Riparian Studies
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White Horse Associates has been active in the study of riparian habitats since 1980.  Our early work focused on the relationships between vegetation, soil, and hydrologic variables.  Under the stewardship of Dr. W.S. Platts we helped develop methods for assessing the condition of riparian habitats.  When we tested these methods across a broad region, it became apparent that riparian resources had to be viewed in context with the climatic, geologic, and geomorphic parameters influencing the functional qualities and ecological potential.  Ecoregions, geologic districts, landtype associations, geomorphic classes, and valley-bottom types were used to identify stream/riparian resources with distinctive function and potential.  Subsequently, we developed the concept of "states" (i.e. condition classes) based primarily on stream channel morphology.  Changes in state were found to correspond with changes in the distribution of riparian vegetation types, fine-scale landtypes (e.g. floodplain, terrace, levee) and water regimes within a given setting.  Riparian studies served as the basis for the framework of ecological classifications.  We have completed many studies specific to riparian habitats in the western United States.        

  • Riparian vegetation type inventory, Owens River Gorge, California. 2000.  Detailed mapping of riparian vegetation types and landforms for about 20 linear miles of the Owens River.  Conducted for Ecosystems Sciences, Boise, ID.
  • Stream/Riparian Assessment, Gance and Mahala Creeks, Nevada.  1995.  Assessed condition of stream/riparian habitat relative to ecological potential and a progression of states (condition classes).  Conducted for Mountain City Ranger District (USFS).
  • Riparian monitoring, Rush Creek, Mono Basin, California.  1994.  Monitored colonization of riparian vegetation in 20 previously established monitoring stations on Rush Creek, a tributary to Mono Lake.  Conducted for Don Chapman Consultants, Boise, ID. 
  • Inventory of existing riverine/riparian habitat and projection of potential riverine riparian habitat for six streamflow scenarios, lower Owens River, California. 1994. Conducted detailed mapping of existing stream and riparian habitats in about 15,530 acres associated with about 60 linear miles of the essentially dewatered Owens River.  Also projected maps of potential stream and riparian habitat for six streamflow scenarios, varying from 15 to 200 cfs.  Conducted for Don Chapman Consultants, Boise, ID.
  • Inventory of stream/riparian habitat for parts of the Bear River basin, Utah.  1994.  Conducted a hierarchical classification and order 1 mapping to identify stream reaches of distinctive achievable water quality.  Conducted for ERI, Logan, UT.
  • Assessment of riverine/riparian habitat, Haraman State Park, Idaho.  (1988).  Conducted an inventory of riparian habitats, assess­ed impacts of livestock in control and treatment sites, identified parameters for monitoring effects.  Conducted for Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.
  • Stream/Riparian Management Short Course; Boise, ID.  (1987).   Instructed land and water managers, mostly from government agencies, on the following topics:  (1) Function of riverine/riparian ecosystems; (2) Structure of riverine/riparian ecosystems; and (3) Creation/res­toration of riverine/riparian habitat.  Conducted for Chapman Consultants; Boise, ID. 
  • Inventory of riverine/ri­parian habitats for live­stock/f­ishery study areas, Nevada.  (1987).  Applied a hierarchical classification to identify riparian com­munity types.  The inventory will be used to evaluate the effects of management upon the values of aquatic ecosystems.  Conducted for Intermountain Research Station; Boise, ID.
  • Mitigation through stream/riparian restoration. (1987).  Synthe­sized information useful for evaluating proposals to restore stream/riparian ecosystems in the Intermountain Region. Conducted for EPA; Portland, OR.
  • Stream/Riparian Management Short Course.  1986.  Lectured course participants on the following topics: (1) Processes influencing riparian ecosystems; (2) An approach to classification of riparian ecosystems; (3) Streambank stability; (4) Establishment of ri­parian habitat.  Conducted for Don Chapman Consultants; Boise, ID.
  • Assessment of riparian communities in the Salmon River drainage, Idaho.  1986.  Described and inventoried riparian communities in each of 11 riparian research areas in central Idaho.  Conducted for Intermountain Research Station; Boise, ID.
  • Ecology of stream/riparian ecosystems in the Great Basin, a regional profile.  1986.  Described geomorphic, hydrologic, soil, floristic parameters of riparian habitats in the Great Basin Region from information available in the scientific literature and field experience.  Conducted for US Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Preliminary classification of riparian communities in the Lahontan Basin, Nevada.   1986.  Described, classified and inventoried riparian communities associated with selected head­water tributaries of the Humboldt River.  Conducted for Intermountain Research Station; Boise, ID. 
  • Preliminary classification of riparian communities for portions of the Bear River Subbasin, Utah.  1986.  Described, classified and inventoried riparian communities along segments of Big Creek.  Conducted for Intermountain Research Station; Boise, ID.
  • Effects of altered Bear River streamflow upon associated palustrine wetlands.  1984. Predicted the effects of altered stream­flow resulting from a dam upon downstream waterfowl habitats.  Conducted for Utah Division of Water Resources; Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Riparian classification for the Upper Salmon/Middle Fork Salmon River drainages, Idaho.  1981. Developed a classification for riparian community types that integrated geomorphic, hydrologic, soil and floristic characteristics. Conducted for USDA Forest Service; Ogden, UT.
  • Soil investigation of riparian communities of East Smiths Fork and Henrys Fork drainages, North Slope Uinta Mountains, Utah.   1981. Prepared preliminary classification for riparian community types that integrated geomorphic, hydrologic, soil and floristic parameters.  Conducted for USDA‑Forest Service; Ogden, UT.
  • Riparian classification, Greys River Basin, Wyoming.  1980.  Conducted a riparian classification for the Greys River drainage, Wyoming.  Described geomorphic, hydrologic and soil characteristics for riparian communities.  Derived classification for riparian community types. Conducted for USDA Forest Service; Ogden, UT.

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