AN ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES ON THE DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST, INTERIM REPORT, APRIL 2001 Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer 1650 Ramble Road Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321 Prepared by the Aquatic Resource Assessment Team C. Andrew Dolloff, Kevin N. Leftwich, Mark Hudy, Melvin L. Warren, Wendell Haag, Victoria Bishop, Jon Walker, Leigh Ann McDougal, George Chalfant, Glenn Chen, Jeffrey Kershner Table of Contents Page Introduction -- Purpose and Need for an Assessment and Strategy 1 I. Assessment of Aquatic Resources on the Daniel Boone National Forest The Physical Setting 2 Hydrographic Features 7 Description of the aquatic fauna 10 Methods of faunal assessment 12 Fish distribution and diversity 13 Fish assemblages among drainages 21 Recreational fisheries 25 Extirpated and imperiled fishes 27 Mussel distribution and abundance 31 Mussel assemblages among drainages 36 Commercial importance 37 Extirpated and imperiled freshwater mussels 37 Land Use and Current Resource Condition 42 II. Conservation Strategy for the Protection and Restoration Of Aquatic Resources on the Daniel Boone National Forest Introduction 48 Desired Condition for aquatic resources 48 Watershed analysis 50 Key watersheds 50 Conserving and Protecting Aquatic Resources on the Daniel Boone National Forest: Recommended Standards and Guidelines Riparian Prescription Area (RPA) 56 Definition of watercourses 56 Desired condition objectives 57 Standards and Guidelines 57 Streamside Management Zones 59 Vegetation Management Landings 62 Skidding 64 Site preparation 66 Fire Firelines 68 Prescribed burning 70 Waste handling and disposal 72 Transportation System Roads and road systems 74 Broad-based dips 79 Turn-outs and crossdrains 82 Stream crossings 84 Sediment barriers 89 Recreation Trails 92 Dispersed recreation 95 Fish, Wildlife, and Range Management Fish and wildlife management 93 Range 95 Minerals 96 Restoration and Recovery of Threatened or Endangered Species 100 Inventory of Fauna and Habitat Conditions 101 Monitoring and Evaluation of the Conservation Strategy 000-000 Glossary 000-000 Acknowledgments Literature Cited 000-000 Appendix 1 . Fish and Mussel Sensitive Species Accounts 000-000 Appendix 2 . Riparian Dependent Species Found on or near the Daniel Boone National Forest Appendix 3 . Aquatic Biota Inventory Protocol 000-000 Appendix 4 . Aquatic Biota and threatened/endangered/sensitive species monitoring protocol 000-000 AN ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES ON THE DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST Prepared by the Aquatic Resource Assessment Team Purpose and Need for an Assessment and Strategy Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) supports a highly diverse assemblage of aquatic species including 141 native fishes, 16 introduced fishes, 67 mussels, and 15 crayfish. These aquatic resources and their habitats have great regional and National scientific and conservation value. They are a major attraction for visitors from all over the country. Just one use, fishing and related activities, each year accounts for more than 250,000 recreational-visitor- days on the Forest. Demand for the many products, amenities, and recreational opportunities provided by the DBNF is high and is expected to increase over the next few years. To meet this demand while protecting or maintaining all resource values, managers of the DBNF must have the most up-to- date, accurate information available. The aquatic fauna - fish, mussels, and other invertebrates - is especially vulnerable to changes in land use and the general decline of many aquatic species throughout the southern U.S. has heightened public awareness and concern for aquatic ecosystem health. A cursory review conducted by DBNF personnel in 1996 suggested that managers would benefit from a comprehensive inventory of existing information and analysis of the status of aquatic resources. In early 1997, the management team of the DBNF commissioned a review of the aquatic fauna and associated habitats found within the Forest’s proclamation boundaries. This review had four primary purposes: 1) to assess the current status of aquatic species and their habitats on the Forest; 2) to develop a strategy for maintaining and restoring aquatic and riparian habitats; 3) to recommend standards and guidelines for activities that may affect aquatic and riparian resources; and 4) to develop direction for the short- and long-term monitoring of these resources. 