioning action(s) on sediment distribution, stream morphology and hydrology in the light of this baseline characterization.

For more information, go to the report: "Hydrologic, Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Evaluation for Fossil Springs Dam Site Management Scenarios" (2003) which can be found at:  http://watershed.nau.edu/FossilSpringsDam/index.htm

NAU researchers affiliated with this project include:

Civil and Environmental Engineering – Dr. Charles Schlinger and graduate students Lorrie Yazzie and Ed Monin.

4)  Recreation impacts and visitor use 

The recreation monitoring program on Fossil Creek is a collaborative effort between recreation managers on the Red Rocks District of the Forest Service. The program is designed to build on existing Forest Service data on Fossil Creek visitors and visitor use. The program includes three primary information gathering and monitoring projects: 1) a visitor survey to gather information on visitor demographics, preferred communication strategies, responses to proposed recreation management strategies, activities, experiences realized, reasons for coming, and environmental stewardship;

2) continue a campsite impact and monitoring effort started by the Forest Service wherein campsites and other use concentration areas are mapped and permanent resource condition monitoring plots are established; 3) a literature review focused on identifying strategies for successfully implementing a Fossil Creek recreation management plan including recommendations for education, engineering, and enforcement strategies based on a review of published literature and land management agency documents. We also plan to provide information to users and local residents through collaboration with the Forest Service and other Pulliam research partners on an information and education campaign that includes disseminating information on-site in the Fossil Creek area and at planned public meetings.

For more information, see the Fossil Creek State of the Watershed Report, available below.

Also, Short- and Long-term Management, Stewardship and Education/Outreach Needs for Fossil Creek (December 2005)
PDF (146 KB) provides a summary of the October 26, 2005 Fossil Creek Stewardship Meeting.

NAU researchers affiliated with this project include:

Forestry – Dr. Martha (Marty) Lee and graduate students Matt Jedra and Paul Hancock.

 

02/06/2007

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