Dixie.Butler.Beaver_Photo_Description.Oct

Butler Creek, Dixie NF

Beaver Photo Descriptions

October 2005

Note: Blue = where photos start on a given creek examined for beavers

PLT = a plant put in the plant press for later identification

October 3 - 6, 2005 Dixie NF	Location	GPS UTM NAD27	Photo #	Photo description	Additional Comments
Butler Creek is in the north central portion of the Cedar City Ranger District, on the Markagunt Plateau of Dixie NF. Signs of past beaver activity include chewed cottonwood, dense root masses, fine sediments above cobbles. Recent dams are not being maintained. Livestock re browsing off sprouts, riparian grasses and sedges. Kentucky bluegrass prevails on the sunken riparian area.
October 4, 2005	BUTLER CREEK (Dixie NF; Fivemile Ridge Quadrangle)	0359363 4181816	2049	Trailing into Creek; roses trampled; mullein	Old beaver chews PLT: Pachystyma ??? Bright green leaves, low ground cover.
			2050	Trailing into Creek; roses trampled; mullein
		0359059 4181864	2051	Bank beaver?	There are fines in here on the banks. They don’t settle out well unless there are beaver. Dams are the only mechanism known to accumulate sediment long-term. A huge old cottonwood that was eaten by beaver.
			2052	Willows along Butler Creek	PLT: Willow along the creek.
		0359337 4181941	2053	Big cottonwood chewed by beaver; all the sprouts browsed off.	Cottonwoods chewed by beaver often can continue by sprouting. Mullein and cheatgrass in the area
			2054	Dense root mass – probably the remnant of an old dam.	The only time Suzanne has noticed these is in failed dams. Exotic: hops climbing on the wall, trees PLT: Willow sp. #2
October 4, 2005	BUTLER CREEK	0359279 4182026	2055	Grazed bank (Kentucky bluegrass, sedges, Juncus) that is stable because it is so low; the riparian area has dropped; old loss of elevation. Could have been early trappers
			2056	Sedge 1 ½” tall – Juncus here too. Beaver could flood this bank out to allow for establishment of willows.	Bitterbrush and mt. mahogany are like bonsai from being browsed. Rocky Mt. juniper is coming into this riparian area because it is becoming drier. Juniper can grow in riparian areas.
		0359186 4182046	2057	Stream bank: cobble below, fines above. Only way you get this is with a dam
		0359191 4182081	2058	Trampled stream bank. Need beaver to dam up. Are removing potential for beaver
		0359191 4182081	2059	Behind the stream, this was once an aspen clone, as dead aspen logs are present. Roses respond to dryness; then rabbitbrush and sagebrush behind. Earlier it was willows and then roses behind.	The creek is widening but not incising further.
		0359206 4182180	2060	Views of Butler Creek. It is wide enough to have had beaver	PLT Grama grass ( black?). Grasses chewed to nubs.
			2061
			2062
			2063	Suzanne
October 4, 2005	BUTLER CREEK Walking back	0359094 4182205	2064	Beaver dam not being maintained. underneath.	PLT Learn the Poa by roadside
		0359094 4182205	2065	Breached beneath.
		??	2066	Fall aspen