1 I. ASSESSMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES ON THE DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST The Physical Setting The Daniel Boone National Forest contains parts of several physiographic regions or ecological subsections (fig. 1) and portions of three major river systems: the Licking, Kentucky, and Cumberland rivers. Ecological Subsections The DBNF lies within or is bordered by several sections and subsections within the Eastern Broadleaf Forest (Oceanic and Continental) provinces and the Central Appalachian Broadleaf- Coniferous Forest Province (Keys and others 1995). The western part of the DBNF lies primarily within the Northern Escarpment, Southwestern Escarpment, and Low Hills Belt subsections of the Northern Cumberland Plateau Section and is bordered to the west by the Highland Rim and Bluegrass sections (Eastern Broadleaf Forest Continental Province). The eastern part of the DBNF lies primarily within the Rugged Eastern Hills subsection (Northern Cumberland Plateau Section) (fig. 1). The southern and southeastern boundaries of the forest also encompasses the Jellico Mountains subsection of the Cumberland Mountains Section (Central Appalachian Broadleaf-Coniferous Forest Province). Northern Cumberland Plateau Section (221H) Rugged Eastern Hills (221Ha) This subsection is located in southeastern Kentucky and includes land on the Redbird Ranger District. The Rugged Eastern Hills are characterized by moderate-relief hills and ridges that range in elevation from 365 to 760 m (1,200 to 2,500 feet). Ridges are capped by a mixture of clay shales, siltstone, sandstone, and coal. Valley floors are soft clay shales and siltstones. The geology consists of Pennsylvanian-aged Lower- and Middle- Breathitt formations. The geomorphic processes primarily responsible for shaping this landscape are erosion and mass wasting. The small cliffs found in some valleys are primarily the result of stream incision. Landslides are frequent throughout this subsection but are most common in its southernmost portion. Ridges are characterized by soils that range in depth from 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 inches) or more. Most subsoils have moderate clay content, and the soils are moderately well to well drained. Soils on the slopes are typically over 100 cm (40 inches) deep, with a few rock outcrops occurring on the lower slopes of the more entrenched valleys. Most have moderate to high clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well drained. The Rugged Eastern Hills subsection has a moderate number of small- to medium-sized intermittent and perennial streams. Typically, the relatively steep valleys of smaller streams are V-shaped, narrow, and boulder-dominated. Valleys of the larger streams also tend to be narrow but less steep, broader, and have more alluvial deposits. Drainage patterns are dendritic, and 2 dissection is moderately high, with about 11 km of perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams per square kilometer (18 mi/square mile). The Middle Fork of the Kentucky River is the largest stream traversing this subsection. 222Ej 222En 221Hb 221He 221Ha 221Hc 222Ej 222Eb M221Cd Figure 1. Ecological subsections of east-central Kentucky. Shaded area denotes the Daniel Boone National Forest. Northern Escarpment (221 Hb) This subsection is located in east-central Kentucky and includes land on the Morehead, Stanton, and London Ranger Districts. The Northern Escarpment is transitional between the Highland Rim and the Cumberland Plateau and is characterized by narrow to broad winding ridges with side slopes averaging 50 percent, but may exceed 65 percent in the most entrenched valleys. Rock outcrops and cliffs are common in all but the shallowest valleys. Single and moniliform knobs, with wide valleys and well-developed flood plains are prevalent to the north and west. Ridges are capped by resistant conglomerate and sandstone; although mixtures of soft clay shales, siltstone, sandstone and coal also are 3 present. Cliffs are sandstone/conglomerate and limestone. The floors of the largest valleys consist of cherty limestone, sandstone, shale, and siltstone. The geology includes Pennsylvanian-Age Lower Breathitt and Lee formations on the ridges and sideslopes, and Mississippian-Age Borden and Newman formations lower in the larger valleys. The geomorphic processes primarily