Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Loss Assessment at Hills Creek Dam and Reservoir Project, Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, 1985 Final Report.

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5777467· OSTI ID:5777467

Noyes, J H

A habitat based assessment was conducted of the US Army Corps of Engineers' Hills Creek Dam and Reservoir Project on the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, to determine losses or gains resulting from the development and operation of the hydroelectric related components of the project. Preconstruction, postconstruction, and recent vegetation cover types of the project site were mapped based on aerial photographs from 1944, 1964, and 1979, respectively. Vegetation cover types were identified within the affected area and acreages of each type at each period were determined. Fifteen wildlife target species were selected to represent a cross-section of species groups affected by the project. An interagency team evaluated the suitability of the habitat to support the target species at each time period. An evaluation procedure which accounted for both the quantity and quality of habitat was used to aid in assessing impacts resulting from the project. The Hills Creek Project extensively altered or affected 4662 acres of land and river in the Middle Fork Willamette River drainage. Impacts to wildlife centered around the loss of 2694 acres of old-growth forest and 207 acres of riparian habitat. Impacts resulting from the Hills Creek Project included the loss of winter range for Roosevelt elk, and the loss of year-round habitat for black-tailed deer, black bear, cougar, river otter, beaver, ruffed grouse, spotted owl, and other nongame species. Bald eagle and osprey were benefited by an increase in foraging habitat. The potential of the affected area to support wildlife was greatly altered as a result of the Hills Creek Project, losses or gains in the potential of the habitat to support wildlife will exist over the life of the project.

• Research Organization: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
• Sponsoring Organization: United States. Bonneville Power Administration.
• OSTI ID: 5777467
• Report Number(s): DOE/BP-18969-1; P103349
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
DAMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION X
FORESTS
HABITAT
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
Habitat (Ecology) - Oregon - Willamette River Watershed - Modification
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
POWER PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
WATER RESERVOIRS
WILD ANIMALS