Big Meadows Improvement Project
Background
The Big Meadows Improvement Project, a meadow and stream restoration project was successfully implemented in October of 2007. This project utilized a restoration technique known as “pond and plug” which eliminates existing down cut channels and redirects stream flow back into a stable, historic remnant channels on the meadow surface. This project is a collaborative effort between the Forest, Fresno Flyfishers for Conservation, Kaweah Flyfishers, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, California State University-Fresno, Kings River Conservation District, California Regional Water Quality Control Board – Central Valley Region, California Department of Fish and Game, Tulare County Fish and Game Commission, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group (CRM), and numerous other individuals and groups. Over 75% of the funding for this project that included the planning, design, and implementation, and now the monitoring came form grants and private contributions.
Current Situation: Monitoring and education was identified as a critical component of this project. With the project being completed in late fall of 2007, post project monitoring and education has been in full operations during the 2008 calendar year. Here is a breakdown of what has occurred over the past year:
1. Finalization of a monitoring plan was completed and agreed to back in December of 2007. Stephen Lee (private contractor) was selected as the lead hydrologist for the post project monitoring.
2. A "Meadow Restoration Class" was held during the week of June 9 thru the 13, 2008 at the Hume Lake Christian Camp. The session was taught by Jim Wilcox, Program Manager for CRM. Jim is nationally recognized in geomorphic restoration and has completed over 70 erosion and meadow restoration projects since 1986. The purpose of the course was to provide advanced meadow restoration survey, analysis, and design training, as well as developing knowledge and skills in budgeting and environmental planning for restoring meadow ecosystems. The class had over 15 participants from federal, state, and private entities. This class was funded through a grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
3. In September of 2008, the Forest Leadership Team spent a day conducting implementation monitoring. Results of that monitoring showed that the project followed the management requirements and constraints that were outlined in the project environmental document.
4. A bird monitoring study was completed in 2008. This study was intended to measure bird species diversity and abundance following the 2007 restoration project. This monitoring was headed up by Jeff Cordes, Hume Lake District Wildlife Biologist with the help of 3 volunteers. The study found that the bird community at big Meadows was at a level, both in diversity and densities that would be expected in a healthy southern Sierra meadow. Furthermore, the presence of species like mallards, American coots, and swallows was likely a direct result of the restoration work. One of the elements of the restoration project was the planting of willow cuttings, which are exhibiting a high survival rate (approximately 85%). It is expected that the development of willow thickets will further increase the diversity and density of birds in Big Meadows by providing another important habitat element that had been lacking.
5. In October of 2008, a permanent transect to assess range forage conditions was established in the meadow. Cattle grazing was excluded from the meadow during the 2008 season.
6. The hydrological reports were completed in late November of 2008. Results from various measurements showed the following: The pools constructed as part of the restoration project held water throughout the summer at a depth of 3 to 5 feet. The meadow remained saturated to very wet into July. Piezometer readings peaked in May and declined throughout the summer as groundwater was transpired by plants, directly evaporated from shallow water-table and discharged to Big Meadows Creek. Preliminary evaluation of groundwater level collected in 2007-2008 compared with pre-project data indicates that the restoration project has resulted in higher late-summer groundwater levels and increased water storage in the meadow.
Impacts: Information resulting from the monitoring work done so far shows that the restoration work has resulted or exceeded the expected outcomes for this project. Continued monitoring will continue over the next couple of years to study the impacts of this project. This project has served as a good example of the types of meadow restoration work that can be done successfully in this part of the Sierra Nevada range. Planning for additional projects within the Forest and surrounding National Parks are beginning to take place implementing restoration techniques similar to the ones that were used at Big Meadows.