responsible for shaping this landscape are erosion and block slides. Soils on the ridges are typically 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30 inches) deep and moderately well to well drained with moderate clay content in the subsoil. Rock fragments are common. Sideslope soils are usually over 100 cm (40 inches) deep and moderately well drained with moderate to high clay content in the subsoil. Some outcrops and talus slopes are present. Side valleys are narrow with short, steep slopes and waterfalls are frequent. Fourth- and fifth- order streams have moderately broad, flat valleys with well-developed alluvial bottoms. Stream gradients are moderate and the discharge regime is somewhat modified by karst hydrology. Drainage patterns are dendritic, and dissection is moderately high with about 11 km of perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams per square kilometer (18 mi/square mile). Parts of both the Kentucky and Licking watersheds are within this subsection. Southwestern Escarpment (221Hc) This subsection is located in east-central Kentucky and Tennessee. Included within it are large portions of the London, Somerset, and Stearns Ranger Districts, as well as the southwest portion of the Berea Ranger District. The Southwestern Escarpment is transitional between the Highland Rim and the Cumberland Plateau and contains characteristics of both. To the west, this subsection is intricately dissected into narrow ridges bordered by deep valleys with precipitous walls and cliffs. Many ridges have been truncated to cliff-bound knobs. To the east, in an area known as the London-Corbin Plain, the southwestern escarpment becomes much flatter with broad ridges and short, gentle slopes. Cliffs are present but much less frequent than to the west. Broad ridges usually are capped in a mixture of soft clay shales, siltstone, and coal with underlying, resistant sandstone that forms cliffs when exposed. Narrow ridges often are capped in sandstone. The valley floors are clay shales and siltstones, or, in some cases, limestone. The ridges are Pennsylvanian-Age Lower Breathitt formation, and the valleys are of the Lower Breathitt and Lee formations. Soils on ridges are up to 100 cm (40 inches) deep, with moderate clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well- to well-drained. Rock outcrops and fragments are common above and below cliff faces; outcrops occur less often on the gentler sideslopes. Soils on the slopes are typically deeper than 100 cm (40 inches), have moderate to high clay content in the subsoil, and are moderately well drained. Stream channels in this subsection often flow through solid and broken, cliff-lined box canyons and have narrow alluvial bottoms. The valleys are broader to the west and slightly narrower to the east. Stream gradients in the main channels are usually 1 to 2 percent. Tributaries have relatively steep channel gradients (2 to 10 percent) and are armored with rocks that sometimes form cascade-like habitat, often with 12 to 25 m (40-80 foot) waterfalls. The drainage pattern is dendritic, and drainage densities are moderate. Typical stream hydrographs for the area show a seasonal increase in flow from November through January in response to increased precipitation and decreased evapotranspiration. The steep slopes of the area cause rapid surface runoff that, 4 coupled with the semi-impervious nature of the soils and geology, limits the infiltration of precipitation to aquifers. As a result, most streams that drain less than 259 square kilometers (100 square miles) dry up occasionally (Leist and others 1982). The largest streams in this subsection are the Rockcastle and Upper Cumberland Rivers. Low Hills Belt (221He) This subsection is located in central eastern Kentucky and includes land on the Morehead, Stanton, and Berea Ranger Districts. The Low Hills Belt is characterized by low-relief rolling ridges with short, gentle slopes that are occasionally broken by rock outcrops in the largest valleys. The relief becomes greater and the valleys more V-shaped in the southern portion of this subsection. Elevations range from 275 to 520 m (900 to 1,700 feet). Ridges are broad and rolling with some narrow, winding ridges. Sideslopes average 30 to 40 percent but may exceed 50 percent in the most entrenched valleys. Rolling ridges are capped with a mixture of soft clay shales, siltstone, and coal and a few ridges have small caps of resistant conglomerate. The geology includes