1086535 - BMER LRMP Riparian PFC - Form - PFC Additions.pdf

Date: Riparian Area:

ID Team: Reach ID:

Comments:

NA Optimal Sub-Optimal Marginal Poor Instream Cover

Habitat available in stream (fallen trees, logs, branches, large rocks, and undercuts)

>50%

31-50%

11-30%

<11%

Embeddedness

Extent which rocks (gravel, cobble, boulders) are covered or sunken into stream)

0-25%

26-50%

51-75%

>75%

Stream Bank Conditions

Extent which erosion is occurring, or has the potential to occur.

Stable

No evidence of erosion or bank failure.

Moderately Stable

Infrequent small areas of erosion, mostly healed over.

Moderately Unstable

Up to 50% of banks have areas of erosion

Unstable

Many eroded areas, “raw” areas frequent, 51-100% of the bank has erosional scars.

Bank Vegetation Conditions

The amount of the stream bank that is covered by vegetation.

>90%

71-90%

51-70%

<50%

Extent of Grazing Pressure

The extent of grazing impacts and its effect on streamside vegetation and instream pools.

Minimal or Not Evident

Almost all plants are allowed to grow naturally, little evidence of manure accumulation, little trampling near instream pools.

Evident

Only moderate impacts on stubble height, only scattered manure present, instream pools are being used by cattle but are not significantly impacted

Obvious

Patches of bare soil or closely cropped vegetation area common.

High

Patches of bare soil or closely cropped vegetation area common, less than 25% of the potential stubble height is remaining, grazing is affecting plant species composition, manure accumulation is very high, cattle are using instream pools and are having severe impacts on pool vegetation and water quality.