Pennsylvanian-Age, Lower Breathitt and Lee formations. The geomorphic processes primarily responsible for shaping this landscape are erosion and fluvial deposition. Ridges are characterized by soils which range from 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 inches) deep. Most have moderate clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well to well-drained. Soils on the slopes are typically over 100 cm (40 inches) deep, with occasional rock outcrops and fragments occurring on lower slopes of the more entrenched valleys. Most have moderate to high clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well drained. The Low Hills Belt subsection has a moderate number of small- to medium-sized, moderately high gradient intermittent and perennial streams. Most have moderately wide, flat valleys with some floodplain development. Fourth- and fifth-order streams have broad alluvial bottoms. Drainage patterns are dendritic and dissection is moderate with about 10 to 11 km of perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams per square kilometer (16 to 18 mi/square mile). The Licking, Kentucky, and Cumberland Rivers all transect this subsection. Interior Low Plateau, Highland Rim Section (222E) Eastern Karst Plain (222Eb) This subsection is located along the western boundary of the Somerset and Stearns Ranger Districts. The Eastern Karst Plain consists of a relatively low, rolling plain that is interrupted by moderate-elevation domes and a few knobs. The surface plain also is punctuated with small to large sinkholes that indicate underlying cave systems. Elevations typically range between 244 to 275 m (800 to 900 feet) on the plain and 305 to 335 m (1,000 to 1,100 feet) on the knobs. The highest elevations are on the eastern side of the subsection, where the knobs are capped in soft clay shales, siltstone coal, and sandstones. Many lower knobs are capped with moderately resistant limestone. The valley floors are soft, easily eroded limestones and dolomites. The dominant geology of the valleys and sideslopes is Mississippian-Age formations and of the ridges Pennsylvanian-Age material. The geomorphic processes primarily responsible for shaping this landscape are erosion, karst solution, and stream incision. Slopes of the knobs and domes are characterized by soils that range from 0 to 100 cm (0 to 40 inches) deep with relatively thin surface horizons. Most subsoils have moderate to high 5 clay content and are moderately well to well-drained. Soils on the plain are characteristically deep, usually over 100 cm (40 inches) to bedrock. They have high clay content in the subsoil and occasionally in the surface horizon. This subsection has a low number of small- to medium-sized intermittent and perennial streams. Most have wide valleys and low gradients. Dissection is greatest in the east, and drainage patterns are dendritic. Stream systems often are influenced by well-developed karst topography and hydrology. The Cumberland River crosses the Eastern Karst Plain and has been dammed to form Lake Cumberland. Eastern Knobs Transition (222Ej) The Eastern Knobs Transition is located in east-central Kentucky along the western boundary of the DBNF. Forest Service land is limited in this subsection. Within this subsection, the Eastern Karst Plain is characterized by broad, plain-like valleys, from which rise scattered, low-relief ridges and knobs. Elevations typically range between 210 to 335 m (700 to 1,100 feet), but a few peaks are as high as 460 m (1,500 feet). The ridges characteristically are steep sided with slopes of 50 percent or greater. Knobs and ridges are capped in shale and sandstones, and the valley floors are soft, acid shales, limestones, and dolomites. The geology is dominated by Silurian/Ordovician-Age formations in the valleys and Mississippian/Devonian-Age material on the ridges. The primary geomorphic process responsible for shaping this landscape is erosion. Average soil depths on the slopes of knobs and domes are 20 inches, with relatively thin surface horizons. Most have moderate to high clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well to well-drained. Soils on the lower slopes and bottoms are characteristically deep, usually over 100 cm (40 inches) to bedrock. They have high clay content in the subsoil and occasionally in the surface horizon. This subsection has broad valleys with well-developed flood plains, often with multiple terraces. There are few small- to medium -sized intermittent and perennial streams. Most flow through wide valleys and have low gradients. Dissection is greatest in the east, and drainage patterns are dendritic. The Licking and Kentucky Rivers cross this subsection at right angles. Kinniconick and Licking Knobs (222En) This subsection is located in northeast Kentucky and includes land on the Morehead Ranger District. The area features broad, plain-like valleys from which rise scattered, moderate-relief ridges and knobs. Elevations range from over 200 to nearly 370 m (700 to 1,200 feet). The ridges are characteristically steep sided, with slopes of 50 percent or more. Knobs and ridges are capped in cherty limestone, sandstone, shale and siltstone and valley floors are covered by shales, limestones, and sandstone. Silurian-Age and Mississippian/Devonian-Age formations dominate in the valleys and Mississippian-Devonian-Age material is prevalent on the ridges. The primary geomorphic processes responsible for shaping this landscape are erosion and, to a lesser extent, mass wasting. Soils on the slopes of knobs and ridges average 50 cm (20 inches) in depth and are moderately well to well-drained. Surface horizons are relatively thin, with moderate to high clay content in the subsoil. Soils on the lower slopes and bottoms typically exceed 100 cm (40 inches) in depth and have high clay content in the subsoil. Some soils have fragipans. 6 The Kinniconick and Licking Knobs subsection has broad valleys with well-developed flood plains, often with multiple terraces. There are a few low-gradient, small- to medium -sized intermittent and perennial streams. Dissection is greatest in the east, and drainage patterns are dendritic. The Licking River crosses this subsection at a right angle. Northern Cumberland Mountains Section (M221C) Southern Cumberland Mountains (M221Cd) This subsection is located in southern east-central Kentucky and northern east-central Tennessee. The Southern Cumberland Mountains are characterized by moderately wide and winding ridges with relatively high relief and side slopes that average 50 to 60 percent. Elevations range from 305 to 700 m (1,000 to 2,300 feet). Ridges are capped in a mixture of soft clay shales, siltstone, coal, and resistant sandstone. The sandstone, which frequently is bounded by rock outcrops or small cliffs, often forms ridges that are 90 to 120 m (300 to 400 feet) wide. The floors of the broader, lower valleys are composed of soft clay shales and siltstones. Pennsylvanian-Age, Lower Breathitt formations dominate and erosion and mass wasting are the primary geomorphic processes responsible for shaping this landscape in which landslides are frequent. Soils on the ridges are typically 25 to 75 cm (10 to 30 inches) deep, and many are rocky. Most have moderate to high clay content in the subsoil and are moderately well drained. Soils on slopes are deeper (typically over 100 cm (40 inches)) with numerous rock outcrops and fragments. The Southern Cumberland Mountains have a high number of small- to medium-sized intermittent and perennial streams. Higher elevation valleys are narrow and V-shaped. The largest valleys are moderately broad and have well-developed alluvial bottoms. Drainage patterns are dendritic and dissection is moderately high, with about 11 km of perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams per square kilometer (18 mi/square mile). Clear Fork and Jellico Creek flow through this subsection and the Cumberland River lies to the north. Hydrographic Features Kentucky has over 143,000 km (89,000 mi) of perennial rivers and streams (Kentucky Division of Water 1998) of which about 11,900 km (7,400 mi) lie within the proclamation boundaries of the DBNF. Because so many perennial watercourses run through the DBNF, as well as about 55,700 km (34,600 mi) of ephemeral and intermittent streams, DBNF land managers have a significant task in providing streamcourse protection and ensuring water quality. The DBNF manages between 6 and 10 percent of the watersheds within the Ohio River Basin, including portions of the Kentucky and Upper Cumberland Rivers (fig. 2). Collectively, these watersheds cover 4.2 million ha (10.3 million acres) or 40 percent of the State and provide the surface and groundwater resources for more than a million people. The major features of the segments of these three river systems that flow through the DBNF are described in the following section, including major tributaries, reservoirs, and specially designated rivers. 7